ROCKBRIDGE 4-H/FFA HORSE SHOW

Tuesday, July 15

10:00 AM

Wiley Arena

Junior (Basic) Division Open to all 4-H or FFA members in good standing, 4-H age 9 – 13 or currently taking a Basic or Novice Progressive Horsemanship project. This is a walk/trot division only. Classes may be divided according to project book or discipline at judge’s discretion.

CLASSES: Tack and attire to match discipline.

1. Showmanship – English or Western – AQHA quarter system

2. Horsemanship – any discipline - to include individual pattern

3. Pleasure – any discipline

4. Trail – either English or Western

5. Barrels

6. Poles Senior (Horseman) Division Open to all 4-H or FFA members in good standing, 4-H age 14 and older, having completed the Basic and Novice Progressive Horsemanship projects. This is a walk/trot/canter division. Classes may be divided according to age or discipline at the judge’s discretion.

CLASSES: Tack and attire to match discipline.

1. Showmanship – either English or Western - AQHA quarter system

2. Horsemanship – any discipline - to include individual pattern

3. Pleasure – any discipline

4. Trail – either English or Western

5. Hunter Hack – English attire/tack only

6. Barrels

7. Poles

AWARDS All participants to receive a blue, red or white award under the Danish system. A grand and reserve grand champion

 will be awarded in each class. One Junior and one Senior Division High-Point will be awarded: grand champion ribbon to count 2 points, reserve grand champion ribbon to count 1 point. In case of a tie, the entrant with the highest number of grand champion ribbons wins; second tiebreaker: highest number of blues. If a tie still exists, dual awards will be presented.

RULES: General All issues not addressed in these rules will conform to the Virginia State 4-H Championship Horse and Pony Show Rule Book. All final determinations rest with the County Assessment Committee.

1. In order for a horse to be shown, a completed 4-H Project Horse Eligibility Declaration form must be submitted to the

    Extension agent by May 1 of the current year.

2. All horses must have a negative Coggins test within 12 months preceding the show date.

3. A copy of the negative Coggins test must be submitted to the Extension agent with the 4-H Project Horse Eligibility

    Declaration form by May 1.

4. Helmets must be worn at all times when mounted.

5. All entrants must participate in the appropriate-level Showmanship and Horsemanship classes.

6. No severe bits are permitted, including but not limited to: gag bits, twisted wire bits or Western shanks exceeding 6” measured

    from the bit. County Assessment Committee representative has the final decision on bit eligibility.

RULES: Individual Disciplines Unless otherwise noted, the attire and tack requirements are according to the accepted standards

for that division.

English:

7. English hunt seat attire is: boots and breeches or jodhpurs, white shirt with collar, and helmet. Traditional English shirt, hunt

    coat and crop optional. Prince-of-Wales-type spurs (ball-end or no-rowels) permitted.

8. English saddle seat attire is: boots and riding pants, white shirt with collar and helmet. Traditional coat, vest, tie and crop

    optional. Ball-end or no-rowel spurs permitted.

9. Dressage is: boots and breeches, white shirt with collar, and helmet. Traditional Dressage coat, shirt, tie and crop optional.  

    Ball-end or no-rowel spurs permitted. Western:

10. Western attire is: boots and jeans or western riding pants, long-sleeved shirt with collar and helmet. Show shirts, vests, ties

      and chaps optional. Ball-end or minimal-rowel spurs permitted.

11. Horse five years old and younger may be ridden two-handed in a snaffle bit or bosal. Horses six years old and older must be 

      ridden one-handed (neck-reined).

RULES: Division/Class Eligibility

12. Riders under 13 may be promoted from the Basic Division to the Horseman Division by the Mounted Ability Assessment

      Committee.

13. Once a rider/horse pair has competed in Horseman Division, they may not compete that year, or any following year, in the

      Basic Division.

14. Should the Assessment Committee consider the performance of any rider/horse pair at the Horseman Level unsafe or

      inappropriate – either at the Assessment or at the fair - the pair will be asked to enter the Basic Division at the next fair.

      However, permission to remain at the Horseman Level may be granted by a second assessment.

15. A rider who is competing in the Horseman Division may compete in the Basic Division in the same year with a suitable

      second project horse.

16. A rider who has competed in the Horseman Division may compete in the Basic Division in any following year with a different

      project horse.

17. Permission to enter Hunter Hack must be obtained from the Assessment Committee.