General Rules
1. Youth exhibitor is exhibitor that has not obtained age of 18 by January 1st of current year.
a. Little Britches 7 years & Under
b. Youth 8-12 years of age
c. Youth 13-18 years of age
2. Adult exhibitor-anyone 19 years of age and above
3. A miniature horse is considered one year old on January 1st following date foaled (Ex. Foal born 5-1-02 would be considered a yearling on 1-1-03, even though the actual age of the horse is 8 months.)
4. Conduct designed to distract a horse or otherwise interfere with the showing of another exhibitor’s horse will no be tolerated by show management.
5. Baiting of horses no allowed.
Artificial Appliances
1. No artificial appliances are accepted (artificial manes, tails or spoon cruppers).
2. No ginger or other irritants may be used to obtain a higher tail set.
3. No horse having cosmetic surgery for purely cosmetic reasons will be allowed to show.
4. Ribbons, braids, or other decorative appurtenances are allowed in halter classes.
5. Shos horses are not allowed in miniature classes.
6. Appropriate leg protection gear is allowed in Hunter Jump classes.
Ring Procedure
1. Dress: Tradition for exhibitors to be properly attired for their classes.
a. Halter—Western attire defined as hat, boots, long sleeved shirt and/or jacket.
b. Showmanship—same as above, except gloves included.
c. Trail—western attire as defined in halter except for gloves; hat optional.
d. Hunter/Jumper—no shorts, open toed shoes, or cropped blouses/shirts allowed. May wear tennis shoes or similar wear.
e. Driving—where offered—dresses, suits or western attire.
2. Numbers
a. Exhibitor’s number must be displayed prominently on exhibitor’s back (or cart) at all times.
b. Proper number for each horse exhibited must be worn for points to count
Safety
1. For safety reason, an unruly horse may be excused from ring by judge or ring steward. An exhibitor may not protest this action.
2. All exhibitors are to put safety first.
3. Little britches exhibitors may have an adult in the arena with them, but adult is not to touch horse unless horse becomes unruly or youth exhibitors becomes upset and unable to show.
a. It will be judge’s discretion as to whether or not adult may actually help Little Britches exhibitor to compete.
b. Judge to determine if horse and exhibitor to compete or be excused.
4. Weanling stallions may be show by youth of any age in 2 & under competition only.
5. Yearling stallions may be show by youth exhibitor 12 years old and over in 2 & under Class only.
Measurement
1. All entries must have official measurement on file with show management.
2. Horses must be measured at first show where they are exhibited at beginning of each competition year.
3. Management to announce where measurement area will be at each show.
4. Horses in miniature horse competition are not to exceed 36” at base of mane hair.
5. Since breed objective is the smallest possible perfect horse, preference in judging shall be given to smallest horse, all other factors being equal. In no case shall a smaller horse be placed over a larger horse with better conformation.
Standard of Perfection
1. General impression: a small, sound, well balanced horse, which gives the impression of strength, agility and alertness. The disposition should be eager and friendly, not skittish.
2. Size: Miniature horses in open shows are not to exceed 36” in height at the base of the last hair on the mane.
3. Priority in judging shall be in this order:
a. soundness
b. balance and conformity to the standard of perfection
c. size
4. Head: in proportion to the body; neither excessively long or short. The eyes should be large, alert, and prominent with no discrimination in color. The ears, open toward the front and carried erect. The teeth should show no signs of parrot mouth or undershot jaw.
5. Neck: Strong and muscular, proportionate to body and type of horse represented.
6. Body: well muscled with good bone and substance, well sprung ribs, level topline, as nearly as possible of equal height in withers and rump, fore and hindquarters well angulated, so that the horse’s movement shows a smooth gait.
7. Legs: Straight, clean and sound.
8. Hooves: Round and compact, trimmed as short as practical for an unshod horse, and in good condition.
9. Color: Any color, eye color, and/or markings pattern is equally acceptable.
10. Throat latch: Clean and well defined, allowing ample flexation at the poll.
11. Shoulder: Long, sloping, and well angulated, allowing a free swinging stride and alert head/neck carriage. Well muscled forearm.
12. Hindquarters: Long, well muscled hip, thigh, and gaskin. Highest point of the croup to be the same height as withers. Tail set neither excessively high or low, but smoothly rounding off rump.
13. Disqualifications: Height to exceed 36”, dwarfism, blindness, unsoundness, and cryptotchidism in aged stallions.
14. Horse shall show with a full mane and tail (no full roach). Mane and tail length shall be left to decision of exhibitor.
Halter Division
1. Horses to be shown in halter at a walk and trot. Judge must ask for horse to walk past them and trot away. Judge must also ask for horse to make and L turn while trotting to enable him/her to view movement of horse from side.
2. It is preferred that the horse stand square to show it to its best advantage; however, one hind leg may be placed naturally a short space in front of the other. STRETCHED HORSES TO BE PENALIZED
3. Horses may be clipped or show in full coat.
4. Horses may be shown with or without polished hooves.
5. Horse must be serviceable sound, in good condition, and well groomed. Transmittable weakness and unsoundness to be penalized.
6. In breeding halter classes, COMBINED SEXES IN SAME CLASS IS FORBIDDEN.
7. No youth 12 years of age and under may show stallions except in weanlings and yearlings.
8. Any type of halter is permissible.
9. Horses shall show with full mane and tail—length of each left to decision of exhibitor.
10. Highlighting ears, mane, tail and muzzle are permitted.
11. Important for judge to realize that there are several types of miniature horses and each class may have representatives of each. The horses are to be judged as to the best horse of all types.
12. Halter mares and halter stallions: BITES WILL BE CHECKED FOR PARROT MOUTH, OVERSHOT OR UNDERSHOT BITES. Off bites to be severely penalized.
13. Classes may not enter ring until all awards from previous class are presented.
14. Exhibitor may position horse’s feet by hand.
15. No baiting.
Showmanship
1. Points are to be awarded as follows:
a. Appearance of handler (10 points—clothes, neat clean, western attire)
b. Appearance of horse (40 points—conformation NOT to be a factor)
*15 points—conditioning
*15 points—grooming of horse
*5 points—clipping/trimming
*5 points—tack
*showing horse in ring
c. Pattern to be used. Judge will discuss pattern with exhibitors prior to beginning class (50 points)
*15 points—leading. Enter leading horse at alert walk. Walk with animal on left side, holding lead in right hand near halter. The remaining part of lead shall be held neatly in right hand. Horse shall lead readily at a walk. Be sure judge has unobstructed view of horse’s action.
*15 points—posing. When posing, stand toward front (not directly in front of!!), but always in a position where the handler can keep their eye on the judge. Pose horse with feet squarely under him. Do most of showing with lead line. Never touch or kick horse’s feet into position. Do no crowd other handlers. Do no over show, be natural. Undue fussing and maneuvering are objectionable.
*20 points—Poise, alertness, and merits. Keep alert. Be aware of judge at all time. Recognize and correct faults of your horse. Respond quickly from request of judge or ring steward. Keep showing horse until class is dismissed. Judge may ask a handler questions at his/her discretion such as horse’s age, exhibitor number, parts of horse, etc.
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