Horse Show Rules

4CDCTA Rules

1. Coggins: 4CDCTA requires a current negative Coggins for all horses. 
   
   

2. All classes will be conducted and judged in accordance with the current rules and regulations of the Association. All rules will stand for the year. 
   
   

3. There is an annual membership fee. The fee is $20 for an individual junior membership or $25 for an individual adult membership. Family memberships are available for $35 for up to 3 members and $5 for each additional member. Year-end award points accumulate from the date the annual membership fee is paid. Membership is not required for Show Level Championships. Non members will be charged a $25 non-member fee per show.
   
   

4. Riders must have participated in at least two shows and have completed 2 volunteer hours to be eligible for year-end awards. Rules for tabulation of dressage scores available HERE.
   
   

5. Volunteer requirement: Each member must contribute 2 volunteer hours to be eligible for year-end awards. Hours may be completed by the member or the member’s family. Alternatively one may opt to make a $50 donation to 4CDCTA in leiu of completing hours.
   
   

6. All riders must wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet with chin strap buckled while mounted on the show grounds, inside and outside the show ring. 
   
   

7. Any rider may choose to wear an equestrian body protector vest in any class without penalty from the judge. 
   
   

8. All exhibitors’ and spectators' dogs MUST be on a leash or otherwise confined, and must be well behaved at all times or they will be asked to leave the show grounds. We encourage them to be left at home. 
   
   

9. Children are to be supervised at all times. Please do not allow children to run on the bleachers, run among horses around the arena and at trailers, or hang on arena fence. 
   
   

10. No persons will be allowed in the show ring during the time of judging, except those who have duties to perform. 
    
    

11. Spectators must remain well clear of the in-gate area. This area is for competitors and trainers only. Spectator vehicles to be parked in designated areas only. 
    
    

12. All horses and ponies must be serviceably sound. Any lameness, or impairment, which interferes with the performance of the animal, will be considered unsoundness and the horse/pony will be excused from the class. The final determination of soundness is at the discretion of the judge. 
    
    

13. Any horse/pony that is uncontrollable or considered dangerous may be asked to leave the ring. 
    
    

14. One number will be assigned for each horse/rider pair. Please pick up your packet and have your number on your horse before getting on. You must be paid in full to pick up the packet.
    
    

15. Entries are made and received by show management as to eligibility on the Honor System. Entries may be evaluated by show management as to class eligibility and will notify entries of ineligibility at that show before competition for that class begins. If horse/rider proves to be ineligible for the class/division ridden, points received will not count towards year-end awards. 
    
    

16. Each horse/rider combo may only cross enter into divisions with fence heights of a six (6) inch difference. This includes the under saddle classes. For example: X-rail riders may only cross enter into the 18” Short/Long Stirrup division.
    

17. Should there be less than three riders in a division, management reserves the right to combine divisions with the division immediately above or below in height. Points will count towards year end awards in the division entered, regardless of whether divisions are combined.
     
    

18. Class Fees: $15 per class-for jumping, $25 per test for dressage. CLOSING DATE: Entries received after the Wednesday preceding the Saturday or Sunday show date will be charged $25 per entry. Each entry pays a $20 Office Fee. 
    
    

19. When schooling, horses that are jumping have the right of way. When traveling in opposite directions, stay to the right, as if driving a car. Please be sure to call all fences. No lunging of horses in the arena. See expanded Schooling Instructions. 
    
    

20. Attire: Appropriate show ring attire is encouraged, but not required. Heeled shoes, sleeved shirts or polo shirts, jodhpurs, or breeches, and approved helmets are required. No T-shirts, jeans, or tank tops.
    
    

21. Tack should be appropriate to the discipline. Schooling pads may be used. No protective horse boots, flash or figure-eight nosebands in any hunter division. No protective boots in any dressage class. Boots are allowed in Equitation classes. No martingales in flat classes. No training devices in any class. 
    
    

22. After 3 refusals in an over fences class, please excuse yourself from the ring. 
    
    

23. There will be a 1-minute gate limit to wait for entrants in any class, unless the announcer is notified of a tack change well in advance, where a maximum of 5 minutes will be allowed. Please leave yourself plenty of time to prepare for classes. 
    
    

24. Stallions will not be permitted at any 4CDCTA show. 
    
    

25. Riders, trainers, handlers and/or owners committing an abusive act (like excessive use of whip) to animals, or acting in any unsportsmanlike manner will be asked to leave the grounds by show management. 
    
    

26. 4CDCTA reserves the right to refuse show entry and/or cancel membership due to the inhumane treatment of animals, un-sportsmanlike behavior, indebtedness to 4CDCTA, and/or disorderly conduct.