Academy

[cjk]

Where can I find rules/regulations for Academy classes in the southeast?

Thanks in advance

[wstrngrl]

Rules vary greatly depending on what area of the country you are in, and from show to show.

Where are you located?

[cjk]

Rules vary greatly depending on what area of the country you are in, and from show to show.

Where are you located?

Seriously? EEEKK! That must be a nightmare to figure out!

I was just brought on by a training / breeding farm that wants to build a lesson program. Our barn shows all throughout the southeast.

[wstrngrl]

Yea, it sure can be a nightmare sometimes.

I don't know anything about rules in the southeast; but I would recommend changing the thread title to "Academy rules in the Southeast"

You'll get more responses from people who'd be able to help you :)

[cjk]

Good idea!

[roadpony]

Here is a link to ASAC (North and South Carolina) Charter Club. The Carolinas' Academy Rule Book is considered by some to be one of the best in the country. You can download from the ASAC web site. http://www.asacsaddlebred.com/

I think Virginia uses similar rules.

[cjk]

Here is a link to ASAC (North and South Carolina) Charter Club. The Carolinas' Academy Rule Book is considered by some to be one of the best in the country. You can download from the ASAC web site. http://www.asacsaddlebred.com/

I think Virginia uses similar rules.

Hey thanks Roadpony, that is a super help. We will be showing some in the Carolina's, so this is a good start.

How about VA, KY, TN, AL, GA and FL anyone?

Where might I look for these?

[Renae]

Best to contact the show managers of shows you plan on attending.

At some shows helmets are mandatory for everyone, at others for only those under 18, and at others they are optional for everyone.

Some shows allow fitted vests, others only sweaters or sweater vests. In areas where only sweaters or sweater vests are allowed it is soemwhat popular for the academy riders to have matching fleece vests in farm colors with the farm logo and the person's name embroidered on the front shoulder smallish like.

At most shows they will allow you to use any equipment on the horse that keeps him happy and the rider safe. So usually protective boots, martingales, blinker hoods, etc., are fine. On some circuits it is pupular to use a square saddle pad, like a RaDon one, under the saddle in the barn colors and with the farm logo.

On some academy circuits once a rider shows in a regular class, a "suit class" they can no longer show in academy, on other circuits there is no rule against this.

Some people don't like the farm colors and barn logo stuff on the academy riders in the ring, but if it is doen in your area I like it. It gives all the riders and parents in your barn an easy way to reckognize who is on their "team", just like a team uniform, and prvides a way for them to feel some comraderie, which is an important part of horse showing, as at thes shows is often time the first place that many of these families meet, and the social atmosphere of the horse show is part of what makes it enjoyable and makes a family want to stay in the sport :)

[cjk]

Renae,

Thanks, I appreciate your reply.

It is really confusing, there seems to be little cohesion in the rules from show to show. Some shows allow only flat shod whereas others seemingly allow pads. My lesson horses are all in pads, so I guess we can only take our Academy kids to shows that allow pads. I have some more advanced riders that are ready to show these lesson horses in Eq and 3 gaited classes and the horses still have what it takes to be competitive, with the show packages. Taking the show packages off for some Academy classes and putting them back on for others is not really an option...

Confused!

[Renae]

See thats a new one to me, in all the areas that I am familiar with the academy rules none of them say anything about shoes, I think because many academy horses are older horses that require special shoeing to stay sound.

[wstrngrl]

Yea the no pads thing is new to me too. I've never seen a rule about shoeing...

[cjk]

See thats a new one to me, in all the areas that I am familiar with the academy rules none of them say anything about shoes, I think because many academy horses are older horses that require special shoeing to stay sound.

From ASAC (Carolinas Charter Club)

Horses MUST be flat/keg shod. NO PADS WILL BE ALLOWED. Soundness is NOT to be considered. “Equi-Packs” are allowed.

Soundness is NOT to be considered... so horses that are visibly lame are welcomed to show? That seems odd for me.

I guess my lesson horses are on the higher end of the quality scale.

[Silly Filly]

The rules in the Carolinas are very strict concerning shoes and cross entering academy horses.
I just looked at last year's Morristown (TN) prize list. Regarding shoes, it states: "Horses that are used are to be school horses or academy type horses and must be flat shod, or may have one therapeutic pad of no more than 1/4 inch."

[cjk]

There is a "finals" Academy championship every year, right? I have googled for it but can't seem to find info on this event. Does anyone here know off hand what the rules might be regarding shoes at this event? Or where I might find information on it?

[Silly Filly]

Joyce Webster puts on the National Academy show. She posts on here as Santosa. Her barn name is B & W Stables in Hartselle Alabama. Where are you from?

[cjk]

Joyce Webster puts on the National Academy show. She posts on here as Santosa. Her barn name is B & W Stables in Hartselle Alabama. Where are you from?

Thanks Silly,

I will look her up. I am in East TN.

[Silly Filly]

If you haven't already, you should consider joining the East TN Saddlebred Association. It's a good group. The Morristown shows are great, and we enjoy going to them. Here's their website. www.easttnsaddlebred.com

[cjk]

If you haven't already, you should consider joining the East TN Saddlebred Association. It's a good group. The Morristown shows are great, and we enjoy going to them. Here's their website. www.easttnsaddlebred.com

Just about to! We will be at the Feb 2nd banquet.

[bigasbfan]

Here are the rules for the National Academy Finals as they were printed in the 2007 prize list.

GENERAL
• Students Social Security number and correct mailing address MUST be submitted before back numbers are released.
• The rider will be judged on basic equitation skills and his/her ability to control the horse.
• To insure the safety of other riders, any OUT OF CONTROL HORSE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY EXCUSED. The judge must stop the class until the horse and rider have been assisted out of the ring.
• Academy Riders may only show in Academy Classes. They may NOT return to the Academy Division after having shown in regular performance or equitation in regular performance or equitation classes at any of these shows.
• Walk-trot Riders to be judged both ways of the ring at a Walk and Trot only. RIDERS WHO HAVE CANTERED AT A RECOGNIZED OR UNRECOGNIZED SHOW ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS DIVISION. (This follows AHSA ruling p. 236 Art. 2218 sec. 8, under Equitation division.)
• Students may not cross enter between walk/trot & walk/trot/canter divisions at the same show. Once they have shown in WTC, they may not returned to walk/trot division.
• Walk/trot/canter - riders to be judged both ways of the ring at these gaits.
• Classes will be split by age into English and Western classes.
• Any class with less than 4 entries will be combined with the next age group.
• Entries will be judged 1st through 10th (to be consistent with individual show placings.) Remaining riders will receive a participation ribbon.
HORSE• The horse must earn his living as a school horse.
• The horse must be a mare or gelding, full mane and tail. ABSOLUTELY NO STALLIONS.
• The horse may be any breed.
• School horses may be owned or leased by a rider as long as the above criteria is met.
• Open type horses that are not regularly used as a school horse may NOT be used as Academy Mounts.
• Horse is to be tacked as if giving a lesson. Snaffle and Martingale is encouraged on young riders, full bridles are acceptable. However, the saddle must be consistent with the style of riding.
• Horses must be neatly presented with clean coat and clipped bridlepath, face, ears, and legs.
• Hoof black is acceptable and encouraged.
• One pad or wedge is permitted with up to 16 oz. shoe. Anything heavier will be considered a show package and will not be permitted to show. Show Farrier will make final decision.
ATTIRE• Shirts: Long sleeved, button down shirts with a tie, vest optional.
• Pants: To consist of jodhpurs. Blue jeans are acceptable only in
Western Classes.
• Footwear: To consist of paddock, jodhpur, hunt or cowboy boots.
• Headgear: Safety helmets are the ONLY acceptable headgear. They should be encouraged in all styles of riding. 10 & Under riders are required to wear helmets.
• Hair: Must be neatly pulled back in a bun or braid as to not obstruct the view of the rider’s number.
• Gloves & Whips are optional. However, spurs are prohibited.
• No barn logos or identifying marks of any kind on any student or horse.
• ABSOLUTELY NO DERBIES, COWBOY HATS, CHAPS, HUNT OR SHOW COATS ARE ALLOWED.
• Students not complying with the above rules will simply not be judged, but will instead receive a participation ribbon (according to AHSA rules for illegal equipment).

[mlinky]

I have some more advanced riders that are ready to show these lesson horses in Eq and 3 gaited classes and the horses still have what it takes to be competitive, with the show packages. Taking the show packages off for some Academy classes and putting them back on for others is not really an option...


Be careful about cross-entry. Usually, shows that have both academy and performance classes do not allow cross-entry of horses (to prevent performance horses from being used in academy classes). Sometimes they are run as "separate" shows to avoid that issue. I think that once you get involved in your local groups, you will get a handle on the local rules.

[ASB Equestrian]

Thanks Silly,

I will look her up. I am in East TN.

If you Google National Academy Championship Finals, her website comes up... it has rules, entry info, etc. I went this past year and it was a really good time :D