Forms
Click on the links below to download the forms in PDF format.
AQHA Equestrians with Disabilities Competition Special Diagnosis Form AQHA Equestrians with Disabilities Competition Special Adaptive Equipment Form
Competition
AQHA and AQHYA members have a type of competition that offers people with certain mental and physical challenges the thrill of showing an American Quarter Horse. It provides an arena for everyone to enjoy the rewards of hard work, determination and perseverance. This program allows you to show in six classes and earn points for year-end, high-point awards, along with the satisfaction of a job well done.
The six classes are showmanship at halter, walk and trot hunt seat equitation on the flat, walk trot and canter hunt seat equitation, walk and jog western horsemanship, walk jog and lope western horsemanship and walk and jog trail horse. Each entry must have a handler to help with the safety of the rider. Judging criteria consists of rider's balance, rider's seat, use of aids, ability to follow directions, ring etiquette, safety and sportsmanlike conduct.
The Equestrians with Disabilities competition is the result of several years of letters, calls, meetings and task forces to develop a program to meet the needs of competitors. Representatives from the North American Riding for the handicapped Association (NARHA), Special Olympics and therapeutic riding centers, along with several individuals, provided input and guidance to create the classes, rules and guidelines. This competition is just like any other AQHA show event, with exhibitors earning awards and recognition, all while enjoying their American Quarter Horse.
General Rules
• Each exhibitor must have a current individual membership in American Quarter Horse Association or American Quarter Horse Youth Association.
• These classes are open to walk and trot riders only. Rider is not allowed to have been judged in a class at a recognized or non-recognized show that requires a lope or canter in which a rider performed the lope or canter. Academy classes are considered non-recognized shows. Riders that choose to ride the walk, trot/jog, canter/lope classes are no longer eligible for EWD wal, trot/jog classes.
• Riders or their families do not have to own the horse. However, only horses registered with AQHA as specified in Rules 200 and 406 of the Handbook are eligible to compete in approved shows. The exhibitor must present the registration certificate or photocopy as required by show management. Only geldings or mares may be shown - stallions are not allowed.
• An exhibitor cannot show more than one horse in the same class and a horse cannot be shown by more than one exhibitor in Walk & Trot Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat or Walk & Jog Western Horsemanship. A horse may e shown more than once n Walk & jog Trail or Showmanship at Halter with a maximum of three (3) exhibitors in the same class.
• Participation in these approved events requires an Equestrian Proficiency card from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, or a special adaptive equipment and riding ability form, available from AQHA, which must be completed by a NARHA certified instructor, certified Special Olympic coach or certified therapeutic riding instructor, indicating the adaptive equipment is required for the participant.
• Eligible conditions include: amputation, anthrogryposis, Asperger’s syndrome, autism, Batten’s disease, cebvrovascular accident (stroke), cerebella ataxia, cerebral palsy, Coffin Lowry syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, dwarfism, fragile X syndrome, Freidrick’s ataxia, Guillan Barre syndrome, hearing impairment, Hunter’s syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, mental retardation, microcephaly, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post polio syndrome, Prader Willie syndrome, Rhett syndrome, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, Touretts syndrome, traumatic brain injury, trisomy abnormalities and visual impairments.
• Handlers are required for all classes with one handler per entry in the ring to facilitate the safety of the rider. The handler must be sixteen years of age or older. A halter must be on the horse either over or under the bridle for use by the handler if needed. The handler must have a suitable lead line in hand in case of need. The lead line may not be fastened to the bit. Handlers shall stand quietly as a group in a designated area of the ring unless their assistance is required and requested by the judge or ring steward.
Tack, Equipment and Attire>/strong>
• Equipment should conform to the needs of the competitor and be suitable for the horse.
• Special adaptive equipment may be used where appropriate. Acceptable adaptive equipment includes: audio communications, bareback pads, boot adaptations, dowel reins, hand holds (flexible and/or rigid), helmets, laces to tie stirrups or leathers to girth or cinch, ladder reins, loop reins, rein handles, rein handle tethers, rubber bands, saddle blocks, wedges, cushions, safety stirrups, seat savers, surcingles, whips (one or two). Other equipment will be considered upon request.
• English classes - riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened ASTM® approved protective helmet with harness. No equipment is allowed that would in any way affix the rider to the horse or saddle with the exception of light rubber bands. Safety stirrups (Peacock, S-shaped irons or Devonshire) are required if rider is unable to wear boots with a heel. Peacock irons are recommended in all cases. Proper English attire is required as set forth in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.
• Western classes - riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened ASTM® approved protective helmet with harness. A Western hat may be affixed over the helmet. No equipment is allowed that would in any way affix the rider to the horse or saddle with the exception of light rubber bands. Safety stirrups (covered or other approved safety stirrups) are required if rider is unable to wear boots with a heel. Proper Western attire is required as set forth in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.
Walk and Trot Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat
This English class is designed for exhibitors to work in groups of eight or less. Riders compete on the rail at a walk and trot both ways of the ring, line up and complete an individual workout. Riders will remain in the ring throughout the individual workouts. Horses will be shown at three gaits - walk, trot and extended trot. The judge will ask rider/horse to walk from line up to first marker, then trot serpentine around markers. From the last serpentine marker, they will be asked to extend the trot down the rail to a marker on the wall, stop then walk back and line up. Judges are not permitted to alter the mandatory workout in any manner.
Markers and Handlers
Markers must be used and may be numbered. Handlers must stand with their riders in the lineup. Handler may only help at judge’s or ring steward’s direction. People must not be used as markers no matter if they are safety standby spotters. A competitor with a hearing impairment may have an assistant who communicates via sign language or cue cards to the competitor so they may understand the judge’s directives. This assistant will be outside of the ring and their position must be known to the judge and ring steward.
Scoring
Exhibitors are to be scored from 0-20 in 1/2 point increments. Ten points should be allocated toward overall appearance of exhibitor and the horse, and 10 points allocated toward performance of the pattern.
Walk and Trot Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat Pattern
• Walk from line up to first marker• Trot serpentine around markers• From last serpentine marker extend the trot down the rail to marker• Stop• Walk back and lineup
Walk, Trot and Catner Hunt Seat Equitation on the FlatThis English class is designed for exhibitors to work in groups of ten or less. Riders will compete on the rail at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring, line up and complete an individual workout. Riders will remain in the ring throughout the individual workouts. Horses will be shown at three gates - walk, trot and canter. Walk forward from lineup to being at marker one (A). Walk to marker two (B). Stop. Turn 90 degrees left. Canter right lead to marker three (C). Drop to posting trot right diagonal to marker four (D). At (D), canter left lead to (C). At (C), drop to a sitting trot. Trot past (B). Stop. Turn 270 degrees to the left on the haunches. Extend trot to (D), left diagonal. Stop. Back four steps. Walk and return along rail to place in lineup. Judges are not permitted to alter the mandatory workout in any manner.
Walk and Jog Western Horsemanship
All exhibitors must work in groups of eight or less. Riders compete on the rail at a walk and jog both ways of the ring, line up and complete an individual workout. Riders will remain in the ring throughout the individual workouts. Horses will be shown at two gaits - walk and jog. Exhibitors will be asked to walk from place in line around first marker to second marker, then take up a jog and continue around third marker back to second marker. Finally, riders will be asked to stop and back four steps, then walk back and line up. Judges are not permitted to alter the mandatory workout in any manner.
Walk and Jog Western Horsemanship Pattern
• Walk from line up and around first marker to second marker• Take up the jog and continue around third marker back to second marker• Stop• Back four steps• Walk back and lineup
Walk, Jog and Lope Western Horsemanship
All exhibitors must work as a group of ten or less. Riders will compete on the rail at a walk, jog and lope both ways of the ring, line up and complete an individual workout. riders will remain in the ring throughout the individual workouts. Horses will be shown a three gaits - walk, jog and lope. Walk forward from lineup to begin at marker one (A). Walk to marker two (B). Lope right lead to marker three (C) and circle right at marker three (C). Continue loping past marker four (D). Stop. Side pass left. Back three (3) steps. Turn 180 degrees to left on hindquarters. Lope left lead to marker one (A). Drop to jog around marker one (A) to marker four (D). Drop to a walk. Return along rail to place in lineup. Judges are not permitted to alter the mandatory workout in any manner.
Walk and Jog Trail Horse Class
Exhibitors may ride in English or Western attire but must be one way or the other. This class will be judged on the performance of the horse and rider while maneuvering five obstacles. Riders are to work individually. There will be no rail work. Judges will assign a point value to each obstacle and points will be added to or subtracted from this score, based on the horse and rider’s performance over that obstacle. An obstacle missed, refused, or taken out of order will result in a score of zero for that obstacle but will not disqualify entry.
Markers must be used and may be numbered. Handlers must stand with their rider in the lineup. Handler may only help at judge's or ring steward's direction. People must not be used as markers no matter if they are safety standby spotters. A competitor with a hearing imparment may have an assistant who communicates via sign language or cue cards to the cometitor so they may understand the judge's directives. This assistant will be outside of the ring and their position must be known to the judge and ring steward.
Course
Safety of riders is the first consideration in setting up the course. The course should be attractive with readily recognized obstacles. Sufficient space should be allowed between obstacles. One of the following two patterns is mandatory and should be posted at least one hour ahead of class time.
Walk and Jog Trail Horse Pattern 1
• Enter arena and walk through open gate• Walk over three poles on the ground• Walk to marker one (this can be a cone or labeled marker), pick up a jog and jog to marker two. Stop and back up two steps• Walk to a barrel, circle it to the right and continue walking• Walk through chute and exit arena. The chute can be made up of poles, cones, sawhorses, road barricades or similar objects placed in two parallel line through which the exhibitor walks
Walk and Jog Trail Horse Pattern 2
• Enter arena and walk through open gate• Walk a serpentine around four barrels in a line• Jog a semicircle from one cone or marker to second cone or marker• Stop and back up two steps• Walk into and out of box made up of four logs set in a square
Showmanship at Halter
Class can be shown English or Western attire but must be one way or the other. Appropriate show halter with lead to be used. The use of a chain is permitted but discouraged. No bridles and/or bits to be used. All exhibitors must work as a group (or in groups) of ten or less. Exhibitors will enter the ring to the right one by one and line up at the Judge’s or Ring Steward’s direction. Each exhibitor will execute either pattern #1 or #2 as posted by the Judge at least one hour before the class. Judges are not permitted to alter the patterns in any manner and they may not ask for other work from an exhibitor. The Judge may ask the exhibitors to repeat any or the entire pattern. Exhibitors will remain in the ring throughout the class. No exhibitor will be disqualified except for safety reasons at the Judges discretion. Exhibitors going off pattern will be penalized.
Handlers
Handlers are to be on the rail directly behind their respective exhibitor's horse. After the class has been judged the judges' card turned in, the handlers should join their exhibitor in the line and are allowed to snap onto the exhibitors's horse to received their awards and retire from the ring. A competitor with a hearing impairment may have an assistant who communicates via sign language or cue cards to the competitor so they may understand the judge’s directives. This assistant will be outside of the ring and their position must be known to the judge and ring steward.Show Approval (bold)
Awards
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