USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship Program
Through a partnership with the American National Riding Commission (ANRC) the USHJA has been able to add horsemanship to the outreach program. By rewarding participation and the pursuit of education, USHJA/ ANRC aim to achieve a competitive experience that appeals to all levels of riders and organizations.
With three (3) levels of competition and multiphase options, the USHJA /ANRC Horsemanship curriculum was designed to allow each individual or organization the flexibility and options necessary to best meet the needs of their facility and program participants.
The next USHJA horsemanship outreach program will be held at the Cottonwood Horse Trials in Vanceboro, NC on March 2.
COTTONWOOD HORSE TRIALS
Levels
Level One: Program Ride & Medal Course 2’3″ – 2’6″; three phase option – written test
Level Two: Program Ride & Medal Course 2’6″ -2’9″; three and four phase option – written test and/or derby style course
Level Three: Program Ride & Medal Course 2’9″ – 3′; three and four phase option – written test and/or derby style course
Phases
Program Ride
Program ride scoring is based on each movement or skill performed by the horse and rider. Program ride tests are determined by the USHJA/ANRC.
Medal Course
The medal course is performed in the constraints of a ring or arena.
Written Test
The written test questions will be based on assigned topics from the trainer’s certification manual. Written tests will be created by the USHJA and ANRC and provided to competition management once your event has been approved as an USHJA Outreach competition.
Study guides will be available to program participants online and will be posted for the 2012 competition year.
Derby Style Course
Derby style course consists of natural fences placed outside of a ring or a field.
Specifications
If your facility or organization is unable to meet any of the specifications and you are interested in participating in the USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship Class please contact Kimberly Knotek at 859.225.6709.
Program Ride
• Ring size must be a minimum of 100′ x 175′ and a maximum of 200′ x 300′.
• Standard dressage letters are required.
• One trotting fence is required (Fence height to be 2′ for level I, 2’3″ for level II and 2’6″ for level III).
• Program rides should be memorized but may be called at the discretion of competition management.
• USEF Rule DR 121 (www.usef.org) – A leather bridle with a snaffle is required.
• Demonstration rides for each level may be performed at management’s discretion.
• Schooling in the competition arena prior to competition is at management’s discretion.
• Warm up arena with a trot and canter fence must be provided.
• Management must designate a bit checker/starter.
• A judge may sit in the location of their choice however the location must remain the same for all competitors.
• A designated scribe will be assigned by management to assist the judge with comments and scores.
• If a rider forgets a movement it is considered an error and a whistle will be blown. The rider should stop immediately and return the point indicated by the judge.
• The use of voice will not be penalized.
•Management must designate an official score keeper.
• A competitor or representative may pick up the program ride score sheet and official results from the competition secretary after the competition is complete and awards are presented.
Medal Course
• Course will consist of 8-10 fences, minimum of two (2) changes of direction and one (1) combination.
• Fences to be set at 2’3″ -2’6″ for Level I, 2’6″ -2’9″ for Level II, and 2’9″-3″ for Level III.
• USEF rules for hunt seat equitation will be applied.
• Horses will have a mandatory trot area to be noted on the course so the entered horse may be evaluated for soundness by the judge.
• Standing martingales are allowed (excessively tight martingales will be penalized).
• The following bits are allowed: snaffle (including twisted metal and Dr. Bristol) and Thom Thumb Pelham (straight or jointed).
• Schooling over the course before the competition will be allowed at management’s discretion.
• Warm up area with a vertical fence and oxer must be provided.
• Management must designate a bit checker/starter.
Derby Course
• Course will consist of 8-10 natural fences placed outside of a ring or in a field.
• Fences to be set at 2’3″ -2’6″ for Level I, 2’6″ -2’9″ for Level II, and 2’9″-3″ for Level III.
• The following fences may be included at the allowed height, as permitted by course terrain.
- Downhill or uphill fence.
- Vertical fence.
- Spread.
- Bank.
- Ditch.
- Trakehner.
• USEF rules for hunt seat equitation will be applied.
• Horses will have a mandatory trot area noted on the course so the entered horse may be evaluated for soundness by the judge.
• Standing martingales are allowed (excessively tight martingales will be penalized).
• The following bits are allowed: snaffle (including twisted metal and Dr. Bristol) and Thom Thumb Pelham (straight or jointed).
• Management must designate a bit checker/starter.
Written Test
• Tests to be provided by USHJA and ANRC.
• Tests will be based on designated sections of the USHJA TCP Manual.
• Tests will consist of 30 multiple choice questions.
• Study guide will be available online.
• Location will be designated by competition management.
• Management must designate a representative to administer and score the test.
• A competitor or representative may pick up the test score sheet and official results from the competition secretary after the competition is complete and awards are given.
• Use of cell phones and electronic devices are prohibited.
Rider Appointments/ Equipment
• Hunting attire or hunter seat horse competition attire must be worn in all mounted phases.
• Shadbellies are permissible in the derby style course.
• All riders must wear ASTM approved protective headgear with secured harness at all times when mounted.
• It is recommended that boots and breeches or chaps and riding boots be worn when schooling.
• Blunted spurs (Price of Wales, hammerhead or impuls) may be used in all phases of the competition.
• Crops over 30″ in length are permitted only when schooling.
• Boots and exercise bandages are permitted in all phases.
Prohibited Tack
• Side reins
• Draw reins
• Chambons
• German martingales
• Bitting rigs
• Dropped nosebands
• Abrasive nosebands
• Figure eights and/ or flashes
• Hackamores
• Hoods
• Blinkers
• Overly severe bits (e.g. twisted wire, gag bit, elevators, or any bit with a similar action).
Questions on the acceptability of tack must be directed to the designated steward. The steward will make an immediate decision. Appeals must be made no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the phase. Improper tack or equipment may result in elimination*.
Entries
• Participants may compete on an individual or team basis (team size to be determined by competition management).
• USHJA does not restrict entry into the USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship program; however, only participants who are current USHJA Members at the $15 Outreach level or higher will be eligible to compete for points.
• Riders must complete an USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship program entry blank indicating their competition level and whether they are competing as an individual or team.
• Riders may enter an USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship competition at any level, riding the same horse in the level entered.
• Management will determine the class fee for each individual competition. $5 for every entry that is a USHJA member must be remitted by management to USHJA within 10 days of the completion of the competition.
Scoring
Program Ride
• Each movement will be given a score of 0-10 (10 being the highest).
• Maximum score possible 250 points.
• Scores are added and multiplied as follows.
- 2 Phase Competition multiply by .24 =60%
- 3 Phase Competition multiply by .16 =40%
- 4 Phase Competition multiply by .12 =30%
• Scores from each movement and general impressions will be added together for a total score.
• Ties will be resolved first by the position of the rider score, then by quality of performance score, then by total of general impression score. If a tie still exists it must be broken by the judge.
• A score of zero (0) will be given for a skill not performed.
• Failure to enter the ring within 60 seconds of the bell or whistle being sounded and fall of horse or rider are cause for elimination.
• Penalties for error are as follows:
- 1st error – 3 points
- 2nd error – 6 points
- 3rd error – elimination
• Score sheets are to be collected and held in the competition office during competition.
• The designated official scorer will total scores throughout the competition.
• Scores will be posted throughout the competition.
- 2 Phase Score Sheet
- 3 Phase Score Sheet
- 4 Phase Score Sheet
- Team Score Sheet
Medal Phase
• A score of 1 -100 will be given by the judge for the rider’s performance and may be announced.
• No rider will receive an identical score.
• Scores are multiplied as follows:
- 2 Phase Competition multiply by .40 =40%
- 3 Phase Competition multiply by .30 =30%
- 4 Phase Competition multiply by .25 =25%
Derby Course
• A score of 1 -100 will be given by the judge for the rider’s performance and may be announced.
• No rider will receive an identical score.
• Scores are multiplied as follows.
- 2 Phase Competition multiply by .40 =40%
- 3 Phase Competition multiply by .30 =30%
- 4 Phase Competition multiply by .25 =25%
Written Test
• Maximum of 100 points
• Point values will be given for each question
• Scores are multiplied as follows:
- 3 Phase Competition multiply by .30 =30%
- 4 Phase Competition multiply by .20 =20%
Competition management will be required to submit the USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship Program Report Form and $5 for every entry who is a USHJA member at the outreach level or higher to USHJA with 10 days of the completion of the competition.
Awards
For each phase, individuals will be awarded first through sixth (1-6) place ribbons. Overall champion and reserve place individuals and teams will be determined by combining the scores from each phase and will be awarded a ribbon at the completion of the event or level.
The participant in each region who earns the highest overall score (regardless of level or number of phases) at a single event throughout the competition year will be invited to attend an Emerging Athletes Program (EAP) training session of their choice as an auditor and will receive a travel stipend for the event.
Regions Are As Follows
| Northeast | ME, CT, PA, VT, RI, NY, NH, MA, & NJ |
| Southeast | DE, DC, MS, MD, NC, FL, VA, GA, SC, WV, AL, & TN |
| Central | AR, AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, NM, OK, OH, SD, TY, UT, & WI |
| Western | AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, & WY |
American System of Forward Riding
To learn more about the “American System of Forward Riding”, visit the ANRC website at www.anrc.org. The DVD series called “American System of Forward Riding: Life Lessons Learned with Horses” by Shelby French and R. Scot Evans is available for purchase. On the ANRC website, you can also view segments of a program ride, derby course, and medal course from the 2011 ANRC National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Visit the USHJA Affiliate Home Page
For additional information please contact Kimberly Knotek at kknotek@ushja.org or 859.225.6709 or Diane Popp at dpopp@ushja.org or 859.225.6704.
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