The Horses (Free Access to Competitions) Regulations 1992

Statutory Instruments

1992 No. 3044

AGRICULTURE

The Horses (Free Access to Competitions) Regulations 1992

Made

1st December 1992

Laid before Parliament

10th December 1992

Coming into force

1st January 1993

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State, being Ministers designated(1) for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972(2) in relation to the common agricultural policy of the Economic Community, acting jointly, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by the said section 2(2), hereby make the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement U.K.

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Horses (Free Access to Competitions) Regulations 1992 and shall come into force on 1st January 1993.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 1 in force at 1.1.1993, see reg. 1

Interpretation U.K.

2.  In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires–

“competition” means any equestrian competition, including horse racing, show-jumping, eventing, dressage, events reserved for horse-drawn vehicles and showing classes;

“horses” means domestic animals of the equine or asinine species or crossbreeds of those species.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 2 in force at 1.1.1993, see reg. 1

Application U.K.

3.—(1) These Regulations apply in England, Scotland and Wales to horses intended for competition and the conditions governing their participation therein.

(2) The Regulations do not apply to–

(a) competitions reserved for the purpose of permitting the improvement of the breed;

(b) regional competitions with a view to selecting horses;

(c) historic or traditional events.

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 3 in force at 1.1.1993, see reg. 1

Rules governing non-discrimination U.K.

4.—(1) The rules of any competition shall not discriminate between horses which are registered or originate in the United Kingdom and horses which are registered or originate in [F1 any] Member State.

(2) Such rules of competition shall not discriminate in particular with regard to–

(a) the requirements for entering the competition, in particular the minimum or maximum requirements;

(b) the judging of the competition;

(c) the prize money or profits which may accrue from the competition.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in reg. 4(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 37(2)

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 4 in force at 1.1.1993, see reg. 1

Reasons for refusal U.K.

5.  The grounds on which a horse registered or originating in [F2 any] Member State is refused entry to a competition shall be communicated in writing by the organiser of the competition to the owner or his authorised representative.

Textual Amendments

F2 Word in reg. 5 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 37(3)

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 5 in force at 1.1.1993, see reg. 1

[F3 Reservation of prize money or profits U.K.

6.— (1) For each competition or type of competition, the competent authority may reserve, through bodies officially approved or recognised for that purpose, a certain percentage (which must not exceed 20%) of the prize money or profits for the safeguard, development and improvement of breeding.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), “the competent authority” means—

(a) in relation to a competition or type of competition taking place in—

(i) England, the Secretary of State;

(ii) Wales, the Welsh Ministers;

(iii) Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;

(b) but the competent authority is the Secretary of State in relation to any competition or type of competition taking place in Great Britain where the exercise of the function referred to in paragraph (1) is outside devolved competence.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), the exercise of the function referred to in paragraph (1) is outside devolved competence—

(a) in relation to Wales, if it would not be within the legislative competence of Senedd Cymru if it were contained in a provision of an Act of Senedd Cymru (assuming, in the case of a provision that could only be made with the consent of a Minister of the Crown within the meaning in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975, that such consent were given);

(b) in relation to Scotland, if it would not be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament if it were contained in a provision of an Act of that Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F3 Reg. 6 inserted (31.12.2020 immediately before IP completion day) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(a), 39(2)

In witness whereof the Official Seal of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is hereunto affixed on

L.S.

John Selwyn Gummer

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Hector Monro

One of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement Council Directive 90/428/EEC (OJ No. L224, 18.8.90, p.60) on trade in equidae intended for competition and laying down the conditions for participation therein. Subject to specified exceptions, discrimination in competition on grounds of registration or origin in another member State is prohibited (regulation 4). If a horse is not permitted to compete, reasons must be given in writing to its owner or his authorised representative (regulation 5).

(1)

S.I. 1972/1811.

(2)

1972 c. 68.