Judges Meeting & Rulebook Updates

Judges Meeting & Rulebook Updates

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Thank you to our judges (Andrea, Marty, Travis & Warren) for meeting, poring through the rulebook, discussing and helping us refine our guidelines.

We’ve made some important updates to our rules and procedures for the upcoming season, based on feedback from judges and riders. Please take a few minutes to read through these changes and clarifications!

Timing & Penalties

  • Poles & Knockdowns: If a pole or other timed obstacle falls after you’ve crossed the timers, it will still count as a +2 second penalty. This is a reiteration of the existing policy, but some riders have asked about it.
  • Re-Rides & Penalties:
    • If the timers malfunction and you get a re-ride, penalties from the first run will not carry over; you start fresh. This reiterates our existing rule but again, riders have asked.
    • If your first run was clean but the timers failed, and your second run has a penalty or a no-time, you may request a third run. The third run’s time will be your official time.
  • NEW – Hurry Scurry Time Limit: Riders have 3 minutes to complete the pattern. After that, the judge will ask the rider to exit the course and the rider will receive a “no time.” 

Attire Updates

  • NEW – Hats: Cowboy hats and baseball caps are allowed. However, any hat that falls while the rider is in the arena will incur a +1 second penalty.
  • NEW – Judges’ Dress Code: Judges must wear a button-up collared shirt, belt and work-appropriate pants. The change here is we are explicitly stating that work-appropriate pants like khakis or work pants are fine.
  • Rider Prohibited Attire: No tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, capris, leggings, open-toed shoes, sneakers or sandals. This is a reiteration of current standards.

Pattern & Participation Rules

  • One Rider per Horse: A horse can only be ridden by one rider per show, except for Leadline.
  • Mounted at Entry: Riders must be mounted before entering the arena; no mounting inside.
  • One-Minute Rule: Once the judge signals you to start, you have one minute to begin your run or the judge may disqualify you from that pattern.

Judges Program

We’re formalizing our Judge Certification Program:

  • Head Judge: Warren
  • New judges will be evaluated through a panel discussion and pattern setup test (no open-book written test).
  • Criteria will include:
    • Being signed off three times on all 13 patterns.
    • A panel discussion/interview in lieu of a written test.
    • An in-person exam that requires setting up all patterns for a one-day (five- or six-pattern) show.
  • Judges must be 18+ and apprentice under a certified judge until approved.
  • Digital judge cards are being introduced for tracking qualifications.

Horse Welfare & Sportsmanship

  • Zero Tolerance for Abuse: Excessive whipping (more than 3 times per pattern), striking a horse, harsh rein yanking, riding a lame/exhausted horse or any other abusive action may result in disqualification.
  • NEW – Drone Rule: No aerial drones from riders or members during a show. If a drone interferes, the rider may request a re-ride.
  • NEW – Sportsmanship Policy. Follow this link to view our policy. 

Two Other Notes

  • We changed the rules on the number of patterns to bump to the next division at two-day shows from eight (8) to nine (9). In addition, we changed the number of shows a rider must wait to petition to bump back down a division to two (2) from three (3).
  • Trailer Organization: We’re working on upgrades, including better pole storage and possible repainting. Please contact a board member if you’d like to participate. This will help you incur volunteer hours. For our trailer upgrade date, we’re planning to park the trailer at the Bentons on the pavement under the oaks so we have a cool, private and spacious area in which to work.

Action Items for Riders:

  1. Review the updated attire rules before your first show.
  2. Make sure you understand the new re-ride and penalty policies.
  3. Plan your volunteer shifts early — you can now do them outside of show days.
  4. Keep sportsmanship and horse welfare at the forefront — zero tolerance for abuse.

Let’s make this season safe, fair and fun for everyone: riders, horses and volunteers alike. See you in the arena!