The Eventing Ireland Technical Adviser is responsible for the technical safety, preparatory arrangements and successful running of the Event.
The qualification criteria for a TA is an FEI Stewarding qualification along with accreditation to be a CNC3* Steward at national level.
In practice, the TA will liaise closely with Organisers, EI Stewards, officials, competitors and owners to ensure that the events fully comply with the rules and guidelines for Eventing Ireland. In essence, the TAs are the champions of the high standards EI demands from events. Eventing Irelandhas 9 Technical Advisers (who meet the criteria) whose task it is to advise, and be involved in, all the design and building stages of the cross country course at every EI event under EI rules.
The TA may make site visits prior to the event, and then the day before the event runs, they walk the course with the EI Steward with whom they work as a team throughout the event. Their responsibility is to see that the event runs smoothly and safely within the EI rules, and emergencies are handled correctly.
Specific Tasks of the Technical Adviser Include
•Advising Organisers on all aspects of planning and running events
•Advising course builders on the technical aspects of both show jumping and cross country course design and construction, so as to achieve acceptable EI standards
•Carrying out inspections of the show jumping and cross country courses, in conjunction with the EI Steward, prior to an event, to ensure that all aspects of the event meet the requirements of EI
•Attendance at allocated events, assisting the EI Steward before and throughout the competition
•Carrying out Fence Judge briefing
•Assisting Eventing Ireland by giving a second opinion on possible new events, sites and their Organisers, when requested
•Attending EI Stewards training days and TA training every 2 years
•Wheeling and checking measurements the cross country fences
•Advising and supporting the EI Steward throughout
•In consultation with the Organiser, choosing the rider representative
•Assisting the EI Steward with the organisation of and liaison with cross country control in order to plot radios, determine stopping fences and decide the number of nets
A TA's typical involvement with an event starts with a pre-event visit as early as possible before the event date. At this visit the TA will discuss with the organiser and course builder any proposed changes to classes or layout are discussed. Also, they would carry out an assessment of ground conditions for Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country and advise on any work to be done.
The TA will meet the cross-country controller for a briefing and then the medical team and vet to talk through procedures for serious human and equine casualties and how any situations will be handled
Tasks of The Technical Adviser Before the Event
The most important site visit is two-three weeks before the event (still time for any changes to be implemented). This is when the following is confirmed with the organiser:
•All general administration is in place and entries accommodated
•All emergency services are booked and have had full instructions
•Dressage and Show Jumping Judges & Stewards are confirmed
•Cross Country fence judges have been informed when to report for their briefing
•Cross Country Control Team have been informed on where and when to report (with good time for checks and any changes)
•Walk the Cross Country Course with the EI Steward and Course designer to wheel the distance and check fence dimensions against Rules
•Flagging and numbering of fences
•Ground and going check
Cross Country Course Inspection
The day before the event, the TA will then be on hand to “approve” the event. The Cross Country must be ready by 2:00pm so that it can be opened to competitors to walk. The Cross Country course inspection includes:
•Check fence heights and spreads
•General Presentation of fences
•Correct installation of any breakable devices
•Numbering and flagging of course is correct and as per programme
•Mark alternatives correctly
•Display class colour indicators
A similar inspection is carried out on the Show Jumping arena and course and then onto the Dressage arenas which should be correctly laid out and lettered.
Technical Adviser Role - On the Day of the Event
On the event day, it is very much a team effort between the EI Steward and TA. At least an hour before the start of the competition, the final checks are carried out – last minute drive round the course to ensure numbering is still correct, meet with the Cross Country Controller, emergency services and Chief Cross Country Steward. At the allotted time, the fence judges must be briefed on their duties and then check on them once they have moved into position in conjunction with Cross Country Control. The TA should be on hand for the start of the first twenty or so horses to ensure the team there is working well. Once underway, the TA circulates the event to make sure everything is running smoothly, concentrating mainly on the cross-country course to see everything is riding well. If the event is running several classes, the TA will oversee any course changes. In consultation with the BE Steward, the TA will also handle any competitor queries. When the event comes to a close, the TA is responsible for the collection of the important forms that must be returned to EI Head Office (eg: fall report forms and medical formsetc).
the role of ei technical adviser.docx1