FAQ's

Is food available at the show?  Yes, the Rise At Dawn-Curbside 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 – To be eligible for the Adult Novice Division, exhibitor 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 not have shown, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse or rider for numeration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly.

·         Exhibitor must move out of the Adult Novice English Division at the end of the show season in which the exhibitor accumulates 200 points

·         Exhibitor must move out of the Adult Novice Western Division at the end of the show season in which the exhibitor accumulates 200 points

Adult Novice points will be accumulated by discipline (ie. English or Western) therefore allowing an Adult Novice Rider to "point out" of one discipline, but still be allowed to show in the other discipline as long as they have not reached the maximum point level in both disciplines.

Exhibitors who have already "pointed out" of the Adult Novice Division previous to the 2009 show season may not move back or stay in the Adult Novice Division.

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 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 classes and open classes.  This division will have three gaits.  "B" Division exhibitors may not move into the Adult Novice Division.  "B" Division exhibitors must move into the "A" Division when they are 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.  The division will have three gaits.  An exhibitor may move up to the "B" division. However, they will lose 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 many 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 lose all points accumulated in "WT" Division and will not be eligible for a year end award in "WT" 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 also compete in Halter, Showmanship W-T, and open classes.  This Division will have two gaits (walk-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 by 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.  At the discretion of the Board of Directors, separate Leadline classes may be offered in a given show season for specified age groups under 7 years of age, including pointed classes with year end awards.  An exhibitor may move up to another Division.  However, they will lose 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.