URBANA SADDLE CLUB

2008 HORSE SHOW RULES

General Rules

The age of an individual on January 1, 2008, shall be maintained throughout the entire year.

If an exhibitor rides more than one (1) horse in a class, he/she will collect Year-End Points on each horse individually.

Each horse must have a current negative test on hand.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO COLLECT POINTS FOR YEAR END AWARDS:

·        The exhibitor must be a paid member of the Urbana Saddle Club.  Points begin to accumulate at date membership dues are paid.

·        The exhibitor or exhibitor’s family member must attend 50% or more of the club work days and work at each event they attend      .

Entry fee is $2.00 per ride.  Ribbons will be awarded for five (5) places.  A High Point Award for each age group will be given for each point show.

If you are unsure of any rule or have questions regarding how the club operates, please ask an officer or board member, or attend a monthly club meeting with your questions.

Safety Rules

The Horse Show Committee and/or Judge have the authority to disqualify any exhibitor for inability to control his/her horse.  This is for the safety of all exhibitors.

There shall be no alcohol allowed on the Urbana Saddle Club grounds.

All entries shall be for a single rider only (with the exception of lead line and relay race).  No person shall be on a horse with a child, or another horse and rider combination shall not ride the pattern with the child.

If your horse is known to kick, please tie a RED RIBBON in his tail to alert other riders.

Riders are NOT ALLOWED to enter or leave the arena at a run in the speed events.  Horses will enter the arena at a walk and the gate will be closed immediately.  The gate will not be opened until the horse has stopped.

Do not run your horse outside of the arena.  Horses must be ridden with a bridle and reins at all times on the saddle club grounds.  This is for the safety of all exhibitors and spectators.

NO STALLIONS shall be shown by a youth under the age of eighteen (18) in any class

Equipment

In any class the Judge or Show Committee shall have the authority to require removal or alteration of any piece of equipment which is unsafe or which is believed to be inhumane.

Hackamores, tie downs, running martingales and roping/barrel reins are prohibited in walk-trot and pleasure classes.  Crops, bats, whips, or “over and unders” are allowed in speed events only.  No bareback pads are allowed in any class.

Attire

In halter, showmanship and pleasure classes it is mandatory to wear appropriate western attire, including long sleeved shirt, jeans, western hat and cowboy boots.  Chaps are optional.

Riders in English classes should wear appropriate attire according to their style of riding.

Boots and Jeans are required in all classes.  No tennis shoes are allowed while riding in the area.

Classes

If you are unsure of any rule in any class listed here, please refer to your American Quarter Horse Handbook for complete instructions or ask an officer or board member.

Halter:

            The horse is judged based upon its confirmation and condition.  Exhibitor will walk his/her horse to the Judge one at a time.  The horse will be asked to trot and line up in the center of the arena.  Western or English attire may be used.  The pattern for this class is at the discretion of the Judge.  Points are collected on the horse only.

Showmanship:

            Judged strictly on the exhibitor’s ability to fit and show a horse at halter.  Clothes and person are to be neat and clean and the horse must be well groomed.  The horse is merely a prop to demonstrate the ability and preparation of the exhibitor.  The exhibitor must lead the horse on the horses left side, holding the lead in the right hand, with the end of the lead loosely coiled in the left hand.  The exhibitor’s hand must not be on the snap or chain portion of the lead.  A 360 degree pivot may be required.  (This is a turn on the front while leaving the right hind foot in place.)  A pattern will be posted prior to the show.

Lead Line:

A child (6 years or under) is led by another person of any age at the walk only.  The child may be asked to back his/her horse.  The horse should have a bridle with the child holding the reins and the leader shall have a lead on the bridle.  Points are collected on the child.

Western Pleasure:

            The class will be judged on the performance, condition and conformation of the horse.  Horses will work both ways of the ring at all three (3) gaits (walk/trot/canter) to demonstrate their ability with different leads. Riders may be asked to back the horse.  A horse may enter in both Western Pleasure and Walk Trot in the same age group.

Walk-Trot:

            Same as Western Pleasure except riders will not be asked to canter.  Western or English attire may be worn.  A horse may enter in both Western Pleasure and Walk Trot in the same age group.

Egg & Spoon:

            The rider will hold an egg in a spoon while riding his/her horse in the arena.  Rider may hold onto the egg until instructed to remove thumb from the egg.  From that point on, the rider must have his/her hand behind the black line on the spoon and may not touch the egg, hold their thumb over the egg, or hold their fingers under the bowl of the spoon.  When asked to change gaits, the rider must do so immediately.

Pole Bending:

            The course contains six (6) poles set 21 feet apart.  Time will begin and end as the horse crosses the timer line.  An exhibitor may start either to the right or the left.  Knocking over a pole will result in a five (5) second penalty of each pole knocked down.  Failure to follow the course shall result in disqualification.

Barrel Racing:

            Three (3) barrels make up the course.  You may start either to the right or left and run to form a cloverleaf.  Knocking over a barrel results in a five (5) second penalty for each barrel knocked down.  Failure to follow the course shall result in disqualification.

Flag Race:

            Two (2)  barrels make up the course.  The rider shall run to the far barrel, make a 360 turn around the barrel while picking up the flag, then sprinting to the next barrel and throw the flag into the barrel.  Missing the barrel will result in disqualification.  There is no penalty for knocking over a barrel.

Figure 8 Race:

            A barrel and one pole make up the course.  The rider shall ride to the far barrel, make a 360 turn around the barrel and cross over and past the pole to form a figure 8.  No penalty for knocking over a barrel or pole.

Relay Race:

            The course will be made up of one barrel and requires two (2) teams.  The first team (horse and rider) will stand at the far end of the arena.  Time starts when the second team crosses the timer line. The second team will ride to the first team and pass the stick to the first team.  The first team will then run back across the timer line.  The second team shall stay back until the first team has crossed the timer line.  In the event the second team crosses the timer before the first team, disqualification shall result.  The teams may run the pattern in either direction.

Keyhole Race:

            The course will be made up of a “keyhole” drawn on the ground in white at the far end of the arena.  The rider will run into the “keyhole” make a 360 degree turn, exit the keyhole, and back across the timer line.  If  the horse steps on or over the line there will be no time.

Year End Awards:

            Awards will be presented to the year end winners at the annual awards banquet at the first meeting of the year.   Trophies, plaques or prizes will be given to the first three (3) contestants in each class.  In the event of a tie for first place, trophies will be presented stating First Place (tie).  Belt buckles will not be given for a first place tie.  Second and Third places will also state (tie) on their prize.  The amount and size of awards presented will be according to the budget at the end of the year.