RULES AND GUIDELINES

2010 Rules and Guideline Additions

In an effort to speed up the shows, the committee decided not to allow Trail to be a “open” class that contestants may come and complete their pattern during a specified time. To ensure the other classes start on time, we will begin the Trail class at 8:00. Contestants will work in order. Contestants should make every effort to be in line to work your pattern at your specified time. If you are not in line to enter the arena at your specified time your name and number will be called and you will have one minute to enter the arena. Failure to enter the arena at your appointed time will result in forfeiture of your entry fee. (Please see page 10 rule 16 of the State Rule Book)

Back by popular demand…. Leadline! Yes, we are bringing Leadline back into the Winter Classic with a few changes. The reason we removed Leadline from the show bill was because it was not a 4-H event. You have to be 8 years old to show in 4-H. However, we know we have some Cloverbuds that would love to participate, so we have added it back in with a few changes:

All Leadline contestants must be led by a Senior 4-Her – the committee feels that it will be safer if Senior 4-Hers lead the Cloverbuds in the class.

Leadline will not be a Point Class – no points will be rewarded to the Cloverbud or the Senior 4-Her for this class. Seniors should lead the Cloverbud with a spirit of mentoring and guiding the Cloverbud to success as a upcoming Junior 4-Her. No Cloverbud Buckle will be awarded for Leadline.

Leadline will not begin before 9:30.

The Leadline class must average 5 contestants per show to remain on the show bill.

For the 2010 Winter Classic. Senior numbers will be black with white numbers. Junior numbers will be white with black lettering. This will help the judges between Juniors and Seniors in classes such as trail where Jr’s and Seniors ride at the same time but are given separate placings.

Contestants will use the same number at all the shows. Please laminate your number or do what you can to protect it so that it lasts for all five shows. If you have to make yourself a new number please remember to make it like the one you had so the judge will be able to distinguish you as a Jr or Sr.

In the speed events, every attempt will be made by the show management at each show to set up the arena in compliance to the rules set forth in the state 4-H Rule Book. All contestants will run to a closed gate at the end of an alley unless the contestant requests arena gate to be closed. The contestant will be responsible for letting the gate man know if they want the gate closed. No parent will be allowed to tell the gate man for the contestant. If a contestant wants the arena gate closed he/she must communicate this to the gate man before entering the alley to run.

All riders must have a properly fitted helmet to participate in any speed event. Helmets that do not fit properly do not work effectively in an accident. Helmets must stay on and fastened until the contestant leaves the building after their run. Unfastening the straps or removing helmet inside the building after the contestant runs will result in a disqualification and contestant will receive a “NO Time”.

Drags will be determined based on arena conditions. Decisions about the ground conditions and frequency of drags will be determined by the Five County Committee and show management.

Speed classes will close at the start of the speed classes. Show management will do a draw for the running order in all speed events.

When announcing classes, show management will announce the number, contestants name, and horses name when announcing the placings in a class. Please write neatly when signing up.

Due to the high volume of participants in Hunter Under Saddle, the committee approved splitting the class into Jr Hunter Under Saddle and Sr Hunter Under Saddle.

Hunt Seat Equitation will be a combined class, where both Jr & Sr 4-Hers show , but They will be given separate placings.

We will have only one dance during the 2010 Winter Classic. The Lee County Winter Classic group will host our 4th Annual Winter Classic Dance in the Sheep Barn at the Verona Agri-Center on Feb.27th. Admission is $3.00 and all proceeds go to the 2011 Winter Classic.

2010 Winter Classic T-Shirts will be available again this year. Look for the design and place your order at the 1st Winter Classic Show at Tippah County.

GENERAL RULES and GUIDELINES

You must be a member of 4-H in order for your points to count toward awards.

Non-members may compete but no points will be given. Forms for enrollment in 4-H will be readily available at each show, so that any non-member wanting to join may do so. The forms will be mailed to the 4-H agent of the county that the exhibitor has indicated on his/her form. An exhibitor that joins 4-H the day of the show must do so before competing in the show in order for his/her points to be recorded and count toward high point awards.

Exhibitors will be provided with numbers at the first show. They will use those numbers for all five shows. Keeping up with the exhibitors number is the exhibitors responsibility.

Points will be kept on the child only. Not the child/horse combination. Except in the case of the High Point Horse Award.

Exhibitors will receive a participation point for participating in a class.

Either of the two Stake Race patterns are acceptable at the 2009 Winter Classic.

The exhibitor must show in at least three of the five scheduled shows to be eligible for high point awards.

In the instance of a show cancellation due to snowy/icy road conditions, the show will be made up on March 27th at either Union County Arena or Tippah County Arena. If by chance two shows have to be canceled the last show on March 27th will be a double point show.

Ponies will be measured. All ponies will be measured at the first show. Their name and height will be recorded on the child’s point record. All ponies must be measured before they show. If the child misses the first show, someone will be available to measure ponies at the beginning of every show.

The Point Book will be at the sign up table at each of the shows, so exhibitors may check their point standing in each class at every show. Points will also be posted online at www.4hwinterclassic.com.

Points work as follows according to the number of contestants in the class:

6 or more in a class-

1st place = 6 points

2nd place = 5 points

3rd place = 4 points

4th place = 3 points

5th place = 2 points

All other contestants = 1 participation point

5 or less in a class-

1st place = 5 points

2nd place = 4 points

3rd place = 3 points

4th place = 2 points

5th place = 1 points

The helmet rule will be enforced. No child will be permitted to participate in a speed event without a proper fitting helmet. Child must leave helmet on and strap fastened until they leave the arena.

The Winter Classic Series intent is to help the 4Hers in our district become better showmen as well as better people. Respect is important inside and outside the show pen. Exhibitors will respect each others space in rail classes. (Gaited and Western) Exhibitors should keep at least a horse length away from other horses at all times. It is okay to pass a horse in a rail class however an exhibitor should be respectful when passing. Do not get closer than a horse length from the side of the horse and allow a horse length before moving back in front of the horse you were passing. All rail classes that have over 10 entries will split. This will help ensure adequate spacing and exhibitor respect on the rail. The Winter Classic will abide by the rule in the 4H State Rule Book (page 10 Rule 15) that states the judge has the authority to rule out or dismiss any horse that he/she considers improperly trained to be safely controlled by the exhibitor.

An Exhibitor may only show one horse per class. For example, an exhibitor may only run one time in a barrel racing class.

Trail score cards will be used to score trail and the cards will be made available to the exhibitor after the class.

Due to large numbers in Trail, Hunt Seat Equitation and Horsemanship these two classes will be split into Jr and Sr divisions. These classes will run at the same time, however the judge will place a 1st - 5th Jr Class and 1st-5th Sr Class.

To be considered big enough to split, a class must have ten+ exhibitors for three shows during one Winter Classic Series. Then the Five County Committee will vote on whether or not to split the class into Jr/Sr Divisions.

Pre-registration is available on the website. Simply fill out the pre-registration form online. We hope this will solve the crowding problem at the sign up table. However, the traditional sign-up will still be available on show day. Point sign up sheets will also be available to fill out online. We must have a point sign up sheet to keep a record of your points for Series Awards.

All contestants will use the same number each time they show. We will issue a set of numbers to each child competing at the first show. The numbers will reflect the county they are from as follows:

Tippah will have numbers 100-199 Pontotoc will have numbers 200-299 Lee will have numbers 300-399 Union will have numbers 400-499 Houston will have numbers 500-599 Other counties will have 600-699

Walk/Jog Classes are intended for beginners not yet ready to lope. Exhibitors participating in these classes may only exhibit in Halter and Showmanship.

The 2010 Winter Classic shows will follow the 2009 4-H Horse Show Rule Book. All standard patterns will be taken from the 2009 4-H Horse Show Rule Book. Showmanship, Horsemanship and Trail patterns will be provided by the judge. Please follow all tack and dress code restrictions listed in the Rule Book.

Judges are encouraged to interact with the exhibitors, by giving constructive criticism as well as praise for a job well done. Our goal is that of 4-H --- to make the best better.

No dogs will be allowed in the buildings where Winter Classic Shows are held. Please refer to Page 11 Rule 33 in the 2009 4H State Horse Show Rule Book.

Negative coggins test is required.

The judges decision is final.

Our goal with the Winter Classic Shows is not only to teach the kids in our district about horses and showing, but to also instill in them, through this program, essential life lessons. Lessons about sportsmanship; how to act when you try your very best but it’s just not good enough. Lessons about how to treat other people with respect so they will return that respect. Our kids learn first and foremost by watching adults. The Five County Committee is made up of 4-H Volunteers and 4-H Agents, and as such our first thought in anything that we do must be, “act as I would want my 4-Her to act.” We accept the responsibility that lies in teaching our 4Hers how to behave like responsible showmen and citizens. We are asking that all adults that attend the 4H Winter Classic Shows do the same. We ask that you always display sportsmanlike conduct , whether it is congratulating the class winner or filing a protest. Always show others proper respect and give folks the benefit of the doubt. Any adult or exhibitor that behaves with poor sportsmanship and is disrespectful to his/her family, show help or other exhibitors may be asked to leave the show grounds, as stated on page 10 Rule 15 of the 2009 4H State Rule Book.

Five Committee Members will be present at each show. The Winter Classic will follow the 4H State Rule Book for handling protests, which is stated as follows on page 10 Rule 23:

Protests must be submitted to the announcer or manager of the show. Protests must be made on an official protest form properly filled out, signed, and accompanied by a $50 cash deposit. This protest must designate the exhibitor or animal involved and the reason for the protest being filed. Protest must be made before official placing of the class involved is announced. No protest will be accepted on a class after the official results have been announced. Protests are made with the understanding that the protester’s name will be made public and that if the protest is not upheld by the Five County Committee, the $50 cash deposit will be the property of the 4H Winter Classic. If the protest is upheld, the $50 cash deposit will be returned to the person filing the protest. Protest forms will be available at the sign up table and announcers stand. All decisions by the Committee are final.

Awards will be presented at the final show in March.