General Rules

 

All points are awarded to horse/rider combinations. 1,2,…6th place earns 6,5,4,…,1 points respectively.

To receive points, horse/rider combination must be a member of the Blue Ridge Horse Force before they show and show under their correct BRHF official number. BRHF membership applications cannot be completed at a show. They must be mailed to the membership secretary. Upon re they show and show under their correct BRHF official number. BRHF membership applications cannot be completed at a show. They must be mailed to the membership secretary. Upon receipt the secretarywill mail a membership package.

To be eligible for year-end awards, each member must complete at least 3 hours of volunteer work at a BRHF sanctioned show.

You do not have to be a member of BRHF to compete in any class, just to receive year end points.

No extra points will be awarded for Champion and Champion Reserve.

All the information on show sheets must be complete with the horse(s) names, rider name and BRHF number(s). Any incomplete form without requited information will not receive points for that show.

All entries must have a negative coggins within the last twelve months.

Show management reserves the right to add cancel or combine classes. or spectator for any inappropriate conduct.

Appropriate attire is encouraged, but not required. All youth entries in over fences classes must have helmets with chinstraps. Safety headgear will not be penalized in any class.

Neither the Blue Ridge Horse Force, nor any of its members, families, organizers, property owners nor employees shall be held responsible for accident, damage, injury, illness, or loss to the animals, personal property, exhibitors, spectators, or any other persons on the show grounds.

Any violation of published rules at a given show will result in forfeiture of all points from that event.

The BRHF Board of Directors reserves the right to refuse or revoke any membership due to

un-sportsmanlike conduct or animal abuse.

Beginner Rider: Rider will be considered a beginner for 12 months from the first date of showing in any discipline. Note: changing disciplines does not restart the 12 month clock.

Beginner Horse: In each particular division, a horse will be considered a beginner for 12 months from the first date of showing. Note: a horse changing divisions between english and western or vice-versa can be shown as a beginner for 12 months in the new division.

Youth Rider: Rider who is 17 years and under as of Jan.1.

Adult Rider: Rider who is 18 and over as of Jan. 1.

Junior Horse: Horse that is 5 years of age and under as of Jan 1.

Senior horse: Horse that is 6 years of age and over as of Jan 1.

Pony: Horse that is 14.2 hands and under.

Leadline Division:

Riders must be registered with the BRHF. Riders earn points without consideration of the horses. This is the only division where points are not awarded on horse rider pairs. In other words any horse may be used at any show. All leadline participants that are members of BRHF will receive participation ribbons at the awards banquet. Also leadliners may only show in costume class for BRHF points in addition to this division. Leadliners may show in Coached Division.

Individual Classes:

Year-end awards will be awarded in each of the following classes.

Adult Showmanship
Youth Showmanship
Costume Class
Trail Class
In-Hand Trail Class

Model Western Model Hunter Model English

Bareback Division:

Consists of any bareback performance class. Riders may wear chaps if allowed in the show.

Coached Division:

Coach allowed in the ring and to give verbal assistance. Coach allowed to assist rider if safety is in jeopardy. Riders may cross enter to Leadline, Costume, In-Hand Trail and Model only. Consists of four classes:

Coached Showmanship
Coached Go As You Please Equitation
Coached Potato Race
Coached Trail

Ranch Horse Division: Consists of three classes:

Ranch Riding--Walk, jog, lope, extension at the jog and lope. Ranch riding will be shown at the w/j/l on a reasonably loose rein without undo restraint, horses must work both directions of the ring at all 3 gaits, judge may ask for extension of the jog and lope (junior and senior horse, senior horse must be ridden on handed)
Ranch Reining--The ability of the ranch horse to be reined willfully thru all maneuvers of the pattern. (3 patterns currently to choose from)
Western Riding--The classes are designated to showcase the horse that listens to their rider and can make correct lead changes with adjustments and speed while remaining quiet and maneuverable. (currently 1 pattern to choose from)

Walking Horse Division:Consists of two classes:

Flatshod
Plantation Specialty (non-canter)l

Ranch Horse Divisions Judging and Patterns

Therapeutic Riding Divisions:

These two divisions are open to riders of any age who are currently enrolled in a therapeutic riding program. A rider in either of these divisions may not cross enter in any other division at the same show. As with other classes, riders wishing to be eligible for year end awards must be members of the BRHF. Therapeutic riders may cross enter into the following classes - Model, In-Hand Trail, Showmanship, and Costume.

Therapeutic Rider with Assist Division:

 Assist shall be defined as any manner of assist including one spotter, one headwalker, and two sidewalkers. Riders will not be penalized as to size or manner of assist team. This division consists of two classes: Therapeutic Rider with Assist – Walk, and Therapeutic Rider with Assist – Walk/Trot.

Independent Therapeutic Rider Division:

 These riders have no assist present inside the arena. This division consists of two classes: Independent Therapeutic Rider – Walk, and Independent Therapeutic Rider – Walk/Trot.

 

English Divisions:

Youth English Pleasure---Consist of three classes: English Pleasure Walk/Trot, English Pleasure Walk/Trot/Canter, and English Go As You Please. Judged as a performance class.

Adult English Pleasure---Consist of three classes: English Pleasure Walk/Trot, English Pleasure Walk/Trot/Canter, and English Go As You Please. Judged as a performance class.

English Equitation Division: Consist of two classes: English Equitation Walk/Trot, and English Equitation Walk/Trot/Canter. Open to all ages.

Western Divisions:

Beginner Western Rider Division: Consist of three classes: Beginner Rider Western Pleasure Walk/Jog, Beginner Rider Western Pleasure Walk/Jog/Lope, Beginner Rider Western Pleasure Go As You Please (no racking). Judged as a performance class. Intended for riders of any age beginning their show experience. Riders to be considered beginners for twelve months from their first show date in any discipline.

Youth Rider /Junior Horse Western Pleasure Division: Consist of three classes: Western Pleasure Walk/Jog, Western Pleasure Walk/Jog/Lope, Western Pleasure Go As You Please. Judged as a performance class.

Youth Rider /Senior Horse Western Pleasure Division: Consist of three classes: Western Pleasure Walk/Jog, Western Pleasure Walk/Jog/Lope, Western Pleasure Go As You Please. Judged as a performance class.

Adult Rider /Junior Horse Western Pleasure Division: Consist of three classes: Western Pleasure Walk/Jog, Western Pleasure Walk/Jog/Lope, Western Pleasure Go As You Please. Judged as a performance class.

Adult Rider /Senior Horse Western Pleasure Division: Consist of three classes: Western Pleasure Walk/Jog, Western Pleasure Walk/Jog/Lope, Western Pleasure Go As You Please. Judged as a performance class.

Stock Seat Equitation Division: Consist of two classes: Stock Seat Equitation Walk/ Jog, Stock Seat Equitation Walk/ Jog/Lope.

Driving Division:

Consists of three classes: Pleasure Driving, Reinsmanship, and Drive & Ride.

Racking Division:

Consists of two Classes: Trail Racking (English or Western) and Country Pleasure Racking (English or Western).

Gymkhana Division:

Consists of four classes, riders can be any age.

Cloverleaf Barrel: Three barrels, 1st and 2nd barrel must be a minimum of 30’ from timing line and 15’ from side fences. 3rd barrel must be minimum 30’ from back fence. 5 second penalty per barrel knocked down.

Dimensions below can be decreased in 5 yard increments

Pole Bending: Six poles, first pole 21’ from timing line, 21’ spacing between poles. 5 second penalty per pole knocked down.

Flag Race: Rider starts holding small flag, races to end of arena, switches flags with one placed in a bucket atop a barrel approx. 30’ from end of arena. Rider must travel around barrel, disqualified if flag is dropped or exchange not made..

Keyhole Race: Timed event. Using flour or lime the pattern below is marked out. Time starts as contestant crosses the start/finish line. Contestants proceed through 5 foot opening, turn left or right in circle, then proceed back through opening to start/finish. Contestant is disqualified if horse steps on or outside the markings of the circle or opening.

Games Division: Consists of four classes, riders can be of any age:

Ride-a-Buck: Bareback riders, no chaps or shorts allowed, $1 bill placed under calf, not the knee area. Different gaits are called, goal is to not drop the dollar bill. If a rider does not or cannot do the called for gait they are considered to have dropped their dollar and are sent to the middle with those who drop the bill. Last one with dollar wins. BRHF places these classes though and needs the top six places, not just the winner.

Egg & Spoon: Riders carry an egg on a spoon, different gaits are called, goal is to not drop the egg. Riders cannot touch the egg once game starts and must hold the handle. If a rider does not or can not do the called for gait they are considered to have dropped their egg and are sent to the middle with those who drop there egg. Last one with egg wins. BRHF places these classes though and needs the top six places, not just the winner.

Potato Race: 3 buckets spaced approx. 20’ apart in line with a barrel placed approx. 30’ from end of arena. Riders attempt to drop one potato in each bucket, then race around barrel and back to timing line. 10 second penalty per missed potato. Timed event.

Catalog Race (new in 2007): Announcer will call out a page number. Time starts when horse goes though start cones. Rider must dismount to tear their page from a catalog placed on a barrel. Horse must go around the barrel. Time stops when horse goes through the start cones and the rider has the correct page from the catalog.

Hunter Equitation Division:

Beginner Hunter Rider Division: Consist of three classes: Beginner Hunter Rider Walk/Trot, Beginner Hunter Rider Walk/Trot/Canter, Beginner Hunter Rider 18" cross rails. To be judged as an equitation Class. Intended for riders of any age beginning their show experience. Riders may not show in any other over fences class at the same show (Except Hunter Hack). A Beginner Hunter Rider is one that is starting their show career. If a rider moves up from beginner level before the one-year expiration, he/she cannot return to beginner status. Riders cannot cross enter to Beginner Horse/Pony. If a rider or their family or trainer does not feel after the one-year status they are ready to safely move up to Intermediate Hunter Rider, they .may appeal to the BRHF board to extend their beginner status for another year. To appeal contact the BRHF board president. Once a rider wins Beginner Hunter Rider Division they may not win the division or be reserve cahmpion a second year..

Intermediate Hunter Rider Division: Consist of three classes: Intermediate Hunter Rider Walk/Trot, Intermediate Hunter Rider Walk/Trot/Canter, Intermediate Hunter Rider over 2’fences. To be judged as an equitation class. This class is intended for Intermediate/novice riders or any age that have completed their first year of showing. Riders may not show in any other over fences classes, or 2’ fence classes, at the same show (Except Hunter Hack). Rider will be considered an Intermediate for 24 months from first show date in this division. If for any reason the rider moves up within 2 years time limit, he/she cannot return to Intermediate status. Once a rider wins Intermediate Hunter Rider Division they may not win the division another year.

Youth Open Hunt Seat Equitation: To consist of two classes: Open Hunter Equitation on the Flat and Open Equitation over 2’6" fences (some shows may be 2’ for ponies). Judged as an equitation class.

Adult Open Hunt Seat Equitation: To consist of two classes: Open Hunter Equitation on the Flat and Open Equitation over 2’6" fences (some shows may be 2’ for ponies). Judged as an equitation class.

Hunter Division:

Beginner Hunter Horse/Pony: Consist of three classes: Beginner Hunter Horse/Pony Walk/Trot, Beginner Hunter Horse/Pony Walk/Trot, Beginner Hunter Horse/Pony over 18" cross rails. In each particular division, a horse will be considered a beginner for 12 months from the first date of show (i.e. Feb./Jan). If a horse/rider moves up from beginner level before the one-year expiration, he/she cannot return to beginner status. An entry in this class may not show in any other over fences class at the same show (except Hunter Hack), and may not cross enter to Beginner Hunter rider. Once a horse/rider combination wins Beginner Hunter Horse/Pony Division they may not win the division another year.

Hunter Pleasure: Consists of three classes: Hunter Pleasure Walk/Trot, Hunter Pleasure Walk/Trot/Canter, Hunter Hack with two 2’ fences. There will be an adult division and 2 youth divisions. (12 & under and 13-17 years old) Judged as a performance class.

Baby Green Hunter: Consists of three classes: 2 jump courses of fences not to exceed 2’ and an under saddle class. Horses are considered green for 24 months and may not show in any class with over 2’ fences except Baby Green Jumpers and Hunter Hack. Once they move up they cannot move back. Once a horse/rider wins Baby Green Hunter Division they may not win the division another year. Judged as a performance class.

Hopeful Hunter Pony: For ponies only. Consists of three classes: 2 jump courses of fences not to exceed 2’3" and an under saddle class. Judged as a performance class.

Hopeful Hunter Horse: For horses only. Consists of three classes: 2 jump courses of fences not to exceed 2’3" and an under saddle class. Once a horse/rider wins Hopeful Hunter Division they may not win the division another year. Judged as a performance class.

Schooling Hunter: Consists of three classes: 2 jump courses of fences not to exceed 2’6" and an under saddle class. Judged as a performance class.

Low Hunter: Consists of three classes: 2 jump courses of fences not to exceed 2’9" and an under saddle class. Judged as a performance class.

Jumper Division: This division is judged on speed and faults (pulled rails and refusals) only.

Baby Green Jumper- Fences 2’ to 2’3"—Horse/Rider combination may not compete in any other Jumper Class at the same show, but can compete in Baby Green Hunter Division and Hunter Hack. Once they move up cannot move back. Once a horse/rider wins Baby Green Jumper Division they may not win the division another year.

Pony/Horse Schooling Jumper- Fences 2’3" to 2’6" (Year-end awards for both horses and ponies)

Hopeful Jumper- Fences 2’6" to 2’9", Once a horse/rider wins Hopeful Jumper Division they may not win the division another year.

Low Jumper- Fences 3’ to 3’3"