How far has Gleann Abhann gotten in drafting their Eq rules?   My question is: do you have to be a member in order to authorize for eq activities?   From a quick perusal of Society Eq rules, they don't require membership for rider authorization, just for marshal authorization.  GA Kingdom combat authorization requires membership or else an extra $25 fee.   Is Eq going to follow the heavy standard?  Or possibly modify it?  For a while Meridies was allowing "one-day authorizations" that did not require membership, and you had to re-authorize at any official event/practice you attended, or you could become a member in order to get a "permanent" authorization.  Don't know if they still do that.   What's the plan?  If we have one....   Personally, if it has not yet been decided, my vote would be for the one-day authorization option, if it is legal and can get OKed by the Crown, Earl Marshal, etc.  The reason for the variance from combat standard is that as a group the Equestrians are too far scattered to allow regular practices where a newcomer could truly try out the activity, the way newbies can try heavy fighting, rapier, etc. at a local practice without authorization.  The only time for new people to really try Eq activities is at events.  But the regs require authorization to ride at an event, which leaves us in a catch-22 if membership is required:  either you don't ride, or you know ahead of time that you're going to enjoy it enough to want to be a member....    I'm asking because my farrier has expressed interest in trying out what we do -- she and her husband are long-time professional horsepeople and active in ranch-horse competitions, so there's no question they could easily authorize for the basic games.  I just want to be able to give her accurate info with regards to the cost if she wanted to attend Aphar Faire with her horse.  Granted when I summed up the average cost for one of our events, she was rather taken aback -- she's going to spend more than $150 on her entry fees alone for an ARHA show in a couple weeks, so the membership cost isn't necessarily an obstacle for them, but it can be for other newcomers.   Thanks, Lora