The answers on the FAQ page are the official interpretations of the An Tir Book of the Horse by the Royal Equestrian of the Kingdom of An Tir.
Master Togrul Guiscard
Kingdom Equestrian Marshal
1. How does the written EM test process work?(posted on Jan 21, 2006)
When you have an EMiT ready for the test, what do you do?
You, as the sponsoring marshal, should contact the KEO. Once he's verified that the other requirements have been met, he will send your EMiT the test via email or snail mail. (Mel's note: It's probably a good idea to include your EMiT's email info or snail mail destination in your notification email, to expedite things.)
Who administers the test? Can both the KEO and current EMs administer the test?
The test is self-administered and open book. Once completed, the tests are scored by the KEO. He states that the test is not designed to be a test of memorized knowledge, as much as it is a test of a candidate's ability to look things up in the rule book.
What happens if the KEO lives far away from the EM candidate?
The KEO will make the test available to any eligible EMiT, via email or snail mail. Distance is not a factor. The test does not need to be proctored or supervised... it is assumed that we're all grownups and will go off somewhere, with the current An-Tir and Society rulebooks in hand, and complete it without interference.
Is the test multiple choice or written?
Both. There are 20 questions, the majority of which are true/false or multiple choice. There are a couple of essay-type questions.
Are there sample questions anywhere?
There are not, but all the questions come from the rule book, and the test itself was written by someone who was involved in writing the rulebook.
What happens if you fail? Can you take it again?
When you complete the test, it will be reviewed by the KEO soon after it is returned to him. He will contact you regarding your scores, which must indicate that 70% of the answers were given correctly. To date, he says, no one has scored less than 70%. He further adds that the test isn't designed to be difficult or to fail anyone... If an EMiT does not pass, he or she can immediately request another test and try again.
Those in need of a second test will be issued a similar, but not identical test. Agelos says that, like the tests given out by the DMV, the next one will be identical in "level of difficulty" to the first, but the questions will not be the same.
2. What competition requirements must an EMIT fulfill?(posted on Feb 4, 2006)
What events count toward EM status?
There is a requirement to compete at the advanced level in three mounted military events. There are only two types of events that qualify. The first is an actual equestrian competition that includes mounted military games. The second is to submit an advanced level IKEqC score at an equestrian event or practice. There are no other ways to fulfill the competition requirement.
What is a "Mounted Military Event or Game".
A 'Military Event' is defined as an SCA equestrian event that includes "mounted gaming". Currently, the accepted games are: Ring Tilt, Tilting at the Quintain, Behead the Enemy, Reeds, Pig Sticking (or tent pegging), Mounted Archery, Spear Throw (or Javelin Toss), Tilting at the Mock Knight, Mounted Combat, and Foam Jousting. These games are listed in the ABH Appendix II.
What level must I ride at?
You may choose any level to ride at that you are qualified for, however if this is for qualification towards EM status, you must compete at the Advanced level. Advanced level is defined as riding at a canter, gallop or 'fast gait' (for gaited horses). It is the official policy in the Kingdom of An Tir that breaking gait for more than three strides disqualifies the rider in that attempt to qualify.
3. How do I become authorized to participate?(posted on March 28, 2007)
Why must I be authorized? I've ridden horses for years!
Although you may have years of experience at riding, our current SCA insurance requirements ask that we have a way of determining you actually can ride at a minimum safe level before we allow you to ride at events. You must show us you can ride. We cannot assume or take your word for it. Also, it is highly likely that the riding you did before may not have included the carrying of weapons, wearing armor, or riding without holding reins.
Who performs authorizations?
Before you can participate at an SCA event as a rider, an Authorizing Equestrian Marshal must watch you ride through a specific type of course. This authorization is not designed to actually "test" your riding ability but to "witness" that you have ridden through a certain course while holding a weapon, maintaining your seat, and remaining in the gait you are attempting to authorize at (walk, trot, or canter).
When and where can I get authorized?
Mistress Yaasamiina, our current Society Equestrian Officer has ruled that all authorizations must take place at official SCA functions. The SCA EQ insurance binder must be activated when a marshal is representing the SCA by performing an authorization. This would include all official SCA events and official Eq practices as long as the insurance binder has been applied for and activated.
How can I get authorized at an event if I can't ride until authorized?
Hmm, chicken or egg question? If you are at an official SCA function, you are allowed to ride at any gait while practicing (under the supervision of a marshal) to pass the authorization and also during the authorization process itself. You may not compete using any weapons or ride at any gait you have not yet authorized at.
If you have equipment at home, you can practice at any gait or use weapons all you want but you cannot be authorized anywhere to ride at SCA functions unless the SCA insurance binder has been activated.
Once I am authorized to ride can I participate in everything?
Authorizing as a rider allows you to participate in most of the equestrian activities that you'll encounter at SCA events, including the games commonly found in most tournaments. For some specialized activities, additional authorization is needed in order to participate. These activities include jousting, mounted crest combat, mounted heavy combat, mounted archery, and riding with any equipment that may significantly restrict normal movement. If you wish to try an activity for the first time, you are encouraged to discuss it with an Equestrian Marshal first -- even if no special authorization is required, each activity has it's own set of "best practice" techniques that will help you understand the dynamics of each game.
4. What happens if I don't finish my EMIT training requirement within 2 years?(posted on September 25, 2007)
Here is a statement from Master Togrul.
I am writing this as a clarification to the following statement that I made:
"Also, if the date that is listed is correct and you are past two years then you are required to start over, according to our rules."
What I intended this statement to mean is that the two year period is that time prior to completing the requirements for to become an EM. In other words, if you marshalled at the 3 required events but one of these was over 2 years event ago that event would not count and you will still need to marshal at another event within the previous two year time period. The same thing goes for riding advanced in 3 military events. You do not literally start over but your starting date actually gets moved forward. You must still be an advanced rider before starting the EMIT process.
My understanding is that the person can essentially move their 'start date' so that it still covers their past work. In other words, lets say a qualified EMIT (ie, ADV rider ) had the following work on their 'account':
ADV Ride JULY 2005 and began the EMIT process
EMIT marshalling experience AUG 1, 2005
ADV Ride OCT 10, 2006
EMIT marshalling DEC 2006
EMIT marshalling JUNE 2007
ADV Ride SEPT 10,2007
According to this, they should have completed their EMIT workbook by JULY 2007. However, they are still actively pursuing their work consistently, but are a little off on their timing. The interpretation is that the EMIT 'start date' is moved to a more recent date, a date that is mutually decided upon by the Sponsoring EM, the EMIT and the KEO, with the express purpose that the EMIT put their nose to the grindstone and accomplish this task within the final time frame. So, in this case, I would suggest, that the EMIT 'new' start date would be OCT 10,2006, and tell the EMIT, they better get their final work done by OCT 10, 2008. This is where the EMIT and their Sponsor must be talking to each other. If you go over two years without marshalling or riding, you will be required to start new. If you change sponsors then I need to know immediately.
Updated October 19, 2007
