Tennessee Walking
Horse Shows of America
PO Box 238
Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068
Phone: 614-751-8525
Fax: 614-868-0165
Email: TWHSA@aol.com
Corporate Sponsors
Chapter 4
SHOW RULES AND REGULATIONS
A. JURISDICTION
1. TWHSA rules take precedence over the rules of any other organization with the exception of rules affecting duties and performance of DQPs.
2. Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) versatility rules will be adhered to in all versatility classes.
3. Show management may add rules that are more stringent, but not less stringent, as long as they are within the regulations of the HPA.
4. Every show and every person participating in the show including exhibitor, trainer, owner, lessee, manager, agent, rider, driver, judge, show official, or employee is subject to the Bylaws and Rules of the TWHSA and to the local rules of the show. Every person participating in any show recognized by TWHSA is subject to the provisions of TWHSA whether or not the particular class in which he participates is operated under TWHSA rules.
B. PROCEDURE FOR ENTRIES
Unless otherwise stated on the class list, all classes are intended for the Tennessee Walking Horse.
1. In accordance with the Horse Protection Act, a horse cannot show unless it is first inspected by the DQP. In order for the DQP to inspect horses, all class entry sheets must contain the following information:
· Horse’s official name and registration number
· Rider’s name
· Trainer’s name and address (if the trainer is also the amateur/owner, put “same as owner” in the trainer column.
· Owner’s name and address
2. The entry blank of each show must contain a certification to TWHSA signed by the exhibitor or his representative, to the effect that:
Every entry shall constitute an agreement that the person making it, owners, exhibitors, lessee, trainer, manager, agent, coach, rider and the horse shall be subject to the bylaws and the Rules of the TWHSA and the local rules of the show. Further it shall constitute a declaration that the horse and/or rider is eligible as entered and that the owner and all of his representatives are bound by the bylaws and Rules of the TWHSA and the show and accept as final the decision of the TWHSA on any question arising under said Rules, and agree to hold the show, the TWHSA, their officials, directors and employees harmless for any action taken.
Failure of a show to require that such an entry blank be signed will constitute a violation of TWHSA rules.
3. Should an exhibitor, agent, or trainer fail to sign an entry blank as required, his first entrance into the ring as an exhibitor shall be interpreted as acceptance of the rules of TWHSA and shall ipso facto render him subject to said Rules.
4. Violation of the Rules in connection with entries may be cause for disqualification of the exhibitor, agent and/or trainer by the Show Committee.
5. A horse must be entered under its officially recorded name. It must also be entered under the name of the owner of record, or of the registered farm name.
6. If a horse has different names with different breed registries, the horse must be entered using the registered name of the breed in which the horse is being shown.
7. Horses must be entered in the names of all combined owners. Combined-ownership horses are eligible to be shown in owners and amateur owners classes and may be shown by either owner or any member of their immediate family.
8. Each horse will be assigned a unique number for identification by the judge in the show ring. The number must be worn by the rider and be easily visible. In driving classes, the number may be placed on the back of the cart or buggy.
9. In addition to entries of persons suspended by TWHSA or the USDA, Show Management may reserve the right to refuse the entry of an exhibitor who has demonstrated unsportsmanlike behavior at a show or has conducted himself in a manner which brings discredit to the show, its management, officials, or employees, provided the exhibitor so excluded shall have the right to be heard on the issue by Show Management before the refusal of entry is made.
10. If a class specifies a size limit for entries, the following protocol will be used for measurement: Stand the animal on a smooth, level surface so that the front legs are vertical and the backs of the hocks are in a vertical line with the points of the horse’s quarters. The head should be held low enough to reveal the highest point of the withers from the ground. The arm of the measuring standard shall be placed over the highest point of the withers and no measurement taken at any other part of the horse’s body shall count. The standard must be a straight, stiff, rigid stick and should be provided with a plumb bob or spirit level to make sure the standard is perpendicular from the withers to the ground and that the cross piece is parallel with the ground surface.
C. DRUGS AND MEDICATION
1. Administration of any tranquilizer, depressant, stimulant, or local anesthetic that might affect the horse’s performance is prohibited in all classes and divisions. (Tranquilizers, depressants and stimulants are defined as medications that depress or stimulate the circulatory, respiratory or central nervous systems.) Also prohibited is the use of “ginger” to the anal region, foreign substance on the pastern area (exception: approved lubricants in performance division) and any drug, regardless of how harmless or innocuous it might be, which masks or screens the presence of prohibited drugs, or prevents or delays testing procedures. Horses suspected of being illegally medicated will have blood drawn and tested by a licensed veterinarian. Entries showing signs of being sedated or tranquilized shall be excused by the judge.
2. Persons involved may be required to forfeit prize money, trophies, ribbons and “points” won at said competition. The owner must pay a fee of $50 to show management. A trainer and/or owner of a horse found to be in violation of the previous rule is subject to whatever penalty is assessed by TWHSA. Said trainer and/or owner may be fined and may be suspended from all competition at the discretion of TWHSA. The horse may be suspended for any period of time specified by TWHSA
D. EQUIPMENT FOR HORSES
1. General Equipment
a. Plastic wrap on the pastern area is prohibited on the show grounds, unless the horse is under the care of a veterinarian for an injury or medical condition.
b. Full blinders are prohibited on horses on the show grounds at all times.
c. Action devices and/or tail braces are prohibited on flat shod pleasure horses, yearlings and weanlings on the show grounds at all times.
d. Leg protection such as polo wraps, skid boots, splint boots, and bell boots are prohibited in pleasure classes, but are allowed in TWH over fences, Western riding, reining, barrel racing, pole bending and trail classes.
e. Names of horses, trainers, exhibitors or stables are prohibited on show equipment in the show ring, and entries with such names visible will be excused. Exceptions: Inconspicuous nameplates on saddles or bridles for identification purposes are allowed.
f. Unless otherwise specified, English tack and attire is required in all Tennessee Walking Horse classes
g. Unless otherwise specified, trail classes, water glass classes and country pleasure classes are optional tack classes.
h. Martingales and tie downs may be used only in TWH over Fences, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending classes.
i. Sidesaddles are approved for use in flat shod and versatility classes.
j. Australian stock saddles are not approved as either English or western tack.
k. Traditional mane braids are worn with English tack but not with western tack.
l. Unless a specific bit is required in a specific class, any standard bit is allowed with the exception of a gag bit with no shanks. Severe bits are discouraged and bleeding of the mouth or muzzle must be penalized in judging. Shanks longer than 9 ½ inches are prohibited in all pleasure classes. Shanks are measured from the top of the metal to the bottom of the metal, including the rings that attach to the reins and cheek piece.
m. Curb chains or straps must be at least ½ inches wide and must lie flat against the horse’s jaw. Cross chain cavesons are prohibited.
n. Quick change bridles are not allowed in the show ring
o. Communication devices are prohibited in the show ring except in the 11 and under age division and for handicapped riders. In the case of handicapped riders, written verification must be provided by a physician concerning the rider’s handicap at the time of making the entry.
p. Whips of no more than 4 feet are allowed in any class where English tack and attire are used. Whips of no more than 6 feet are allowed in driving classes. No extra lashes or other appendages are allowed on whips.
2. English Equipment
a. Standard English single rein bridle and bit. Colored vinyl or patent brow bands are traditional but not required.
b. Flat seat or saddle seat saddle. Dressage saddles are acceptable.
c. Breast strap (optional)
d. English spurs (optional)
e. Whip or crop not exceeding 4 feet in length (optional)
3. Western Equipment
a. Western bridle and bit without a caveson or colored brow band
b. Reins must be either split or romal reins.
c. Mechanical hackamores and draw reins are prohibited.
d. Hackamores may be used in barrel racing and pole bending but the timer or judge may prohibit bits or equipment he considers severe.
e. Western saddle and blanket or pad (silver mounted equipment will not count over good working equipment)
f. Breast collar (optional)
g. Spurs (optional)
h. On a junior (4 years old & under) flat shod western horse, a bosal or ordinary snaffle bit may be used. Riders may use two hands on the reins only when using a bosal or snaffle bit on junior horses. Snaffle rings must be no larger than four inches in diameter. An optional chin strip of leather or nylon only is permitted and reins must be attached above the chinstrap.
i. Whips, bats and crops are prohibited in western classes.
4. Pleasure Driving Equipment
a. A snaffle bit is required. A separate overcheck bit is optional.
b. Recommended harness is black leather with square patent leather blinkers, a snaffle bridle with either side checks or overcheck and running martingale.
c. Driving vehicle may be two or four wheels, unless limited by show management in the class description.
d. Breeching is recommended with a wooden wheel vehicle, but not used with wire wheels.
e. Whips of no more than 6 feet in length are optional.
5. Halter, Model and In Hand Equipment
a. Weanlings and yearlings are to be shown in a show halter. A snaffle bit may be used on a yearling at exhibitor’s option.
b. Horses two years old and over must be shown in a show bridle.
c. Traditional mane braids in the mane or foretop can be worn when shown in English tack.
d. Whips of no more than four feet long, including snapper, are allowed if the entry is shown in English tack.
e. Boots and action devices are prohibited in all halter, model and in hand classes.
g. In the performance division, tail braces, switches and humane tails may be used on horses 2 years and over, but not on weanlings or yearlings.
g. The use of ginger is prohibited.
6. TWH over Fences Equipment
a. English equipment, including snaffle, kimberwick or Pelham bit, is required.
b. Martingales, whips of no more than four feet, spurs and protective leg coverings are optional.
c. Hard hats for riders are required.
7. Performance Division Equipment
a. A single link-type device not exceeding six ounces in weight including fastener may be worn on each front pastern of the horse. An action device cannot touch the coronet band. They may be fastened by a strap of soft leather, nylon, cotton or other similar material. When fastened, the ends of the links cannot be more than three inches apart. A horse may wear link-type devices of different weights as long as neither device exceeds six ounces. Action devices cannot have double links, and each link must be the same size, weight and configuration. Link-type action devices can have no loose ends or dropped links and the links and fasteners must have a smooth surface. A link-type action device with twisted links is not permitted.
b. Boots or collar devices not exceeding six ounces each may be worn on each front pastern of the horse. Such device must not have a rough edge in contact with the horse, no seams on top or bottom that are not covered with a soft roll and must be closed and securely fastened with a keeper.
c. Hardwood, steel or aluminum rollers may be worn on each front pastern of the horse. Devices must be smooth and free of projections, protrusions, rust, corrosion or rough or sharp edges and must not exceed six ounces in weight
d. More than one action device of any type on any one leg of a horse is not permitted.
e. Performance horses may be shown with braced tails or humane tail sets as indicated.
f. Caps and switches on tails are optional.
8. Fine Harness Equipment
a. Fine harness horses are shown to a light, four-wheeled buggy with wire spoke wheels and no top.
b. The light harness should have a martingale and a blinder bridle with overcheck.
c. Permitted bits are snaffle, Kimberwick or Liverpool. If a Liverpool is used, the shanks may not exceed 4 ½ inches from top to bottom and a curb chain is permitted.
9. Saddle Seat Equitation Equipment
a. A standard English Walking Horse bridle with a caveson and single reins is required. Colored brow bands are appropriate, but rhinestones are not acceptable. Cavesons must be brown or black leather. Breast straps of brown or black leather are optional.
b. An English cutback saddle of the correct size for the exhibitor must be used. Only white girths may be used.
c. Traditional braids in mane and foretop must be straight with no butterflies or other ornamentation.
d. Tack shall be judged for cleanliness and condition. Costly or fancy tack shall not be judged over good working tack
10. Stock Seat Equitation
a. Western bridle and bit without a caveson or colored brow band. Reins may be either split or rommel style.
b. Western saddle and blanket or pad (silver mounted equipment will not count over good working equipment)
c. No braids in the foretop are used in Stock Seat Equitation.
d. Whips of any kind are prohibited in Stock Seat Equitation.
11. Showmanship at Halter
a. Unless specified by the class sheet, exhibitors may use English or western tack and attire.
b. Only halters are allowed for use in Showmanship at Halter classes. Halters may be English or western. Traditional colored vinyl or patent leather brow bands may be used with English halters but not on western halters.
c. Traditional mane braids may be used with English tack but with not western tack.
d. Whips up to four feet in length including the snapper may be used with English tack but not with western tack.
E. SHOEING
1. General Rules
a. Toe length must exceed the height of the heel by one inch or more. The length of the toe is measured from the coronet band, at the center of the front pastern along the front of the hoof wall to the ground. The heel is measured at a 90-degree angle from the coronet band, at the most lateral portion of the rear pastern, to the ground excluding caulks that do not exceed ¾ inch in length.
b. Hollow shoes or artificial extensions filled with mercury or other substances are prohibited.
c. The breakover point of a shoe cannot be any further back than the tip of the natural toe.
d. Shoeing or trimming a horse’s hoof in any manner that will cause the horse to suffer, or can reasonably be expected to cause the horse to suffer pain or distress, inflammation or lameness is strictly prohibited. This includes, but it not limited to, trimming into the quick of the hoof, drilling holes in the sole of the hoof, placing foreign objects under the shoe, in holes in the hoof sole or wall, or around the coronet band, constricting the hoof in any way, and standing a horse on any objects that put pressure on the hoof in any way.
e. Acrylic or other materials can be used to repair or mend a damaged hoof or to fill in cracks or nail holes on the sides of the hoof, but may not be used to extend the length of the natural toe or heel of the hoof in any manner.
f. Rear sliding plates used on reining horses shall be allowed in all classes provided that the horse is entered in a reining class at that competition.
g. In Park Pleasure and all other flat shod pleasure classes shoes may only be attached to the hoof with nails. No other substance or device of any kind may be on the bottom of the foot.
2. Plantation Shoe:
a. The plantation shoe must be made of iron and must not be wider than 1 1/2 inch, or thicker than 1/2 inch with no other weight inside the shoe. The use of borium is permitted on the caulks of plantation shoes, but the thickness of the shoe and caulk with the borium must not exceed 1 1/8 inches. Welded on clips are not permitted on flat-shod horses. Clips that are drawn from the shoe itself are permitted. No additional weight shall be allowed on or in the hoof, other than the shoe and nails. The caulk must not exceed a one-inch turnback and the shoe must not extend more than 1/4 inch beyond the hoof at the toe. The measurement of the turnback is made inside the fold. The heel of the shoe must not extend beyond the bulb of the horse’s heel when a perpendicular line is drawn from the bulb of the horse’s heel to the ground. The weight-bearing surface of the shoe must be level. Pads of any kind are prohibited.
3. Lite Shod Shoe
a. Lite shod shoes must be made of iron and be no thicker than 3/8 inch nor any wider than 3/4 inch with the exception of the caulk, which must be no thicker than 3/4 inch. Weight is limited to no more than 32 ounces per shoe. The weight of the shoe will be checked by the judge if a shoe is thrown at any time the horse is in the show ring. Should the weight of the shoe be found to be over the 32 ounces limit, the violation will be penalized as an illegal shoeing violation. The use of borium is permitted on the caulks of lite shod shoes, but the thickness of the shoe and caulk with the borium must not exceed 7/8 inches. The turnback shall not exceed one inch, and the shoe must not extend more than 1/4 inch beyond the hoof at the toe. The measurement of the turnback is made inside the fold. The shoe is not to extend beyond the bulb of the horse’s heel when a perpendicular line is drawn from the bulb of the horse’s heel to the ground. The weight-bearing surface of the shoe must be level. A horse showing in a class requiring lite shod shoes must be lite shod on all four feet. Pads of any kind are prohibited.
4. Performance Shoe and Pads
a. Shoes in the performance division may not exceed 1 1/2 inches wide or 1/2 inch thick with a 1-inch turnback. The turnback is measured from the inside of the fold. The breakover point of the shoe cannot be any further back than the tip of the toe on the natural hoof.
b. Pads made of leather, plastic or a similar pliant material used to artificially extend a horse’s hoof are allowed on performance horses. The amount of pad, or artificial extension, permitted on a performance horse two years old and older will be determined by the natural hoof length. The amount of artificial extension, whether accomplished with pads, acrylics or any other material or combination thereof, must not exceed 50% of the natural hoof length. Natural hoof length is measured from the coronet band at the center of the front pastern along the front of the hoof wall, to the distal portion of the hoof wall at the tip of the toe. The thickness of the pad, or artificial extension, is measured at a 90-degree angle from the hoof wall at the tip of the toe to the top of the shoe. No portion of the pads (artificial extension) or shoe may extend beyond the bulb of the heel more than one inch. Rockback pads are permitted on padded horses (with the exception of Park Performance) but cannot extend below the weight-bearing surface of the shoe.
c. Metal hoof bands used to stabilize pads and shoes must be placed at least ½ inch below the coronet band
d. Insertion of any material between the pad and/or shoe and hoof is prohibited with the exception of acceptable hoof packing between pads and hoof. Acceptable hoof packing includes pine tar, oakum, live rubber, sponge rubber or commercial hoof packing used to maintain adequate frog pressure or sole consistency.
e. Lead or other weights may not be attached to the outside of the hoof wall, the outside of the horseshoe or any part of the pad except the bottom part of the pad within the horseshoe. Pads may not be hollowed out for inserting weights and weights may not extend below the weight-bearing surface of the shoe.
5. Yearling and Weanling Shoes
a. No shoes of any kind are permitted on weanlings.
b. Shoes on yearlings are limited to 3/8” in thickness and ¾” in width and may not weigh more than 16 ounces. Unless the class specifies “flat shod”, yearlings are allowed a pad of no more than one inch in thickness. No additional weight may be added to the shoe or pad.
F. ATTIRE FOR EXHIBITORS
1. General attire
a. Exhibitor’s hair must be neat and well groomed. Long hair should be styled so the back number can be seen easily.
b. Horse and/or stable advertising will not be allowed in the ring on exhibitors or attendants
c. Safety helmets are allowed in all divisions and judges will not penalize riders for wearing them.
d. Judges will penalize riders who are not neatly and correctly attired. Show management may refuse to allow any exhibitor or person to enter the ring if they are not suitably dressed to appear before an audience.
e. Exhibitor’s attire must be either western or English, but not a combination of both. Western attire is worn with western tack and English attire is worn with English tack
f. Grooms and headers entering the ring must be neatly and appropriately attired.
2. English Attire
a. Saddle seat suit or day coat and jodhpurs. Jodhpurs or pants must have tie downs or underpasses. A formal tuxedo suit may be worn in evening championships as appropriate.
b. Shirt and tie
c. Jodhpur or ankle high riding boots.
d. English Spurs (optional)
e. Gloves (optional) Note: Gloves are required in equitation and showmanship classes.
f. Hats (derby, snap-brim, homburg, or helmet), optional. Top hats should only be worn in championship classes with formal attire.
3. Western Attire
a. Western style long pants
b. Western style long sleeve shirt
c. Western hat (In barrel racing and pole bending, a western hat or helmet is required to be on the exhibitor’s head the entire time the exhibitor is in the ring. Hats held on the head with stampede strings is permitted)
d. Western style boots
e. Gloves (optional) Note: Gloves are required in stock seat equation and showmanship classes.
f. Chaps (optional)
g. Coat, vest, and/or jacket (optional)
4. Halter, Model and In Hand Attire
a. In the pleasure division, unless otherwise specified, halter, model, and in hand exhibitors may wear proper English or western attire. Long sleeve shirts with a collar are required. Coats and hats are optional.
b. In the performance division, English attire is required, including long sleeve shirts with a collar and long pants.
5. Pleasure Driving Attire
a. Ladies should wear conservative dress, blouse and skirt, shirt and jodhpurs, saddle suit or day coat and jodhpurs.
b. Men should wear business suit, saddle suit, sport jacket and slacks.
c. Gloves are recommended, apron and hats are optional.
6. Fine Harness Attire
a. Men must wear riding suits, business suits, formal wear or dress pants with sports jackets and hats. Gloves are recommended but not required.
b. Ladies must wear riding suits, formal or cocktail wear, or dresses with skirts or slits in the skirt not to be above the knee without the use of a lap robe. Long skirts or lap robes are encouraged. Gloves are recommended but not required.
7. Walking Seat Equitation Attire
a. The exhibitor must wear a neat, well-fitted saddle suit/habit of a solid color or conservative pinstripe. Suggested colors are black, blue, grey, green, beige or brown with coordinated accessories. Vests in a matching or contracting color are required. Careful attention should be given to the fit of the suit. Coat length should be at least 3 inches below the fingertips when standing. Jodhpurs should be long enough to rest on the exhibitor’s boot top and allow only the toe of the boot to be visible when mounted. Underpasses must be worn snugly against the boot. Expense and “newness” of attire shall not be judged over neat, well-fitted attire.
b. A matching or coordinating derby, homburg or snap-brim hat must be worn and should be clean and rolled to shape.
c. A four-in-hand tie matching or coordinating with the suit color should be worn with a men’s style white or pastel shirt.
d. English style boots may be either calf or patent leather and should coordinate with the color of the suit. English type slip on spurs are optional.
e. Gloves matching the suit must be worn.
f. Exhibitor’s hair must be neat and well groomed. Long hair must be styled above the color. Small post earrings can be worn.
g. A formal or semi formal tuxedo suit may be worn in evening classes after 6:00 p.m. A top hat or homburg, dark bow tie, cummerbund, gloves and dark boutonniere are worn with semi formal suits. A top hat, white bow tie, cummerbund or formal vest, matching or white gloves and a white boutonniere are worn with a formal suit.
8. Stock Seat Equitation Attire
a. Western style pants
b. Long sleeved shirt with western type tie or western type pin at collar
c. Western hat (shaped and clean)
d. Gloves
e. Boots
f. Vest, coordinating western chaps, and western type jacket are optional.
g. Formal attire such as tuxedo type shirts and bow ties are only acceptable after 6:00 p.m.
h. Exhibitor’s hair must be neat and well groomed, with long hair styled above the collar.
9. Showmanship at Halter Attire
a. English or western clothing as appropriate for the horse’s tack as described above.
b. Gloves are required
c. Long hair must be neat and styled above the collar.
Note: A judge may decide, on the basis of extreme weather conditions, to relax or modify attire requirements at any show. Attire requirements may be relaxed at “A” shows.
G. PRESENTATION
1. Entries should be clean, neatly trimmed and in good flesh presenting a healthy appearance. Each entry should be outfitted in clean and appropriate tack. The exhibitor should be neat, attired in properly fitting riding attire and shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.
2. The Tennessee Walking Horse should move freely and in a smooth, fluid, rhythmic manner in each of the three gaits. Form is not to be sacrificed for speed. At all gaits, the horse should be flexed at the poll with the horse’s face near, but not behind vertical. The horse must exhibit a true, four-beat walking gait with a cadenced head nod. Racking, pacing, trotting or otherwise deviating from the true walking gait will be penalized in judging.
3. Any horse exhibiting a cramped way of going, crawling backend or twisting of hocks must be disqualified.
4. A horse exhibiting a bad image in the show ring, even though it may not be a violation of the HPA, must be excused from the ring by the judge and must report to the DQP upon leaving the ring. Bad image includes stiff front leg or crampy rear leg motion, struggling, stumbling, buckling knees, lack of rhythmic timing, pointing, or favoring a particular leg.
5. Pumping or bumping of the reins at any gait will be penalized.
6. All pleasure horses will be required to back without excessive resistance.
7. Any change in color of markings, with the exception of mane, tail or hoof, is prohibited. Grooming products for stain removal are allowable.
H. CLASS PROCEDURE
1. Exhibitors must enter the show ring promptly when the class is called. Exhibitors are given three minutes to enter the ring from the time the class is called, at which time the gate will be closed. No entry will be admitted after the judge calls for the first gait.
2. In under saddle classes, unless otherwise instructed, competitors will enter the gate at a flat walk and proceed to the right on the rail. Riders may go at ease until the class is called to order. Horses will work both ways of the ring at the flat walk, running walk, flat walk and canter. All pleasure horses will be asked to back in the line-up. Workouts may be held at the discretion of the judge. Numbers selected for the workout will be read by the announcer and exhibitors whose numbers are called will ride to the center of the ring while the remainder of the class will work on the rail. Other numbers may be pulled in by the judge, after which the remaining entries will be dismissed. Numbers called for the workout will then take the rail and work both ways of the ring.
3. All horses shown at a show must be serviceably sound. In case of question by a judge, the official veterinarian will make the determination. If a veterinarian is not immediately available, the judge shall make the decision as to the serviceable soundness of the horse.
4. Stallions may not be shown in youth classes.
5. Championship Classes:
a. A Show Committee must designate all qualifying classes and may require all winners in a qualifying class to compete in a Championship Class provided it is so stated in the prize list. An exhibitor who fails to comply shall forfeit all winnings in the qualifying class. If an exhibitor qualifies more than one horse for a Championship Class, he may choose to show only one horse without penalty.
b. An entry shall have qualified for a Championship Class if, in an appropriate qualifying class, it has completed the class or it is excused by a Judge after a workout.
c. To be “shown and judged” in any class in which horses compete together, an animal must perform all required gaits both ways of the ring in the original workout and must remain in the ring up to the point of being excused by the Judge.
d. A horse showing in a “two gait” or “no canter” class is not qualified to show in a championship class requiring three gaits.
e. Competing in halter, model, or in-hand classes does not qualify a horse for an under saddle championship class.
6. A stake class does not require qualifying for exhibitors.
7. If a class in which horses compete, whether collectively or individually, is stopped while in progress due to storm, accident or other emergency, the following procedure shall govern:
a. The class when recommenced shall be held over in its entirety and no consideration shall be given to the performance during the original session.
b. If classes are postponed until a day not included in the original show dates, exhibitors are not required to show back in postponed classes and are entitled to a refund of entry fees.
8. Time-outs interrupt a show; therefore, unauthorized time-outs will not be permitted.
a. An exhibitor needing a time-out will ride to the center of the ring and request it from the judge. If the reason for the time-out is valid, the judge will grant the request. The rider must remain mounted until the time-out is granted. If the judge finds the reason for a time-out is not valid, the entry must be ordered back to the rail immediately
b. Time-outs may be granted by the Judge for replacement of shoes, replacement of broken equipment, or in other instances the Judge deems necessary. In any division, a shoe thrown in the ring must be presented immediately to the judge for inspection. If a violation is found, the horse is disqualified and a ticket written by the judge, who should retain the shoe and turn it over to TWHSA.
c. Time-outs for adjustments of equipment, such as curb chains, bridles, and action devices, are not allowed. If an action device becomes stuck on a hoof, the exhibitor may be permitted, under the observation of the Judge, to lift the action device and adjust it to prevent recurrence. Loss of lead weights attached to the bottom of pads is not considered breakage of equipment.
d. A total of ten minutes in aggregate shall be allowed for each entry for authorized time-outs, but no more than two time-outs per class.
e. All time-outs begin when justifiable reasons are acknowledged, except for replacement of shoes, in which event the time-out shall begin when the farrier lifts up the horse’s foot. Time will be allowed prior to the beginning of time-out for locating the thrown shoe.
9. Physical assistance over the rail for horse or rider is not permitted; and any entry receiving such assistance must be excused.
10. The fall of a horse and/or rider will disqualify the entry, unless the rider falls because of contact interference from another rider or horse.
11. Unruly horses (rearing, balking, running off, or leaving the ring) must be excused. Entries exhibiting in an unsafe manner will be excused.
12. An exhibitor has the right to request to be excused from a class at any time prior to the lineup. Once the lineup has been called, only a judge may excuse an exhibitor. An exhibitor shall pull into center ring and request permission to be excused through the ringmaster. The exhibitor may choose to remain mounted or to dismount.
13. All horses excused from the show ring for any reason, whether by the judge’s request or by their own request must report back to the DQP. Exception: Entries excused by the judge in a workout.
14. Grooms or handlers may be called in during the line up in youth classes or driving classes or in the case of handicapped riders at the discretion of the judge