Lanark County Western Horse Club

LCWHCwill follow the rules in the current AQHA official handbook unless otherwise stated below.  The following by-laws have been put down to a) highlight the general rules of the club and shows, and b) meet the needs of specific classes that are unique to our club.  The judge has the final say on matters in the ring.  The current Executive and Directors are responsible for enforcing these rules and by-laws should the need arise, and will act as advisors to the judge.  They will have final authority on all matters, not within the ring.  Questions on any matter relating to the LCWHC or the AQHA should be addressed to them.

GENERAL RULES

1.   Games will start at  9:00 a.m 

      Performance will start at 11:00a.m.

2.  INSURANCE: Proof of liability insurance of a minimum $1,000,000 MUST accompany all membership applications before any entries can be made.  An entrant WILL NOT be allowed to participate if adequate proof of insurance cannot be shown.

3.  Membership (family, individual, day) is required for all entrants.  Seasonal memberships for the current show season are to be paid in the current year.

4.  Entries are to be paid in full on the day of the show.  Entry fees will be determined by vote of the general membership at the beginning of each season.  Entries can be made up to the commencement of the class.

5. Each horse or pony will require a separate entry form and number (if applicable).  Each combination of rider and animal will require a separate entry form and nunber (if applicable).  Failure to do so will reslult in disqualification.  Entrant must wear their appropriate numbers or be disqualified, unless class warrants otherwise.

6.  Equipment/ground managers to have responsibility for club equipment during and between shows.

7. Ribbons will be awarded to 4th place; no ribbons will be given in  payback classes.  Payback will be awarded to 5th place.

8.  Classes will be arranged into three divisions unless otherwise stated on entry sheet:

          JUNIOR - 13 years and under as of January 1 of current year

          YOUTH - 14 to 18 years as of January 1 of current year

          SENIOR - 19 years and over as of January 1 of current year

 Junior and Youth exhibitors may move up to a higher division with written consent of their parent or guardian.  They must continue to show in the elevated division for the remainder of the season.

9.  Helmets will be permitted for any rider, they are only REQUIRED by riders 18 and under.  If a parent/guardian desired that the rider not wear a helmet, they must indicate this on the original membership form, and initial their intent.

10. There will be NO REFUNDS on entry fees after entry sheets are handed in.  Class entries will be permitted to be changed to another class, same exhibitor, provided the class has not commenced.

11. Classes will begin promptly as called unless ring steward is notified of a tack change.

12. All exhibitors will accept the judge's decision as final.

13. Unsportsmanlike conduct of any form will NOT be tolerated, whether it is in the ring or on the grounds.  The Executive and Directors have the authority to suspend any member from club activities (without a refund) for inappropriate behaviour.

14. Cruelty or abuse of horse, pony or human by any person attending a LCWHC show is strictly forbidden.  The Executive and Directors have the authority to dismiss anyone from the grounds for such inappropriate behaviour.

15. Dogs are welcome at club shows, but must be leashed or suitably restrained.

16. Any exhibitor suspect of impairment due to drugs or alcohol by the Directors or Executive will be excused from the show ring and will be barred from participating in any classes for the remainder of the day.  They will also be barred from participating in any other club functions until reinstated by the Ececutive and Directors.

17. It is the tradition of the show ring that an exhibitor and mount be suitably presented; proper attire for the rider and a healthy mount and appropriate tack/equipment/accessories to be clean, well fitting and in good repair.  The Executive and Directors may bar any entrant from the show ring if not suitably turned out.  Decision to be made based on AQHA description of suitable attire and appointments.

18. POINTS will be awarded as follows:

1st - 5 points    2nd - 4 points    3rd - 3 points    4th - 2 points    5th - 1 point

Exhibitors must show in a minimum of 3 shows, with entry in the same class at least 3 times (with the same mount) to qualify for year end points.

19. The LCWHC encourages all participants to work towards the AQHA Standard but in regards to AQHA rule #44, section H, any horse CAN be ridden 2 handed in the show ring with a snaffle bit or bosal.  The exhibitor must understand that they will be judged accordingly, but will not be disqualified from the class)es) for this style.  This does not apply to gaming classes.

20. In the Trail class, the exhibitor will only get three chances to manoevre the obstacle.  Failure to move on to the next obstacle after three attempts will result in disqualification from the class.

21. In Performance, Jog-Reining and Reining classes only: any curb bit must be used single-handed.

22. Members must be 18 as of January 1st of current membership year to vote on club business.

Discipline Specific Rules

JOG-REINING

1.  A snaffle bit may be used two-handed or single handed.  If using a curb bit, rider must only use one hand on reins.

2.  There is no cross entry for RIDER/HORSE combinations between jog-reining and reining classes on day of show.  If exhibitor chooses to move up from jog-reining to reining through the show season, they may not drop back to jog-reining.  Exhibitors who start the year in reining may not drop back to jog-reining.

3.  Pattern will be posted at the first event and that pattern will be used for the entire season.

4.  A horse may not be used in both jog-reining and reining on the same day.  An exhibitor may enter both jog-reining and reining on the same day, with different mounts.

5.  Competitors are not required to move up to reining from jog-reining after winning high point in a season.

REINING

 1.  Patterns will have flying lead changes; exhibitors can perform simple lead changes, but will be judged accordingly.

2.  Pattern will be posted at the first event and that pattern will be used for the entire season.

GAMES

1.  NO GATE STARTS! Exhibitor must wait for the gate to be closed and all ring crew off course before beginning run.  Failure to do so will result in a NO TIME.  A gate start will be called at the judge's discretion.

2. No hitting in front of the cinch/saddle.  No excessive spurring/quirting/hitting permitted.

3.  Off course runs will result in NO TIME.

4.  Rider who dismounts or falls off during a run will receive NO TIME.

5. Each knocked over barrel or pole will result in a 5 second penalty added to the final time of run.

6.  In the Flag class, the exhibitor will only get 3 chances to pick up the flag, after the third refusal, they may either complete the run for a NO TIME, or exit ring directly.

7.  If a competitior's hat HITS THE GROUND over the timer line, there will be a 5 second penalty aaded on the final run time.

8. Horses not under control (example: repeated rearing, rider's inability to mount quickly) will be disqualified from competition.  These animals pose a safety concern, this will not be tolerated.

9.  Keyhole:  horse must pass straight down completely through middle of all 4 barrels, turn and pass back through on the same path to recieve a time.

10. Flag: may run course straight down or cross course.  A knock down of the flag barrel upon pick up of flag will result in an automatic NO TIME.

11. Relay: Must run around the outside of all 4 barrels.  Passing of baton to be done between the top two barrles of course.  Course can be run in either direction: both riders must travel in same direction.

12. Riders are asked to exit the ring at a WALK and you may stay mounted.

13. Riders hat MUST BE ON THEIR HEAD as they CROSS THE START LINE.

14. Please be courteous.  NO GATE CROWDING.  Riders need to stay back from the gate until it is their turn.

15. Pee Wee Barrel class is for Novice and/or under 8 years old ( as of Jan 1 of the current year) riders.  Such riders entered into Pee Wee Barrels are not permitted to enter into the Junior Barrel Class.  They may however, if they are not in other Novice classes, ride in any other  Junior class.