Revised
OF THE NORTH
To encourage and stimulate the love of horses and
the outdoors. We unite to form the North West Georgia Horsemen’s Association,
Inc.
ARTICLE I
Section 1 The organization shall be known as the North West Georgia Horsemen’s Association.
Section 2
The headquarters of the association shall be at the location of the
president.
Section 3
The association shall be a
non-profit organization operated for the purpose of promoting and standardizing
horse shows
And related activities sanctioned by the
organization for the benefit and enjoyment of its members.
Section 4
In the event the association is dissolved and after discharge of its
liabilities, the remaining assets shall be given to a
charitable organization or other
designated organizations at the discretion of the board of directors.
ARTICLE II
MOTTO The
association motto shall be “all for one and one for all.”
ARTICLE III
COLORS The
association colors shall be as follows: Sand, Dark Green, and Navy Blue.
ARTICLE IV
Section 1 Membership and Dues
Membership shall be open to
individual clubs meeting the requirements for participation, paying their
annual dues as set by the board of directors. The annual dues for each member
club shall be $150.00 and shall include one sanctioned show and normal voting
privileges within the association. Sanctioning fee for a second show shall be
$65.00. Member club must perform work
duties prior to sanctioned (club funded) show.
Section 2
N.W.G.H.A. will receive 100% of the
proceeds from any N.W.G.H.A. sponsored shows.
Any show put on by a non-member
club shall have a $75.00 sanctioning fee and have a letter of guarantee on N.W.G.H.A.
equipment for other than normal wear and tear.
Section 3 Payback and Entry Fees
Entry fee to be set annually by
club vote. (2001)
Clubs will charge a $5.00 or $6.00
entry fee.
Sanctioning organizations must pay
$1.00 per entry from pointed classes to N.W.G.H.A.
Payback is optional at the
discretion of the sanctioning organizations. (2002)
Suggestion
is for 80% payback (five entries constitutes a pay back class):
Five (5) entries would pay back 30%,
20%, 15%, 10%, 5%
Grounds Fees / Gate Charges may be
charged at the discretion of the sanctioning organizations and must be
announced at the proceeding meeting.
Section 4 Club Responsibility
Member clubs shall have a
representative present at all scheduled or called N.W.G.H.A. meetings and shall
be responsible for furnishing help as scheduled at all N.W.G.H.A. sponsored
events. Failure to attend two consecutive meetings or failure to perform the
required work schedules, consisting of entry
Each club shall have a
representative on each committee.
Each club shall vote on year end
awards and by-law changes.
Section 5 Voting
All saddle clubs shall turn in a
list of officers and members eligible to vote to the President and Secretary.
This list exists for the purpose of voting and non-scheduled meetings.
Section 6 Representation
An individual is allowed to
represent one club only.
Section 7 Termination of
Membership
Membership in the Association shall
be terminated for deliberate violation of Association rules and for conduct
unbecoming a club, or for failure to meet the requirements of membership as
stated in Section 4.
Section 8 Transfer of Membership
If an individual/member decides to
transfer points and membership to another club, the individual/member should
contact an officer of both clubs about the transfer. Both clubs have an obligation to contact each
other and notify the N.W.G.H.A. points-keeper in regards to the person in
question. Individual/member must be in
good standing to transfer points, and can only be done once within the current
season
ARTICLE V
N.W.G.H.A. OFFICERS
Section 1 Officers
The officers of the Association
shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relation
Chairman, Sergeant at Arms, Chaplain, Parliamentarian, and Points Keeper.
Section 2 Term
The officers shall serve for 12
month terms, from the start of new business at the first meeting September of
each year, with the exception of the year N.W.G.H.A. is host to the Federation
Show, when the preceding year’s officers will remain for another 12 months.
* Incoming officers shall be
responsible to help/support the previous officers at the State Show to gain
experience for the next State show they will be putting together. Their term to take effect at new business of
the September meeting.
Section 3 Treasury Audit
The President shall appoint an
audit committee consisting of three members in good standing who shall audit
and clear all financial records of the Association and the committee chairman
will report to the full membership at the first meeting in September.
Section 4 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall
consist of the representative from each member club and the President of
N.W.G.H.A.
Section 5 Date of Election
N.W.G.H.A.’s fiscal year will be
from September to August. All officers
shall be elected by secret ballot at the July meeting each year, proceeding the
official date for taking office in September.
Nominations submitted by June.
Section 6 N.W.G.H.A.
Representative
Each member club shall elect an
official delegate who will become a member of the Board of Directors and will
be above the officers from any member club. (i.e.: a club’s N.W.G.H.A. Rep. has
the voting authority over a club’s other officers) The N.W.G.H.A. Representatives are
responsible for reading the N.W.G.H.A. minutes to their respective clubs.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
Section 1
Association meetings shall be held
the third Thursday of each month of the year at a place designated by the Board
of Directors, unless canceled at the previous meeting. Federation minutes to be read at the N.W.G.H.A.
meeting following the Federation meeting.
Section 2
The Board of Directors shall have
the option of changing the date and place for the monthly meeting. Meetings shall be Smoke Free.
Section 3 Quorum
A quorum of more than 2/3 of the
delegates from the member clubs in good standing is necessary for the
transaction of any business. A majority
vote in the affirmative by the member delegates present shall be required for
passage of any transaction by the Association.
Section 4
Each member club shall have one vote
and only one vote on any issue pertaining to the Assoc. affairs.
Section 5 Grievance Committee
President and Board of Directors
shall be the grievance committee, with the chairman appointed by the
president. These people and persons
involved in the grievance shall be the only ones present during grievance
meetings and the decisions.
Grievances – See “By-Laws”, Article
V, Conduct, Section 2.
BY - LAWS
ARTICLE I
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1 President
Shall perform duties customary to
the office, such as presiding over all meetings of the Association. He/She shall be on the Board of Directors,
shall appoint all committees, and shall be chairman, ex-officio chairman, or a
member of all committees. He/She may
call all meetings of the Board of Directors at his/her discretion, and shall
call a Board of Directors meeting upon the request of three representatives in
good standing. The Presidential position shall be represented at all N.W.G.H.A.
functions from beginning to end. The
president shall represent N.W.G.H.A. at all Federation meetings.
Section 2 Vice-President
In the absence of the President,
shall perform all said duties of the President. He/she shall be the Show
Chairman and shall perform any duties the President assigns to him/her.
Section 3 Secretary
A. Shall keep the minutes of all
proceedings, record the same, and mail a copy of each meeting to the official
delegate of each member club and the President before the next meeting.
B. Maintain current roster of all
officers of the member clubs, to include addresses and telephone numbers.
C. Discharge any other secretarial
duties as directed by the President and the Board of Directors.
D. Maintain records and reports and
correspondence for informing Association clubs.
E. Obtain name and address of judge
from saddle club or organization having a sanctioned show in order to mail a
rulebook to him/her 30 days prior to the show date.
F. Shall officiate any Federation
business and attend all Federation meetings.
Section 4 Treasurer
A.
Shall
receive all moneys due the Association and disburse the same only on itemized
demands and upon the order of the President and Board of Directors.
B.
Shall
automatically be a member of the Ways & Means Committee.
C.
Shall
account for all moneys received and disbursed at each monthly meeting.
Section 5 Public Relations
Chairman
A.
Advise
the President on matters of publicity and recommends methods by which the
Association may be favorably brought to the attention of the public.
B.
Shall
insure that the activities of the Association as a whole are given maximum
publicity in local newspapers, radio and television or other suitable means.
Section 6 Sergeant at Arms
Maintains order at the Association
meetings, horse shows and other places where the Association is concerned and
is empowered to appoint as many assistants as needed.
Section 7 Chaplain
Discharges the devotional at the
meetings, horse shows and whenever called upon to
perform his/her duty.
Section 8 Parliamentarian
Advise the President on all
parliamentary procedure and shall be the official interpreter of the
Association’s “Official Rule Book”, Georgia Federation Rules and all other
rules affecting the conduct of the Association and it’s members. He/She shall
be responsible that all meetings follow proper procedure as per Robert’s Rules
of Order.
Section 9 Points Keeper
A.
Post
a list of certified riders at the Kick-Off Show.
B.
Receive
Pre-Entry forms and Class Sheets at the end of each N.W.G.H.A. Sanctioned show
and maintain them for the year-end
audit.
C.
Maintain
current list of points for N.W.G.H.A. Certified Riders.
D.
Post
points at least at every other sanctioned show and have points available at all
sanctioned shows.
E.
Shall
schedule a Points Audit prior to the last qualifying show.
F.
Prepare
all State Rider information required by Federation.
Section 10 Board of Directors
A.
Shall
attend all scheduled and called meetings.
B.
Have
the authority to replace a resigning officer.
C.
Required
to be present at the rule change committee meeting.
D.
Along
with President, shall be the Grievance Committee.
E.
Quorum
of more than 2/3 required for any decision.
F.
Shall
have authority to replace an officer for violation of or failure to follow N.W.G.H.A.
rules.
G.
Shall
set criteria for club membership.
H.
Shall
accept or reject new clubs petitioning for membership.
I.
All
decisions are final and irrevocable.
J.
Has
the authority to apply disciplinary action to an individual if their club fails
to act. If an individual needs
disciplinary action, the Board of Directors has the right to approach their
club to take action. If the club’s
action is not satisfactory, the Board has the right to act against the
individual with actions including, but not limited to, pulling points for the
class, show or year, and putting person on probation.
Section 11
All duly elected officers shall
hold the welfare of the Association uppermost at all times.
Section 12
Any duly elected officer missing
more than two regular meetings without acceptable excuse shall be automatically
replaced.
Section 13
EVERY OFFICER AND BOARD OF DIRECTOR
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF N.W.G.H.A. RULES AT ANY SANCTIONED HORSE
SHOW, MEETING OR EVENT.
Section 14
The acceptance of any official
position in the Association shall automatically constitute an agreement on the
part of that person to uphold, support and carry out the Constitution, By-Laws,
and all other rules and policies of the Association. Failure to do so shall result in the official
being automatically resigned of duties unless his conduct is deemed excusable
by a majority vote by secret ballot of the Board of Directors
ARTICLE II
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Section 1
Robert’s Rules of Order shall be
the parliamentary authority of all matters not covered by the Constitution or
By-Laws. The N.W.G.H.A. Parliamentarian shall be the officer accountable that
all business be conducted in this manner.
Section 2 Rule Changes
All rule change proposals shall be
made at the meeting in March to be voted
on in April and effective in September.
A fee of $100 shall be charged to anyone wanting to present changes,
modifications, revisions, corrections, amendments, or additions to the By-Laws
at any other time than the April meeting.
This fee is non-refundable.
Decision of the Board of Directors is irrevocable.
ARTICLE III
EXPENSES
Section 1
The expenses incurred by the
President, Treasurer, and Secretary conducting Association business shall be
paid by the Association and limited to the following: stationary, stamps, telephone, telegrams,
cards or anything approved by the Association for it’s promotion.
Section 2
The Association will not send
flowers for illness. This will be the
responsibility of the member clubs. The
Association will send flowers in the case of death, however, each club will be
asked to reimburse the Association for expenses.
Section 3
Any expense legally incurred by a
majority vote of a quorum present in regular meetings shall be the
responsibility of N.W.G.H.A.
ARTICLE IV
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Section 1 Show Schedule
N.W.G.H.A. to select all show dates
for the season at the September meeting.
N.W.G.H.A. will pick its dates first.
Then, each member club of the Association is to pick in order of
seniority. The club having been a member
in good standing of the Association the longest, picking first. After member clubs have picked their show
dates, other clubs and organizations may pick their show dates.
N.W.G.H.A. funded show location
will be picked by Board of Directors.
Member club funded shows may be picked by the clubs and must be approved
by the board of directors.
Section 2 Show Season
The authorized period for
sanctioning horse shows and earning points toward State Qualification shall
begin September 6, after the State Show, and end June 15, with the exception of
the months of December, January, and February.
A minimum of 1/3 of the scheduled shows may be held in the fall. There is no limit to the number of shows per
season.
The show season will consist of
State Qualifying Shows, a minimum of three (3).
Section 3 Shows
Flags, both the
Section 4 Sanctioning
The last date for requesting a
sanctioned State qualifying show to be scheduled is April 15. Any show scheduled as of the March meeting
that is not held when scheduled through current show season shall forfeit
sanction fee.
ARTICLE V
CONDUCT
Section 1
Association members are expected to
conduct their clubs in an exemplary manner at all times.
Section 2 Grievances
Any exhibitor who feels the rules
of conduct or show regulations and/or rules are being violated shall have the
right to file a formal grievance. The
first part of the Grievance shall be to notify the chairman of the show
committee or the senior elected officer present immediately (verbally) of the
violation and of their intention to file a grievance if such rule is not
enforced or violation corrected.
The Show Committee shall consist of
appointed members of the club putting on the show. The club will post a list of the show
committee names at the entry
After this, if the exhibitor does
not feel he/she has been justly treated or the rule enforced, he/she must file
a written complaint, which shall be brought before their club. If their saddle club feels the complaint is
justifiable, they shall transmit it and a grievance fee of $50 as soon as
possible, but no later than the next scheduled N.W.G.H.A. meeting, to the
Chairman of the Grievance Committee or President of N.W.G.H.A.. The Grievance Committee shall then make a
proper investigation which shall include the privilege of the person filing the
grievance and the person the grievance is against to be present at a meeting of
the Grievance Committee.
After this, the grievance committee
shall reach a decision and present it to both parties in writing.
If the committee rules in favor of
the exhibitor filing the charges, the grievance fee of $50 will be
returned. If the committee rules against
the exhibitor filing the charges, then the $50 will go to the treasury of N.W.G.H.A.
At the next N.W.G.H.A. meeting, the
Grievance Committee will present their decision to the whole attendance. This decision shall be final and irrevocable.
Section 3 Dogs
Dogs must be on a six foot or less
leash or rope and be restrained by hand or tied to a trailer, away from the
arena.
Section 4 Inhumane Treatment
Inhumane treatment of animals
and/or persons will not be tolerated on the show grounds. This will be handled on an individual
basis. The decision of inhumane
treatment shall be made by the show committee.
An individual will receive one warning.
If the situation continues, he/she will not be allowed to show the rest
of the day.
If a person strikes another person,
the violator will be asked to leave the show grounds for the remainder of that
day. For a second offense, the person
will be barred for the remainder of the season, thereby forfeiting all
accumulated points for the year.
ARTICLE VI
JUDGES
Section 1
The President shall appoint
a judges committee consisting of one member from each club. All judges must be on the approved list of
judges or be approved by the judges committee.
The committee will establish and make available a qualified judge
list. Judges can be added (min. 45 days
prior to show) or deleted (anytime) from the list throughout the year. The judges committee will make the final
decision regarding the addition or deletion of judges from the list. The committee must receive two (2)
substantiated, written complaints from two (2) different clubs to remove a
judge from the list.
Section 2
Any person who judges a N.W.G.H.A.
sanctioned show shall not be eligible to ride for points at any N.W.G.H.A.
sanctioned show of the current season.
Section 3
No person shall judge more
than two (2) sanctioned shows per season, and these shows must be a minimum of
31 days apart.
Section 4
A judge is obligated to
judge each assigned class in conformity with the rules and specifications as
they appear in the Association’s “Official Rule Book”. Each judge should have a rule
Section 5
The decisions of each judge
constitute individual preference and are not a verdict by the Association. The decision of the judge shall be final.
Section 6
No judge is to be
approached by an exhibitor or spectator with regard to any decision he/she has
made. If an exhibitor or other person
questions a judge’s decision, they may request a reply at a proper time and
through the show chairman, ringmaster, or ring steward.
Section 7
The judge’s decision shall
be final in respect to the soundness of a horse in competition if a
veterinarian is not immediately available or not called on.
Section 8
A judge is to place 10
places in all judged events. This is to
allow points to be moved up as needed.
Section 9
Clubs shall announce their
judge 30 days prior to show date and include his/her name on the show
sheet. Once a judge has been announced,
that person must judge that show barring approval of the substitute by the President
or N.W.G.H.A. Judges Committee.
ARTICLE VII
HORSE SHOWS
Section 1 Drug Use and Coggins
Test
A.
The use of any
chemical, acid or tranquilizer to produce unnatural action will not be
tolerated as per the AQHA and RHBAA rule book as applicable. Proof of violation of this section will
result in suspension of the exhibitor in any N.W.G.H.A. sanctioned show per
each rule book.
B.
A negative
Coggins Test is required by the State of
C.
Any horse on the
show grounds without a current negative Coggins will be asked to leave the show
grounds area immediately.
Section 2 Class Sheets
A.
The type of
classes required for N.W.G.H.A. sanctioned horse shows of the current season
shall be determined by a majority vote of the member saddle clubs present at
the Association’s annual meeting.
B.
All state point
classes will fall within the following categories: Halter, Western, English,
Racking, Pony, & Timed Events.
C.
The state
qualifying classes may be combined where possible. The points shall be split according to age
divisions for State Qualifying. (8/1999)
D.
Sponsoring
organizations and saddle clubs will be required to adhere to the N.W.G.H.A.
class requirements.
Section 3 Age Categories
A.
Small Fry (1-12)
B.
Youth (13-19)
C.
Pleasure (20 and over)
D.
Timed Events
1.
(20-38)
2.
(39 and over)
Section 4 General Rules
A.
Age of
Exhibitor
Age
of exhibitor is considered to be his/her age on the first day of January in the
year of the approaching State Show.
B.
Age of Horse
A
horse shall automatically age one year on the first day of January of the
current show season, regardless of when it was foaled. A horse will show in the age category at the
age as of the first day of January in the year of the approaching State Show.
(Example: a horse foaled in July 1999 will be considered 1 year old on Jan 1st,
2000.) Horses 4 and under are considered junior horses, horses 5 and over are
considered senior horses.
C.
Stallions
A
stallion will be allowed on show grounds or in any class as long as the
rider/exhibitor is an adult of 18 years or older.
D.
Ponies
Size
of ponies for N.W.G.H.A. shows shall be 50” or under.
E.
Individual
Workout Pattern
When
an individual workout pattern is used, the judge must post pattern at least one
hour prior to class, equitation or Horsemanship, along with a notation on chaps
to be permitted or prohibited for horsemanship.
F.
Classes
1.
N.W.G.H.A. has a
no scratch policy. Entry fees will not
be refunded unless injury/sickness to horse/rider is substantial.
2.
No entries
allowed two classes prior to event.
Payback classes exempted.
3.
Judged classes of
more than 15 entries may be split upon the show committee’s or judge’s
discretion.
G.
Timer
Adults,
18 years and older are to announce and
write times in timed events. Timer
and/or announcer are to be the only people in the booth.
H.
Horses in
Judged Events
One
horse per rider per class in judged events.
The rider may enter and exit only one time per entry in judged
events. The exception would be in
reining or trail events where individual patterns only are used to judge the
competition.
Exhibitors
should attempt to keep their horses on the rail whenever possible unless the
judge has specified differently. When
passing another horse, a contestant should attempt to pass on the inside of the
ring if possible and allow at least one horse length before attempting to get
back on the rail.
I.
Ring Steward
Duties
1.
Must know rules
and regulations of N.W.G.H.A.
2.
Has charge of the
activity in the ring or arena.
3.
Should act as
mediator between judge and exhibitor, judge should ask ring steward to move
horses.
4.
Has authority to
ask exhibitor upon judge’s command to remove horse for safety of other horses
or exhibitors.
5.
Competently keep
the classes progressing.
6.
Has the authority
to remove unsportsmanlike exhibitors from the arena upon the judge’s
instruction.
7.
Upon
hazardous/potential hazardous situation, the ring steward has the authority to
stop the class and notify the judge and/or wait for instruction.
8.
Split the class
when requested by the judge.
9.
When arena is
small or class entries are large, take every precaution to keep horses moving
until judge is ready for them to be judged.
10.
Dress code –
Neatly attired.
11.
It will be the
ring steward’s responsibility to assist the judge and control all phases of the
show while in the ring. During each
class, he/she should be alert in watching for exhibitors who endanger
contestants by improper ring manners, use of profanity, abuse of their horses
while showing, and unnecessary cutting of corners of the ring while to the back
of the judge. These or any other
unsportsman-like acts will result in immediate dismissal from the ring and the
ring steward will bar the violator from further participation in that show. Ring steward to be 18 years and older.
12.
Is not to
converse with contestants in the line-up unless directed to do so by the judge. Also not to converse with the judge regarding
participants. Shall be allowed to
intervene in safety issues.
Section 5 ENGLISH EVENTS
A. SADDLE SEAT ENGLISH PLEASURE
1.
Class Work
Horses
to be shown both ways of the arena at a walk, trot and canter. Horses shall be asked for walk before
changing gaits. Posting is required. Extended trot and/or hand-gallop may be
called for at the discretion of the judge.
Hand-galloping, if called, shall be limited to eight (8) horses at a
time. At the discretion of the judge,
excessive speed will be penalized.
2.
Qualifying
Gaits
A.
Walk: 4-beat,
brisk, true and flat-footed with good reach.
B.
Normal Trot: A two beat
gait. Must be mannerly, cadenced,
balanced and free moving at medium speed.
C.
Strong Trot: A two beat
gait that is faster and stronger than the normal trot. It is performed with a lengthened stride,
powerful and reaching. Horses must
present a willing attitude while maintaining form.
D.
Canter: A 3-beat
gait. Smooth, unhurried, with moderate
collection, correct and straight on both leads.
E.
Hand-Gallop: Performed
with long, free, ground-covering stride under control. Extreme speed to be penalized.
3.
Attire:
A.
Proper saddle
seat attire required.
B.
Derby Hats are
optional.
4.
Tack
A.
Bridle shall be
light, show type, either single curb and snaffle, or pelham bit.
B.
English type
cut-back saddle. Forward seat or western
saddles prohibited.
C.
Saddle pads and
set tails optional.
5. Prohibited
Appointments:
A.
Martingale or tie
down.
B.
C.
Weighted boots
D.
Chains
E.
Forward seat or
western saddles.
B. SADDLE SEAT ENGLISH EQUITATION
1.
Judging
Rider
should have a “day in the park” appearance, seat and hands light and supple,
conveying the impression of complete control should any emergency arise.
2.
Mounting and
Dismounting
A.
To mount, take up
reins in left hand and place hand on withers.
Grasp stirrup leather with right hand and insert left foot in stirrup
and mount.
B.
Method of holding
reins is optional and bight of reins may fall on either side. However, all reins must be picked up at the
same time.
3.
Hands
A.
Hands should be
over and in front of horse’s withers, knuckles thirty degrees inside vertical,
hands slightly apart.
B.
Method of holding
reins is optional and bight of reins may fall on either side. However, all reins must be picked up at the
same time.
4.
Basic Position
The
eyes should be up and shoulders back.
Toes should be at an angle best suited to the riders conformation;
ankles flexed in, heels down, calf of leg in contact with the horse and
slightly behind girth. Iron may be on either on toe, ball of foot or “home”.
A.
Walk: Body should be vertical.
B.
Posting Trot: Body should
be inclined forward.
C.
Canter: Body inclined
halfway between posting trot and walk.
D.
Gallop: Same
inclination as the posting trot.
5.
Attire: See Saddle
Seat English Pleasure
6.
Tack: See Saddle
Seat English Pleasure
7.
Prohibited Appointments: See Saddle Seat English Pleasure
8.
Equitation:
The
judge will ask each rider to work individually.
This will include any of the maneuvers that the judge feels are
necessary to determine the equitation ability of the rider. The individual work may include the
following:
A.
Back up
B.
Gallop and pull
up/halt
C.
Figure eight at
trot, demonstrating change of diagonals.
At left diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when the left front
leg is on the ground. At the right
diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when the right front leg is on the
ground. When circling clockwise, rider
should be on the left diagonal. When
circling counter-clockwise, rider should be on the right diagonal.
D.
Figure eight at
canter on correct lead demonstrating simple lead change (horse brought into a
walk or trot and restarted into a canter on the opposite lead). Figures to be commenced in center of two
circles so that one change of lead is shown.
Flying lead change in not required.
E.
Ride without
stirrups / dropping the irons.
F.
Dismount and
Mount
G.
Change of leads
down the center of ring demonstrating simple change of leads.
H.
Execute
serpentine at trot and/or canter on correct lead demonstrating changes in
diagonal or simple change of lead. A
series of left and right half circles off center of an imaginary line where
correct diagonal or lead changes must be shown.
I.
Canter on counter
lead / Counter-Canter.
J.
Half turn on the
forehand.
C. HUNT SEAT ENGLISH PLEASURE
1.
Class Work
A.
Horses to be
shown both ways of the arena at a walk, trot and canter and asked to back at
the discretion of the judge.
B.
Horses must be
brought to a flat-footed walk before changing gaits.
C.
Light contact
with the horse’s mouth is recommended.
D.
At the discretion
of the judge, the horses may be required to gallop collectively one way of the
ring, never more than eight at a time.
At the hand-gallop, the judge may ask the group to “halt” and stand
quietly on a free rein (loosened rein).
2.
Qualifying
Gaits
A. Walk: True and flat-footed for pleasure
classes.
B. Trot: Brisk, smart, cadenced, and balanced with out
loss of form. Smoothness is more essential than extreme speed. Extreme speed shall be penalized.
1. Extended trot may be requested by judge.
C. Canter: Smooth, collected and correct and straight on
both leads with the ability to push on if so required in a hand-gallop.
D. Hand-Gallop: The hand gallop should be a brisk gallop with
horses under control, after which the horse will pull up (not a sliding stop)
and stand quietly on the rail for a few moments before being asked to line up
for final inspection.
3.
Attire
A. Riders should wear appropriate English boot, pants, a
collared English shirt and a hunt jacket.
B. Hard hunting hat (caps and helmets) required.
4.
Tack
A. English
snaffle (no shank), pelham (with two reins), Kimberwick and/or full bridle, all
with cavesson nose bands and plain leather brow bands. Any deviation from regulation bits is
prohibited.
B. Hunting or Forward seat saddles. May have suede seat and/or suede insert on
skirt.
5.
Prohibited
Appointments:
A. Martingale or tie down.
B. Boots of any description on the horse
C. Draw reins
D. Rowelled spurs
E. Dropped nosebands / figure-8 nosebands.
F. Artificial appliances are prohibited
G. Western saddles
D. HUNTSEAT ENGLISH EQUITATION
1.
Judging
Rider
should have a workmanlike appearance, seat and hands light and supple,
conveying the impression of complete control should any emergency arise.
2.
Mounting and
Dismounting
A. To mount, take up reins in left hand and place hand on
withers. Grasp stirrup leather with
right hand and insert left foot in stirrup and mount.
B. Method of holding reins is optional and bight of reins
may fall on either side. However, all
reins must be picked up at the same time.
3.
Hands
A. Hands should be over and in front of horse’s withers,
knuckles thirty degrees inside vertical, hands slightly apart and making a
straight line from horse’s mouth to rider’s elbow.
B. Method of holding reins is optional and bight of reins
may fall on either side. However, all
reins must be picked up at the same time.
4.
Basic Position
The
eyes should be up and shoulders back.
Toes should be at an angle best suited to the riders conformation;
ankles flexed in, heels down, calf of leg in contact with the horse and
slightly behind girth. Iron may be on either on toe, ball of foot or “home”.
A. Walk: Body should be vertical.
B. Posting Trot: Body should
be inclined forward.
C. Canter: Body inclined
halfway between posting trot and walk.
D. Gallop: Same
inclination as the posting trot.
5.
Attire: See Hunt Seat
English Pleasure
6.
Tack: See Hunt Seat
English Pleasure
7.
Prohibited
Appointments: See Hunt Seat English
Pleasure
8.
Equitation:
The
judge will ask each rider to work individually.
This will include any of the maneuvers that the judge feels are
necessary to determine the equitation ability of the rider. The individual work may include the
following:
A. Back up
B. Gallop and pull
up/halt
C. Figure eight at trot, demonstrating change of
diagonals. At left diagonal, rider
should be sitting the saddle when the left front leg is on the ground. At the right diagonal, rider should be
sitting the saddle when the right front leg is on the ground. When circling clockwise, rider should be on
the left diagonal. When circling counter-clockwise,
rider should be on the right diagonal.
D. Figure eight at canter on correct lead demonstrating
simple lead change (horse brought into a walk or trot and restarted into a
canter on the opposite lead). Figures to
be commenced in center of two circles so that one change of lead is shown. Flying lead change in not required.
E. Ride without stirrups / dropping the irons.
F. Dismount and Mount
G. Figure eight at canter on correct lead demonstrating
flying change of lead.
H. Change of leads down the center of ring demonstrating
simple change of leads.
I.
Execute
serpentine at trot and/or canter on correct lead demonstrating changes in
diagonal or simple change of lead or flying lead changes. A series of left and right half circles off
center of an imaginary line where correct diagonal or lead changes must be
shown.
J.
Canter on counter
lead / Counter-Canter.
K. Half turn on the forehand and/or a half turn on the
haunches.
Section 6 RACKING EVENTS
A.
General Rules
1.
Horses may enter
the show ring at any gait. Class begins
when judge asks for a walk.
2.
English Tack and
gear only except for Pleasure racking.
3.
Faults to be
looked for include breaking, trotting, pacing, slinging head, nosing out,
uneven beat, horse - rider clash, low head, head too high, poor conformation,
uneven park, unsoundness and not showing definition of gaits.
4.
Definition of
Gaits:
A.
Walk: walk at ease
B.
Slow-Rack: a slow rack speed
C.
Rack-On: a rack which has a noticeable increase in
speed over the horse’s slow rack.
D.
Rack: the rack is a fast, evenly timed, four beat
lateral gait.
5.
Dress Code:
A.
Sports coat,
dress pants, dress shirt/tuxedo shirt or English habit and boots. Hat is optional.
B.
Pleasure
racking: Proper English attire &
Tack OR Proper Western attire & tack.
B. Description
of Classes
1.
Style Racking
Horse
to be shown at a walk at ease and it’s best style rack.
2.
Open
Racking
Horse
to be shown at a walk at ease, slow rack and rack-on. The rack-on is NOT to be judged on speed
alone, but how fast the horse travels while still maintaining gait and as much
style as possible.
3.
Flat-Shod
Racking
Horse
to be shown at a walk at ease, style rack and fast rack. No Pads.
No bands on shoes. All english
tack and attire.
4.
Pleasure
Racking
Horse
to be shown at a walk at ease, smooth 4-beat gait with horse and rider at ease
and with good form. No Pads. Proper english attire & tack OR proper
western tack & attire.
C. Prohibited
Appointments
1.
Martingales or tiedowns
2.
3. Weighted boots
4. Chains
Section 7 TIMED
EVENTS
A. General Rules
1.
An electric timer
shall be used for all timed events at N.W.G.H.A. sanctioned shows. In an emergency, however, a stopwatch may be
used in lieu of the electric timer. No
re-rides will be allowed with the exception of timer failure.
2.
Horse may enter
only once per class.
3.
A rider may enter
and exit only once per entry except for re-rides because of timer failure
4.
No horse may have
tied stirrups or tails and only normal and humane equipment is allowed. A flat
rubber band of ¼ inch or less will be allowed for use to hold feet in stirrups,
but must be a single strand and wrapped only one time.
5.
Disqualifications
are cone jumping and failure to run course.
Knocking over pole, cone or barrel results in a five (5) second penalty.
6.
Attire: Boots, shirt with a two inch sleeve (sleeve
consists of a sleeve sewn onto the shirt) and long pants. No Tube Tops, Halter Tops or Bathing Suits.
7.
While in a
performance ride, if a horse falls down, you are not entitled to a
re-ride. However, on a fall down or
runaway, the rider is allowed to complete the current pattern and make a
qualified run as long as no assistance is given.
8.
All prop colors
are optional but must match. Barrels must
be weighted equally.
B.
Cloverleaf
Barrel Race
1.
Pattern: It is recommended that the barrels be placed a minimum
of 15 feet from the fence. The standard
measurements are:
35
yards between barrels 1 and 2
40
yards between barrels 1 & 3 and between 2 & 3
The line between barrels 1 and 2 should be at
least 20 yards from the
starting line.
2.
Props: Three 55 gallon
plastic barrels.
C.
1.
Pattern: Three
barrels set 60 feet apart, back to back in a straight line. First barrel is 60 feet for starting line.
Horse & rider weaves 1st and 2nd barrel and then
between 2nd and 3rd barrel. Roll/turn around the third barrel and weave
back through.
2.
Props: Three 55
gallon plastic barrels.
D. Pole Bending
1.
Pattern: There shall be
six poles with a common starting and finish line. The first pole shall be 21 feet from the
starting line and the other poles shall be 21 feet apart. The horse & rider, after starting, will
run along the right or left side of the course to the end of the poles and
circle the left or right, and weave through the poles in the direction of the
finish line. At the first pole, they
will reverse to the left or right, bend back through the poles to the last one,
circle to the left or right and race straight back to the starting/finish line.
2.
Props: Six(6) PVC poles (2 inch dia. X 6 feet high) in
Martha Josey type bases.
E. Cone Weaving
1.
Pattern: Five
plastic/rubber cones set 21 feet apart from inside bottom rim with the first
cone being placed 21 feet from the starting line. Horse & rider may go either right or left
of the first cone, then weaves through the line of cones, turn around the end
cone and weaves back through the cones.
2.
Props: Five plastic /
rubber cones. Cones will be 21”
high. Diameter measures will be 4-1/2”
at the top and 15-1/2” at the base, with the base portion of the cone being
10-1/2 wide.
F. Arena Race
1.
Pattern: One barrel
place 55 yards from the starting line to the back of the barrel, ring
permitting. If ring does not permit, the
barrel will be placed a minimum of 15 feet for the closed end of the
arena. Horse & rider may go around
the barrel either left or right.
2.
Props: One 55 gallon
plastic barrel.
Section 8 WESTERN EVENTS
A.
General Rules
1. Class Work
a.
Class will be
judged on the performance of the horse at the discretion of the judge. Entries will be penalized for excessive speed
or being on the wrong lead.
b.
Horses are to be
shown at a walk, trot/job and lope on a reasonable loose rein without undue
restraint and asked to back at discretion of the judge.
c.
Horses must work
both ways of the ring at all three gaits to demonstrate their ability with
different leads. Horses shall not be
asked to extend the lope.
d.
Horses are to be
reversed to the inside (away for the rail).
They may be required to reverse at the walk or jog, but shall not be
asked to reverse at the lope.
e.
Rider shall not
be required to dismount except in the event judge wishes to check equipment.
2. Attire:
Riders shall wear western hat, cowboy boots,
western-type pants and a
sleeved western-type shirt or jacket. Spurs and chaps may be worn at
the option of the rider.
3.
Tack:
a.
Horses shall be shown with Western tack.
b. A curb, half
breed or spade bit is permissible.
Horses four years and under may be ridden with snaffle bit and two
hands.
c.
Chain curbs are
permissible, but must meet the approval of the judge, and must be at least
one-half inch in width.
d. Reins to be split and held in one hand and cannot be
changed during performance. Hand to be
around reins, one finger between reins permitted.
4.
Prohibited
Appointments:
a.
Wire curbs,
regardless of how padded or covered.
b. Chin straps narrower than ½ inch.
c.
Martingales /
draw reins
d. Nosebands
e.
Tie-downs
B. Western Horsemanship
1.
Judging
a.
Class is to
determine the riding ability of rider and judge will bear this in mind at all
times.
b. Riders will be judged on seat, hands, and ability to
control and show horse.
c.
Results as shown
by performance of horse are NOT to be considered more important than the method
used by rider in obtaining them.
d. Consideration shall be given to the size of the rider.
2.
Hands:
a.
Both hands and
arms shall be held in a relaxed, easy manner with upper arms to be in a
straight line with the body, the arm holding the reins bent at elbow.
b. When using romal reins, rider’s off hand shall be
around romal with at least 16 inches of slack.
c.
Some movement of
arm is permissible, but excessive pumping will be penalized.
d. Hands to be around reins. One finger between reins is permitted when
using split reins, but not romal.
e.
Reins are to be
carried immediately above or slightly in front of the horn. Only one hand is to be used for reining and
that hand shall not be changed.
f.
Reins should be
carried so as to have light contact with horse’s mouth and at no time shall
reins be more than a slight hand movement from horse’s mouth.
3.
Basic
Position:
Rider
should sit in saddle with legs hanging straight. The stirrup should be just short enough to
allow heels to be lower than the toes.
Body should always appear comfortable, relaxed and flexible. Feet may be placed home in the stirrup or may
be placed less deep in the stirrup.
Riding with toes only in stirrup will be penalized.
4.
Position in Motion:
Rider
should sit to jog and not post. At the
lope, rider should be close to saddle.
All movements of horse should be governed by the use of imperceptible
aids. Exaggerated shifting of rider’s
weight is not desirable. Moving of the
lower legs of riders who are short shall not be penalized.
5. Attire
and Tack: See Western Pleasure
6. Class Routine:
The judge may ask
each rider to work individually. These
individual works will be any of the maneuvers that the judge feels are
necessary to determine the horsemanship ability of the rider.
C. REINING
1.
Class:
a.
Any one of the
twelve (12) approved AQHA Reining Patterns may be used. See current year Official AQHA Rule Book.
b. To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to
control his every movement. The reined
horse should be willfully guided or controlled with little or no apparent
resistance. Any movement on his own must
be considered a lack of control. All
deviation from the exact written pattern must be faulted according to severity
of deviation.
c.
Credit will be
given for smoothness, fitness, attitude, quickness and authority in performing
various maneuvers while using controlled speed.
2. Faults
resulting in No Score:
a. Failure to complete pattern as written
b. Performing maneuvers other than in specified order
c. Inclusion of maneuvers not specified
d. Equipment failure that delays completion of pattern
e. Running away or failure to guide where it becomes impossible to discern whether entry is on pattern
f. Jogging in excess of ½ circle or ½ length of arena while starting circle, circling or exiting rollback.
g. Overspins of more than 1/4 turn
h. Use of illegal equipment
i. Willful abuse of animal while in show arena
j. Using reins or romal as whip
k. More than one finger between reins
l. Changing hands
m. Two hands on rein, except junior horses ridden with snaffle/bosal
n. Fall to ground by horse or rider
3. Faults
resulting in (5) Five Point Reduction.
a. Spurring in front of cinch
b. Use of free hand to instill fear
c. Holding saddle or touching horse with free hand
4. Faults
resulting in (2) Two Point Reduction:
a.
Failure to go
beyond markers on stops or rollbacks
b. Break of gait
5. Faults against horse
a.
Opening mouth
excessively
b. Excessive jawing, open mouth or head raising on stop
c.
Lack of smooth,
straight stop on haunches
d. Refusing to change leads
e.
Anticipating
signals
f.
Stumbling or
falling
g. Backing sideways
h. Knocking over markers
6. Faults against rider
a.
Losing stirrup
b. Any unnecessary aid given
7. Attire
and Tack: see Western Pleasure
Section 9 HALTER EVENTS
A.
Class
Emphasis
shall be placed upon conformation, substance and quality.
Excessive
use of whip or actions that may disturb other exhibitors shall be penalized.
B. Western
1.
Exhibitor must wear Western hat, cowboy boots,
western-type pants and a long sleeved western-type shirt or jacket.
2.
Horse shall be
shown in a western-type halter.
C. English
1.
Exhibitor must wear
saddle seat, gaited or hunt seat attire.
2.
Horse shall be
shown in either a halter, bridle or full bridle.
D. General Rules
1.
Only one
exhibitor per horse shall be allowed in the arena. No groom or handler permitted except when
requested by the judge.
2.
The judge shall
make an individual examination and check the action of all horses brought into
a halter class. This is essential,
regardless of whether or not the competition indicates that it is necessary.
3.
Halter classes are open to anyone regardless
of age. Only adults, 18 and over, are
allowed to show stallions.
4.
A horse shall automatically age one year on
the first day of January of the current show season regardless of when it was
foaled. (Example. A horse foaled in
December shall automatically be considered one year old on January 1st
of the next year.) An owner may be
required to show proof of a horse’s age, or be disqualified, if reasonable
doubt is raised as to the horse’s true age.
5.
If a halter horse is sick or injured and is
documented in writing by a veterinarian, another horse may be brought in as a
substitute and all points accumulated will still go the original horse.
ARTICLE VIII
POINTS
Section 1 Point System
A.
Points are
awarded on each class as follows:
First
place – 7 points Second place – 6
points
Third
place – 5 points Fourth place – 4
points
Fifth
place – 3 points Sixth place – 2
points
One
(1) point is given to all certified riders in the class.
B.
Board of
Directors or Grievance Committee may disqualify points for a show or class for
failure of exhibitor to meet N.W.G.H.A. rules or by-laws.
C.
Points are to be
moved up when a person not showing for points places above a person that is
showing for points. This will involve
ten (10) places only in both pleasure and timed events. The judge is to place ten (10) in all
classes.
Section 2 Certification
A.
Each
member saddle club must certify in writing the effective date of membership of
its point riders as well as the age and division in which each will be competing
for points.
1.
This
form must be submitted to the official Pointskeeper of N.W.G.H.A.
2.
Riders
certified after the March meeting would accumulate points only from the date
and time of certification.
3.
Individual
must be a member in good standing with member club. Member club may revoke certification for
failure to maintain good standing.
B.
The
pointskeeper should post a list of certified riders at the beginning of the
first show of the season.
C.
Each
club member must turn in a copy of a current coggins with their certification
sheet. The person accepting the copy
must see the original and initial and keep a record at the entry with the name
of the horse and the person and the copy date.
The original may be asked for at anytime by a N.W.G.H.A. officer.
Section 3 Pre-Entry Forms
A.
Before
entering a class, each exhibitor shall see that his or her name, saddle club
name and whether or not he/she is showing for points is correctly and properly
recorded on the Official Pre-Entry Form.
B.
IT
SHALL BE THE EXHIBITOR’S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THAT HE/SHE IS PROPERLY
ENTERED IN EACH CLASS FOR WHICH HE/SHE WISHES TO RECEIVE POINTS.
C.
If
an exhibitor is not properly entered on the Official Pre-Entry Form, they will
be asked to leave the arena and will not be eligible for any points or awards
of the class.
1.
Point
classes must be designated at time of entry.
If an exhibitor is entered incorrectly on the Official Pre-Entry Form,
he/she will automatically forfeit all points for that particular class, subject
to approval of the President of N.W.G.H.A.
2.
Exhibitor
should use extreme caution not to sign up for points in classes that they are
not eligible to receive points.
3.
Exhibitor
will be given only two warnings by the pointskeeper before points will not be
given for an incorrect entry.
Section 4
If rider is riding two or more
horses in one class (timed event), the rider must designate which is the point
horse before the class begins. This
shall be the sole responsibility of the rider.
Section 5 Divisions
A.
Excluding
Halter events and classes with no age division, an exhibitor may not compete
for points in more than one age division as defined by Article VII, Section 3,
Page __.
B.
Within
his/her age division, an exhibitor may compete for points in as many categories
as he/she wishes –Western, English, Racking and Timed Events.
ARTICLE IX
STATE SHOW REQUIREMENTS
FEDERATION Rules
A.
The Georgia
Federation of Saddle Clubs holds its annual state show for three days each
Labor Day weekend. The place is
determined by the Federation.
B.
In order to
qualify to represent N.W.G.H.A. at the Federation State Show, halter horses
and/or exhibitors must have shown in the category for which they are competing
at 50% of the
C.
All riders
representing N.W.G.H.A. at the Federation State Show are required to work at
that show. Youth (1-12 years) riders are
to have someone to work for them.
D.
To determine a
tiebreak for State Rider eligibility, both riders must first meet the criteria
as stated above. The competitor
attending the most N.W.G.H.A. shows is the winner of the tiebreak. If the number of shows attended is also a
tie, a ride off or a flip of the coin will decide.
E.
Immediate family
members living in the same household may use the same horse in different age
categories of the same event. (For
Example: If a horse is shown in Youth Western Pleasure, it may be shown again
in another Western Pleasure class by an immediate family member of the same
family living in the same household.)
The same rule applies to horses used in timed events.
F.
The Federation
State Show allows each association to bring the following :
Halter Events – the top six (6)
exhibitors
Judged Events – the top six (6)
exhibitors
Timed Events – the top six (6)
exhibitors
One (1) Alternate per class will
be allowed to attend the show. If for
some reason one of the qualified
riders cannot participate in the class, the alternate
rider will be asked to fill in.
G.
Any class of 20
or more will be split.
H.
In timed events:
failure to run course, knocking over a prop (Cone, Pole or Barrel), or cone
jumping is DISQUALIFICATIONS.
I.
The Princess (12
& under) & Queen (13 thru 19) representative will be determined on
horsemanship. This can be done be either
by holding separate classes or taking the top female horsemanship riders in
that age group.
N.W.G.H.A. RULES for qualification
A.
Each participant
must show in a minimum of 50% of state qualifying shows.
B.
A state rider has
to work at least two (2) hours per qualifying show during the season and a
designated amount of time at the State Show or have a competent adult N.W.G.H.A.
member work for them. If a rider does
not work their time at the State Show, they will be fined $100.00 per rider or
they will not be allowed to compete in the next season.
POLICY: It is the Policy of N.W.G.H.A.
to pass the costs from the Federation on to the riders.
For 2002: Stall fees per stall (for horses and tack
stalls) and class fees.
C.
In
timed events: failure to run course results in disqualification. Knocking over a prop (Cone, Pole or Barrel), is a five (5) second per prop penalty.