Class Descriptions
Obstacles
Open, Novice, & Youth
Obstacles consists of a course of 7-15 obstacles of varying difficulty in a predetermined order. They may include but are not limited to ground poles, weave cones, step overs, logs, tarps, bridges, gates, mailboxes, upward and downward transitions, pivots, and sidepasses. Participants will be scored on completion of the obstacles, correctness, and their animal’s willingness.
Jute Twine Challenge
Open
An obstacle course consisting of 7-15 obstacles, which may include ground poles, figure 8s, 90 degree turns, backing, circles, weave cones, step overs, upward and downward transitions between a walk, trot, and halt. Lead ropes are to be attached to the halter using a single loop of jute twine. If the twine is broken the round ends. Participants will be judged on the completion of the obstacles/course, correctness, and the animal’s willingness. If no teams complete the course the winner is the team who completed the most obstacles. If two or more teams complete the course the judge’s score decides the winner.
Costume
Open
Animals may be shown ridden or in-hand. All riders must wear an ASTM certified helmet and boots or shoes with a heel if stirrups are used. Riders may not put their feet in stirrup leathers. Riders under the age of 8 must have an adult present in the arena. Riders deemed too large for their mount by the judge will be asked to dismount and show in-hand. If shown in a bit, only snaffle bits and shanked bits with a low port, mullen mouth, or snaffle mouth may be used. Chain bits, twisted wire bits, spade bits, gag bits, or elevator bits are not permitted. Costumes may not obstruct the vision of the handler or animal. Costumes may not obstruct the legs or feet of the handler or animal. The class will consist of one or more laps around the arena at a walk only.
Conformation
Open
Animals are scored on conformation and way of going at a walk and trot.
Best In Vet In
Open
Animals are scored on their behavior while submitting to an array of activities they may encounter during a veterinary exam, possibly including, but not limited to: listening to heart, lung, and gut sounds with a stethoscope, lower limb palpation, oral exam and capillary refill, applying a bandage, dummy injections, etc.
Jackpacking
Open, Novice/Youth
An all new event created by BRAY, Jackpacking is obstacles meets 4H meets back country hiking! For a full description and rule set click here.
Rules for Play Day Classes
Attire
Clean, presentable attire in good repair to maintain an overall tidy appearance is required to enter the ring. With the exception of costume and jackpacking, a handler may choose to show in English or western attire but the following requirements must be met:
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Footwear: close-toed boots or sturdy shoes are required. Paddock boots, cowboy boots, field boots, desert/chukka boots are examples of allowed footwear. Canvas sneakers, mesh-top athletic shoes, sandals/slides, rubber boots/wellies, and crocs are all examples of footwear which is not allowed in the show ring.
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Pants: exhibitors shall wear long pants which allow for freedom of movement. Jeans, jodhpurs/breeches (of a solid, neutral color), slacks, and western show pants are permitted.
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Shirts: exhibitors shirts may be long sleeved button/zip up with a collar, or polo, and must be tucked in. Vests are allowed if they are zipped or buttoned to ensure they do not flap.
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Hats and headwear: hats or headgear is not required, however if an exhibitor chooses to wear a hat, cowboy hats (felt or straw), helmets, derbies, top hats, and baseball caps may be worn. Hats must be clean and in good repair, baseball caps should be plain, with minimal accents so as not to distract from the animal being shown and maintain an overall tidy appearance.
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Gloves: properly fitting leather gloves or equestrian gloves, in neutral colors, may be worn. Gloves must be in good repair and maintain an overall tidy appearance.
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Hair, jewelry, and accessories: Exhibitors shall have hair styled in such a way that it does not interfere with the safe and effective handling of their animal. Those with long hair (below the collar) will have it tied back in braid(s), a ponytail, bun, hair net, or snood. Jewelry and accessories should be minimal so as not to cause a safety risk to the handler or distract from the animal. Charm bracelets, dangling earrings, or any other jewelry that can get easily caught on an animal or tack is discouraged.
In the event of inclement weather, attire rules may be lifted or amended, such as allowing jackets or rain coats.
Tack and Turn Out
Grooming:
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Clipping of whiskers and/or hair inside the ears is prohibited
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Animals are expected to be clean and brushed, noses and eyes clean and free of debris, with hooves picked, cleaned, and free of mud and manure before entering the arena
Tack
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Animals may be shown in a rope or strap halter made of leather, betathane, nylon, mohair or a combination of leather, betathane, mohair, and/or nylon.
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Rope halters may not have additional knots across the nose band.
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Halters should fit appropriately and be in good condition.
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Lead ropes may be nylon, cotton, or yacht rope. Strap or shank leads are not permitted. Lead ropes may be no longer than 15 feet in length.
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Stud/jack chains may be used under the animal’s chin. They should be of appropriate length for the animal. Points may be deducted for an ill-fitting chain.
Divisions
Open
Anyone can enter. Beginners, professionals, youth, and adult amateurs are welcome. Come one, come all, the class is open to everyone!
Novice
The handler has not won more than two first or second place awards in this class or a comparable class at any show, and/or the handler has not received payment of any sort (monetary or in-kind) for equine training within the past two years.
Youth
The handler is under the age of 14 on the day of the event and has not received payment for equine training in the past two years. Handlers under the age of 7 may have an adult present with them in the ring.