DEPARTMENT 16 - YOUTH HORSES

See "Livestock Rules & Regulations" & "Livestock Care Agreement"

GENERAL FAIR RULES – If a situation arises that is not specifically covered by these rules, you should refer to the state guidelines, "The Horse and Pony Project Show Rules & Regulations Book", issued through Michigan State University, and available at the County Extension Office or on the following web site: 

http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/cyf/youth/horse/horserules.html

Attention Exhibitors: Located in the front of this book is a list of Safety Rules & Regulations for Exhibitors.  This information should be read, in addition to the Horse & Pony Rules & Regulations.

All participants showing in the horse project must be in a registered 4-H club by May 1st.  If they are not registered in a 4-H club they must show in the Open Horse Show on Saturday.  

The Fair Superintendent(s) will handle any rule not printed in the fair book, or State Rulebook.

A.   IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THAT ALL HORSE SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PULL ANY HORSE/RIDER FROM ANY RING AT ANY TIME FOR EXHIBITING UNSAFE CONDITIONS!  SAFETY RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED AT ALL TIMES.  ALL INFRACTIONS OF THE RULES WILL BE REPORTED TO THE HORSE SUPERINTENTENTS.

B.    Rules & regulations listed in Fair book, by Fair Board, shall apply, in addition to the following guidelines.

C.    Failure to comply with any of the rules, requirements, registration requirements or deadlines, and/or failure to provide stall duties and trophy sponsor money may result in the ineligibility from any or all of the following:  Championship Classes, High Point Awards, and Premium Paybacks. 

D.   Every club must have an adult representative at the fair at all times.  A senior exhibitor is NOT considered an adult representative.  A parent, guardian, or leader must supervise practice riding.  Bareback practice is limited to the day of showing that class.

E.    Overt coaching will be penalized.

F.    STALLS

1.       The Horse Superintendents must approve all stall changes.

2.       No electrical appliances of any kind (fans, etc.) are to be placed in the stalls.   No hay bags are to be left in the stall overnight.

3.       No haul-in animals allowed in the barn. 

4.    Only exhibitor registered to a project animal is allowed to ride that project animal.  (NO ADULTS, TRAINERS, OTHER PARTICIPANTS OR SPECTATORS) In the event of an emergency situation parents or trainers may ride project animal after clearing it with a Horse Superintendent.

G.  NO night riding

H.  Show officials reserve the right to spot-check at any time to verify compliance with helmet rule.  If the helmet comes off the head while in a class it is an automatic disqualification.

I.   Back Numbers-Exhibitors must display a visible number(s)     in all classes.  Any exhibitor failing to display a number(s) or displaying the wrong number(s) .  Will be disqualified

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS-EXHIBITORS & ANIMALS

A.      The project animals’ age is determined as of January 1st of the current year. 

B.      Project animals may by shown by siblings, limit two exhibitor per project animal.  Siblings may show in the same section, but NOT in the same class.

C.      No exhibitor may show in the same animal project in multiple counties.

D.      Horses in all classes must be serviceably sound, or they will be excused from the ring at the judge’s discretion.

E.       Exhibitor should own or have under continual care, as much as possible, their project animal.  Feed and care should start May 1st, and continue through fair.

REGISTRATION & DEADLINE REQUIREMENTS:

As per State Horse Show Guidelines it is recommended that your horse have the following vaccinations prior to Fair:  Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, Influenza and Tetanus.  Your veterinarian may suggest other vaccines as well.  All horses must have a negative coggins test to participate in Fair.  The original coggins must be shown at check-in.  Test must have occurred during current calendar year.  (Note:  Calendar year is defined as December 1st through the 31st of the following December.) 

A. Following is a deadline schedule for turning in required forms, documentation, etc.

April Leader’s meeting-It is highly recommended that all horse IDs be collected by leaders, checked for completeness and turned in at this meeting.

May 1st – Project animal must be registered by this date, by turning in a Fair Horse Photo ID form.  This form is available through Fair Web Site. and Horse Leader’s Assn website.  It must be turned in with an identifying photo of the project animal.  All photos must be clear, bright enough, and show all distinctive markings.  There should be no tack or rider in the photo, except for the halter and lead.  No other photos will be accepted.  Failure to register project animal by these guidelines will disqualify exhibitor from premiums and any championships.

May Leader’s Meeting – Project Record Books must be completed and turned in

June Leader’s meeting-It is highly recommended that all Fair premiums & Livestock care agreements be turned in at this meeting..

July 1st - deadline for exhibitors to sign-up for fair, by turning in a fair entry/medical treatment authorization form and Livestock Care Agreement to the Fair Office or Extension office.

A. NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED AFTER DEADLINE.

B. This form is located at the end of the fair book.

C. All horse classes to be competed in must be listed on this form including project record book, and 2 photocopies of the completed form must be made. 

D. This signed photocopy will be the final authority on class sign-up, except for safety changes to walk/trot.

July Leader's Meeting  - Due date for 2 photocopies of the completed & signed fair entry form.

Project animals can be changed up to Horse Leaders meeting in July with a vet certificate and/or written letter from leader stating  safety concerns with approval of Fair Board, but no classes can be changed or added after July 1^st sign up, unless changes occur from horse to pony or vice versa.  Any change in project animal after May 1^st is not eligible for championship classes.

Check-In / Out-Horses may be checked in between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Sunday before Fair.  Horses must be unloaded in the parking lot off the pavement, lead across the crosswalk and stop for inspection at the red barn.  Original negative Coggins and helmets must be presented for inspection at this time.  Once your helmet is inspected, the ID you will be given must be attached at all times to designate that your helmet has been inspected.   Ponies and minis will be measured and tagged at this time.  Horses must be checked out Sunday after Fair starting at 6:00 am and no later than 11:00am.  A barn manager must check each exhibitors’ stall before horses are removed from grounds.  Exceptions will be made only in an extreme emergency.  Anyone leaving early without written permission from Fair Board and horse superintendent may not be eligible for premiums the current year or stalls the following year, and may be subject to any further discipline as Fair Board deems appropriate. 

AWARDS:

A.    Ten place ribbons will be awarded in each class.  Rating ribbons may be awarded in fitting and showing classes. 

B.    Each animal in each class will be rated A, B, or C

C.  Following is the chart of how points will be assigned for placings.  These points apply to all participants, for all high points.

            Grand Champion          10 points

            Reserve Champion        9 points

            First place                          6 points

            Second place                    5 points

            Third place                        4 points

            Fourth place                     3 points

            Fifth place                        2 points

            Sixth place                        1 point

D.   The judge's decision is final.

E..   Championship Classes –

1.    Novice & Walk/Trot exhibitors are excluded.

2.    Only 1st & 2nd place exhibitors from regular classes are eligible. 

3.    It is at the discretion of the judge whether there will be a ride off or not.  Riders should expect to perform any tests listed in the current rulebook, at the judge's discretion.  NOTE - if an exhibitor 8-12 years old qualifies for a championship class, and is riding bareback, where loping or cantering is required, it is parent's/leader's discretion whether the exhibitor is able to enter and ride the class and remain safe.

4.    Championships for Gymkhana Classes will be decided by the fastest times for each division.

F.  Traveling Trophies – All Overall & Hi-point trophies and the Sportsmanship Trophy are considered “Traveling Trophies”.  These trophies are presented at the presentation parade on the final day of competition. They must be returned prior to the parade of the next years fair. Each trophy winner will receive a recognition award.  Any traveling trophy won by the same exhibitor 3 consecutive years is retired to that exhibitor excluding novice and walk/trot divisions.

G.  Overall Fitting & Showing and Equitation:

1.   Novice & walk/trot exhibitors are excluded.

2.  There is an overall championship class for the Fitting & Showing division, and the Equitation division.  All Junior & Senior Grand Champion winners (no Reserves) in these divisions will be eligible to participate in these classes. These points are not included in the high-point youth.

H.   Hi-Point Trophies: All hi-point trophies are awarded to the    individual accumulating the most points in that division, , excluding horse project record books according to the following lists of classes.

1.   Hi-Point English: Fitting & Showing; Dressage; Saddle   Seat Equitation; Saddle Seat Pleasure; Hunt Seat Equitation; Hunt Seat Pleasure; Hunter Hack; Equitation over Fences; Hunter Over Fences; Trail; Bareback; English/Western Riding.

2.   Hi-Point Gymkhana: Barrel Bending; Pole Bending; Cloverleaf; Speed & Action; Keyhole; Indiana Flag Race

3.   Hi-Point Pony: Fitting & Showing; Pony Pleasure; Pony Horsemanship; Pony Bareback; Trail; Pony Hunt Seat Equitation; Pony Hunt Seat Pleasure

4.   Hi-Point Western: Fitting & Showing; Western Pleasure; Western Horsemanship; Trail; Bareback; Reining; English/Western Riding.

5.  High –Point Novice:  (Classes specified as Novice) Novice Fitting & Showing, Novice Western Pleasure, Novice Western Horsemanship, Novice English Pleasure, Novice English Equitation, Novice Bareback, Novice Trail, Novice Dressage.

6.  High-Point Walk/Trot: (Classes specified as Walk/Trot) WT Fitting & Showing, WT English Equitation, WT English Pleasure, WT Western Horsemanship, WT Western Pleasure, WT Bareback (English or Western), WT Trail, WT Dressage

7.  High-Point Mini:  Mini Showmanship, Mini Pleasure Driving, Mini Obstacle Driving, Mini In-hand Trail, Mini In -hand Jumping.

8.  Hi-Point Youth: This is awarded to the exhibitor accumulating the most points throughout the fair.  This hi-point includes all youth, all seats, horse or pony. 9.  In the event that 2 or more exhibitors accumulate the same total of points the award will be shared equally.

I.   SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: 

1.  Voted on by the exhibitors during fair week.  One ballot shall be included in each project record book, prior to its return to the exhibitor at check-in.  This ballot should be turned in at the Red Barn, no later than the last horse class of fair (excluding the open show)

CLASS SIGN-UP GUIDELINES:

A.  Exhibitors can select only ONE class in each Section.  (Example:  All Fitting & Showing is under one Section.)  Please refer to the guidelines below for further explanations.  The section numbers are shown in the Horse Class Schedule.

B.  Novice riders can only enter classes designated “Novice” on the class lists

C.  Walk/Trot riders can only enter classes designated “Walk/Trot”.

D.  Classes will not be held for any exhibitor who has not previously requested a tack change.  There is a 3-minute allowance from the time the first horse enters the ring until the class is closed .For Gymkhana classes, no class will be stopped or held open.  If you are not there, ready to ride, you will be disqualified.

E.  Any class requiring a pattern shall be posted on the respective red or green barn.  This includes, but is not limited to:  English/Western Riding, Reining, Trail and Over Fences

Additional information regarding class sign up:

1.    DRESSAGE

a. Intro. To  Dressage is a class for beginning 3 gait riders,

b. No 3-gait rider should enter Walk/Trot or Novice Dressage.  

c.  Rider and horse combinations attaining a score of 50% or better must enter a higher-level class the following year.

2. ENGLISH/WESTERN RIDING

The newest changes of the state guidelines have made this a class for more advanced riders only.  Per state rules, this class requires performing at least 4 flying lead changes.  If at least 4 flying changes are not completed, you are disqualified.  Also, failure to change leads or missing the pole is considered off pattern and will disqualify you from the class.

3.HUNTER HACK

All horses competing will be lined up at one side of the arena for instructions prior to start of class.  Individual jump patterns to be completed before flat phase.

4. GYMKHANA

Gymkhana classes are classified as 3 gait classes. All walk/trot and novice exhibitors are excluded.

5.WESTERN PLEASURE - Junior horses (ages 5 and under) may be shown in Junior Pleasure or the exhibitor's respective age group, but not both.  In the State Rules, our Junior Horse is listed in the Western Snaffle Bit Section.  P/S Western Pleasure includes all Gaited, Arabs, Half-Arabs, Saddlebreds and Morgans.

6. BAREBACK EQUITATION

a. Riders may elect to enter either Western or English, but not both.

b.  Ages 12 & under, all novice, and all walk/trot classes will walk & jog/trot.  Only ages 13 & over will be required to lope or canter.

c.  All ponies may canter at the judge’s discretion.

7. PONIES:

Ponies cannot be taller than 56 inches in height.  Shod ponies will have ½ inch deducted from their measured height.  If you have an animal that falls under this height, and wish to show as a pony exhibitor, you must have your animal measured & tagged at haul-in.  If you wish to show in your age group instead of the pony division, you do not need to have your animal measured. However, you are then not eligible to show in the designated pony classes.  You will have to show in your age group for all classes.

8. WALK/TROT -   WALK/JOG CLASSES: 

      a. Open to any age rider with horse/pony who is unable to lope/canter in a class situation.  Exhibitors may enter regardless of previous years placing in any class.  This also means they do not have to move up from this division to a more advanced division, even if they place. 

b. The same guidelines apply to all walk/trot classes that apply to regular classes, except that, at no time shall a walk/trot rider canter or lope.  Doing so could mean a disqualification from that class.

c. Any Walk/Trot class will be split if there are more than 15 entries.  Any Walk/Trot class can be split, or combined, by the fair superintendent.  splits will be done by ages only.

d.. If a rider chooses to enter ANY Walk/Trot class, that rider is no longer eligible, and CANNOT enter any class that requires three gaits.  They MUST enter ONLY classes designated Walk/Trot and are not eligible for Championships.

e. For the trail section, Walk/trot riders must ride the junior trail pattern, and must replace any lope/canter instruction with a trot/jog.

f. The high point walk/trot trophy can only be taken 1year  by same exhibitor/horse combination.

A horse and rider may be placed in the walk/trot division due to safety concerns determined by parent, leader, judge or superintendent..

10.  NOVICE CLASSES: 

a.  The Novice classes are for exhibitors competing in their first or second year at the 3rd gait regardless of the animal being shown.  Exhibitors choosing to compete as “Novice” may not enter any class that is not designated as “Novice”. 

b.  “Novice” classes include:  Novice Fitting & Showing; Novice Western Horsemanship; Novice Western Pleasure; Novice English Equitation; Novice English Pleasure; Novice Bareback (English or Western) Novice  Dressage and  Novice Trail.

c.  Novice exhibitors are not eligible for any Championships. 

d.  Once an  exhibitor has competed for 2 years in the Novice division, they must move up to their regular age group the following year.

If an exhibitor has won the  High-Point Novice trophy, that  exhibitor must move up to their regular age group the following year.

11.  MINI CLASSES

a.  The current maximum height for minis is 38 inches.  Minis are required to be a minimum age of 3 to show in driving classes.

b.  AMHR rules apply to mini classes.  Additional  information available on the following website:  www.shetlandminiature.com under the rulebook link.