Membership Rules & Information

Circuit Membership Rules UPDATED 2/9/08

1. Membership of riders and recording of horses is required to participate in year-end awards, but is not required to compete in shows. Please complete your nomination form carefully and include all the information requested. Please be consistent when entering horse/exhibitor at the horse show so that the names correspond with the nomination form. For example, you nominate a horse under a show name such as “Pink Lemonade” but when you get to the horse show and enter you just fill in “Lemon”. The point secretary cannot verify that “Lemon” is the same horse that you nominated for points. Also don’t forget your mailing address, phone number and email address so that we can contact you if we have any questions.

2. Points will count from date of membership and recording.

3. In order to encourage members to attend and compete in all the shows, we are going to try a new show attendance policy. Members will receive 5 bonus points per division for each show in which he/she participates. These points will be awarded in all divisions competed in at the show EXCEPT equitation. Riders must compete in the entire division to be eligible for the bonus.

4. A recorded horse and rider combination only will count for points in any division. In hunter divisions, the rider may change from show to show, but not within the division on the same day.

5. Members riding 2 or more horses in the same division may substitute a rider in the under saddle class if they are also mounted and competing in those classes. The rider must be nominated for the points to count.

6. In equitation, riders must nominate a division, and will accumulate points only in that division. They must ride a nominated horse to accumulate points. Equitation riders may change horses from show to show, but not within the division on the same day.

7. Ties will be broken by points over fences or by the most difficult class.

8. Points will be as follows, no matter how many entries are in the class: first 10, second 6, third 4, fourth 3, fifth 2, and sixth 1.

9. Cross entering may be done only as specified in the rules and division descriptions. Anyone incorrectly entering divisions will lose all points incorrectly received and will return all ribbons. No entry fees will be refunded.

10. All ponies must be measured. We will accept current USAE, MHSA, or 4-H measurement cards.

Circuit Show Rules

1. Riders are guests of the hosting farms, and must abide by the farm’s policies. Hosting farms and the Blue & Gray Circuit have the right to refuse an entry for any reason.

2. The hosting farm, its owners, employees, or volunteers and the Blue & Gray Circuit, its officials, volunteers, or employees will not be responsible for any accident, injury, loss, or theft which occurs at the show or on the grounds.

3. All entrants must sign a release before showing. Juniors 18 & under must have an adult sign.

4. Classes will be run by USEF rules whenever possible. Should a question arise that is not covered by those rules or this program, it will be referred to the show committee, whose decision is final.

5. Hard hats and proper footwear are required when mounted. Riders must wear protective headgear with a secured harness. We strongly encourage ALL riders to wear an ASTM certified helmet with a secured harness while mounted!

6. When competing, riders must wear a riding jacket, breeches or jodhpurs, and boots. Protective headgear is mandatory while mounted. When management permits riders to ride without jackets, riders must wear traditional, short, or long-sleeved riding shirts with chokers or ties. Polo shirts and chaps are not permitted when showing in judged classes. The Show Management or Judge may eliminate an exhibitor who is inappropriately attired.

7. Schooling will be permitted in the ring at designated times corresponding with the fence heights of divisions entered. One free schooling session for each entered horse will be given with entry. Additional schooling sessions may be purchased at the cost of $5.00 each.

8. During controlled schooling, only 10 horses will school at a time. Riders in schooling traveling opposite directions should pass left shoulder to left shoulder. Fences should only be jumped in the direction specified on the course posting. Diagonal lines may be opened individually during each session.

9. We will reserve one schooling session in the afternoon as a FLAT ONLY session. Riders in this session may not come back and school the same horse over fences unless they pay for an extra schooling.

10. All fence heights are approximate.

11. Dangerous or unsportsmanlike conduct in the schooling ring, during breaks, or while competing is cause for dismissal from the class or show at the discretion of the judge and/or the show management.

12. Scratches for a refund must be done before the class begins.

13. A current Coggins test is required for all horses on the show grounds.

14. No dogs will be allowed on the grounds. **NO EXCEPTIONS!** A second warning will incur a $25.00 fine.

15. Water may be limited. Please bring your own.

16. Classes with 20 or more entries will be split. The class will be run in sections. The top riders from each section will be called back, and the class will be pinned with 1 set of ribbons and points.

17. Entries are $10.00/ class.

18. Shows will start at 8:30 AM.

19. Cross entering may be done only as specified in the rules and division descriptions. Please read the information in this program carefully!

20. Anyone found incorrectly entering a class or division will forfeit all ribbons and points earned in that class or division.

Division Descriptions

 Warm-up Hunter – Open to horses and ponies. To be shown over a course of 8 fences. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. Fences 2’. Points will count toward a special year-end award.

 Hopeful Hunter – Open to horses and ponies in their first year of showing over fences. Showing in Special Hunter does not affect eligibility for Hopeful. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. Simple changes will not be penalized. Fences to be 2’.

 Novice Equitation – Open to any age rider who has not won three blue ribbons in equitation over fences at this level or above. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on hands, seat, and control of mount. Fences to be 2’.

 Children’s Hunter - Open to horses and ponies ridden by a junior. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. Fences to be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice.

 Open Equitation – Open to any age rider who is no longer eligible for Novice Equitation. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on hands, seat, and control of mount. Fences to be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice.

 Blue & Gray Mini Medal Class – Riders must be a circuit member on a nominated horse. Open to all age riders on horses or ponies. Adults may ride ponies. Fences to be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice. To be shown over a separate equitation-type course that may be posted no less than 30 minutes before the start of the class. The top 6 riders will be called back in original tack for further testing on the flat. Riders winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive one credit for the mini medal final. Riders may accumulate points in the medal class all year. Only the final will be held at the last show. The 12 riders with the most points will be eligible to compete in the final. Ribbons and medals will be awarded to the top 6 finishers.

 Pony Hunter - Open to ponies. May be ridden by an adult. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. Fences to be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice.

 Low Hunter - Open to horses only. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. Fences to be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice.

 Open Hunter - Open to horses and ponies. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. Fences to be 2’6” or 3’, rider’s choice.

 Low Jumpers – Open to all riders, horses and ponies. Adults may ride ponies. Fences to be approximately 2’6”- 2’9”. To be shown over jumper-type courses that will be posted no less than 30 minutes before the start of the division. Fences will be numbered, and the start/finish areas for timing will be marked. In the first class, riders who are clear at the finish of the course will remain in the ring and complete a jump off course against the clock. Only clear rounds will jump off. Ties between riders with faults will be decided by their time in the first round. In the second class, riders who are clear over the first “power” section of the course will continue into the second “speed” half of the course against the clock.

 Lead Line – Open to children ages 8 & under. Judged 50% on child’s hands and seat and 50% on the quietness and suitability of mount. May be asked to drop and pick up reins and stirrups. Lead line riders may cross enter into the w/t classes of the following divisions: Beginner Hunter, Pleasure.

 Beginner Equitation – Open to riders of any age in their first or second year of showing. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on hands, seat, and control of mount. Riders may cross enter into Baby Hunter, Cross Rail Hunter, and Pleasure.divisions jumping higher than 18”.

 Baby Hunter – Open to any age rider on horses or ponies. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. The second flat class may be asked to halt and/or back. Fences will be four cross rails no higher than 18”. Trotting fences and simple changes will not be penalized. Any horse/rider combination in Baby Hunter may not cross enter into divisions jumping higher than cross rails.

 Cross Rail Hunter – Open to all riders on horses or ponies. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. Fences will be cross rails no higher than 18”. The second course will have a change of direction. Simple changes will not be penalized. Any horse/rider combination in Cross Rail Hunter may not cross enter into divisions jumping higher than cross rails.

 Maiden Equitation - Open to any age rider who has not won three blue ribbons in equitation over fences at this level or above. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on hands, seat, and control of mount. Fences may be cross rails, boxes, gates, etc. not to exceed 18” in height. Simple changes are allowed.

 Pleasure – Open to all riders on horses or ponies. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on performance, manners, and soundness with an emphasis on suitability. Riders may be asked to do an extended trot and/or a hand gallop in the road hack class.