2006 Stats Looking AheadRegulations

Riders Qualification Certificates (Rqcs)
And Medical Record Books (Mrbs)
Riders are reminded that they MUST ALLOW THREE WEEKS for the processing of their RQC application forms.

However due to the festive break, if you wish to ride at either of the last two meetings in December and the first three meetings in January (6th Jan at Larkhill, 7th Jan at Tweseldown and Higham) your application MUST be with the Point-to-Point Department by WEDNESDAY, 6TH DECEMBER 2006.

WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT ANY APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE PROCESSED IN TIME.

The only forms of payment that are acceptable are personal or building society cheques and Bankers drafts. CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED and any application sent with cash enclosed as a means of payment will be returned unprocessed. Certificates will not be issued until the applicant's cheque has been cleared.

Point-to-Point riders and Amateur riders under Rules carry the same MRB WHICH MUST BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE SEASONS. If you are having your first ride in 2006 / 2007 and have never been issued with any form of riders Licence or Certificate from the Jockey Club or HRA you will be issued with an MRB when your RQC application has been processed. Should you lose your MRB, a replacement is available from the HRA . The cost is £45.00. You must take both your RQC and MRB with you when riding at a Point-to-Point meeting. A fine of £70 will be imposed if you cannot present your MRB. If you are intending to ride under Rules and in Point-to-Points you should be aware that Point-to-Point Doctors are not allowed to pass you fit to ride if you have an outstanding medical suspension for concussion or a fracture or dislocation sustained under Rules. Furthermore, if you are a Point-to-Point rider and sustained a fracture or dislocation at a Point-to-Point you will need to provide supporting documentary evidence that the injury has healed before the Point-to-Point doctor can pass you fit to resume Point-to-Point riding.

With regard to arrangements for concussion, you are reminded that riders who are diagnosed with concussion at a Point-to-Point will be suspended (with NO period of time specified) by the doctor on the day and will not be allowed to return to race riding until they are cleared by the HRA Medical Department after completing the HRA Concussion Protocol. A detailed letter from the HRA Chief Medical Adviser will be included with the RQC application paperwork you collect from your Hunt Secretary but summarised below are the chain of events that have to be followed should you as a rider be diagnosed with concussion at a Point-to-Point meeting in 2006 / 2007:

. Diagnosed with concussion at a Point-to-Point meeting - Point-to-Point Doctor puts a Red Entry in Medical Record Book (MRB) - no suspension period is to be specified;

. You send your MRB to HRA Medical Department;

. When you believe you are fully recovered e.g. free of all symptoms for approximately 7 days - contact the HRA Chief Medical Adviser;

. You then attend post-concussion screening at a HRA Regional Centre. (HRA Medical Department will advise locations);

. The day after your screening, you need to call the HRA Medical Department to obtain the result of the post-concussion review.

If the results indicate that you are clear the Red Entry will be cleared by HRA Chief Medical Adviser and your MRB returned to you in the post. You may still ride the next day if you have not physically received your MRB back but will have to sign the necessary paperwork at the point-to-point meeting.

If you are not cleared you will be advised as to when you can be reviewed again. This is normally 2 weeks after the 1st review.

Please note: Your return to riding timescale is likely to be quicker if you already have a series of "cogsport" baseline results (All professional / amateur jockeys under Rules already undergo this process). Should you be interested in undergoing the optional baseline testing procedures (cost £40) further details are available from:

The Chief Medical Adviser
The HRA
151 Shaftesbury Avenue
London WC2H 8AL

Tel No: 0207 189 3838
Fax No: 0207 189 3836

MEDICATION / MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
It is recommended that prospective RQC applicants with existing medical conditions (or who are currently taking medication) apply to the HRA'S Chief Medical Adviser for information and advice by ringing the number above. When you have applied, and should the Chief Medical Adviser need further information on illnesses or injuries you may have suffered, he will contact your GP. This may delay the application process of an RQC so if you fall into this category please allow extra time for your application to be processed.

If you concurrently hold an Amateur Rider's Permit and are concussed at a Point-to-Point you must still follow the relevant protocol within Instruction E4 of the Rules of Racing before seeking to be passed as fit for a return to Point-to-Points. You should note that Point-to-Point Declaration Clerks have been instructed to retain RQC's and MRB's for riders prior to them leaving the course.

POINT-TO-POINT RIDERS INSURANCE SCHEME
In consultation with PPORA, the 2006 / 2007 Scheme provides the same cover as last year with the exception that the weekly Total Temporary Disablement payments that can be claimed has been increased from £180 to £185. Administration charges have been increased in line with RPI. The premiums and administration fees are as follows:

FULL RQC 2006
Premium 154.08
Administration 5.84
TOTAL COST 159.92

MEMBERS 2006
Premium 40.00
Administration 5.84
TOTAL COST 45.84

With the help and support of PPORA, this scheme is run on behalf of riders with the aim of providing the majority with what they want. Full details will be sent with the RQC. Riders are reminded that the Point-to-Point and Amateur Riders Insurance schemes are not linked so the fact that you have joined one does not mean you can opt out of the other. There would be no cost advantage in amalgamating the two schemes which have different levels of cover with the Point-to-Point Scheme providing weekly and capital benefits and the Amateur Scheme capital benefits only. THE INSURANCE THAT YOU RECEIVE WITH YOUR RQC DOES NOT COVER YOU TO RIDE IN HUNTER CHASES.

Please note that since 2004 the Declaration which you are asked to sign on your Riders Qualification Certificate application form includes a sentence on your basic ability to ride. You must not apply if you have any doubts about your ability to ride in Point-to-Points.

NEW RIDERS' GUIDE TO THE REGULATIONS
"In the Saddle" is an easy to follow guide to the Regulations aimed specifically at Point-to-Point riders. Copies will be sent to all first time riders with their RQC's and will be available to those attending the PPORA Riders' Seminars free of charge. "In the Saddle" may also be requested by any rider from the Point-to-Point Department and will shortly be available via the website (www.thehra.org).

CATEGORIES OF RIDERS PERMITS FOR RACING UNDER RULES
CATEGORY "A": Holders of these permits may ride only in Flat races and/or Steeple Chases (these include Hunter Chases) and Hurdle races confined to Amateur riders.

CATEGORY "B": Holders of these permits may only ride in Flat races confined to Amateur riders, in Steeple Chases and Hurdle races except those confined to licensed jockeys and in all National Hunt Flat races.

TRAINING SEMINARS FOR PROSPECTIVE AMATEUR RIDERS UNDER RULES
A new Category "A" permit will not be granted by the HRA Licensing Department unless you have attended a one-day training seminar run by the British Racing School on behalf of the HRA.

Please call the British Racing School for dates in the New Year of the Training seminars/ assessments, as at the time of going to print they had not been confirmed. However the following dates are confirmed for this year:

15th November 2006 at the British Racing School
29th November 2006 at the British Racing School

Since 1st July 2004 new applicants also have to be assessed. Ordinarily, anyone who attended a seminar prior to this date does not. Assessment days will be held on 15th November, 30th November and 20th December 2006 (all at British Racing School). However, those applicants who have had 15 or more Point-to-Point rides in GB or Ireland are eligible for dispensation from the Assessment day (not the seminar day). In order to gain dispensation applicants should apply to the HRA's Licensing Department in writing.

Fraser Garrity - Manager, Racecourse and Point-to-Point Department - (0207 189 3852)