1. NEGATIVE COGGINS REQUIRED. Coggins will be checked when you register at the Secretary Stand. Suggestion: bring a copy to keep on file at the Secretary’s Stand or email one to atlanticsaddleclub@gmail.com. A Vet’s Health Certificate is required for all horse coming across state lines.
2. Payment is due at time of Sign-Up. There is a $35.00 charge for any returned check. Open checks will be accepted.
3. Show Clothes/Tack are not required, however, proper English or Western Riding attire is required. English: half chaps with paddock boots or tall boots for those over 12 and paddock boots those 12 and under, riding breeches, collared shirt tucked in with belt (short or long sleeve and polo shirts allowed). Western: jeans are acceptable, western boots, chaps are optional, western hat or helmet, collared shirt (short or long sleeved allowed) tucked in with belt.. NO HALTER, MIDRIFTS OR TANK TOPS ALLOWED. Use of ASTM/SEI- approved helmets is required for all exhibitors 18 years and under when mounted, including Lead Line class. Helmets are encouraged for all riders.
4. To be eligible for year-end awards exhibitor must be a member of ASC and must work the required 8 hours of volunteer time as assigned.
5. Year-End High Point Awards: This award is given to members, Adult and Youth, Grand and Reserve, who earn the highest total points (on any number of horses) and second highest total points from any class with 3 or more entries. Only the two top point earning of the following divisions will count: Novice, Green, 12 and Under, Youth, Adult, and Open. Points from singles classes with 3 or more entries will also be included. .In the event of a year-end tie, the exhibitor with the most Grand/Reserves will be placed highest.
6. Daily High Point Awards will be given to the horse and rider combination (members and nonmembers) receiving the most points from their highest placing 9 classes with 3 or more entry. There is a $5 entrance fee to compete for the Daily High Point. Awards will be given to High Point Youth and Adult, Grand and Reserve. In case of a tie the exhibitor with the most Grand/Reserves received that day will be placed highest. Daily High Point winners will be announced at the following show and posted on our Facebook page.
7. Points will be awarded to the exhibitor/horse combination as follows: 1st – 6, 2nd – 5, 3rd – 4, 4th – 3, 5th – 2, 6th – 1. In the event of a division tie, there will be a ride-off for Grand and Reserve. Classes held with 1 or 2 exhibitors will be awarded points towards year end class and division awards, however, there must be a minimum of 3 entries for points to count towards the Daily and Year-End Highpoint Awards or for Team Competitions.
8. ASC considers a full year of showing to be any horse or rider or horse who entered any show 5 or more times during in a calendar year.
9. Twelve and Under Equitation Division walk, trot or jog. Is defined as anyone 12 years of age or younger as of the first show of the season. This class is a walk, trot/jog class, any discipline, and will be judged on the rider’s equitation. This class is for those exhibitors who have not loped or cantered at any show excluding Trail, and Speed classes. If exhibitor has loped or cantered at any show (other than the excluded divisions) they may not enter this division. Exhibitors may enter any GAYP class at a trot or jog, and may also participate in Novice, Green Horse, Trail classes for which they are eligible.
10. Peewee Division is for exhibitors 12 years of age and under as of the first show of the season who have never trotted or jogged at any show Open Walk, and Very Beginner W/T/J, and is open to riders of any discipline It will be made up of Peewee Showmanship, Peewee Walk Only Equitation, and Peewee Freestyle Trail. Walk Only will be judged on the rider’s Equitation. The Showmanship class will use the same pattern at every show requiring leading at the walk and the Judge’s inspection of the front quarters only. Freestyle trail to be performed at the walk. The exhibitor may not compete in any other riding classes except Lead Line, Very Beginner W/T/J. Participation does not count against Novice years. This is not a Lead Line class, spotters are permitted in the ring or to walk beside the exhibitor for safety reasons but exhibitor will be disqualified is spotter assists the rider in any way.
11. Very Beginner Walk,Trot or Jog is for exhibitors 12 years of age or under as of the 1st show of the season who have never trotted or jogged in any other class. Spotters are permitted in the ring or to walk beside the exhibitor for safety reasons but exhibitor will be disqualified if spotter assists the rider in any way. Diagonals will NOT effect placings. Riders will be judged at the walk in both directions and a trot, one by one at the far side of the ring. Riders may also participate in the Pee Wee Divisions and the Open Walk Only class.
12. Youth is defined as 18 and under as of the first show of the year. However, an 18 year old may choose to show in the Adult division but may not change back to the Youth Division.
13. Adult is defined as anyone over 18 as of the first show of the year.
14. Open division is open to all..
15. Novice Walk Trot or Jog Equitation Division will be judged on the rider’s equitation and is for exhibitors who have not loped or cantered at any show excluding Trail, and Speed classes, and are in their first or second year of showing under saddle. Any discipline is permitted. Novice exhibitors may also participate in any GAYP class at a trot or jog, 12 and Under, Green Horse, Trail, and any classes for which they are eligible.
16. Green Horse Pleasure Division walk, trot or jog is for horses in their First or Second Year of Showing under Saddle. Any discipline is
permitted. Western horses over 5 years old may be ridden in a snaffle bit with 2 hands in this division ONLY. Horse may be shown in any other class.
17. Short Stirrup Hunter: Open to riders 12 years old and under and will consist of 4 jumps with 18” cross rails. Riders may show up to 2 horses in this division. Riders may not enter the Pony Hunter Division at the same show, however, they may enter the Open Over Fences Division. This division is VHSA Assoc. rated and will be run in accordance with VHSA Assoc. Rules.
18. Green Pony & Pony Hunter Over Fences These divisions are only open to Juniors riding ponies. A Green Pony is a pony of any age in it’s first year of showing in any class which requires ponies to jump the designated height for Green Pony. Jump heights are as follows: small pony (under 12.2 hands) 2’, medium pony (over 12.2 but under 13.2 hands) 2’3”, large pony (13.2 to 14.2 hands) 2’6”. This division is VHSA Assoc. rated and will be run in accordance with VHSA Assoc. Rules.
19. Open Over Fences will consist of 7 jumps with a choice of 18” cross rails or 2’ verticals. Simple lead changes are acceptable.
20. Novice Showmanship is open to any exhibitor in their first or second year showing in a showmanship class. Exhibitor may NOT enter Open Showmanship.
21. Leadline Class is for children of any age who are not ready to ride on their own and will be conducted at a walk only. Open Walk and Peewee entries may also enter this class. Riders must wear a proper fitting helmet. All exhibitors will receive a first place ribbon.
22. Two handed ring snaffles or bosals are allowed on any western horses 5 years old or younger or on horses of any age only the Green Division. Hackamores are only allowed in speed events and fun classes. Certain Bitless bridles are permitted in any class, see an officer for clarification.
23. There is a 60 second ring call. Notify the Secretary Stand if you have a tack change – 3 minute time limit – once the gate is closed NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED.
25. The canceling of a class by an exhibitor must be done prior to the 60 second ring call to that class. NO REFUND ON ALL DAY FEE unless you participate in less than 5 classes, then a prorated amount will be refund based on the actual number of classes entered.
26. ASC Officers reserve the right to split or combine a class if needed. Youth and Adult Western as well as Youth and Adult Hunter GAYP will be run simultaneously but will be placed separately. Youth Points will be applied to Youth Division and Adult points will be applied to the Adult Division.
27. JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL! Please confine questions/comments for the judge to a break or at the end of the show. It is not fair to others to delay the show. Everyone needs to show good sportsmanship..
28. The ASC Officers or Judges reserve the right to excuse abusive, dangerous, disruptive and/or unruly horses and/or people from the facility.
29. Pursuant to Virginia State Law - NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 may show or otherwise handle a stallion on the show grounds.
30. Atlantic Saddle Club DOES NOT ALLOW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF ANY KIND OR FIREARMS on show premises.
31. DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON SHOW PREMISES! This is a rule of the facility owner and must be followed.
32. VHSA ASSOCIATE CLASSES, All VHSA Associate classes will run in accordance with VHSA Associate rules and regulations. Copies are available at the shows and at VHSA.com. There must be at least 3 entries for VHSA Associate points to be awarded. Only a limited number of our shows will have these divisions VHSA Associate rated. All will be awarded ASC points. You must be a member of VHSA to receive VHSA points.
OPEN MINIATURE HORSE DIVISION (38” and under)
Miniature horses are to be shown in proper tack and attire; this can be Western, English, or Hunter. Approved safety headgear (fastened) is required for exhibitors under 18 years of age in all classes except showmanship. Soundness is required. Conformation is not considered. Classes judged on manners, suitability, performance, and way of going. Division is open to exhibitors of all ages. Baiting the horse is not allowed. Baiting is a disqualification. Exhibitor may carry a crop but may not use it in any way.
Showmanship The horse should be clean, well-groomed, and turned-out appropriately for his type. The exhibitor should be neat, clean, well-groomed, attentive, courteous and in appropriate attire. Safety helmets or appropriate head gear for an industry show of the division is acceptable. Everyone is expected to show their horse on the “Quarter System” where the horse is “divided” down the midline of the vertebrae and at the withers. The judge’s position in the respective quadrant of the horse influences where the showman should stand to present the horse. Conformation will not be considered.
Over Fences Jumps will be set 20 feet apart. All jumps should have a ground pole. Jumps to be 5’ wide and 2” high. Class to be judged on style, manners, and way of going with preference given to those horses who cover the course at an even pace. Circling once upon entering the ring and once upon leaving the ring is permissible. Horses must cross the line in the proper direction to start and complete the course. Horses must stay within the course boundaries as outlined by the start and finish cones. Major faults: knockdowns (4 faults), circling more than once (3 faults), refusals (3 faults), spooking or shying (3 faults), showing obstacle to horse (3 faults). Elimination: 3 refusals, off course, fall of horse or exhibitor, jumping of obstacle by exhibitor, jumping of obstacle before being reset, failure to pass through the start and/or finish cones and/or knocking such cones over.
Obstacle Course The course will include 5-8 obstacles and can include backing, jumping, bridging, 360 degree box, side passing, use of hula hoop, serpentine, umbrellas, trot poles, walking over tarps, etc. No tires or stair steps. Jumps must be 12 inches high and must include a ground pole. Obstacles must not be hazardous to the horse or handler. No unnatural or “horror” obstacles allowed. Start and finish of the course should be marked with cones set 4 feet apart. To be judged on performance and way of going with emphasis on manners throughout course. Entries will be evaluated on responsiveness and willingness, plus general attitude. The handler can use 2 hands to help the horse navigate an obstacle, but would not receive as much credit as a handler that only used one hand. No disqualification for use of 2 hands. Hands may not touch the horse. Maximum time 60 seconds per obstacle. Judge is to encourage to advance to the next obstacle any horse taking excessive time at an obstacle. Horse is to be penalized for any unnecessary delay or excessive time at an object. Refusals do not constitute class disqualification. Horses will be required to walk and trot as directed on the posted course. No cantering or loping.