The Regulation in question came into force from 5 January 2007 with the requirement for a Certificate of Competence coming into affect from January 2008. The regulation only applies to journeys where animals are transported in connection with an economic activity. On the basis that the grooms are 'employed' and paid for their services, the transport team are saying that these journeys are classed as 'economic'.  

There are certain requirements of the Regulation (all covered in more detail at the link below):  

1. Transporter Authorisation - Anyone transporting horses over 65km in connection with an economic activity needs to obtain a Transporter Authorisation. This is currently free of charge and lasts for 5 years. An Authorisation is issued in the name of a company/individual and covers anyone associated with that company involved with transporting animals. Details of how to apply are included within the link below. For example, the owners of the horses or the groom would need to hold an Authorisation in their name. If the owners of the horse are affectively employing the grooms, then the horse owners should apply for an Authorisation in their name.  

2. Certificate of Competence - Anyone transporting horses over 65km in connection with an economic activity need to obtain a Certificate of Competence. These apply to individuals and are required for drivers and attendants (or combined if individuals take both roles). In this case, the grooms would certainly need to obtain a Competence Certificate from one of the approved bodies (again, details included in the link below), which involves having to sit a multiple choice test of 27 questions. There is no provision for such tests to be available in other languages. The only instance when an exemption will come in to place is when a one person is travelling with one pony and when two people are travelling with two ponies.  

Full details of the Regulation and it's requirements are available here:   http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/eu-transportreg.htm  

If you have anymore queries please contact the Animal Health team on 0845 603 8395

TESTS FOR S RATED PLAYERS

Following the end of season handicap meeting a number of handicap changes for S rated players are still  subject to members passing the Rules test.  In order for this to happen before the beginning of next season a test will be held at the HPA at Little Coxwell, near Faringdon, Oxon at 10.30 on the following dates:

• 1st December

• 8th December

Coffee will be served from 10.00 and the test will take about one hour.  The test is now in two parts, the Rules test and an Umpire test, and players are required to take both parts, needing to pass they Rules Test for their handicap change to become effective; if they pass both parts they achieve a CP umpire grade.  Players are not allowed to use the Blue Book during the test.

Should you wish to attend please notify the office by 15th November via email milly@hpa-polo.co.uk indicating which day you would like to attend.   A map of how to find the HPA is detailed on our website: http://www.hpa-polo.co.uk/about/how_to_find_us.asp

A separate test will also be held at the Beverley Polo Club, Yorkshire to be organised by Kirsty Craig at a date to be agreed.  

Should a Club be able to collect together a number of candidates to take the test please contact Arthur Douglas-Nugent 01730 815150 and he will try to arrange a visit.  

Please note that to have handicaps confirmed in time for publication for the Blue Book the tests will have to have been taken and the Rules Test passed before Christmas.