April/May 2019 News from the Umpires

There have been some carnivals run and won over the last few weeks and there have been a few incidents that are worth mentioning from the Umpires. This is general feedback from the NSWPA Chief Umpires.

Score sheets: It has been noted that there are quite a few score sheets, in all Zones, that have not been correctly filled out. These documents are a record of the game that has been played and it is very important that all the information is filled in correctly. The Scorer and Time Keeper need to be noted, the Umpires also need to check and sign, as they will be responsible if there are any issues with the game or any incidents.

Umpire Jackets: All Umpires are required to wear umpire jackets, we need to see them being used.

Blood Rule: Blood on horse or rider must be cleaned up immediately, prevented from occurring again and the source removed (eg spurs removed)

This is the responsibility of the umpires. From Horse Welfare: It is important to find out what is exactly causing the blood, ie spurs, a bitten tongue, buckle cut etc and evaluate the level of injury.

Two Umpires: (Rule 20c and 20d) This is a requirement for the 2 top grade games and on all finals.

Recommendation: Players are not to Umpire games involving their own club.

Kicking horses: This vice is not to be tolerated. There was an incident recently where a player was kicked by an ‘off field’ (section off) horse behind the goal posts in a run off after a goal had been scored. This horse was at least 12m behind the back line, but as the horse ran behind it, it lashed out and hit the player in the ankle. This was only a young horse, but no excuse and was removed from the game. One thing we need to emphasise to all players and especially young ones is, NOT to ride closely, or cross over closely, behind any horse, on and off the field.

Numbers: All clubs are reminded to have correct playing shirts, with correct numbers on all players in all chukkas, even if a player is doubling up.

Round Robin Draws: Clubs and teams are reminded that in a Round Robin draw, if a team forfeits a game, then this will exclude that team from any finals , as the Round Robin has NOT been completed.

Line ups: Umpires and players are reminded that players shall line up as follows ”In 2 parallel lines, knee to knee, facing the umpire. No 1 players are nearest to the throw in, followed by the No 2 players and then the No 3’s. All horses shall be no closer than nose to tail. The No 1 players shall be 7 metres from the sideline, and at least 3 metres from the umpire”.

“No player may make any move for advantage in the match until the ball has left the umpires hand. This includes charging, pushing, and screwing of horses in the line-up”.