Rules
Arena / Trail Master
1.
An approved Arena/Trail Master (AM/TM) will be
at all New River Saddle Club (NRSC) events.
The AM/TM shall monitor arena or trail safety, to include participant's
equipment as deemed reasonable, according to the rules set by NRSC, and make
recommendations. If any person or animal
is behaving in a manner considered dangerous to the event participants, the
person/animal may be asked to leave. The
AM/TM rulings are not open to challenge.
2.
By entering in a NRSC Gymkhana every participant
agrees to ride and abide by NRSC Gymkhana rules. A copy of the NRSC rules will be posted at
the announcer stand.
3.
The Gymkhana Chairperson or designated person’s
decision is final with regards to Gymkhana organization.
Events / Participants / Entries
1.
Each NRSC gymkhana will consist of 4 pointed
events to be chosen by NRSC from the list of events provided by the Gymkhana
Committee. A fifth "Fun Event"
will be offered at the discretion of the Board but no points will be awarded
for the "Fun Event”.
2.
All entries must be made on forms approved by
NRSC.
3.
All entries must be signed by participant and
participant's birth date must be given.
Proof of age must be given if requested by an official. In case of a
minor (under 18 years), the entry form must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Proof of guardianship will be required.
4.
Participant’s “Age of Entry” is determined by
your age as of January 1st of the current
gymkhana season.
5.
Age groups shall conform to the age divisions
set by NRSC. Current age groups are as follows:
Lead Line, 7 & Under, 8 - 10, 11 - 12, 13 - 14, 15 - 24, 25 - 39 and
40 & Over.
6.
All participants and volunteers, whether mounted
or dismounted, will sign a Hold Harmless form before being allowed to
participate in any NRSC event. This form will be provided by the NRSC.
7.
A maximum of 2 riders may use the same horse for
age classes (no limit in Lead Line).
8.
A participant may enter more than one horse for
each event, however only one horse may be designated as the one to be used for
points and must be the same horse for all events. The second horse entered will be run in
non-pointed Time Only rides. Time will
not be given for tack changes. Please
come prepared, particularly if you are riding more than one horse per
event. The committee will try to space
riders with multiple horses as much as possible.
9.
No refunds will be given once the Gymkhana has
started.
10.
Refunds will not be given due to dropped
patterns or disqualifications.
11.
Late entrants (after books close) will be
assessed a $5.00 late fee per event, however, entrants will not be allowed to
enter an event once it has started.
12.
If an event is cancelled for weather reasons,
entrants will either contact NRSC for a refund or NRSC will accept those entry
fees as donations.
Safety
1.
Under no circumstances will anyone under the age
of 18 be allowed to ride a stallion at any NRSC event.
2.
Boots with a clearly defined heel must be worn.
3.
Rider must have control of his/her horse from
the time he/she enters the arena until he/she exits the arena. Violations of this rule are up to the AM's
discretion.
4.
For safety and in fairness to the competitors,
spectators shall be required to remain in authorized areas and away from the
arena fences.
5.
Horses will be allowed some assistance when
entering the arena, providing that it is accomplished in a safe manner.
Excessive force will not be permitted.
6.
All riders are HIGHLY recommended to wear
helmets for safety reasons. NRSC
provides "loaner" helmets at the entry gate.
7.
Lead Line riders (under 18 years of age) MUST
wear helmets.
Disputes
1.
Should any questions or disputes arise not
provided for in the governing rules the same shall be referred to the arena
master, whose decision shall be final for the duration of the gymkhana. The AM recommendation shall be forwarded to
the rules committee for further consideration.
2.
A participant lodging a protest must first
deposit $15.00 cash or certified check with the Secretary of NRSC, which sum
will be forfeited if protest is not sustained.
Protest must be in writing and signed by the participant and filed with
the Secretary within 24 hours after the occurrence of the alleged violation. All protests will be handled according to the
NRSC rules.
Disqualifications
1.
Disqualification shall result if after entering
the arena the rider spurs, strikes, or beats the horse IN ANY MANNER DEEMED
EXCESSIVE forward of the cinch, however, the judge may allow humane hand cues
and a rewarding pat. Human hand cue or
touching is allowed. No reaching out to
slap, strike, or whip will be allowed.
Judicious use of an over & under quirt will be allowed at the
judges' discretion.
2.
Excessive punishment of a horse at any time
shall result in disqualification for the duration of the gymkhana.
3.
Equipment used in such a way as to cause
excessive pain or injury to an animal is prohibited. Such equipment may include, but is not
limited to, wire aids, headache chains, cables or sharpened spurs. Violation will result in disqualification for
the duration of the gymkhana.
4.
Any act of discourtesy or disobedience to any
Gymkhana Official in or out of the arena will result in disqualification.
5.
Running horses through the entry/exit gate will
not be allowed. Violators may or may not
be given a warning before being disqualified depending on the severity of the
violation.
6.
At the judge’s discretion, a rider may be
disqualified and/or excused from the arena for abusing their horse, unsportsmanlike
conduct, lack of control or unsafe situations.
7.
Any participant not following the exact pattern
will be disqualified for that event. For
clarification of the "Cross Over" rule and how it applies to broken
patterns, see Appendix 1. The “Cross
Over” rule does not apply to the 2 under 10 age groups. As long as the props are completed properly,
they will get a time.
8.
The current rider must enter the arena within 30
seconds of being called or forfeit his/her turn.
9.
With the understanding that NRSC is encouraging
a family atmosphere, it is expected that participants will use good judgment
and restraint when it comes to profanity.
Those abusing this privilege to self-govern may be disqualified from the
current event and possibly asked to leave the premises.
10.
At the end of each disqualified run the
announcer will provide the reason the disqualification was given per the
AM. Time for the run without the
disqualification will be given if available.
This is left up the AM' discretion.
No re-rides will be given to a disqualified run regardless of whether or
not the time was available.
Patterns
& Penalties
1.
Knocking down any props will be assessed a 5
second penalty for each.
2.
Failure to run a pattern correctly will result in
a disqualification for that event.
3.
A participant may, upon striking a pole or
barrel, reach out and keep it from falling without being assessed a penalty.
4.
A rider may request that a jump be set on the
ground, with an addition 5 second penalty added to their time.
5. A standard sized pole will be placed at the end of each jump. If a pole is knocked down, the rider will be assessed a 5 second penalty for each occurrence.
6.
TIMER FAILURE:
In the event of timer failure, the rider will be granted a re-ride. At the rider's preference, the re-ride will
take place immediately or at the end of the class. If the original ride was clean and obstacles
are knocked down during the re-ride, an additional re-ride will be offered.
7.
NRSC reserves the right to revise these rules.
Lead Line
Class
1.
Lead Line riders (under 18years of age) MUST
wear helmets.
2.
The horse must cross the line first (at the
head), with the coach not to the rear of the horse's shoulder.
3.
The coach must be in control of the horse at all
times.
4.
The lead line must be held within 24" of
the snap at the halter.
5.
Lead Line Class will receive ribbons only; no
trophies or year end awards.
General
1.
No re-rides for broken equipment, lost
horseshoes or your horse falling.
2. Riders may purchase and run non consecutive (when other riders are waiting) Barrel and Pole time onlys. Barrel time onlys are run prior to the Gymkhana start. Pole time onlys are run prior to running the Pole event. Time onlys are run in the main arena. The number of time onlys is set by the Gymkhana Committee and is subject to change.
3.
Time only tickets can be redeemed at any
Gymkhana during the same season and are the responsibility of the rider. NRSC is not responsible for lost tickets.
4.
No racing in the warm up arena will be
allowed. Please ride counter-clockwise
on the rail when other riders are present.
5.
Riders must ALWAYS walk their horses when
outside of the arena.
6.
No horses are allowed directly in front of the
announcers stand / snack wagon area.
7.
All
8.
The gymkhana committee will check out the arena
prior to the event, provide for gate personnel to check the gear of the riders
if possible and ensure that the rules are provided to gymkhana personnel.
9.
A sponsorship program will be in effect for
every gymkhana. Anyone bringing in more
than $100.00 worth of sponsorship will ride the gymkhana for free.
Points &
Awards
1. Only NRSC members will be eligible for year end awards.
2. Points are earned from First through Sixth place in each event.
3. Riders must participate in at least 5 Gymkhanas throughout the season to be eligible for year end awards.
4.
Riders must accumulate at least 12 hours of
volunteer time over a season to be eligible for year end awards. Volunteer time can be performed by family
members.
5. Riders must enter at least 3 events at a Gymkhana for their points to count towards year end awards.
6.
Riders must participate in a least 3 events at a
Gymkhana to be eligible for
7.
8.
Points go to horse and rider team for each
Gymkhana High Point award. The
cumulative points, however, go with the rider during the entire Gymkhana
season.
9.
The flip of a coin will break the tie for
10.
Any protest regarding points should be made
immediately after the day's events are over.
No point protests will be allowed after the day of the event.