British Eventing will be allowing all competitors across the levels to use stop watches on cross country for a trial period during the first six months of 2016.
Stop watches were previously prohibited at BE100 level and below but competitors at BE80, BE80 and BE100, including those competing at the Mitsubishi Motors Cup in May, will be allowed to wear them during the cross country phase of the competition until June 2016
The decision to trial the use of stop watches at these levels follows feedback from stewards and officials that riders of all ages at lower levels were having difficulties finding the correct pace and to adapt their rhythm and speed for different levels of track. The decision will be complemented by Speed Training courses from British Eventing to help lower level riders understand how to use their watches effectively and put it into practice using marked distances
Under 18 Regional Coach, Mark Corbett, commented; “It is about learning to use the stopwatches as part of your cross country equipment and to help riders find the rhythm and speed that they use in training to then use in competition”
Full details on timing devices will be published in the 2016 British Eventing Rule book and following the trial period further notifications will be made
