| 4.1 | RSPCA Australia is opposed to the use of animals for any kind of competitive event where injury, pain, suffering or distress is likely to be caused. |
| 4.2 | Organisations or individuals responsible for organising competitive events must act to ensure the safety and well-being of participating animals. |
| 4.3 | Organisers must ensure that animals are fit, healthy, suitable and appropriately trained and events are supervised by experienced officials and do not place unreasonable demands on competing animals. |
| 4.4 | RSPCA Australia advocates the adoption of compulsory and enforced animal welfare standards and registration and licensing of competitive events involving animals. Compliance with compulsory standards must be made a condition of licensing and would:
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| Note: Competitive events include pigeon racing, equestrian events including dressage, jumping, eventing, reining, vaulting, carriage driving, polo and polo cross, endurance riding, camp drafting, barrel racing, and cutting among other competitive events (horseracing and greyhound racing are covered under C5 and C6). | |
| 4.5 | Competitive equestrian events Horses in competitive equestrian events must not be subjected to excessive behavioural restriction, discomfort or constant pressure such as the use of restrictive nosebands, fixed martingales or side-reins. Competition rules and judging standards should be revised where they have been found to cause adverse outcomes for horses. |
| 4.6 | Novelty events RSPCA Australia is opposed to the use of animals in novelty competitive events for fundraising or entertainment, (e.g. mouse racing, frog racing, guinea pig racing etc) due to the high risk of fear and anxiety as well as lack of provision for the needs of such animals including acquisition and fate after the event. |
(adopted 30/3/2016)
