Class Info

PLEASE NOTE:
All riders MUST be members in good standing in order to participate in ANY MEC event.

Equipment & Attire

  1. ATTIRE FOR ALL CLASSES
    1. Riding breeches
    2. Paddock boots, OR paddock boots & half chaps OR Tall boots
    3. ASTM or BSI safety helmet (regardless of rider’s age) to be worn at all times when mounted.
    4. Jackets are optional
    5. Polo shirts are permitted in all classes. They must be neat and tucked into the rider’s breeches.
    6. Riders must wear their numbers at all times while mounted on the show grounds.
    7. Whips/crops can be a maximum length of 30”.
    8. Spurs can be used as long as they are used humanely.
    9. Hoof boots, Easy boots, Old Mac’s and other shoe replacements are permitted.

 

  1. LEAD LINE DIVISION
    1. Spurs and crops are not allowed in lead line classes.
  1. WALK/TROT AND MAIDEN CANTER DIVISIONS
    1. Any humane bits/hackamores are permitted.
    2. Properly adjusted standing and running martingales are permitted.

 

  1. BEGINNER, NOVICE, HANDY HUNTER, FLAT DIVISION & HACK DIVISIONS
    1. Boots and bandages are NOT permitted. An exception may be made in bad weather at the discretion of the judge and/or the Show Committee.
    2. Standing martingales are permitted over fences, NOT in flat classes.
    3. ONLY regular cavesson nosebands permitted.
  1. JUMPER, PONY JUMPER, GAMBLER’S CHOICE & CLEAR ROUND JUMPER
    1. Boots and bandages are permitted.
    2. Running martingales are permitted.
    3. Humane English bits and hackamores are permitted.

 

ENTERING ELIGIBILITY

CROSS ENTERING CLASSES

Horse/rider combinations are NOT allowed to cross enter between the Pony Pals Division, the Child Walk/Trot, the Adult Walk/Trot and the Maiden Canter Divisions.
A horse is allowed to be entered in more than one of these divisions as long as they are paired with different riders. A rider is allowed to enter more than one of these divisions as long as they are riding a different horse and the division is open to riders of their age.

  1. Horse/Rider combinations entering the (Division A, Class 1, 2, 3) Lead Line Division cannot cross enter into other divisions.

 

  1. Horse/Rider combinations entering a (Division B, Class 4, 5, 6, 7)Walk/Trot Division cannot cross enter into other divisions.
  1. Horse/Rider combinations entering the (Division C, Class 8, 9, 10, 11)Maiden Canter Division can cross enter into:
  2. The Hack Division (Division D, Class 12, 13, 14)
  3. The Flat Division (Division E, Class 15, 16, 17)
  4. Keep in mind that the Maiden canter division is for beginner riders. Horse/Rider combinations entering the Hack Division (Division D, Class 12, 13, 14) or the Flat Division (Division E, Class 15, 16, 17) can only enter into the Maiden Canter Division if they have never received a placing (ribbon) out of more than 5 (five) riders in the Hack Division or the Flat Division in prior MEC horse shows.

 

4) Horse/Rider combinations entering may cross enter between the:

  1. The 2’3” Beginner Division (Division F, Class 18, 19, 20, 21)
  2. The Hack Division (Division G, Class 22, 23, 24, 25)
  3. The Flat Division(Division E, Class 15, 16 , 17)
  4. They may also cross-enter into the Pony or Child Jumper (Class 27) if the horse/rider combination is eligible. Eligibility for this class is outlined in the entering eligibility section of the Rules and regulations.

 

5) Horse/Rider combinations may cross enter between the:

  1. 2’9” Novice Division (Division G, Class 22, 23, 24, 25)  
  2. Hack Division (Division D, Class 12, 13, 14)
  3. Flat Division (Division E, Class 15, 16 , 17)
  4. Clean Round Jumper (Class 26)
  5. 3’ Jumper Division (Division H, Class 28, 29, 30)

Causes for Disqualification

  1. Horses deemed lame, dangerous or sick will be disqualified for the day of the show.

 

  1. The judge reserves the right to disqualify any exhibitor for any appointment that, in the judge’s opinion, would give an exhibitor/horse an unfair advantage, or the judge believes to be inhumane.
  1. Unnecessary roughness or abuse; unsportsmanlike conduct and disrespectful behavior or abusive language on the part of the exhibitor, parent or coach will result in disqualification.

 

  1. Anyone being abusive to a horse will be asked to leave the ring and their entry fees will NOT be reimbursed. At the discretion of the judge, the individual may be banned from showing for the remainder of the horse show.
  1. Entering classes which the horse or rider is not qualified to enter.

 

AGE & HEIGHT ELIGIBILITY

For show purposes, ponies are to be divided as follows:
“A” Ponies – over 13.2 hands, but not to exceed 14.2 hands
“B” Ponies – over 12.2 hands, but not to exceed 13.2 hands
“C” Ponies – do not exceed 12.2 hands.

Junior “A” – Riders are classified as Junior “A” from the beginning of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 16 to the end of the calendar year in which they turn 18 years old.
Junior “B” – Riders are classified as Junior “B” from the beginning of the calendar year in which they turn 13 years old to the end of the calendar year in which they turn 15 years old.
Junior “C” – Riders are classified as Junior “C” until the end of the calendar year, in which they turn 12 years old.

CLASS # 27 – Pony or Child Jumper Eligibility:

Horse/rider combinations must fit into one of the following groups:

  1. You may be an adult (19 years or older) on a large pony (13.2 hh to 14.2 hh). Horse/rider combinations must have already shown at a minimum height of 2’3” to qualify for this class.

 

  1. You may be a Junior “A” rider on a large pony (13.2 hh to 14.2 hh). Horse/rider combinations must have already shown at a minimum height of 2’3” to qualify for this class.
  1. You may be Junior “B” or “C” rider on any size of horse or pony. Horse/rider combinations must have already shown at a minimum height of 2’3” to qualify for this class.

 

Division H, Class 28, 29, 30 – 3’ Jumper Division Rules

  1. Lowering the height of a jump = 4 faults
  2. Lowering the height of a jump in a speed class or jump off = 4 seconds added to the rider’s time
  3. Refusing a jump (first time)     = 4 faults
  4. Refusing a jump (second time)            = 4 faults
  5. Refusing a jump (third time)   = elimination
  6. Fall of horse or rider                  = elimination
  7. Competitors must wait for the whistle before beginning their jumping course. After the whistle is blown, the competitor has 45 seconds to jump the first jump of the course.
  8. The time begins when the competitor passes though the start markers. The time ends when the competitor passes though the finish markers.

 

Clean Round Jumper – Consists of 1 round which is used as a warm up class for the rest of the division. Riders who achieve a clean round receive a “Clean Round” ribbon.

Table “A” Jumper – Consists of 2 rounds.  First round will be timed but must be clear in order to enter the 2nd round.  The 2nd round is a timed jump-off.  Each knock-down is 4 seconds added to the rider’s final time.  Placing will be awarded first to the horse/rider combos that do best in the jump off. If there are less then 5 horse/rider combos that make it to the jump off, then to the riders with the least amount of faults and time in the first round will be awarded the remainder of the ribbons.

Pony Jumper – Will run as Table “A” with the same course as the regular Table “A” jumper.

Power and Speed Jumper – Horse/Rider combos do not stop if they knock a rail after the power portion, they continue onto the speed portion and this portion is timed and faults count for 4 seconds added to the final time.  Placing will be awarded first to the horse/rider combos that have not dropped rails in the power portion. If there are less then 5 horse/rider combos that go clear in the power portion, then to the riders with the least amount of faults in the first round will be awarded the remainder of the ribbons.

Gambler’s Choice – Using the set course from the jumper all jumps are adjusted so they may be jumped from both directions. Each jump is worth 10 to 100 points and may be jumped a maximum of two (2) times. Each rider has 45 seconds to jump as many jumps as possible to accumulate points.

General Rules

  1. If you miss your class you will NOT be reimbursed.

 

  1. If you need time for a tack change, kindly inform the Entry Booth or Announcer’s Booth.
  1. Sit a Buck, Egg & Spoon Race & Musical Mats & other games DO NOTcount towards the Champion and Reserve Champion placing.

 

  1. Walk/Trot/Run Race or other games from the Lead Line division DO count towards the Champion and Reserve Champion placing.
  1. Riders are NOT permitted to do an exhibition ride if there are more than 10 riders in a flat class. Exhibition riders in over fences classes ride last. Exhibition riders must wear their number upside down.

 

  1. The Mattawa Equestrian Club reserves the right to alter the order of the classes.
  1. The order in which the entries are received does NOT indicate the order of go.

 

  1. Entry fees will be refunded under the following conditions: class cancellation, accident, or injury to horse or rider.
  1. NO rider under the age of 19 OR showing in the Lead Line, Walk/Trot, or Maiden Canter Division will be allowed to ride a stallion.

 

  1. Schooling of horses MUST be done in the designated areas ONLY.
  1. The entry gate is to be kept closed during all classes.

 

  1. There is NO SMOKING in, or near buildings, or dry areas.
  1. Horses are NOT allowed to be near the BBQ area. This is for both safety and health reasons.

 

  1. Only riders with current season memberships are eligible for annual awards. Point accumulation for annual awards will commence on receipt of the membership fee.
  1. The judge’s decision is FINAL.