W.H.A.M. Rules:
The judge’s decision is final!
W.H.A.M. will not be responsible for injuries to horses, riders, or spectators and/or for damage or theft of property.
Negative coggins certificates within one year will be required upon entering the show grounds of all horses.
Dogs must be leashed at all times.
No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the show grounds.
Tack should be compliant with American Horseshow Association rules.
Proper dress is required for all classes. ASTM helmets only. Chaps are optional.
Any horse/rider combination may be excused from any class at the request of the show committee if dangerous to themselves or others.
1. Jr. Showmanship – Open to exhibitors 17 and under as of December 1, 2007. Junior exhibitors are not permitted to show stallions. Consists of a poised, confident, neatly attired exhibitor leading a well groomed and conditioned horse that quickly and efficiently performs the requested pattern with smoothness, and precision.
2. Sr. Showmanship –Open to exhibitors18 and over as of December 1, 2007. Senior exhibitors are permitted to show stallions. Same rules apply in both showmanship classes.
3. Halter classes 3 thru 9. Stallions can only be shown by adults. Horses/ponies may be shown in bridles or halter, depending on breed type. To be judged on type, quality, and substance with emphasis on structural faults.
4. Lead Line on and off lead Horsemanship 10 and under – Suitability of mount to rider to be considered. To be judged on hands, seat, control and performance.
5. Horsemanship classes – Western attire is required. Chaps are optional. To be judged on seat, hands and control of mount. Judge is required to post pattern one hour before class. If pattern is posted then you only need to go one way in your rail work. Walk, trot or jog, extend trot or jog, lope and extend lope, back , drop stirrups, sidepass, turn or pivot on haunches or forehand may be asked of rider.
Jr. Horsemanship – Open to exhibitors 17 and under as of December 1, 2007.
Sr. Horsemanship – Open to exhibitors 18 and over as of December 1, 2007.
6. Western Pleasure pairs—To be judged both ways on the rail at a walk and jog. The pair must remain side by side at all times. A pattern will be posted one hour before the class.
7. Green Horse 5 and Under – To be judged both ways on the rail at a walk and jog. With the disciplined rail the horse or pony may be asked to sidepass both ways, back, pivot on haunches or forehand. 80% is judged on manners, performance (way of going) and 20% judged on condition and conformation.
8. Green Horse 6 and Over – To be judged both ways on the rail at a walk and jog. With the disciplined rail the horse or pony may be asked to sidepass both ways, back, pivot on haunches or forehand. 80% is judged on manners, performance (way of going) and 20% judged on condition and conformation.
9. Quarter Horse Western Pleasure – To be judged both ways on the rail at a walk, jog or a walk, jog, lope. An extended jog may be called on. 80% is judged on manners, performance (way of going) and 20% on condition and conformation.
10. Open Western Pleasure Walk / Jog – Open to Junior or Senior exhibitors with any breed of horse or pony. To be judged both ways on the rail at a walk and jog. With the disciplined rail the horse or pony may be asked to sidepass both ways, back, pivot on haunches or forehand. 80% is judged on manners, performance (way of going) and 20% judged on condition and conformation.
11. Non-Quarter Horse Western Pleasure – Open to any breed except the registered Quarter Horse. Junior and Senior exhibitors may show both ways on the rail at a walk and jog or walk, jog, lope. An extended jog may be called on. 80% is judged on the performance (way of going) and 20% on condition and conformation depending on the breed type.
12. Master Western Pleasure 40 and Over – Open to anyone 40 and over as of January 1, 2008. Also open to any breed of horse or pony. To be judged both ways on the rail at a walk and jog. With the disciplined rail the horse or pony may be asked to sidepass both ways, back, pivot on haunches or forehand. 80% is judged on manners, performance (way of going) and 20% judged on condition and conformation.
13. Sr. Western Pleasure – Open to anyone 18 and over as of December 1, 2007. To be judged the same as Masters Western Pleasure rules but they will be asked to lope in one of the classes.
14. Jr. Western Pleasure – Open to anyone 17 and under as of December 1, 2007. To be judged the same as Sr. Western Pleasure.
15. Western Command – To be judged on the obedience in performing commands called by the judge. Should be executed in three strides. When asked to reverse, the horse should maintain the current gait. When asked to back they should back until the judge says stop (halt). When asked to reverse at the lope the rider should change lead unless otherwise specified. Those eliminated will be called to the center of the ring.
16. Western Stock Horse – To be judged on the ability of your horse or pony’s willingness, smoothness and precision of doing the posted pattern. Walk, Jog and lope will be required in the pattern.
17. Western Versatility – To be judged both ways at a walk, jog, lope. Riders will be asked to extend their jog and hand gallop in one direction of the ring. Also to stop, dismount, ground tie, remount from either side. These items maybe asked in a group or individually.
18. In-Hand Trail – Open to Junior and Senior exhibitors together. Stallions may only be shown by senior exhibitors. They may show a horse or pony. To show over a course of obstacles while being lead by a handler on the ground. Pattern posted one hour before class. To be judged on willingness to negotiate obstacles, performance and manners. Horse or ponies showing in-hand trail may not cross enter into any other trail class.
19. Trail Classes – To be shown over a course of obstacles at a walk, jog and lope as designated on the course. Pattern to be posted one hour before the class. To be judged on performance, manners, way of going and suitability.
Any other questions of rules WHAM will go to the rules of USEF United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. or AQHA American Quarter Horse Association official handbooks of rules and regulations. Thank you.
Ribbon Race --- Riders partner up and get a 3 foot piece of crepe paper ribbon. With each person holding one end of the ribbon. Instructor calls out commands starting with a walk, halt, adding turns and even faster gaits. Last team holding the ribbon wins.
Catalog Race – Riders pair up and line up at the start line. Catalogs for each team will be placed on a barrel at opposite end. Instructor calls out a page number and each rider will go to the other end, dismount, find page number and tear off page, remount and go back to finish race. Both riders and papers must cross the finish line. Fastest time wins.
3 Legged Race—Partner up with a friend. You will start at point A and go to point B, both of you get off your horses. Tie a piece of string around you and your partners legs and run back leading your horses. Fastest time wins.
Bobbin for Apples – Riders run down to a bucket, grab an apple in their mouth, and race back to finish. Fastest time wins.
Sack Race – Riders start out on line, go down to the other end, get off horse and get into sack and hop back leading your horse. Fastest time wins.
Old Clothes Race – Riders start at line, go down to the other end, get off horse and put clothes on that you are given. Then race back to the other end. Fastest time wins.
Balloon Race – Riders start at line, go to other end. You can get off horse or stay on. Get balloon out of bucket, blow it up and tie it off, place back in bucket and come back to finish line. Fastest time wins.
Tennis Tournament – Mounted riders line up at one end of the ring, where they will be given a tennis racquet and tennis ball. On the other end there will be a bucket. The instructor will tell you to begin. Each rider balances tennis ball on a tennis racquet while riding to the finish line or bucket. If rider drops the tennis ball they have to dismount, get ball and remount, placing ball on racquet and continuing. The first rider to drop ball in bucket and the ball stays in bucket, wins.