These rules apply to all competitions run by Riding Clubs, irrespective of the level of the competition, they do not apply at any other competitions.  BRC Rules are different to, and stricter than, those  at any affiliated competitions or where "Jockey Club" rules apply.  If you are not used to BRC rules then it pays to get to know them as they are rigidly applied.

Each horse or pony competing in an area qualifier must: have a valid vaccination certificate which undeniably relates to that horse. It must be completed, signed and stamped on each line by a veterinary surgeon, who must not be the horse's owner.

It must state that: the horse has had two injections for primary vaccination against equine influenza, given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart. The horse is permitted to compete seven days after the second injection has been given. ( This may not be wise, but it is legal and permitted)

A first booster must have been given no less than 150 days and no more than 215 days after the second injection of the primary vaccination course.

After the first booster, subsequent booster injections must be given at intervals of not more than 1 year .

None of these injections must have been given within the preceding 7 days of the competition, including the day of the competition or entry into the competition stables.

The vaccination certificate must, under penalty of elimination, accompany the horse to all official competitions.

The vaccination certificate will be checked at a designated place. ( frequently on entry to the show-ground or at the Event Secretary's lair).

Notwithstanding this, the vaccination must be available on demand by an event official, at any time during the course of the event. After any official has requested sight of the certificate it must be produced within 30 seconds (45 on Sundays). Failure to comply in time is punished by immediate disembowelling.

The responsibility of ensuring that the vaccination certificate is correct and available, rests 100%  with the competitor. There is no valid reason for certificate's absence.

Honest mistakes will always happen and we will all stupidly forget vital things. Unfortunately
though, hard as it sometimes seems, there really is no "wriggle room" here, and no certificate
equals no competition. There is nothing to discuss or negotiate, all is lost.

For good reasons this has to be an absolute rule, that applies equally to all. So whether you are the greenest novice or an Olympic Hopeful, it is more than anyone's jobsworth to allow any latitude. (Or common sense)

The point of having vaccination rules, is to minimise the risk of spreading serious horse infections by getting lots of horses in close proximity.

The diseases that we vaccinate against are spread from horse to horse by being close to each other.It is not possible to have a horse at a competition without it getting close enough to other horses for disease to spread.

If these rules are rigidly adhered to, then every horse present is as immune to; the relevent disease as it is possible to make it. This level of immunity, known as herd immunity, is suficcient to prevent the spread of disease.

As regards the rigidly proscriptive vaccination schedule. Almost certainly a few weeks, or even months either way, would not affect how immune the horse is, and doubtless our horses are all grossly over-vaccinated.; However studies have not been done to prove this. Commen sense tells us that this must be the case, but we need to rely on proven fact, not common sense. This way, at least the policy whilst doubtless resulting in over vaccination, does effectively safeguard against shows causing the spread of disease. The policy is backed up by verifiable facts, not by "supposition" and "reasonable expectations"

 

If there are going to be rules like this, then it is vital that they must equelly apply to everybody, regardless of who they are, or how loud they shout. This way a rule may be irksome, but it is fair. Nothing gets people worked up and cross quite as effectively as perceived unfairness..

So why are the vaccination rules so strict ?

The point of having vaccination rules, is to minimise the risk of spreading serious horse infections by getting lots of horses in close proximity. The diseases that we vaccinate against are spread from horse to horse by being close to each other.It is not possible to have a horse at a competition without it getting close enough to other horses for disease to spread. If these rules are rigidly adhered to, then every horse present is as immune to; the relevent disease as it is possible to make it. Almost certainly a few weeks, or even months either way, would not affect how immune the horse is, and doubtless our horses are all grossly over-vaccinated.; However studies have not been done to prove this. Commen sense tells us that this must be the case, but we need to rely on proven fact, not common sense.; If there are going to be rules like this, then it is vital that they must equelly apply to everybody, regardless of who they are, or how loud they shout. This way a rule may be irksome, but it is fair. Nothing gets people worked up and cross quite as effectively as perceived unfairness.. From a purely personal point of view, in this age of horse passports, implanted microchips etc. Surely it is not beyond us to come up with some form of reliable certificate to say this horse is Kosher, rather than having to count the days between every vaccination for every horse at every competition. If an implanted microchip can hold enough data for security and identity purposes, then it could also carry the date beyond which a horse does not comply with the rules. Come on guys, this is not rocket science !! Who exactly benefits from there being herds of grossly over medicated animals? It is hard to say with any certainty, though having said that, who has ever seen a horse in this country with Tetanus? One might be tempted to also say, who last saw a hard up vet, or a bankrupt vaccine maker? However I suspect that would be much too cynical a view.   CLOSE THIS BOX

So why are the rules so strict ?                            The MRC Flu  Vaccine Calculator