SPECIAL OLYMPICS

SPECIAL OLYMPIC HORSESHOW COMING TO NORTH GEORGIA HEARTLAND RANCH AND ARENA: NOVEMBER 15, 2008

INVITATIONS WILL BE SENT OUT TO REGIONAL THERAPEUTIC RIDING INSTRUCTORS TO ATTEND A SPECIAL OLYMPIC COACHES CLINIC ON AUGUST 30, 2008, FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAINING AND GUIDELINES FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPIC HORSESHOW IN NOVEMBER AT HEARTLAND'S ARENA.

COMPETITION

There is a new type of competition that offers people with certain mental and physical challenges the thrill of showing an American Quarter Horse. It provides an arena for everyone to enjoy the rewards of hard work, determination and perseverance. This program allows you to show in three classes and earn points for year-end, high-point awards, along with the satisfaction of a job well done.

The three classes are walk and trot hunt seat equitation on the flat; walk and jog western horsemanship, and walk and jog trail horse. Each entry must have a handler to help with the safety of the rider. Judging criteria consists of rider's balance, rider's seat, use of aids, ability to follow directions, ring etiquette, safety and sportsmanlike conduct.

The Equestrians with Disabilities competition is the result of several years of letters, calls, meetings and task forces to develop a program to meet the needs of competitors. Representatives from the North American Riding for the handicapped Association (NARHA), Special Olympics and therapeutic riding centers, along with several individuals, provided input and guidance to create the classes, rules and guidelines. This competition is just like any other AQHA show event, with exhibitors earning awards and recognition, all while enjoying their American Quarter Horse.

GENERAL RULES

• Each exhibitor must have a current individual membership in American Quarter Horse Association or American Quarter Horse Youth Association.

• These classes are open to walk and trot riders only. Rider is not allowed to have been judged in a class at a recognized or non-recognized show that requires a lope or canter in which a rider performed the lope or canter. Academy classes are considered non-recognized shows.

• Riders or their families do not have to own the horse. However, only horses registered with AQHA as specified in Rules 200 and 406 of the Handbook are eligible to compete in approved shows. The exhibitor must present the registration certificate or photocopy as required by show management. Only geldings or mares may be shown - stallions are not allowed.

• An exhibitor cannot show more than one horse in the same class and a horse cannot be shown by more than one exhibitor in the same class.

• Participation in these approved events requires an Equestrian Proficiency card from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (http://www.narha.org), or a special adaptive equipment and riding ability form, available from AQHA, which must be completed by a NARHA certified instructor, certified Special Olympic coach or certified therapeutic riding instructor, indicating the adaptive equipment is required for the participant.

• Eligible conditions include: amputation, anthrogryposis, Asperger’s syndrome, autism, Batten’s disease, cebvrovascular accident (stroke), cerebella ataxia, cerebral palsy, Coffin Lowry syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, dwarfism, fragile X syndrome, Freidrick’s ataxia, Guillan Barre syndrome, hearing impairment, Hunter’s syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, mental retardation, microcephaly, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post polio syndrome, Prader Willie syndrome, Rhett syndrome, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, Touretts syndrome, traumatic brain injury, trisomy abnormalities and visual impairments.

• Handlers are required for all classes with one handler per entry in the ring to facilitate the safety of the rider. The handler must be sixteen years of age or older. A halter must be on the horse either over or under the bridle for use by the handler if needed. The handler must have a suitable lead line in hand in case of need. The lead line may not be fastened to the bit. Handlers shall stand quietly as a group in a designated area of the ring unless their assistance is required and requested by the judge or ring steward.

TACK, EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE

• Equipment should conform to the needs of the competitor and be suitable for the horse.

• Special adaptive equipment may be used where appropriate. Acceptable adaptive equipment includes: audio communications, bareback pads, boot adaptations, dowel reins, hand holds (flexible and/or rigid), helmets, laces to tie stirrups or leathers to girth or cinch, ladder reins, loop reins, rein handles, rein handle tethers, rubber bands, saddle blocks, wedges, cushions, safety stirrups, seat savers, surcingles, whips (one or two). Other equipment will be considered upon request.

• English classes - riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened ASTM® approved protective helmet with harness. No equipment is allowed that would in any way affix the rider to the horse or saddle with the exception of light rubber bands. Safety stirrups (Peacock, S-shaped irons or Devonshire) are required if rider is unable to wear boots with a heel. Peacock irons are recommended in all cases. Proper English attire is required as set forth in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

• Western classes - riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened ASTM® approved protective helmet with harness. A Western hat may be affixed over the helmet. No equipment is allowed that would in any way affix the rider to the horse or saddle with the exception of light rubber bands. Safety stirrups (covered or other approved safety stirrups) are required if rider is unable to wear boots with a heel. Proper Western attire is required as set forth in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

WALK AND TROT HUNT SEAT EQUITATION ON THE FLAT

HUNT SEAT EQUITATION - This English class is designed for exhibitors to work in groups of eight or less. Riders compete on the rail at a walk and trot both ways of the ring, line up and complete an individual workout. Riders will remain in the ring throughout the individual workouts. Horses will be shown at three gaits - walk, trot and extended trot. The judge will ask rider/horse to walk from line up to first marker, then trot serpentine around markers. From the last serpentine marker, they will be asked to extend the trot down the rail to a marker on the wall, stop then walk back and line up. Judges are not permitted to alter the mandatory workout in any manner.

MARKERS AND HANDLERS

Markers must be used and may be numbered. Handlers must stand with their riders in the lineup. Handler may only help at judge’s or ring steward’s direction. People must not be used as markers no matter if they are safety standby spotters. A competitor with a hearing impairment may have an assistant who communicates via sign language or cue cards to the competitor so they may understand the judge’s directives. This assistant will be outside of the ring and their position must be known to the judge and ring steward.

SCORING

Exhibitors are to be scored from 0-20 in 1/2 point increments. Ten points should be allocated toward overall appearance of exhibitor and the horse, and 10 points allocated toward performance of the pattern.

WALK & TROT HUNT SEAT EQUITATION OF THE FLAT PATTERN

• Walk from line up to first marker

• Trot serpentine around markers

• From last serpentine marker extend the trot down the rail to marker

• Stop

• Walk back and lineup

WALK AND JOG WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP

HORSEMANSHIPAll exhibitors must work in groups of eight or less. Riders compete on the rail at a walk and jog both ways of the ring, line up and complete an individual workout. Riders will remain in the ring throughout the individual workouts. Horses will be shown at two gaits - walk and jog. Exhibitors will be asked to walk from place in line around first marker to second marker, then take up a jog and continue around third marker back to second marker. Finally, riders will be asked to stop and back four steps, then walk back and line up. Judges are not permitted to alter the mandatory workout in any manner.

MARKERS AND HANDLERS

Markers must be used and may be numbered. Handlers must stand with their riders in the lineup. Handler may only help at judge’s or ring steward’s indication. People must not be used as markers, no matter if they are safety standby spotters. A competitor with a hearing impairment may have an assistant who communicates via sign language.

WALK & JOG WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP PATTERN

• Walk from line up and around first marker to second marker

• Take up the jog and continue around third marker back to second marker

• Stop

• Back four steps

• Walk back and lineup

WALK AND JOG TRAIL HORSE CLASS

TRAIL - This class will be judged on the performance of the horse and rider while maneuvering five obstacles. Riders are to work individually. There will be no rail work. Judges will assign a point value to each obstacle and points will be added to or subtracted from this score, based on the horse and rider’s performance over that obstacle. An obstacle missed, refused, or taken out of order will result in a score of zero for that obstacle but will not disqualify entry.

COURSE - Safety of riders is the first consideration in setting up the course. The course should be attractive with readily recognized obstacles. Sufficient space should be allowed between obstacles. One of the following two patterns is mandatory and should be posted at least one hour ahead of class time.

WALK & JOG TRAIL HORSE PATTERN 1

• Enter arena and walk through open gate

• Walk over three poles on the ground

• Walk to marker one (this can be a cone or labeled marker), pick up a jog and jog to marker two. Stop and back up two steps.

• Walk to a barrel, circle it to the right and continue walking

• Walk through chute and exit arena. The chute can be made up of poles, cones, sawhorses, road barricades or similar objects placed in two parallel line through which the exhibitor walks.

WALK & JOG TRAIL HORSE PATTERN 2

• Enter arena and walk through open gate

• Walk a serpentine around four barrels in a line

• Jog a semicircle from one cone or marker to second cone or marker.

• Stop and back up two steps.

• Walk into and out of box made up of four logs set in a square

SHOWMANSHIP

Exhibitor must wear a properly fitted and fastened ATSM approved protective helmet with harness. A Western hatmay be affixed over the helmet. No equipment is allowed that would in any way attach the exhibitor to the horse or halter. Appropriate show halter with lead to be used. The use of a chain is permitted but discouraged. No bridles and/or bits to be used.

There will be no mixing of attire or equipment. English and Western equipment and attire will follow rules as set forth in the Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations with the exception of authorized adaptations.

 •  Class Procedure - All exhibitors must work as a group (or in groups) of ten or less. Exhibitors will enter the ring to the right one by one and line up at the Judge’s or Ring Steward’s direction. The horse handler will take a place on the rail directly behind their respective exhibitor’s horse. Each exhibitor will execute either pattern #1 or #2 as posted by the Judge at least one hour before the class. Exhibitors will remain in the ring throughout the class. No exhibitor will be disqualified except for safety reasons at the Judges discretion.

SHOW APPROVAL

 • Classes can be held at AQHA-approved shows and events or can be stand-alone competitions.

• For existing AQHA-approved shows holding Equestrians with Disabilities classes, please check the appropriate place on the show approval form

• For Equestrians with Disabilities competition not held with an existing AQHA-approved show, to obtain tentative show approval, a letter must be submitted a minimum of 90 days prior to the event. This letter should include the date and location of the event. There is a $50 approval fee. (If your show is  held as a stand alone event, Markel will pay the approval fee.)

• No two shows, featuring an Equestrians with Disabilities competition can be on the same date within a 300-mile radius.

• Judges from the list of AQHA-approved judges must be hired to officiate the event

• Results of event must be submitted to AQHA on official report form no later than 10 days after the conclusion of the event

• A listing of AQHA-approved Equestrians with Disabilities competitions will be included in The American Quarter Horse Journal.

• Materials to help show management with event promotion are available, including an automatic news release sent to local newspapers announcing the dates of the event.

• For more information on show approval, contact the AQHA Show Department at (806) 376-4888, extension 4351.