FAQ's

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Below you will find some answers to frequently asked questions.  If you do not find your answer here, please e-mail your question to mwhaheidi@yahoo.com.

Do I have to be a member to show with MWHA?
  Absolutely not.  You can come show with us for just the day or come to all of our shows.  If you join though, you are eligible for our awesome year end awards if the horse you exhibit is also registered with MWHA.

Where are the horse shows held?
   All of our shows are held at the Howard County Fairgrounds.  The Fairgrounds are located at 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship, MD 21794.  Get your directions here:  Yahoo! Driving Directions, Maps, and Traffic

Do I have to sign my horse up with MWHA in order to show?   No, but in order to earn points on a horse and be eligible for year end awards the horse must be registered with MWHA.  The cost is just $5 per horse per year.  You pay only once for the horse even if you have multiple riders exhibiting the same mount.  

How do I know if a show will be cancelled due to inclement weather?
  On the morning of the show a recording will be on 443-848-1924 if the show is being cancelled.  If there is no cancellation, there will be no message.

How many jumps are in the Hack class?
  There are 2 jumps in the Hack class.

Can I show in more than one division?
  An exhibitor may only show in one division at a time.  Each rider must declare the division in which he/she will participate when filling out the entry form.  When an exhibitor moves up a division, they may no longer exhibit in the previous division. 

Do I have to wear a helmet?
  All exhibitors under 18 years of age must wear an approved helmet at all times while mounted.  All exhibitors in jumping classes must wear an approved helmet with harness fastened.

Can an adult rider exhibit a pony?
  The minimum height of horses in A Division and Adult Novice Division shall be 14 hands.  There is no minimum height for mounts in B Division, Y Division, W-T Division, B-W-T Division and Leadline Division.

What are the rules on showing stallions?
  No Adult Novice or exhibitor under the age of 18 years may ride or handle a stallion in any class.

What type of footing is in the show pen?
  Both of the rings have bluestone footing .

Is there water available on the show grounds?
  Yes.  We have 2 water spigots on the show grounds.

Is food available at the show?  Yes, the Curbside Grill serves breakfast and lunch foods.

Are there bathrooms and where are they located? 
Yes, the bathrooms are located up the midway in the second building on the right.

What type of attire is required?

For all Western Performance Classes:  All exhibitors will be suitably attired according to the current trend in western show apparel, including long pants, and a shirt with long sleeves and a collar.  Western boots must be worn.  Spurs, chaps and a rope may be worn at the option of the rider.  Approved helmets are required for youth under 18 years of age.  Adults must wear an approved helmet or western hat.

For all Speed Classes:  All exhibitors will be suitably attired according to the current trend in western or english show apparel. For western apparel this includes western boots, long pants, and a shirt with a collar must be worn. For English this includes breeches or jodhpurs, polo type shirt and english boots or jodhpur boots.  Hunt coats, stock tie or choker are optional.  A hat, if worn, must be western, approved helmet or hunting cap. Approved helmets are mandatory for youth under 18 years of age.

For all English Performance Classes:  All exhibitors will be suitably attired according to the current trend in English show apparel, including breeches or jodhpurs, hunt coats, and stock tie or choker. English boots or jodhpur boots, and approved helmets or hunting hats must be worn. Approved safety helmets are mandatory for youth under 18 years of age. In all jumping classes, an approved safety helmet with harness must be fastened in place. If the judge wishes, coats may be excused in hot weather, if the rider is wearing an English riding shirt.

For all Halter Classes:  Handlers must be neatly and appropriately attired with regard to the horses breed or type.

For Leadline Classes:  All exhibitors will be suitably attired according to the current trend in western or english show apparel.  Approved helmets are required for all riders under 18 years of age.  The handler must also be neatly and sensibly dressed in western or english riding attire.  The handler must be at least 18 years old.  The exhibitors must have their feet in the stirrups.

What type of tack do I need to show in?

For all Western Performance Classes:  Western saddles and western style bridles are required.  No rawhide or metal device will be allowed in conjunction with the bridle, bit or curb strap.  No tie down, martingale, draw reins or quirt are allowed.  Type of bit or bosal is optional.  Curb chains are permissible provided that two fingers can be placed between the chain and the horses chin, and that it is flat and at least 1/2 inch in width.

For all Speed Classes:  A western or english saddle is required.  A western or english bridle my be used.  There is no restriction on the type of bit, chin strap, tie down or reins as long as they are judged humane.  No quirt will be allowed.  The rider may not use rubber bands, straps or anything to attach the rider to the saddle, stirrups or horse in any way.

For all English Performance Classes:  English saddles and english style bridles are required.  In all english classes an english snaffle (no shank), Kimberwick, Pelham or full bridle (with two reins) is allowed.  No martingales or polo wraps are allowed.

What are the rules for the Age Divisions?
 

The following divisions are available: A Division, Adult Novice Division, B Division, Y Division, W-T Division, Beginner W-T Division and Leadline Division. An exhibitor may ride in only one division at a time, regardless of class type, unless otherwise specified. Each rider must declare the division in which he/she will participate when applying for or renewing their membership. When an exhibitor moves up a division, they may no longer exhibit in the previous division. An exhibitor may only receive a year end award for the division into which they have moved. Anyone can school in their own division – turn number over (ex: to use two hands). Approved safety helmets are mandatory for all youth under 18 years of age when mounted. Approved helmets are recommended for all riders.

A.   A Division (Senior) exhibitors must have reached their 18th birthday on or before January 1 of the current year. A Division exhibitors may also participate in Halter and open classes.

B.   Adult Novice Division - Beginning with the 1998 show season, to be eligible for the Adult Novice Division, exhibitors must:

  • be 18 years of age or older as of January 1 of the current year, and
  • have not shown in MWHA "A - Division" classes within the past five years, and
  • must move out of the MWHA Novice Division at the end of the show season in which the exhibitor accumulates 200 points.
  • must not have shown, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse or rider for numeration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly.

It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to clearly demonstrate eligibility to ride as a novice. An exhibitor who chooses to move up to A Division in mid-season will stop accumulating points in the Adult Novice Division and will begin accumulating points in the A Division from that date forward. Points from the two divisions may not be combined for awards. Once an exhibitor forfeits his/her Adult Novice status, he/she may not return to it. An Adult Novice Division exhibitor may also participate in Halter, and any open classes.

C.   B Division (Junior) exhibitors must be between 10 and 18 years of age as of January 1 of the current year. B Division exhibitors may also participate in halter and open classes. This division will have three gaits.  B Division riders may not move into the Adult Novice Divison.  They must move into the A Division when of age to do so.

D.   Y Division exhibitors must not have reached their 14th birthday as of January 1 of the current year. The exhibitors may not compete in W-T, B-W-T or Leadline classes. They may participate in Halter and open classes. This division will have three gaits. An exhibitor may move up to the B division. However, they will loose all points accumulated in Y Division and will not be eligible for a year end award in Y Division.

E.   Walk Trot (W-T) Division exhibitors must not have reached their 14th birthday as of January 1 of the current year. They may not compete in B-W-T Division or Leadline classes. They may compete in Halter and open classes. This division will have two gaits (walk-jog/trot). An exhibitor may move up to the Y Division. However, they will loose all points accumulated in W-T Division and will not be eligible for a year end award in W-T Division.

F.   Beginner Walk Trot (B-W-T) Division exhibitors must not have reached their 12th birthday as of January 1 of the current year. They may not compete in Leadline classes or Walk-Trot classes (except Walk-Trot Showmanship). They may compete in Halter, Showmanship W-T, and open classes. This division will have two gaits (walk and jog/trot). An exhibitor may move up to the W-T Division. However, they will lose all points accumulated in B-W-T Division and will not be eligible for a year end award in B-W-T Division. Western and English exhibitors will participate in the same classes.

G.  Leadline Division exhibitors must not have reached their 7th birthday as of January 1 of the current year. Leadline exhibitors may also participate in Halter, Showmanship W-T, and open classes which do not require any gait faster than a jog or trot.  All age definitions are based on child’s age as of January 1 of the current year. An exhibitor may move up to another Division. However, they will loose all points accumulated in Leadline Division and will not be eligible for a year end award in Leadline Division. Leadline Division handlers must be 18 years of age or older. Exhibitors must have feet in stirrups. Western and English exhibitors will participate in the same classes.