EAST ALABAMA HORSEMAN’S ASSOCIATION RULES

Approved February 5, 2007
Effective February 5, 2007


PREAMBLE

The purpose of the East Alabama Horseman’s Association is:
  1. To set show dates for each member club.
  2. To provide rules for the assignment of dates.
  3. To provide ways of protecting member club show dates.
  4. To promote interest in horses and horse shows.

RULES
I
MEMBER CLUBS
1.

1. A qualified member club shall be defined as a club paying East Alabama Horseman’s Association dues in accordance with these rules. Additionally, in order to qualify as a member club with voting privileges, such club shall have at least one (1) show during the regular show season. Any club failing to have at least one show per regular season shall no longer be considered a qualifying member club during the season and shall no longer have voting privileges. A member club which loses its’ qualification for failure to pay dues or hold a show, as provided herein, shall not be re-instated or become a member club again except upon East Alabama Horseman’s Association approval.
2.

2. A member club that misses three consecutive meetings of the East Alabama Horseman’s Association shall be suspended and may only be re-instated by the Board of Directors, if the board desires such action, after a request for re-instatement by said suspended club.
3.

3. Each club sponsoring a show recognized by the East Alabama Horseman’s Association shall pay an annual fee of $25.00 per show. All fees shall be paid in advance. All fees are due and shall be paid on or before January 31 of each year. If the fee is not paid on or before the February EAHA meeting, the show date(s) will be declared open.
4.

In addition to providing workers for EAHA horse shows, each club will be required to furnish two workers for all EAHA events, to include but not be limited to, decorating and clean up for the EAHA Awards Banquet. A penalty of $50.00 per event will be assessed to each club that fails to furnish the two workers required. ($25.00 if one worker shows up) This rule applies to all events sponsored by EAHA.

5. A new club may apply for membership with East Alabama Horseman’s Association by written letter of Recommendation from an East Alabama Horseman Association club in good standing. New clubs shall be admitted by majority vote
II
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1.

Each member club in the Association will designate a person from their club to represent them in the Association as a Director. These Directors will comprise the East Alabama Horseman’s Association Board of Directors.
2.

The Board of Directors will elect a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, point’s keeper, youth director and state representative. Election of officers will be the second Sunday of October of each year. These officers shall serve for the term of one year. They may be re-elected by the directors.
3.

3. When a Director cannot attend a meeting, the Director may send a letter designating another person as his/her representative. This designated person must be a member of said Director’s club.
III
ASSOCIATION BUSINESS
1.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall prevail at the Board of Director’s meetings.
2. All business shall be at the will of the Board of Directors. Two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors shall constitute a quorum.
3. At all meetings held by the East Alabama Horseman’s Association, anyone present may speak, but when the presiding officer calls for a vote, the Youth Fund Director and each member club will be allowed one vote only. Each club shall certify a representative to cast their vote.
4. The president shall be entitled to one vote in case of a tie only.
5. Additional rules may be added by the Board of Directors, which will become effective the following season. Each club shall be notified of the Board of Directors’ action.
6. An individual club director is entitled to only one vote.

IV
SHOWS
1. The association, with the aid of it’s’ members, will publish a show schedule with show dates of all member clubs in good standing.
2. Rules governing all club shows will follow the rules of AQHA and AOHA as closely as possible.
3. Show dates shall be set at an annual meeting by the Board of Directors on the second Sunday in October after the election of Officers. Beginning with the 2003 show season, each member club will be entitled to hold no more than four (4) shows per season.
4. Each member club in good standing shall be entitled to the date or dates held the previous year. Old clubs shall be entitled to the same date or dates, starting with seniority. Then a round robin, for left over show dates for anytime before April 1st through show season and after state show. New clubs shall have first choice in a round robin of open show dates.
5. During each season, the Association shall sponsor at least two (2) shows that will be called the East Alabama Horseman’s Association Horse Show. The Board of Directors will select the time and place for these shows.
6. One person will be picked to be manager of the East Alabama Horseman’s Association Show. A committee consisting of the director from each club will assist the manager. Each club will be required to furnish two workers for all EAHA shows.
7. Profits from the East Alabama Horseman’s Association Show will go into the treasury of the Association.
8. This Association will recommend East Alabama Horseman’s Association shows only. A member club may not have a horse show on the same date as another club with a sanctioned date within East Alabama.
9. Each member club shall be responsible entirely for its own show, its’ operation, its’ authority and shall assume its’ responsibility in full.
10. Each member club shall hold all mandatory classes that are adopted in February of each year. No changes in mandatory classes will be made after the February meeting.
11. Five horses constitute a class. No club shall be compelled to hold a class for less than five participants except state and mandatory classes.
12. There will be no free entries for anyone at any East Alabama Horseman’s Association Fund Raiser.
13. Horses 54” and under shown in a Pony Class cannot be shown in a Horse Class. (EXCEPT SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER AND TIMED EVENTS). No stallion shall be shown in a pony class. Spotters may be allowed in the arena during a pony class at the option of show management. Spotters are to be alert for safety concerns of the children only and shall provide such assistance as necessary to safeguard the children. A spotter shall not help any child exhibit his/her pony.
14. No adults shall be allowed with a child in pony classes.
15. No stallion shall be shown in a 17 and under class nor shall any stallion be handled by anyone 17 years of age and under.
16. Only one horse/rider combination per class may qualify for the Alabama Open Horseman’s Association State Show.
17. Two Year Old Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure Class – Horse is to be shown with a snaffle or bosal. No two-year-old horse shall be required to lope in the Two Year Old Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure class before July 1st. A two-year-old horse may be shown in other pleasure classes, at the discretion of the Exhibitor. If an Exhibitor chooses to show a two-year-old horse in any other class that requires a horse to lope, the two-year-old horse will be required to lope. The two-year-old horse must take all gaits called for by the judge.

18. Horses six (6) years old and older must be shown in a curb bit. Horses five (5) years old and younger are to be shown with a curb bit, bosal or snaffle bit.
19. Western Halter Classes – AOHA rule regarding the use of a lead chain shall control.
20. Timed Events – Horse may start to the right or left of the barrel or pole.
21. All clubs/show managers shall use the same registration cards and points sheets in the form provided to each member club. If the correct forms are not used the club/show manager will be fined $50.00.
22. Unpaid tabs must be paid within seven days of the show to receive points earned during that show. Returned checks and all appropriate fees must be paid within seven (7) days of receipt of notice from the EAHA treasurer or the saddle club show manager that the check was returned. Until the tab or returned check is paid, the Exhibitor will not be allowed to participate for points in future shows including the AOHA Show.

Although these rules provide that the Exhibitor shall not be allowed to participate for points in future shows. EAHA recognizes recognizes that delays occur which may allow an Exhibitor to continue to show. If the Exhibitor pays the unpaid tab or returned check as provided herein, there shall be no forfeiture of any points earned. However, if the Exhibitor fails to pay the unpaid tab or returned check as herein provided there shall be forfeiture of all points earned at the show with the unpaid tab or returned check an all subsequent shows. As soon as the unpaid item has been paid, the Exhibitor shall again be entitled to earn points. No points forfeited for failure to comply with this rule shall be reinstated.

It shall be the responsibility of the EAHA Treasurer or the Saddle club show manager to notify each saddle club and the points keeper that an Exhibitor has failed to pay his/her tab or returned check.
23. Western Pleasure Classes – Horses must work both ways of the ring at all three gaits to demonstrate their ability with different leads. At the option of the judge, horses may be asked to extend the walk or lope, one or both ways of the ring. It is mandatory that a moderate extension of the jog be asked for in at least one direction with the exception of the youth 12 and under classes. However, the extension of the jog remains optional in the youth 12 and under classes. An extended jog is definite two beat lengthening of the stride and covering more ground. Cadenced and balanced with smoothness is more essential than speed. Lope with forward motion is the only gait recognized as a lope. Riders should sit at the extended jog. Passing is permissible and should not be penalized as long as the horse maintains a proper and even cadence and rhythm.
24. East Alabama Horseman Association will appoint five Youth Club Board Members annually.
V
POINTS
1. Each club shall keep a record of all points scored in their show and shall forward two copies of the same to the Association Point’s Keeper. The point’s keeper shall then forward one copy to the AOHA secretary within seven (7) days of the show date. (If the club’s show is one week in advance of the state show, points shall be reported within five (5) days)
2. Points will begin to count at the time a person joins a club that is a member of East Alabama Horseman’s Association.
3. Points will be kept on HORSE and EXHIBITOR for all mandatory classes except Costume Leadline. Points for over-all highpoint will be on the EXHIBITOR.
4. Points will be scored as follows:
  a. Points shall be awarded to all horses placing 1st through 5th.
  b. When a horse places, 1 point is awarded for placing and 1 point
is awarded for each horse beaten for a maximum of 10 points.
   

 

EXAMPLE:

If there are a total of 4 entries, points will be listed as follows:

1st Place 4 Points
2nd Place 3 Points
3rd Place 2 Points
4th Place 1 Point

No matter how many horses there are in a class, the maximum number of points to be awarded is 10.

EXAMPLE:

19 entries - 1st Place 10 Points; 2nd Place 9 Points; 3rd Place 8 Points; 4th Place 7 Points; 5th Place 6 Points

5. The number of points an Exhibitor has shall be kept confidential by the Points Keeper however, the number of classes shown shall be available to the Exhibitor.
VI
EXHIBITORS
1. An individual may qualify as a Beginner (1st or 2nd Year Rider) if he or she has not ridden a horse in a pleasure type of class for more than two years. The Exhibitor shall be qualified as a beginner rider for no more than two show seasons. If the Exhibitor enters a horse in one pleasure type event, the Exhibitor will be deemed to have shown for a year although he/she may not ride in any other shows. An Exhibitor may thus be disqualified from riding as a Beginner Rider although he/she may not have ridden in more than two classes. I.e. the Exhibitor shows in one pleasure type event in 2000 and shows in one pleasure type event in 2001, the Exhibitor cannot show as a Beginner (1st and 2nd Year) Rider in 2002 or any subsequent year. Exhibiting a pony in a pleasure type event or exhibiting in timed events shall not be considered when determining an Exhibitor’s eligibility as a Beginner Rider. This disqualification shall not be limited to shows sanctioned by EAHA but will also include the exhibition of a horse, in any other group or association, whether open or registered.
2. Each participant must be a member of a club that is a member of the East Alabama Horseman’s Association in order for points and shows to count toward year-end EAHA awards and /or qualifying for AOHA State Show.
3. Each participant must show a minimum of eight (8) times per class for an end-of-year award for mandatory classes. Each participant must show a minimum of eight (8) times per class to qualify for the Alabama Open Horseman Association State Show.
4. Each Exhibitor shall display exhibitor numbers. The number may be displayed on the Exhibitor’s back or on the Exhibitor’s saddle pad. If the number is displayed on the saddle pad, one number must be displayed on each side of the horse and each number must be identical. An exhibitor that does not display an exhibitor number as required herein shall be disqualified and no points shall be awarded to the exhibitor for class placings. Show management shall be responsible for the enforcement of this rule and no exceptions shall be made by the management.
5. Exhibitor numbers may be obtained from show management. Numbers shall be issued on a first come, first served basis. An Exhibitor may provide his/her own number. An exhibitor providing his/her own number shall verify with show management that the number has not been issued for the show date. If the number has already been issued for the show date, the Exhibitor must obtain another number. All numbers sold and/or provided by the EAHA Youth Fund shall have precedence over all numbers issued, assigned and/or provided to or by the Exhibitor.

VII
JUDGES
1. No EAHA member can judge an EAHA show. No club member can judge his or her own club’s show.
2. No one may judge more than one show per season without the approval of the EAHA Directors.
VIII
GENERAL
1. All clubs shall encourage classes for youth participants.
2. No substitute – hardship clause.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALABAMA LAW, PROOF OF NEGATIVE COGGINS IS REQUIRED