These Terms & Conditions apply to online competitions organised by All-Steps Formation Riding (ASFR).

By entering and making payment, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Competition Terms & Conditions.

Booking and Payment

Competition entries must be completed and paid for by the published closing date.

An entry is confirmed once the required entry information and payment have been received.

The entry price and any booking and administration fee will be displayed before payment. The booking and administration fee is non-refundable.

You may enter and pay for an individual rider or make one payment for a whole team where this option is offered.

The person completing a whole-team entry is responsible for providing accurate information and ensuring the other team members are aware of these Terms & Conditions.

If You Are Unable to Enter

If you are unable to take part, please contact All-Steps Formation Riding before the published closing date. Your competition entry fee can be transferred to the next available ASFR online competition.

An entry may be transferred once only. If the transferred entry is not used for the next available competition, the entry fee will be forfeited.

The £1.50 booking and administration fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred. A new booking and administration fee will apply when the replacement entry is arranged.

If the replacement competition costs more than the original competition, the difference will be payable. Entries cannot be transferred after a competition video has been submitted or judging has begun. If you do not contact us before the closing date, the entry will be forfeited and cannot be transferred.

Changes or Cancellation by All-Steps Formation Riding

All-Steps Formation Riding may make reasonable changes to competition dates, classes, tests, judges, submission arrangements or results dates where circumstances require.

If ASFR cancels a competition, competitors will receive a refund of the competition entry fee paid.

The booking and administration fee and any costs incurred independently by competitors are not normally refundable.

We will communicate any significant changes using the contact details provided with the entry.

Eligibility and Teams

Classes are open to riders who meet the requirements shown in the relevant class description.

New teams are very welcome. Competitors do not need to have entered previous rounds to enter a competition.

Riders aged 16 or under must have the permission of a parent or guardian to participate.

The permitted number of riders will be shown within the relevant test and class information.

A rider may compete more than once in the same test if they are riding in different teams.

Team members may be changed until the published closing date. Changes must be notified to ASFR before the entry or video submission deadline.

ASFR reserves the right to refuse or withdraw an entry where there is a genuine safety, welfare, eligibility, conduct or administrative concern.

Video Submission

Competition videos must be submitted using the official ASFR video submission form by the published deadline.

The person submitting the video is responsible for checking that:

• The correct video link has been provided

• The video can be opened and viewed by ASFR and the judges

• The video meets the filming requirements

• All required team and class information is correct

Where YouTube is used, the video should normally be set to Unlisted rather than Private.

Videos received after the deadline may not be accepted unless ASFR has agreed an extension.

Filming Requirements

Unless different instructions are provided for a particular class:

• Film from the centre line behind the C marker

• Keep the entire riding area and team visible

• Film in landscape

• Keep the camera still

• Include the original sound

• Submit one continuous, unedited recording

• Begin filming before the opening announcement

• Continue filming until the test has finished

At the beginning of the video, the team should face the camera and clearly state:

• The team name

• The riders’ names

• The date of filming

• The test being ridden

The videographer should not provide instructions during the test.

Test calling, verbal timing cues and permitted lead-rider cues are allowed.

A video must not have been submitted for judging in a previous ASFR competition.

Video Access

Competitors are responsible for testing their video link before submitting it.

If ASFR or the judge cannot access the video, we will make reasonable efforts to contact the person who submitted the entry.

If access is not provided within the time requested, the entry may be withdrawn from judging.

Horse and Rider Safety

Equestrian activities involve inherent risks. Horses can behave unpredictably, and riding or handling horses can result in falls, kicks, bites, collisions and other injuries.

Competitors are responsible for ensuring that:

• Riders and horses are fit and suitably prepared

• The riding surface and filming area are safe

• Tack and equipment are correctly fitted and suitable

• Riders wear appropriate clothing and correctly fitted safety equipment

• Appropriate supervision is provided

• The horse is not asked to perform beyond its current ability or fitness

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful for ASFR to do so.

Horse Welfare

Horse welfare takes priority over competition results.

Horses must be sound, fit and suitable for the work being performed.

Any video showing lameness, blood, distress, excessive force, unsafe riding or another significant welfare concern may be stopped from further judging or eliminated.

ASFR may contact the competitor where a welfare concern is identified and may refuse future entries in serious or repeated cases.

Competitors must comply with applicable animal welfare laws and accepted standards of horse care.

Tack and Equipment

Unless a particular test or class states otherwise, competitors may use:

• A suitable bridle

• Any suitable style of saddle

• Short or long whips

• Spurs with a maximum shank length of one inch

• Matching or coordinated saddle pads

• Boots or bandages that are consistent across the team

Market Harboroughs, draw reins, De Gogue-style aids and similar restrictive training aids are not permitted during a competition test.

Riders under 18 may only wear spurs with the permission of their parent, guardian or responsible instructor.

All tack and equipment must be correctly fitted and used appropriately.

Clothing

Teams should present a tidy and coordinated appearance.

Normal competition clothing, team clothing or coordinated outfits may be worn where suitable for the class.

Where a themed or festive competition is offered, costumes and accessories must be safe, secure and appropriate for the individual horses and riders.

Competitors are responsible for deciding whether an outfit or accessory is suitable for their horse. Nothing should restrict the horse’s movement, vision or breathing, interfere with tack or create an avoidable risk.

An approved riding hat meeting current safety standards must be worn by every mounted rider.

Judging

Judges may consider:

• Accuracy of the test

• Rhythm and timing

• Spacing between riders

• Fluency of movements

• Harmony between horses and riders

• Overall team presentation

• Music, where relevant to the class

Errors and rule infringements may incur penalties as stated on the relevant test or competition information.

The judge’s decision is final in relation to marks and placings.

Competitors may raise a genuine administrative query, such as a calculation error or incorrect team information, by contacting ASFR. This does not provide a right to challenge a judge’s professional opinion.

Results, Rosettes and Prizes

The awards available for each competition will be stated in the relevant competition information.

For the December 2026 online competition, rosettes will be awarded to 10th place.

Any additional prizes, plaques, special awards or outfit competitions will be described separately.

No cash alternative is available unless specifically stated.

Results will be published after judging and checking have been completed. Any expected publication date is an estimate and may change depending on the number of entries.

Photographs, Videos and Promotion

Ownership of a submitted photograph or video remains with its creator.

By submitting competition material, the competitor gives ASFR permission to view, store and use it for:

• Judging and competition administration

• Results and awards

• ASFR promotional material

• The ASFR website and social media

• Education and development of Formation Riding

This permission is non-exclusive and royalty-free.

ASFR will not sell a competitor’s photograph or video to an unrelated third party without additional permission.

If there is a safeguarding, privacy or other genuine reason why an image or video should not be used publicly, please contact ASFR before submitting it.

The person submitting material is responsible for obtaining any necessary permission from the riders, parents or guardians and the owner of the material.

Music and Copyright

Competitors are responsible for ensuring they have permission to use any music, images or other protected content included in their entry.

Social media and video platforms may mute, restrict or remove content where their copyright rules have not been met.

ASFR is not responsible for copyright claims arising from music or other content selected by a competitor.

ASFR Tests and Materials

ASFR tests, diagrams, scoring systems, guidance and associated competition materials remain the intellectual property of All-Steps Formation Riding.

They may be downloaded, printed and used to prepare for and participate in an authorised ASFR competition.

They must not be sold, republished, rebranded, used to run an unauthorised competition or distributed commercially without written permission from ASFR.

Reasonable sharing within an entered team for practice and participation is permitted.

Insurance and Personal Property

ASFR maintains appropriate public liability insurance for its activities.

Competition entry does not include personal public liability, personal accident, veterinary or horse insurance.

Competitors are responsible for arranging suitable insurance for themselves and their horses.

ASFR is not responsible for loss of or damage to property, tack, equipment, vehicles or filming equipment unless caused by ASFR’s negligence.

Behaviour

ASFR wants its competitions to be friendly, welcoming and fair.

Dangerous, abusive, discriminatory, dishonest or seriously disruptive behaviour may result in an entry being withdrawn or future entries being refused.

Any decision will be considered in light of the circumstances and the seriousness of the behaviour.

Personal Information

Information provided when entering will be used to administer the competition, process the entry, communicate with competitors and publish appropriate results.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with the ASFR Privacy Policy.

Events Outside Our Control

ASFR will not be responsible for delays or failure to provide part of a competition where this is caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control.

Where this happens, we will make reasonable efforts to provide an alternative, extension, postponement, credit or refund where appropriate.

Acceptance of These Terms

By completing a competition entry, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Competition Terms & Conditions.

If you have any questions, please contact All-Steps Formation Riding before entering.

All-Steps Formation Riding
[email protected]
07454 558432

Last updated: October 2026