Goat Racing Regulations

Institutional Framework

The Syldavian Federation of Caprine Racing (SFCC) holds exclusive authority over all caprine racing matters in the Kingdom. The SFCC operates autonomously while maintaining formal coordination with:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Traditions and Pastoral Affairs — veterinary standards, animal welfare oversight, and breed certification
• ZFSS Traditional Sports Commission (Komisja Sportów Tradycyjnych ZFSS) — calendar harmonisation with other national sports, coordination of betting supervision via KZP, and representation in international traditional sports bodies

The ZFSS Traditional Sports Commission designates a permanent observer to the SFCC Executive Board, ensuring alignment with broader sports policy without interfering in racing operations.

Fundamental Principle: Status of the Goat

All goats shall compete free-running, on foot, and without restraint. The goat is deemed to be the sole motive force during a race — the goat alone determines its own pace, direction, and racing line.

Any action intended to propel, restrain, steer, stabilise, or otherwise influence a goat's direction or speed during a race is prohibited. The use of reins, harnesses, riding devices, mechanical aids, guiding implements, or remote signalling apparatus is forbidden.

— Article 1, SFCC Sporting Regulations

Competition Framework

Syldavian goat racing operates across four official competition tiers, each governed by specific regulations adapted to local conditions and competitive intensity.

Licensing Requirements

Age Requirements

Goat Identification

All competing goats must be identifiable through official documentation.

Tier	Identification Requirement
Grand Prix	SFCC biometric passport with certified portrait
National	SFCC registration card with certified portrait
Regional	PCRA registration with approved photograph
Village	Owner/handler-submitted photograph

Naming Conventions

All registered goats must have a declared name. Additional designations vary by tier:

Tier	Required	Optional
Grand Prix	Registered name, epithet	Nickname
National	Registered name, epithet	Nickname
Regional	Registered name	Nickname, epithet
Village	Name or nickname	Epithet

• Registered name: Official name recorded with SFCC/PCRA (e.g., "Zlatan of Douma Valley")
• Nickname: Informal name used by handler and public (e.g., "Zlatan")
• Epithet: Descriptive title reflecting character or achievements (e.g., "The Spitfire", "Mountain Shadow")

Epithets at Grand Prix and National levels must be approved by the SFCC Registry Office. Offensive, misleading, or politically sensitive epithets will be rejected.

Village Tier Photo Requirements

Photographs must be minimum 2 megapixels, with the goat's head and both ears clearly visible, standing unobstructed. Organisers may reject non-compliant submissions.

Points and Classification

Season standings are determined by cumulative points awarded at each race. Points are allocated as follows:

Position	Points
1st	25
2nd	18
3rd	15
4th	12
5th	10
6th	8
7th	6
8th	4
9th	2
10th	1

Tiebreakers (in order): number of victories, number of podium finishes, best single-race result. DNF (Did Not Finish) and DSQ (Disqualified) entries receive no points.

Prohibited Assistance and Interference

No external assistance may be provided to a goat once a race has commenced. Prohibited assistance includes:

• Pushing, pulling, guiding, or physically redirecting a goat
• Verbal, acoustic, visual, or gestural signalling intended to influence pace or direction
• Placement of feed, salt, scent, fermented substances, or attractants on or near the racing line
• Use of mirrors, reflective objects, metallic foil, polished brass, laser pointers, or crystals
• Deployment of drones, remote vehicles, or mechanical lures
• Coordination with spectators to influence goat behaviour
• Use of whistles, bells, horns, or shepherd's pipes during racing
• Use of charms, talismans, enchanted objects, blessed tokens, cursed items, or any object purported to possess supernatural influence over goat behaviour
• Incantations, sung hexes, muttered blessings, or ritualistic gestures performed with apparent intent to influence race outcome

Note: Silent personal prayer is excepted, provided the practitioner does not address the goat directly.

Sexual Distraction Prohibition

The deliberate presence of sexually receptive animals for the purpose of distracting competing goats is strictly prohibited. Does in oestrus, rutting bucks, and any goat displaying active breeding behaviour are prohibited within the event perimeter. Event organisers must maintain a sterile zone extending minimum 50 metres from the racing line.

Doping Control

The use of any substance intended to enhance performance, alter behaviour, or modify natural physiological function is prohibited.

Prohibited Substance Categories

• Anabolic agents and growth hormones
• Beta-agonists
• Corticosteroids (outside approved therapeutic use)
• Stimulants (including concentrated herbal preparations)
• Sedatives and anxiolytics
• Masking agents
• Gene doping technologies

Testing Protocols

Doping tests may be conducted pre-race (random selection), post-race (top 3 finishers mandatory at Grand Prix), or out-of-competition (unannounced stable visits).

Consequences of Violation

All goats competing at Grand Prix level must maintain a Biological Passport tracking key physiological markers over time. Abnormal variations may trigger targeted testing or provisional suspension.

Course Safety

Event organisers are responsible for spectator safety throughout the race. Requirements vary by tier.

Cordoned Areas

Tier	Minimum Barrier Distance	Barrier Type
Grand Prix	3 metres from racing line	Fixed metal barriers
National	2.5 metres from racing line	Fixed or portable barriers
Regional	2 metres from racing line	Rope barriers permitted
Village	Recommended only	Organisers' discretion

Spectator Conduct

The following conduct is prohibited at all official events:

• Touching, provoking, or attempting to guide any competing goat
• Standing in front of or running alongside a racing goat
• Sudden movements, shouting, or waving devices that could divert animals
• Placing personal belongings in the race area
• Crossing barriers or entering the track without authorisation

Children and individuals requiring supervision must be kept away from the racing line.

Track Access

Only authorised personnel may enter the track during competition:

• Grand Prix/National: Licensed handlers, veterinary staff, course stewards, accredited media
• Regional: Handlers, stewards, designated officials
• Village: Authorised villagers at organisers' discretion

Course stewards hold absolute authority during events. Failure to comply with steward instructions may result in removal from the venue.

Betting Regulation

All wagering on Syldavian goat racing is administered exclusively by the Kancelaria Za Pari (KZP). The KZP sets official odds for National and Grand Prix events; village and regional events may operate informal tote pools under KZP oversight. Handlers, stable owners, and race officials are prohibited from betting on any race in which they hold a direct interest. The SFCC Integrity Office coordinates with KZP on suspicious betting pattern investigations.

Media Obligations

Applies to Grand Prix, National, and Regional tiers only. Village competitions exempt.

• Registered goats and handlers must participate in the annual Figurini Panikni portrait session
• Likeness rights for official SFCC albums, stickers, and collectibles granted upon licence registration
• Stables must make goats available for photography as scheduled by SFCC Media Office
• Refusal to participate subject to fine (minimum 30,000 Khors per missed session)

Animal Welfare

The welfare of the goat is paramount and takes precedence over competitive considerations.

Prohibited Practices

• Physical abuse, hitting, kicking, or rough handling
• Withholding of food or water beyond normal pre-race preparation
• Use of electric prods, whips, or aversive devices
• Training methods involving pain, fear, or distress
• Transportation in unsafe or inadequate conditions

Mandatory Rest Periods

Maximum permitted race starts per calendar year: Grand Prix (6), National (8), Regional (10), Village (no limit).

Breeding Protection

Female goats may not compete during declared breeding periods or during any veterinary-certified reproductive phase.

Intact male goats (bucks) may not compete from 1 September to 31 January (rut season) and are permanently ineligible for National and Grand Prix competition.

Recognized Breeds

Breeds specialise according to landscape. The following are recognized by the SFCC for official competition at National and Grand Prix levels. Other breeds may be authorized following a veterinary and pedigree vetting process. Village and Regional competitions permit common regional breeds without formal certification.

Primary Racing Breeds

Breed	Characteristics
Syldavian Grey	Versatile highland breed, excellent stamina across varied terrain
Klow Mountain	Compact and powerful, excels on steep gravel climbs
Border Spotted	Distinctive markings, agile on mixed surfaces
Coastal Black	Dense coat, strong in wet conditions and coastal courses
Klow Mountain Runner	Lighter variant of Klow Mountain, favoured for speed
Moltvian River Goat	Sure-footed near water crossings, steady temperament

Heritage Breeds

Breed	Characteristics
Zymylpathian Stripeback	Rare highland breed, prized for endurance
Douman Short-Horn	Traditional valley breed, reliable over longer distances
Vladivene Cold-Hill Goat	Northern breed, thrives in harsh winter conditions
Bordurian Iron	Cross-border breed, compact and resilient

Regional Breeds

The following breeds are common at Regional and Village levels:

• Serbian Rustic
• Coastal Hardy
• Albanian Native
• Balkan Goat

These breeds may compete at National and Grand Prix levels upon completion of the SFCC pedigree verification process.

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Last revised: January 2026