Rules and Regulations

Traverse City Schooling Shows 

 Dressage and Western Rules and Regulations 2024 

Facility:  

● Riders should aim to show their horses according to USDF standards.

● Each horse must have an up to date negative Coggins and must be presented prior to unloading.

● Tests may be ridden in a small or standard (large) dressage ring.

● Tests may be called by a person standing at E or B.

● In case of the weather, horse shows schedules may be altered, or exhibitors may be expected to show in the rain/wind/etc. 

● Lunging area may be available, check with show manager, only lunge in designated area 

● No dogs or smoking allowed

● Stalls must be stripped prior to departure failure to do so will result in a $150 fine.

● Camping spots can be reserved through the Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds.

Entries:  

● Dressage Show registrations must be received at least ONE WEEK before the show date. You may register through the website. 

● Late entries are only accepted at the show managers discretion and there will be a $20 late fee. 

● Cancellations after the closing date are not refundable.  

● Stalls are limited and non-refundable, stall reservations can be made through the website.

Rules:

● A horse may only be ridden in two consecutive levels, even if there are multiple riders.

○ Allowed example: Intro A and Training test 3 

○ Not allowed example: Training test 3 and 2nd level test 1 

● Each horse and rider combination must have a number when entering the ring

● At the judges or show managers discretion, riders may be excused from the ring for safety concerns, mis-use of the whip or spurs, and unsafe riding.

Horses:  

● Horses must have a negative Coggins test within the year to date.  

● Horses are required to wear United States Dressage Federation (USDF) approved equipment for USDF tests. 

● Horses may wear protective leg gear (Please note this is contrary to USDF horse shows where leg protection is not allowed in the show ring).  

● Horses may not be entered in more than six classes (leadline class does not count).

● The horse’s soundness will be taken into consideration

Riders:  

● All riders must wear ASTM/SEI approved helmets at all times while mounted, anywhere on the show grounds

● Riders under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult while at the horse show.  

● Riders are recommended to wear USDF regulated show attire, but it is not required. 

Awards:  

● Each show will award 1st – 6 th place ribbons for each class as well as Champion and Reserve ribbons for each level.  

● For each test, horse and rider combinations will earn points as follows:

○ !st place 7 points

○ 2nd place 5 points

○ 3rd place 4 points

○ 4th  place 3 points

○ 5th place 2 points

○ 6th place 1 point

○ All ties will be broken by the collective marks.  

● The two horse and rider combinations who earn the most points at the show in a level will earn Championship and Reserve Champion. Ties will be determined at the judge's descretion. Judge's decision is final.   

● Judge’s decisions are final. 

Year End Points and Awards: 

● Awards will be calculated using the placing points from all horse shows

● Awards will be earned for horse and rider combinations 

○ If the rider rides different horses, scores will be accrued separately 

● Year-end awards will be awarded for Intro, Training Level, First Level, Second Level, Western Dressage Training Level and Western Dressage First Level; Champion-4th place. 

Jumping Rules/Specifications 2024

Facilitiy:

● The jumping classes are hunter and equitation classes, riders should aim to show their horses according to USEF standards

● Each horse must have an up to date negative Coggins and must be presented before unloading.

● In case of the weather, horse shows schedules may be altered, or exhibitors may be expected to show in the rain/wind/etc. 

● Lunging area is available, must be done 8am, only lunge in designated area 

● No dogs or smoking allowed 

● Stalls must be stripped prior to departure failure to do so will result in a $150 fine.

● All trash and manure must be placed in the proper receptacles.

● Camping spots can be reserved through the horse show manager.

Entries:

● Pre-registration is a must! You may register through the website. A full refund will be given with a 48 hour notice of cancellation.

● “Adds” will be accepted until 9am the morning of the horse show. “Scratches” will be accepted all day. 

● Stalls are limited and non-refundable, you may reserve a stall through the website.

Rules:

● In each course, a rider may have two refusals. After the third refusal the rider will be excused.

● At the judges or show managers discretion, riders may be excused from the ring for safety concerns, including extreme speed, mis-use of the crop or spurs, and unsafe riding. 

● Each horse and rider combination must have a number when entering the ring. An unjudged ride must have their back number flipped.

Horses:

● Horses must have a negative Coggins test within the year to date.  

● Horses may only show in a maximum of 9 classes (not counting leadline or warm up). For example, two divisions and a warm-up. 

● Horses are required to wear United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) approved equipment.

○ Martingales are not allowed in any under saddle classes. 

○ Standing martingales are the only type allowed over fences. 

○ Splint boots, polo wraps, etc. are only allowed in Equitation or Medal classes.

○ Bits/Bridles: Snaffles, pelhams and full bridles, all with cavesson nose bands, are required.

○ Judges may penalize, but not eliminate, a horse or pony that competes in a bit or bridle that is unconventional including but not limited to, hunter gags, kimberwickes, etc. 

○ Judges may eliminate a horse or pony that competes in an illegal bit or bridle, including but not limited to, two rings, three rings, gags etc. Illegal nosebands include, but are not limited to, drop, flash, and figure eight nosebands.

● The horse’s soundness will be taken into consideration on the judge's discretion a horse and rider may be excused and/or eliminated. 

Riders:

● All riders must wear ASTM/SEI approved helmets at all times while mounted, anywhere on the show grounds

● Riders under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult while at the horse show.  

● Each rider/horse combination may only enter two consecutive divisions in over fences classes, but are allowed in other under saddle/flat classes.

● Rider/horse combinations entered in the Walk/Trot may ride in W/T/C

● Riders are recommended to wear USEF regulated show attire, but it is not required. 

● Future Olympians, Short Stirrup, Low Children’s, Pre-Children’s Divisions are open to all riders 17 years and under who have not reached their 18th birthday as of Decmeber 1st of 2023.

● Open Hunter Divisions are open to all riders 18 years and over. Professionals may not compete in Equitation Classes. They may ride in them unjudged. 

Awards:

● Each show will award 1st – 6 th place ribbons for each class as well as Champion and Reserve ribbons for each division. Note: Equitation is not a separate division at TCSS.

● For each class, horse and rider combinations will earn points as follows:

○ 1st place 7 points

○ 2nd place 5 points

○ 3rd place 4 points

○ 4th  place 3 points

○ 5th place 2 points

○ 6th place 1 point 

● The two horse and rider combinations who earn the most points at the show in a division will earn Champion and Reserve Champion. Ties will be broken by granting champion to the highest placing over fences class rider. 

● Judge’s decisions are final. 

Year-end Points and Awards: 

● Awards will be calculated using the placing points from all horse shows.

● Awards will be earned for horse and rider combinations 

○ If the rider rides different horses, scores will be accrued separately.

● Award ceremony date to be determined.

Class Specifications:

● Divisions are based on height and age of the riders. The show manager reserves the right to combine the age classes of a certain height if there aren’t enough entries to fill a class. Please be safe and fair to yourself and others when choosing your Division. 

● Jump courses will be posted.

● Division Specifications:

○ Future Olympians: open to riders 17 years and under.

○ Rusty Stirrups: open to riders 18 years and over.

○ Short Stirrup: open to horse/rider combination who have not shown over 2’3” at any competition

○ Low Children’s: open to horse/rider combination who have not shown over 3’ at any competition.

○ Pre-Children’s: is open to rider/horse combinations who have not shown 3’6” or higher at any competition

○ All Open: open to any horse/rider combination of all ages. Professionals may be asked to go unjudged.

○ Same height divisions will run simultaneously and will be judged on separate cards.

● Class #8 (warm-up): Open card in all divisions and is unjudged. 

○ Rider/Horse combination may only enter the class one time.

○ Entries in Class #8 must complete the class before any other jumping classes.