Our standards
Online competition only counts if the process behind the result is transparent. These are the standards every class we run is held to.
Every class publishes its scoring criteria and their weightings before entries open. Judges are assigned to a class before entries open and score against those published criteria only. Judges cannot score entries from horses they own, train or coach.
Where a class uses more than one judge, judges score independently and cannot see each other's marks. The class specifies in advance how the marks are combined — for example average, median, or dropping the highest and lowest.
Each class publishes an ordered tie-break sequence, usually based on the most heavily weighted criteria first. Where a tie cannot be broken by those rules, an authorised organiser resolves it on the record, or a shared placing is awarded.
Results are reviewed before publication and published as a single atomic operation, so a class is never partially released. Amendments are recorded, and any certificate issued against a superseded result is replaced.
Welfare comes before placings. Entries showing unsafe practice, harsh equipment, evident distress or lameness are rejected. Unsafe or unsuitable going, and any fall of horse or rider, are handled under the published class rules.
Submissions must be genuine, continuous and unedited beyond cropping, straightening and modest exposure or colour correction. AI-generated, composited or materially manipulated media is prohibited in every class, and every competitor accepts a declaration before submitting.
If an entry is eliminated, rejected or marked invalid, the competitor may ask the organiser to review the decision — normally within 48 hours of notification. The outcome may be to uphold or overturn the decision, or to allow a new submission. Late requests may still be considered at the organiser's discretion.
Junior entries require verified guardian consent through a secure, single-use, expiring link before an entry can be submitted. Junior personal details are never shown publicly, and guardians can withdraw consent at any time.
