The North Coast Western Riders Club

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Membership_Form 2010.doc. & Waiver - Print, fill out & bring it with you to the next show, or send it to:

NCWRC Inc, c/- The Treasurer,

9 McPhee Street, Swan Creek 2462

Our Treasurer is Ali Duckworth.

Show Entry Form. Print out & fill in for each show to save time in the morning, if you would like.

Show Program

Sponsorship Form  If anyone wishes to sponsor us in any way, big or small, click this link to download the form. You will need to print it out, fill it in & send together with your donation to:

 NCWRC Inc, c/- The Treasurer, 9 McPhee Street, Swan Creek 2462

ncwrc09@live.com.au          President: Barbara Schleppi 0266473344                                                                              quarter.horses@bigpond.com

Secretary Karen Hewson   0266544514 ah    kmhewson@bigpond.com

Please note the marshalling area is only for horses that are waiting for their class (max. next 2 classes) – NO spectators allowed. All other competitors for classes further on can exercise/wait in the warm up area (fig tree yard). No children allowed in marshalling or warm up area, unless they are competitors. All dogs on the grounds must be on a leash at all times during training/clinic/show days.

Please make allowances for stallions on the grounds. Even the quietest stallion can have an off day. Do not block gateways

Lets all be safe & live to show another day! The shows are for everyone to enjoy, please be aware of others.

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ALCHEMY RANCH EQUINE TRAINING SERVICES

Contact: Ann-Maree Mianowany   

 Mobile: 0438 180859 or

Email: alchemyranch@hotmail.com

 Originally derived from the day to day grind faced by America's Pioneers of the 'Wild West', excerpts taken from their daily chores were refined and the 'old ways' executed in competitions. With the popularity of these competitions, early western performance shows emerged incorporating different events. Today western performance shows are big business with horse and rider competing in many and varied events, and for some quite substantial prizes. Listed below are just a few of the 'Modern Day' events seen at a show.

Led Classes ~ The Led class or Halter Class as it is known. A Horse is judged according to a correct breed standard. The successful entrant is, in the Judges' opinion, the most correctly conformed animal in that class on that day.

Showmanship at halter, a class for Youth and Amateur exhibitors only, is designed to judge the showmanship skills of the exhibitor. Exhibitors perform a similar routine as if they were showing in a halter class. However, instead of the horse being judged, the exhibitor is evaluated for his/her showmanship skills. Judges evaluate the grooming and fitting of the horse and the expertise of the exhibitor in presenting the horse to the best of his/her ability. 

English Ridden Classes ~ This Class is judged in Traditional English Attire. Again the horse is judged according to a standard. The successful entrants are acknowledged for their responsiveness and ability in an English setting. Judges evaluate   the way of going of a hunter type horse on the flat, at a walk, trot and canter. Particular emphasis is paid to the smoothness of gait, free flowing stride and a willingness to perform.

Hunt Seat Equitation is an English class designed to test the equitation of amateur and youth contestants and not the performance of the horse – like a traditional ‘Riding Class’. As in western horsemanship, contestants must individually work a predetermined pattern consisting of manoeuvres such as changing gaits (walk, trot, canter); travel in a figure-8 pattern and back up. Top riders return to the arena as a group and are judged on the rail, performing gait changes at the judge’s discretion. Emphasis is placed on the rider’s ability to sit in the saddle correctly, hold the correct riding posture and control the horse.

Western Ridden Classes ~ These classes are judged in Western attire. The Horse is judgedaccording to a standard. Successful entrants are acknowledged for their responsiveness and ability to work in a calm and controlled manner

Western Pleasure is the most popularly contested event. A good Western Pleasure horse should be as the name implies: a pleasure to ride. Contestants compete as a group, traveling around the perimeter of the arena “on the rail” and are asked to walk, jog, lope and reverse the direction of their horses at the judges’ direction. Riders must hold the reins according to the head gear the horse is shown in i.e. Snaffle - horses are shown two handed while bridled horses with one. A rider cannot change hands on the reins during the class. A rider cannot touch the horse or saddle during the competition with his/her free hand. The tip of the horse’s ears should not come below the highest point of the wither for more than a few strides.

Western Riding this class judges the abilities of a horse to change leads precisely, easily and simultaneously, using both hind and front legs. Contestants enter the arena and follow one of two patterns consisting of a log and a series of pylons. The horse and rider must also change gaits - from a walk to a jog to a lope - throughout the course. Judges look for a horse that responds promptly to the rider’s commands, is well-mannered and has grace and a good disposition.

Western Horsemanship is designed to test the horsemanship abilities of a rider using western tack. Designed for youth and amateur competitions, the class is divided into two sections. Riders must first follow a prescribed pattern of manoeuvres that test their horsemanship skills. Riders will be asked to walk, trot or lope their horses in a straight line, curve, circle or any combination, such as figure 8. Contestants may be asked to ride without stirrups. Finalists from the first portion of the class are then asked back into the arena as a group to show their horses at a walk, jog and lope around the perimeter of the arena or “on the rail”. Judges pay close attention to the rider’s body position, how he/she sit in a saddle and his/her ability to control the horse.

Western Trail Classes ~ This class is judged in Western Attire. The horse is judged according to their ability to negotiate various 'set' obstacles and manoeuvres in a relaxed & confident manner. Obstacles include a gate, bridge, trot through poles, side pass, back through, etc. Points are awarded or deducted for each manouvre or obstacle with the highest points being the winner.

Reining Classes ~ This class is judged in Western Attire. The horse is judged according to a standard. Successful entrants are acknowledged for their responsiveness and ability to negotiate various 'set' manoeuvres. In reining, a rider is required to negotiate one of a set number of patterns which include prescribed manoeuvres of stops, spins, rollbacks, lead changes and circles at a lope. The horse should be wilfully guided with little or no resistance. The horse is judged on movements, mastery of pattern and attitude and is scored 0-100 with 70 denoting average.

Sporting ~ Our shows include Barrel Race, Straight Barrel Race & Keyhole Race with the exception of the November Feature Show which has MORE. See the Feature Page for details. Attire should be Western although we encourage Australian Safety Approved Helmets in sporting & jumping events.

Rookies or beginners can ride in any safe, humane gear in all of these events.

* No refunds will be given
* NCWRC operates under HSAA & AQHA rules
* Horses in specific breed classes must be currently registered with the appropriate society and have papers verifying this if requested
* All disputes must be lodged in writing within one hour of the event and accompanied   by a $30 fee, refunded if up held
* Youth tickets only accepted in youth classes
* Youth are 18 yrs and under as at August 1st
* A/O must hold a current A/O card
* Junior horse is 5yrs and under
* Senior horse is 6yrs and over, ridden western, one handed in a shank bit

ROOKIE CLASS RULES

* Rookie refers to the rider or horse.
* Rookies competing in youth or open classes on Sunday must be dressed correctly     and horses attired as per HSAA rules
* A win in regular HSAA classes eliminates the rookie from that class in the rookie         ring
* MINIMUM DRESS for rookie classes is a hat (eng,west,stock acceptable)
    LONG SLEEVE SHIRT, LONG PANTS (jodhpurs/jeans) AND RIDING BOOTS

EQUIPMENT
* Should be safe,clean and humane (west, eng,stock acceptable)
* Any entrant considered not to be in control of their horse may be asked to retire.

"There has been some controversy over the bit ruling for Hunter in Hand classes. Mr Simon

Myers, AQHA Director, (portfolio - rules and regulations) has stated that Kimblewicks and Spanish Snaffles (with or without chains) are not allowed in this event. The Hunter in Hand bridle rule is stated below.

"English bridle is mandatory on horses two and older. Decorative bridles and halters (silver or coloured) are prohibited. Bridle must have egg butt, D-ring, O-ring or Full cheek snaffle bit with keepers, with mouthpiece that qualifies under rule 444(b)."

There will be No Weanling or 2yr old classes From 31st August - 1st January.

 Whether you want to compete in western pleasure, trail, horsemanship classes,

halter or hunter under saddle, hunter hack, reining. A beginner show is the place to start your show career and gain some much needed experience. Believe it or not you will benefit from attending as many shows as you can. You and your horse will gain confidence & knowledge. Knowledge is POWER. .

It can be very daunting attending your first beginner show but you know everyone has to start somewhere. And you won’t learn anything or get better by sitting at home worrying am I good enough to ride in the western show ring. Practice your horsemanship skills at home if you are worried your horse is going to play up. But you know horses normally are better at home than in the ring so attend shows to acclimatize your horse to new surroundings. You don’t have to compete if you aren’t ready. Even if you came along and ride outside in the warm up arena or hold your horse to show him what happens at a show. It’s all experience.

Preparation at home starts with riding your horse everyday if you can and finding a trainer who can help you achieve your goals. This is just the tip of the iceberg. But if you love riding your horse then have a go. Clinics are a great way of trying new disciplines and gaining knowledge.

TIP 1: When you are warming up in the arena or competing, be courteous to other riders. If you need to pass someone who is going too slow let them know where you are and ride on the inside of them. Don’t cut people off and don’t ride up the ass end of another horse.

TIP 2: In the show ring, acknowledge the judge as you start a pattern class by nodding your head. When you finish your pattern nod and smile before lining up & smile while you ride. If you need to ask a question be courteous & relay the question through the steward to the judge.

TIP 3: The best way to further your knowledge of how a judge scores riders is to volunteer as a steward. You will learn so much but first of all read your AQHA or HSAA rule book.

TIP 4: You don’t need the most expensive silver trimmed saddle or all the bling that goes with the outfit to start you off as a Beginner. A well groomed horse & clean gear from saddle, bridle to your boots, long sleeved collared shirt with western hat is all you need. It always helps to colour co-ordinate your outfit with your saddle blanket but don’t stress out. The judge looks at the overall picture but most of all how your horse behaves in the ring. Later on if you love what you are doing then you can try competing in Open classes, A & AA shows but remember you will have to be properly dressed.

TIP5: It is advisable to use English gear for hunter classes & western gear for western classes but if you are starting off a Beginner can use either. Except for the jumping class Hunter Hack in which you need an English saddle, bridle, & a helmet on your head. All kids must wear an approved helmet with chin strap in all classes.

Correct gear & attire must be used in Open events.

TIP 6: So if you compete in an open class and win then you are not eligible to compete in Beginner Western pleasure classes again. You will have to compete in the higher levels for that event. Choose your classes carefully.

TIP 7: Pin your number on the back of your shirt or on saddlecloth in clear view. You can be eliminated if you ride with the wrong number or don’t have a number, when required.

If you are Beginner Rider you may not know all the rules when competing at a show. Further your skills by downloading the AQHA & HSAA rulebooks. They're FREE. Just log onto the respective websites.