Horse Show Rules

1. Have fun!

2. Learn and grow your equestrian skills and your horse's skills.

3. Build a bond with your horse.

4. Celebrate your accomplishments and those around you.

5.. Develop friendships that will last a life time.

6. Be role models for others.  

Somewhere around this arena, there is a little kid that wants to be just like you someday.  You owe it to them to be the best you can be.  

1.Year-end awards to qualify you must: 

a.  Attend at least 50% of the shows in the season.

b.  Show in at least 50% of the classes offered. 

- If a division has 4 classes, you must show in two. If a division has 5 classes, you must show in 3 classes. 

c. Be a Scottsdale Saddle Club member in good standing.

d.  Work 1 hour of volunteer time for each show you show in.

2. All youth riders shall wear protective head gear (helmets) in riding classes, unless being led by an adult in lead line. 

3. Conduct & Safety: 

a. Any un-sportsman like conduct or abuse will cause an exhibitor to be dismissed by the judge or Scottsdale Saddle Club committee person. 

b. Any horse may be excused for lameness or for posing a danger to other horses and exhibitors by the judge or Scottsdale Saddle Club committee person.

4. Add/Scratch/Refunds for classes:

a. Please provide any class adds to the show manager prior to class start

b. Please notify the show manager of scratches asap, classes will have a “final gate call” and provide the exhibitor no more than 2 minutes of final gate call time to enter the ring.  It is your responsibility as an exhibitor to notify the show staff of any tack or horse/rider changes.  

c. Reasonable tack change requests will be accommodated as best possible.  However as a courtesy to all other exhibitors please have those items arena side and ready for change ( 2 minute standard).

c.  No refunds once entries are paid

5. Ribbons: 

a. 1st through 6th place ribbons are awarded OR

b.  You may choose a Ribbon Point card to use for future entry fees at any Scottsdale Saddle Club event.

6. Daily High Point must show in at least 50% of the classes offered for the division .

7. Lead line Class:

 a.  Age 7 and Under.

 b.  Must be led by an adult handler (18 & Over)

 c. Lead line will be placed and qualify as a year end division.

8. Walk/Trot: 

a. If you are showing for year-end awards in the walk/trot divisions (12 & Under or 13& Over) at Scottsdale Saddle Club you cannot show in the 3-gaited divisions at Scottsdale Saddle Club or any other show or discipline. The walk/trot divisions are designed to be a stepping stone for young children/novice adults new to horse shows.  If you lope a horse at a gymkhana, roping or other event you need to ride in a 3 gaited class.  

b.  The WALK JOG ALL AGES- Open is designed as an “open class” for anyone and you may cross enter 3 gaited divisions. 

c.  Should you decide to “level up” during the show season points will not carry over but required show and volunteer hours will. 

9. Schooling: 

a.  Please note on your show entry you are schooling.

b. Do not wear a number in the class. 

c. Schooling horses need to adhere to gates being called in the class. 

d. Schooling riders must still dress appropriately for the show, correct footwear and appropriate attire. 

10. Equipment:

a. No martingales of any type, no training forks, no ties downs, no draw reins will be permitted.  The AQHA rule book should be consulted if you have any questions.

b. Snaffle bits may be used on any horse of any age as long as it is ridden in correctly (split reins and two handed)

c.  Shanked bits must be ridden single handed or with romels.

d. For hunter hack or reining/ranch classes sport boots, splint boots and skid boots are approved. ( jumps, hard stops, spins etc)

10. Rail classes: If over 16 riders the class will be split and judged separately.

11. Pattern Classes: 

a. Horsemanship, Equitation & Hunter Hack will have a pattern at each show. 

b. Rail work in these classes will be at the discretion of the judge. 

12. Western Attire: 

a. Western hat (or helmet) and boots must be worn in all classes. 

b. Western riders should wear a long sleeved western type shirt with a collar. 

c. All boots must have a 1/2" or greater heel. 

d. No spurs in showmanship.

13. English Attire: 

a. English riders must wear helmets (18 & Under) or hunt caps (Adults)

b. Long sleeve shirt, jacket preferred - collared short sleeve (polo type ok) for summer shows and boots. 

c.  Half Chaps with paddock boots are permitted. 

d. No English spurs in showmanship.

14. Showmanship: 

a. Exhibitors may show in either English or Western attire for the showmanship class. 

b. If an exhibitor shows in English attire, their points for the class will count towards the

English division for daily and year end high point. The same applies for Western attire.

15. Halter: 

a. If an exhibitor enters in the 3 & Over Halter geldings or 3 & Over Halter mares class, the points accrued in that class will count for the daily and year end high point calculations.   

b. Exhibitors must designate if they want their halter points to go towards the English or Western division for that specific show at the beginning of the show. 

c. Any exhibitor that shows in the Ranch Confirmation class will have their points counted towards the daily and year end high point Ranch horse division

16. Eligibility:

 a. The age of the rider as of January 1st will determine the age group for that year.

 b.  Show management will determine any other eligibility issues.

c.  All Around Awards are based on a horse & rider team for the year, however we understand things happen with appropriate documentation exceptions will be managed appropriately.  

17.  Show Ground Etiquette  

a.  Outside arenas riders must walk their horses at all times, Safety First!

b. Bleachers/Announcers Stand: No horses allowed in the bleacher area or around the announcer's stand.

c. Pop Up Tents please ensure any pop ups are secure near your trailering area.  No Pop Up’s on the bleachers or near the show arenas, unless approved by the Scottsdale Saddle Club show staff.

d.  Dogs mush be on leash at all times.

18. Show Etiquette & Grievances: 

a. Any grievance must be submitted in writing before the end of the Horse Show and

may not be discussed at the announcer's stand but with show management directly.

b. It is the expectation of Scottsdale Saddle Club that good sportsmanship be exercised at all times. 

c. Interrupting the judge during the show is not acceptable.  This pertains to exhibitors, coaches, trainers and spectators.

d.  All questions concerning patterns should be addressed prior to the start of the class with the ring steward for clarification.

19. Judges 

 a.  Judges are providing their opinion of a particular performance

 b.  Opinion will vary 

 c. Judges may discuss feedback with riders at their discretion post results 

d. Please be courteous to your judges we are appreciative of the time and effort they make to support our events 

20.  Have Fun