Show Rules

FOR THE MOST PART WE WILL FOLLOW USEF and USEA RULES. The exceptions we make are for additional safety requirements (i.e., elimination after any fall), added protection for the horse (i.e., allowing protective wraps on horses while in the show ring) and to give the competitor a lower cost way to show (i.e., loosening of the dress code requirements) and to keep the show running on time (i.e., elimination–rather than penalty points–if not in the show ring within  45 seconds of the signal from the judge.)

Reminder: You can have a reader for a dressage test but not an eventing test.

For FRC Shows:

*Those who ride with equipment that is not allowed in a rated show (i.e., certain bits, draw reins, etc.) may ride in our shows but must ride HC (hors concours---which is a fancy way of saying “out of the competition”).

A Dressage test is counted as 1 class, a Combined Test is counted as 2 classes. A maximum of 4 classes is the limit for 1 rider/horse combo. If bringing 2 horses, the limit is 2 classes per horse. Two horses per rider is the limit.

If you have a horse being ridden by 2 riders, that horse may enter up to 4 classes with the exception of not being allowed to do 2 Combined Tests if one is at the Novice Level or above. You can enter the same horse in a Grasshopper CT and Beginner Novice CT but if that horse is entered in a Novice CT or above it can only do 1 Combined Test (but it can do up to 2 additional Dressage tests).

You may enter additional horses as non-compete and school them on the show grounds Friday and Saturday. You can put them on a waitlist for the class you want. If there is a scratch after the schedule is published, they can be put into that slot.

To make our shows more “schooling friendly” we now allow riders to school the jump course during the open schooling portion of the jump ring schooling which means you may school the jump course PRIOR to your Combined Test jump round at the level BELOW your test ride – i.e., Starter Open schooling is now done prior to the Beginner Novice Combined Test so you can school the Starter course.

*Fall of horse or rider during the class is automatic elimination from the class. If a competitor falls during the warm-up, they must notify the Show Secretary and the rider will be evaluated to determine if they are fit to continue. If a rider falls a second time in warm-up, they are automatically eliminated from the rest of the show.

ENTERING A SHOW and REFUND POLICY

Every show has a closing date and to be a “good” entrant you need to have your entry IN THE SECRETARY’S HAND by the closing date or you will likely not be able to get into the show at all, as our shows usually fill early. NO EMAIL ENTRIES ACCEPTED! FRC has a very generous refund policy compared to other shows…if you cancel before the closing date you will be refunded in full LESS a processing fee. If you cancel after the closing date you forfeit your entry fee and the processing fee, but you will be refunded your stall or grounds fee. If you are a “no-show” on the day of the show you forfeit all your fees. Refunds will be processed within three weeks AFTER the show.

We will try to fill your spot from the waitlist (HOWEVER it must be an exact test—can’t fill an Intro B with a 1st level test)! If your slot can be filled, you will get your money refunded LESS the processing fee. So, the sooner you let us know the better chance we have of filling your spot.

If you want to use Club Bucks to pay for your entry you must first contact the Show Secretary and she will tell you how to proceed. You may pay up to 100% of your entry fee in Club Bucks, but you must pay the $10 processing fee in “real money” in order to access the system. That fee is not refundable.

For any changes made to your entry after the closing date that affects the schedule there will be a $10 change fee. Any entry accepted after the closing date will be charged a non-refundable $10 late fee.

EQUIPMENT/DRESS

The exceptions we make are for as follows:

*Wraps/equipment – since we are a schooling show series, we allow competitors a little leeway in what the horse can wear in the warm-up and the competition ring. The following equipment is permitted in DRESSAGE WARM-UP ONLY: martingales with appropriate rein stops, bit guards, training tools/gadgets, nose covers, and seat covers. These must be removed before the competitor enters the competition ring – HOWEVER, for our shows we allow boots and wraps in the competition ring (this is done to help avoid injury due to an overexcited horse at his first shows).

*Bits, bridles, whips, spurs and bitless bridles that are not allowed in a rated show may be used (unless judged to be abusive to the horse) but the rider must inform the Show Secretary and ride HC (judged but not placed in the class).

*Loosening of the dress requirements for the rider. Show coats/braiding not required. The only requirement is an approved safety helmet and shoes with heels. Oh, and clothes!

NOTE: NO EXCEPTION ON HELMETS – ASTM approved protective headgear is required for EVERYONE ON A HORSE (dressage, jumping or just hacking around). NO EXCEPTIONS. Failure to wear a helmet shall be penalized by elimination, at the discretion of the Technical Delegate or show organizer. Derbies or western hats are NOT allowed no matter what level or how wonderful a rider you are!

GETTING TO THE SHOW RING

It is your responsibility to get yourselves to the judge in good order and to the right ring on time. We have ring stewards who will aid you by checking you in and reminding you to go to your ring but sometimes they are busy with a fall or someone having a meltdown so do not count on them to babysit you.

A very important part of a schooling show is to learn to get to your ring on time and for you to learn how much time you and your horse need to get there and warm up without delaying the show schedule. The rider has 45 seconds from the time the judge rings the bell until the time when they must enter the ring at A -- if you are not there within 45 seconds after the judgel's signal you are eliminated. When the previous rider halts at X at the end of the test, then the on-deck rider should start around the outside of the ring for their warmup. If the ring is running on time, the judge will signal at the ride time. If the riders before you have scratched, you may be asked if you want to ride earlier than your rider time – BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO. You decide. The judge probably welcomes a little extra break!

SCHOOLING ON GROUNDS

The show organizer will let you know when you may school in the rings. You may never school in the jump ring prior to the show. You may school in the dressage rings the day before at the time specified by show management (this will be posted on the website). You may not school on the grounds earlier than the opening of the showgrounds on the day before the show. Two reasons: first, our insurance does not cover us and second, we must pay an additional fee for the use of the facility. If you are observed schooling on the grounds prior to the official “opening time” or after the grounds have closed, you will be fined $50.

SCHOOLING JUMP ROUNDS

A suggested course is set up to simulate the show experience, but it is not mandatory for you to jump all the jumps.  It is mandatory for you to jump them from the correct direction (red flag on your right).

The jump ring is not for a “lesson” with your trainer. For instance, jumping without stirrups or with arms outstretched is something your trainer may have you do at home but NOT at the showgrounds. We are dedicated to providing a safe schooling show and this adds an element of risk that we do not want to have in our shows. Practice this at home, not at the showgrounds. Your trainer may enter the ring to help you get over a jump that your horse is refusing. However, this will be for a limited time if there are other riders waiting for their turn in the jump ring. You will be excused and may go another round or two if there is time (do not forget that you will be paying for the additional rounds).

ODDS AND ENDS

Our fees are the lowest we can make them and still be solvent enough to continue to put on the shows, so it is important that we are good stewards of the facility so that we do not incur additional costs.

*Lunging is not allowed in the warm-up arenas. Ask management or the ring stewards and they will direct you to those areas.

*Please do not “trash the place.” Put your trash and manure in the designated areas.

*Do not use stalls without paying for their use. This affects everyone who will be paying the increased fees needed to cover the additional cleaning costs FRC is charged.

*Dogs must be leashed at all times.

*Dogs are not allowed at any in-gate area.

*Ribbons for 1st through 6th in all classes. Classes may be combined or split depending on entries.

*Food concessions will be available on grounds.

*Please do NOT request specific ride times.

*Special requests will be reviewed. For example, you can ask to go first in a class or last in a class but not a specific time to ride.

*There may not be the opportunity to have “build rides” (i.e., Intro C, then Training 1) due to having multiple rings going at the same time.

*ANY horse on the grounds must check in at the show office with negative Coggins, pay fees, and get a number (even if just walking on grounds).

*NUMBERS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHEN THE HORSE IS ON THE SHOWGROUNDS. There must be a number on every horse except the ones in trailers or stalls. Even if someone is just leading a horse around it needs a number on the halter in case it comes flying past the Show Office without “mom”. This also indicates that the show management has seen a current Coggins report and they have paid the grounds fee.

We want you to have a safe time and enjoy yourselves…and remember to thank the volunteers because without them there would be no show!