Updates

Sometimes, surviving the warm up arena can be more difficult than getting through your test! At SDC, we’re lucky to have three large warm-up areas (the northern area, southern area, and the pony club grounds), but there are still busy periods when a bit of “arena etiquette” is necessary to ensure everyone has a safe, stress-free warm up. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind next time you find yourself in the warm up arena.

Look Up!

Many riders are so focused on their own horse – watching their neck and head – they forget to look around. Awareness of other horses and riders around you is crucial if you want to avoid accidents (or the odd word of abuse!). Does your horse need brake lights? Don’t stop suddenly without being aware of who is behind you. If you need to stop to adjust equipment or dismount, move to the centre of the warm up arena or exit the warm up arena. If you do accidentally happen to cut someone off or force them to halt, a quick “sorry!” is polite.

Lunging

Try to stay as far as possible from other horses if you’re lunging. Keep to the outskirts of the warm up area, or the designated lunging area if one exists. At SDC there isn’t a separate lunging area at present as everyone has been getting along with common sense.

Coaching/Lessons

If a coach is warming you up, make sure they are standing on the edge of the area, not in the middle.

Left shoulder to left shoulder

When you and another rider are approaching head on, stay on the “right side of the road”, with your left shoulder toward the approaching rider’s left shoulder.
If you’re walking or doing slow work, keep to the inside track/centre of the arena.

Keeping a distance

In a busy warm up arena, it’s difficult to do, but try to avoid riding too close to another horse. Particularly when passing from behind; the horse you are passing may feel threatened and decide to kick or panic and run off. Many horses get upset when another horse crowds its space. Just use your common sense – don’t ride up another horse’s bum, don’t pass too close – we’re not playing dodgem cars!

Misbehaving Horses

If your horse is having “behavioural problems”, please move to the edge of the arena so as not to upset other horses. Likewise, if you see another horse misbehaving, stay away and if you have to ride near it, do so quietly. If a rider falls off or there is a loose horse, you should halt until the situation is under control.

Ride in your designated warm up area if there is one

At present, you can warm up in any of the warm up areas at SDC, but we may decide to have designated areas in the future if necessary. As a guide, if you’re test is on in the northern arenas (arena 1 to 3) it’s a good idea to warm your horse up in the northern warm up area. If you’re test is on in the southern arenas (4 to 6), warm up in the southern area. If both areas are particularly busy, or you want a quiet area, use the pony club grounds.

Be considerate of others at all times

Everyone has equal right in the warm up area. FEI and junior riders alike. Always give way if a collision is likely – even if you’re in the “right”. Everyone has special “needs” so please bear the following in mind:

Juniors and beginners – less experienced, may not have much control over there mount, may be intimidated by other riders. Be aware they may unknowingly get in the way, please show some tolerance.
Young/green horses – inexperienced, easily upset by other horses. Ride quietly around them and keep your distance.
FEI riders - lower level riders must be aware of an upper level rider who is practicing a movement – they are expected to have more precision and their movements are more complicated. Let them complete the movement by giving them a little extra space. Lateral work always has right of way.

No galloping

Save your Anky and Salinero performance for the Olympics.

Above all, use your common sense and make it a safe environment for everyone to enjoy.

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Nowra Saddleworld Member Discount

Yards

The yards at the common are there to be used, but like most equipment need to be maintained. If you use a yard and have not indicated on your entry form that you are, please come to the clubhouse and pay a $2 fee. It is not much, but all that money goes towards keeping the yards in good repair. If you find a problem with any of the yards, please let the Chief Steward of the day know, so it can be fixed.