Guidelines - 2008
*Show Committee reserves the right to move an individual up to next division based on their riding ability.
* A Beginner should never have shown at the canter/lope or hand gallop in a horse show, gymkhana, or other horse related event that was judged or timed. Classes to consist of walk and trot/jog only. Beginners should not canter at any equine event or they will be asked to move up to a higher division.
* Advanced Beginners walk, trot/jog & canter/lope. Riders may compete in this division for 2 years only, regardless of number of shows entered in any season.
* Any rider 18 years of age and under must wear approved head gear when mounted. Approved head gear consists of sport helmets, hunt seat hard hats or western hard hats. Some helmets are available at our judges booth. Helmets are to be FASTENED whenever mounted or in a driving cart.
* Attire of exhibitors in general is to be clean, neat, workmanlike and SAFE; NO tennis shoes allowed. Appropriate attire does not include t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, etc.
Western riders are expected to wear a long sleeved shirt, cowboy boots and a hat (under 18 years old, approved head gear is required). Chaps are NOT allowed for Western Fitting & Showmanship, Model Western or In Hand 2 years & under, but are optional for all other western classes.
English riders should wear approved head gear, jodphurs/breeches, paddock/tall boots and coat.
* The NWRDC, Inc. assumes no responsibility for injury to horse, rider or spectator; nor for the loss or theft of personal property or equipment.
* Use of Alcoholic beverages on the Club grounds by participants, handlers, judges, officials and committee members during an active horse related event is strictly prohibited.
* Water, restrooms, refreshments and emergency first-aid supplies are located on the club grounds. Cell phones are available.
* If you are accumulating VSA or VEHA points, you must show your card when registering or no points will be submitted for the day. Please send a copy of your card when Pre-entering.
* A separate "warm-up" ring is provided for schooling. This is the only place schooling will be allowed, NOT in the parking area or hayfield. (CANTERING OTHER THAN IN THE SHOW RING OR WARM-UP RING IS PROHIBITED!) This is for the protection of children and spectators. Driving horses are allowed to warm-up on the race track, all other horses are prohibited. Please respect our efforts to protect other exhibitors and spectators!
* Shows to be held Rain or Shine! However, if extreme weather conditions raise any doubt (if it is thought the grounds might be so wet as to be unsafe), please contact horse show committee (names listed) for verification.
* There will be a deposit for numbers. Please return yours in good condition for a refund, before leaving the grounds. Fees will be $5.00 per class for members and $6.00 per class for non-members. Post entry fee is $2.00 per class. There will be a $2.00 per rider maintenance fee, excluding Lead Line entrants.
* A current negative Coggins (EIA) test will be required. The management suggests and recommends that all horses have a Rabies vaccination and that all animals be up to current health standards.
* Please help us enjoy our show grounds by cleaning up any trash or litter from your area before leaving.
* In Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Junior, Senior and Adult Western classes, only one hand is to be used for reining and that hand shall be above or slightly in front of the horn with excess reins on the same side. One finger (index) allowed between reins; hand must be closed around reins. When using romel reins, the excess reins are held in the free hand with at least 18" between hands and hobbles are optional.
* All riders are expected to be on deck, when called. Only the riders on deck should be near the gate and they must be in the ring by the third call or they will be disqualified. If you are having problems or need a hold, please inform the people in the booth.
* All dogs must be on a leash and have Rabies tags. They must be attended to at all times and kept away from all riding rings. If your dog barks at horses, PLEASE don't bring them. This is a safety matter and people will be asked to take their dogs home!
* NO horses are allowed in designated spectator areas. Horses MUST be 200 feet from concession stand per Vermont State Law. Trailers are prohibited from parking on concession stand lawn.
* The club grounds are located on Route 104 in North Fairfax, VT, near the reservoir. Take exit 19 off I89, turn left and go 3 miles on Route 104. Please be sure to use ONLY the Club driveway, rather than the SANRAY Stables driveway, which is private property!
* Thank you for your cooperation and good luck in this show season!
Fitting and Showmanship:
To be judged on Showmanship with Horse or Pony in hand, both standing and at the walk and trot/jog on the line. NO chaps for exhibitors showing Western. Pattern will be posted.
Equitation:
Only the rider is being judged. To be judged on hands, seat, position and ability to control the horse at walk, trot/jog and canter/lope (Beginners do not canter/lope). Individual tests may be required of any or all exhibitors.
Pleasure:
To be shown at a walk, trot/jog and canter/lope in both ways of the ring. Entries may be asked to extend the trot/jog. Horses must stand quietly and back readily. Manners to count heavily. (Beginners do not canter/lope.)
Lead Line Equitation:
Children 10 yrs and under who have NEVER shown off lead in a horse show, gymkhana or other related competition that was judged or timed. To be shown at walk and may be asked to trot/jog a little bit. Judged on ability to maintain seat and position and exercise some degree of control. May not enter any other classes. Children are allowed to wear chaps.
Model Horse English/Western:
To be judged in a bridle (English)/halter (Western) on confirmation (standing) and at the walk and trot/jog on the line for the breed and for the seat. NO chaps for exhibitors showing Western. English horses 2 yrs and under may be shown in a suitable halter.
Road Hack English/Western:
To be shown in both directions of the ring at a walk, trot/jog, road trot, canter/lope and hand gallop with the ability to move on, if required. Excessive speed at the hand gallop shall be penalized. No more than eight (8) horses shall be asked to hand gallop at one time. To stand quietly and to back readily. Martingales and dropped nose bands are NOT permitted. Must be able to change from any gait to a flat footed walk at the judge's command. To be judged on performance, manners, suitability for a road hack, substance and confirmation. Beg & Adv. Beg, Green Horse & Novice Green Rider will not canter/lope or hand gallop.
In Hand - 2 yrs and under:
Stallions and Stud Colts to be handled by 19 and over. These classes are for horses 2 years of age and under as of January 1st, not being shown under saddle. A horse, which is designated 2 years and under, may not cross enter into any other division. In Hand Halter - to be judged in halter on confirmation (standing) and at the walk and trot/jog on the line for the breed and for the seat. NO chaps for Western exhibitors. In Hand Trail - to be shown in a suitable halter with lead, chain optional. No longe lines. To be judged over obstacles in the trail ring. Handler must move on to the next obstacle after 3 refusals or you will be disqualified. Pattern will be posted (same as beginners). NO chaps for Western exhibitors.
Trail:
To be judged over obstacles in the trail ring. Rider must go on to the next obstacle after 3 refusals or you will be disqualified. Pattern will be posted. Excessive discipline will NOT be tolerated, rider may be disqualified.
Open Pleasure Driving:
To be shown at a walk, pleasure trot and road trot in both directions of the ring. No sulkies allowed. Blinders are optional. Easy ground covering action is desired. Manners, suitability and a quiet responsive mouth are paramount. Stallions to be handled by persons 19 yrs or older. Exhibitors are to dress neatly and conservatively. Children 13 yrs & under must be accompanied by an adult. One attendant without a whip must head each horse when lined up. The adult riding with a child may assume this duty.
NWRDC Pleasure:
Open to members of NWRDC in good standing, only. Rider and mount both to be judged. Open to all seats. To be shown at the walk, trot/jog, and canter/lope both ways of the ring (beginners do not canter/lope). At the judge's command shown at any gait on a light rein. To be judged on manners, performance, quality and substance. NO Charge for this Class.
Green Horse:
This class is for riders 14 yrs and over and horses of any age. Stallions to be handled by 19 yrs or older only. Horses may not compete in this division as "Green" if they have competed in a canter/lope division in the past. A horse which is designated "Green" may not cross enter into other divisions. A Green horse can not canter/lope in or out of the ring at any event. Horses may compete in this division for two years only, (regardless of number of shows competed in any season) unless the horse begins competition as a two year old, in which case the horse may compete as a three and four yr old, as well (3 yrs total - age as of Jan 1st).
Novice/Green Rider:
This class is for riders 14 years of age or older. No stallions. Walk and trot/jog, only. Riders should not canter/lope at any judged or timed equine event or they will be asked to move up to a higher division. Riders may not cross enter any other divisions, except in In Hand 2 yrs & Under..
Equitation over Fences:
Only the rider is being judged. To be judged on hands, seat, position and ability to control the horse at the walk, trot and canter. Rider must go on to the next fence after three (3) refusals or they will be disqualified. Pattern will be posted. NO Green Horse or Novice/Green Rider.
NOTE:
The following rules will apply:
There will be NO tapederos, tiedowns, bosals, hackamores, bit-less bridles, side pulls or nosebands allowed in Western classes. There will be NO martingales allowed in flat classes. NO riding two handed Western unless in the Green Horse or Novice/Green Rider divisions. Dropped nosebands & flash nosebands are NOT allowed.
NO boots/wraps allowed in flat classes. Boots/wraps may be allowed in Equitation Over Fences at judge's discretion.
ADULT - 19 & over, SENIOR - 14 to 18, JUNIOR - 13 & under,
ADVANCED BEGINNER - 18 & under, BEGINNER - 18 & under,
LEAD LINE - 10 & under,
IN HAND 2 yrs & under - Open,
GREEN HORSE - 14 & over (Stallions to be handled by 19 & over),
NOVICE/GREEN RIDER - 14 & over (No stallions).