
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Horses (Free Access to Competitions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 and shall come into operation on 1st January 1993.
2 

(1) Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
(2) In these Regulations—
 “competition” means any equestrian competition, including horse racing, show-jumping, eventing, dressage, events reserved for horse-drawn vehicles and showing classes; and
 “horses” means domestic animals of the equine or asinine species or crossbreeds thereof.
3 

(1) These Regulations apply 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; or
(c) historic or traditional events.
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 another 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; or
(c) the prize money or profits which may accrue from the competition.
5 
The grounds on which a horse registered or originating in another 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.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture on 15th December 1992.
(L.S.)D. A. J. Hirrell
Assistant Secretary
