DeWinton Riding Club - General Club Rules

Rule 1:

All contestants competing in any club event must abide by the rules and regulations set down by the DeWinton Riding Club.  All members are expected to be familiar with the rules. Ignorance of the rules will not be accepted as an excuse.

Rule 2:

The Acting Arena Director or directors are responsible for ensuring that all rules are carried out.
That decision will be Final. Riders may be disqualified at the discretion of Arena Director for unacceptable actions.

Rule 3: In the interest of safety the only place a horse is allowed out of a walk is the warm-up area and main arena. Horses must be under control at all times.
Anyone who violates this rule may be SUSPENDED from the remainder of the gymkhana and the next gymkhana.

Rule 4:

No course language is permitted.

Rule 5: Contestants may be disqualified for the remainder of the gymkhana for:
           A)Abusing horses in any manner
           B)Personal Misconduct

Rule 6:

Competitive divisions are:
           Senior & *Senior Novice - 18 years and older
           Junior - 13-17 years of age
           Pee Wee- 9-12 years
           Tiny Mite- 8 years and under.
All ages are determined as of January 1 of the current year.

*Senior Novice: If a senior Novices time in three events, in their first or second gymkhana are comparable to the  times of the top six Seniors, that Senior Novice rider must move up to the Senior division for the next gymkhana. This decision will be made following the first or second gymkhana. The  rider will take their times forward to the senior division. A Senior Novice can remain in the division until they have an event  trophy two years in a row or the All  Around High Point once.

Rule 7:

Notwithstanding Rule 6, contestants compete in their respective division; they are allowed to move up if desired, but all previous points in the lower division will be forfeit. Once a  contestant has moved up they are no longer able to compete in the lower division.

Rule 8:

All humane equipment or riding bareback is allowed.
Competitors must wear PROPER BOOTS when using a saddle or bareback pads at all shows. No tying of feet into stirrups will be allowed.

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Rule 9:

Horses must enter & leave the arena at a walk.

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Rule 10:

Horses may be led into the arena but not to the starting line,  except in the Tiny Mite division.

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Rule 11:

A Tiny Mite may be assisted over the starting line and through the course by a responsible person.Rule

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Rule 12:

A contestant must compete in four of five gymkhanas in order to  qualify for trophies. Trophies  are awarded on total accumulated points.​

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Rule 13:

To qualify for the Jackpot Gymkhana riders must participate in a minimum of three regular season gymkhanas.

Rule 14:

All horses to be kept outside of the fenced in clubhouse area.

Rule 15:

The High Point Trophy in each gymkhana division is to be perpetual; therefore, they do not leave the club regardless of how many times they are won by an individual consecutively.

Rule 16:

Horse to be timed on the nose, both start and finish.
 

Rule 17:

Any horse stepping on or over the centerline will be disqualified.

Rule 18:

It is the arena directors discretion to ask riders to terminate their run due to excessive time or safety concerns.

Rule 19:

In the Tiny Mites division any number of riders can compete on the same horse but Pee Wee,  Junior, Senior, and Senior Novice only one rider per horse per division. No horse can compete against itself.  Points
are awarded to the rider not the horse.

Rule 20:

Points may only be accumulated on one horse per gymkhana. Any substitution of horses must be reported to the officials. Substitutions will be recorded as a second horse.

Rule 21:

Once a contestant is called to the arena they have two minutes to enter the arena on they may be disqualified.

Rule 22:

If two or more contestants tie for the buckle at the jackpot a run-off will be held in a random head to head event (keyhole, flags, poles or stakes) to be drawn by the Arena Director.

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Rule 23: Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.   

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Rule 24:

Only members are permitted to ride on club grounds.
No person without an active DeWinton Riding Club membership is allowed to be on horseback at any time within the club grounds. This includes friends and guests. No exceptions.  Spectators are always welcome!