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 8
VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
These rules apply to all owners, trainers, exhibitors, agents, managers, show officials, show employees, members of the families or employees of the above, participating either individually, or as a member of an entity, at a show or sale affiliated with TWHSA who act in a manner in violation of TWHSA rules.
A Violations of the Horse Protection Act are under the jurisdiction of the Horse Protection Commission.
B. Violations prejudicial to the best interest of TWHSA include but are not limited to:
1. Failure to pay fines.
2. Showing, exhibiting or attempting to show or exhibit while on suspension.
3. Showing or exhibiting or attempting to show or exhibit a horse that is on suspension.
4. Acting or permitting any other to act in a manner contrary to TWHSA rules, or in a manner deemed improper, unethical, dishonest, unsportsmanlike or prejudicial to the best interest of the TWHSA
5. Committing any act or making any remark considered offensive and/or having been made with intent to influence or cast aspersions on the judging.
6. Influencing or attempting to influence any judge in carrying out his duties.
7. Misrepresentation of a horse’s identity, including registered name, age, registration number, height, owner of record or other information on any entry blank Exhibitor will forfeit any ribbon, trophy, cash prize or other award and the class will be re-tied.
8. Failing, as an exhibitor or his representative, to sign the entry blank of a show in which he competes.
9. Treating a horse cruelly.
10. Failing to observe any penalty or rule imposed by the TWHSA.
11. Influencing or attempting to influence by any means or manner any DQP in determining the eligibility of any horse entering any class at any affiliated show or event.
12. Verbal or physical abuse to any representative of TWHSA, HPC, to show management, DQP, judge or other show official.
C. Rules under the jurisdiction of show management include but are not limited to the following specific acts:
1. Action devices used by an exhibitor which are prohibited by the TWHSA rule book
2. Exhibiting a horse in a class for which the horse or exhibitor is ineligible, whether by age, sex, height or amateur or novice status or any other restriction set on the class.
3. Exhibiting a horse which is shod in any manner in violation of TWHSA rules
D. Complaint procedures
1. If a complainant has reason to believe that an accused has violated any TWHSA rule and wants the matter investigated, he must file a written protest with Show Management stating the following
· The name and number of the exhibitor and horse
· The class in which the horse was exhibited
· The rule that the complainant believes was violated
· The manner in which the rule was violated
· The name and address of the complainant
2. The complainant must submit his written protest to Show Management, along with the sum of $100 before completion of the final class of the show. If the complaint concerns an infraction in the last class, the complainant must immediately notify Show Management of his intent to file a protest and shall have 30 minutes thereafter to submit his written protest the day of the show.
3. Show Management shall then take such steps as necessary to make a determination on the protest and render a decision as quickly as possible.
4. If the decision of Show Management is in the favor of the complainant, the $100 will be returned to the complainant. Show Management shall also disqualify the accused and cause to forfeit any prizes or money which the accused may have received. Any exhibitor who was placed or tied below the accused shall be advanced one place in the final order. If only one judge was used in the class, then he shall immediately tie one more exhibitor for last place.
5. If either the complainant or the accused objects to the decision of Show Management, an appeal may be taken to the TWHSA.
6. After making its decision, Show Management shall file a written report with the office of TWHSA. The report shall contain a short statement of the procedure followed in handling the protest and a finding of facts, and the decision arrived at. This report mustl be filed whether or not an appeal is taken.
7. If the decision of Show Management is appealed, a Hearing Committee appointed by TWHSA will hear the appeal on the written statement and findings of facts filed by Show Management and determine if the decision arrived at was proper based on the facts. If the Committee needs additional information concerning the findings of facts they may continue the matter and ask Show Management to submit additional information. If an appeal is taken from Show Management’s decision, the Show Management’s decision shall not be put into effect until instructed to do so by the Hearing Committee.
8. Any exhibitor who fails to return any prize or money ordered forfeited by Show Management, shall be disqualified from showing until said order is obeyed, unless an appeal is taken to the Hearing Committee
E. Decisions Not Subject to Protest.
1. The soundness of a horse, as determined by an official veterinarian or DQP of the show or by a judge, is not subject to protest.
2. A judge’s decision, representing his individual preference, is not subject to protest unless it is alleged to be in violation of the rules.
3. A protest concerning the height of a horse or the length of a horse’s foot may be made only to Show Management. Re-measurement shall take place immediately, so that there can be no change in height by re-shoeing. The decision of Show Officials cannot be overturned by TWHSA