Minimus

You must be Under 12 on the 1st of January of the current year to be eligible to take part.
 

It is normally held in June each year.

It is held in a different venue each year. The details of the current year's venues are published on the IPC website minimus page.

The Minimus Championships are a team competition. It consists of One Overall Competition for teams of four (3 scores count) made up of any combination of boys or girls. Within the overall competition there are two competitions for the teams made up of all Boys and all Girls.

Yes, all boys and girls on a team are also placed individually. The score they get as part of a team, is also used to make an individual placing. There is an individual boys competition for ALL the boys taking part and an individual girls competition for ALL the girls taking part. There are also individual placings for the best in swimming and the best in running.
 

The riding in the Minimus Championships is cross-country riding over solid fences. There may also be ditches, banks and drops. However, it is scored very differently from other cross country riding competitions such as horse trials or hunter trials. The course will also include a gate and a slip-rail. The rider must open the gate, go through it, and then close it, WHILST MOUNTED ON THEIR PONY. At a Slip Rail, the rider dismounts, opens the rail, goes through, closes the rail and remounts. You are given 60 seconds to negotiate each of these. If you take longer or need assistance, you will be given penalties.

The fences are Max height:- 0.75m, Spread only:- 1.50m, Height and spread:- 0.60 at highest point, 0.90m at base. Important things to note are: If you FALL off you are ELIMINATED If you get ANY OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE you are ELIMINATED If you leave out a fence or obstacle you are ELIMINATED Only SIBLINGS may share a pony.

If you have a clear round in the time allowed you score 1400 points. However points are deducted from this if you have problems on the course. You should read the information on Positive Scoring on this webpage.

The following is a summary of some of the penalties. First refusal, run out or circle at obstacle - 60 penalties Second refusal, run out or circle of horse at obstacle 60 penalties Third refusal, run out or circle of horse at obstacle 80 penalties Therefore, if you have 3 refusals at one fence, you get 200 penalties, but can continue on. Horse resisting rider anywhere on the course for 60 secs. 200 penalties Failure to negotiate a hazard in 60 secs. (see rule 25). 200 Penalties Every completed second in excess of time allowed 2 Penalties Gate and Slip Rail: (i) Failure to open and pass through the gate mounted within 60 secs - 200 penalties (ii) Failure to shut gate mounted, within the 60 secs allowed, when it is otherwise correctly negotiated. 50 penalties (iii) Failure to dismount, take down and pass through the slip rail dismounted within 60 secs - 200 penalties (iv) Failure to replace slip rail dismounted, when it is correctly negotiated - 50 penalties (v) Receiving assistance to re-mount after the slip rail - 80 penalties (vi) Jumping the gate or slip rail - 80 penalties (Rider must go back and negotiate properly or is eliminated).

Elimination: A rider will be eliminated in the following circumstances: (1) Omission of obstacle or flag (If this is rectified before the next fence is jumped there is no elimination). (2) Jumping an obstacle in wrong order or backwards (3) Re-taking an obstacle already jumped (except part of a combination) (4) Going around an obstacle without attempting to jump it three times (5) Failure to attempt to complete negotiation of gate or slip rail ( including shutting /replacing ) for 60 secs.. (6) Continuing the course without a hat 3 refusals at 4 fences or at 3 fences plus failure at gate or slip rail (7) Failure to cross start line within 60 secs. (8) Failure to attempt to pass through a hazard for 60 secs (9) For misbehaviour (10) Receiving outside assistance (11) For going wrong side of flag (if this is corrected before the next fence is jumped there is no elimination) (12) Inspecting course before it is officially opened and or tampering with fences or flags on the course. (13) Riding a horse on, over or near any part of the course except when competing. (14) Jumping a fence which is not on the course on which the flags are crossed. (15) If a rider has one fall he is eliminated. Note: After three refusals, or after failure to negotiate the gate, slip rail or hazard (within 60 secs.), a competitor will be told by the fence judge to go round and pass on to the next obstacle.

At each obstacle an escape route must be provided to allow competitors to go round as described above. If a competitor is unable to mount after the slip rail he may receive assistance to do so but will incur 80 penalties. The above is just a summary of some of the rules. Children taking part in the Minimus Championships are quite young and should be very well briefed and instructed about the rules of this competition by their D.C. or instructor.

The current Tetrathlon Rule Book should be read and has lots more information.
See also the Current Country Tack Sheet and IPC Guide to Competitions