Redefined Beginner Division The Beginners shall be allowed to show with a snaffle bit and 2 hand the reins (ride with 1 hand on each rein) regardless of the age of the horse. If showing with a leveraged bit they must ride with one hand.
Leadline V.S.A. will be recognizing, and awarding at the end of the year, the Lead Liners. The children must be current V.S.A. members and show at no less than 3 shows, the horse they use may not be the same for each show. The secretaries will be asked to write down the names of the lead liners that participated and showed their current V.S.A. membership number. It doesn't matter whose horse they ride.
Leadline Trail - Simple obstacle will be set up in the main ring and the leadliners will be asked to maneuver their horse thru the course with handlers.
Chaps are optional for all division in Equitation.
Junior Horses (5 years of age and under) can be shown with a Bosal/ Hackamore/ Snaffle Bit (non-leveraged bit) in Open Classes against horses ridden with a leveraged bit. It is the Riders responsibility to show documentation (i.e. Registered papers, Coggins Certificate, or a note from a Veterinarian) proving age of the horse to the show secretary prior to the classes.
Western Pleasure Maturity The horse must be 5 years old and older and the competitor must show in a walk, jog, lope division. You show in your respective classes at any VSA approved show, minimum of 3 shows to qualify. At the end of the year the Point Secretary will take your total Western Pleasure points and divide them by the number of shows to get your average score. The highest scorer wins the award. Trophy, prizes and money paybacks thru 4th place will be awarded at the banquet.
Equitation Challenge The rider must show in a walk, jog, lope division. You show in your respective classes at any VSA approved show, minimum of 3 shows to qualify. At the end of the year the Point Secretary will take your total Western Equitation / Horsemanship points and divide them by the number of shows to get your average score. The highest scorer wins the award. Trophy, prizes and money paybacks thru 4th place will be awarded at the banquet.
Bareback Award - At the Annual Memebership meeting held Jan. 2007 it was voted to discontinue this award.
Green Horse (walk/jog) - Horse of any age, may compete for awards for 2 years only, unless beginning as a 2 year old, in which case may be competed through its 4th year of age.
Adult Walk/Jog - Formally known as Novice Rider - Rider must be 19 yrs. old and over. (Walk & jog only). Not eligible to show in any walk/jog/lope classes. If a rider competes in any walk/jog/lope class or game, they may not point any further in the Adult Walk/Jog division for the remainder of the current show season.
Open Lunge Line The purpose of this class is to demonstrate movement, manners, expression and attitude as a western pleasure horse or hunter under saddle. The handler will be signaled when judging is to begin and will be allowed 60 seconds to present the horse at all three gaits. At the end of 60 seconds a signal will be sounded to signify time to turn the horse and present the horse in the opposite direction for a total of 2 minutes. The only attachments allowed to the halter (leather or nylon) is a lunge line (not to exceed 30 ft) with no chain. The lunge line must hang free from the halter without touching any part of the horse. It is permissible to use a lunge whip however, disqualification will occur if the exhibitor blatantly strikes the horse with the whip to cause forward or lateral movement at any time. (No rope halters, shanks, chains, side reins, tie-downs, boots of any sort allowed). Western Pleasure prospect pointed with VSA.
IN-HAND 2yr old Horse & Younger This Division was added to the awards program to offer to competitors to show their young horses who have not yet shown under saddle. They can gather points in Halter, Fitting & Showmanship & In-Hand Trail classes and compete for year end awards for County, State & High Point. The age of a horse shall be computted on the basis of a calendar year starting Jan. 1 of the year foaled. It is a weanling during the calendar year in which foaled and a yearling during the first calendar year following its foaling date regardless of the time of year foaled. It is the competitors responsibility to have documentation for proof of the horse's age. i.e. registered papers, current coggins, or a note from your Veterinarian.
