Competition Rules
ASAW RULES OF COMPETITION
Please Read All Rules of Competition Carefully!
ASAW will follow Rules of the US Equestrian Federation for exhibiting and showing of horses and ponies except as otherwise stated in the ASAW Rule Book.
A. GENERAL COMPETITION RULES
1. Season Trophies - Season trophies are awarded only to ASAW members in good standing and member owned horses and ponies that have been nominated for ASAW Awards. Points earned by a contender prior to payment of membership dues and nomination fees will not be counted toward ASAW Season Trophy Awards. All dues and fees must be paid and received by the ASAW Secretary prior to showing for point credits by ASAW.
2. Nomination of Horses, Ponies and Equitation Riders for Season Trophies - To qualify for an ASAW award, horses and ponies must be owned and nominated by a member of ASAW. A Nomination Fee for each horse, pony and/or rider must be paid prior to showing for earned point credits toward ASAW Season Trophy Awards.
The stated name of the horse or pony being nominated must be the same as it appears on the horse’s or pony’s name change must be submitted in writing to the ASAW Secretary before points can be counted for Season Trophy Awards.
3. Change in Ownership and Transfer of Points - When a horse or pony is sold prior to the end of a season, earned points already credited by ASAW will remain with, and be awarded to, the previous owner unless or until a transfer of points is submitted to the Secretary. Points will be transferred to a new owner only upon receipt by the Secretary of a statement of consent, submitted in writing and signed by both the previous and new owners of the horse or pony.
No transfer of points earned prior to a horse’s or pony’s sale, or credit of points earned subsequent to a horse’s or pony’s sale will be made to any owner who is not, or does not become a member of ASAW. New owners are not required to re-nominate a horse or pony for credit of points earned after a sale if both parties consent to a transfer of points.
4. Age of Exhibitors - For purposes of ASAW competition rules, the age of exhibitor is determined on December 1 and remains throughout the following show season. Exhibitors born on December 1 will assume the greater age on that date.
5. Credit of ASAW Points from Rider Age Group Classes - Points earned will be credited as specified in the ASAW Trophy Class List regardless of age group division of classes at individual member shows. For example, a rider age 15, competing in classes for riders age 17 & Under will have all points credited toward ASAW’s 14 through 17 awards.
All 10 and under equitation rider nominations must declare whether rider is competing for pleasure equitation or saddleseat equitation points. Failure to declare will result in no points credited until a written declaration has been received by the ASAW Secretary.
6. Show Entry Misrepresentation - Misrepresentation of a horse’s or pony’s ownership name, eligibility for a class and/or division, or other information on a show entry form shall result in forfeiture of any ribbons, trophies, cash prizes or points earned. For example, the first class a horse or pony is shown at a show declares its division for that show and cross entry of that horse into another division is considered misrepresentation of its eligibility and will result in forfeiture of winnings from that cross-entered class. A horse or pony entered under an Owner Name other than what is recorded on the horse’s or pony’s registration papers is considered misrepresentation and will result in forfeiture of all points from that show.
7. Violation of ASAW Rules - Complaints regarding ASAW Rules violations must be submitted in writing to the ASAW Secretary for review by the Board not later than ten (10) days following the alleged infraction. Any reported and confirmed rules violations or acts of discourtesy or disobedience to judges and/or Member Show officials by a Member or Member Associate (i.e. trainer, rider, groom, etc.) shall result in forfeit of ASAW points and disqualification from ASAW Season Trophy competition at the discretion of the ASAW Board of Directors.
8. Canceled Shows - Members will be credited with all points earned from classes held at a show that is canceled any time during its scheduled show dates.
9. Loss, Damage, Injury - ASAW shall not, under any circumstances, be held responsible in any way for any loss, damage or injury that may occur in association with and/or the exhibition of horses and ponies.
B. ASAW “A” AND “B” MEMBER SHOW RULES
1. Reservation of Show Dates - ASAW will reserve each member Show’s previous show dates until February 1 of the current year. Show directors must notify ASAW before February 1 of intent to either retain or change previous year dates. Requests for changes in show dates will be considered with respect for dates previously reserved for other Member Shows.
2. Violation of Member Show Rules - Member Show complaints regarding Rules violations by ASAW Members must by submitted in writing to the ASAW Secretary for review by the Board not later than ten (10) days of the alleged infraction.
3. Loss, Damage, Injury - ASAW shall not, under any circumstances, be held responsible in any way for any loss, damage or injury that may occur at the show.
4. Association Membership - Every Member Show must have the words “ Member of American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin” printed in the front section of its prize list (or class list) and program.
5. Division of Classes - Classes may be split at the discretion of a Member Show’s management and points earned will be credited to all ASAW member participants.
6. Ribbons and Prizes - Member Shows must award at least five (5) ribbons in each class. Cash prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the show’s management. No cash prizes may be awarded in Equitation classes or any other classes where the rider only is judged.
C. ASAW RULES FOR “A” MEMBER SHOWS
1. “A” Show Fees - A fee of $150.00 must be paid for Member Show recognition by ASAW and its members.
2. “A” Show Dates - Two or more “A” Member Shows may be held on the same dates in a season providing they are situated at least 100 miles apart.
3. Show Results - “A” Member Shows must submit to ASAW a complete record of results within fourteen (14) days of the show’s closing day.
4. Required Classes - “A” Member Shows must include in their prize list the offering of at least twenty (20) ASAW “A” Trophy Award Classes for two day or longer shows.
5. ASAW Recommendations - It is suggested that: shows not schedule Ladies, Gentlemen and Junior Exhibitor classes from a division on the same day as the division’s Amateur classes, or age group Pleasure Horse classes on the same day as same age group Pleasure Equitation classes. Prize lists should note that special UPHA and USEF Equitation classes are open to both Saddle Seat and Pleasure Equitation riders. Trimmed Park Horse classes should be limited to riders age 17 & under.
6. ASAW Points - Points will be counted toward ASAW Awards only from Show Classes named the same as those listed as ASAW Award Classes. For example, no points are counted for Maiden or Novice horse and rider classes since ASAW does not offer awards for those classes. Additional classes not eligible for ASAW Points includes but is not limited to Prospect Horse, UPHA, ASHA Medal, Good Hands and Pleasure Medallion Equitation classes, Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure and Saddle & Bridle Hunt Seat Classic Classes.
D. ASAW RULES FOR “B” MEMBER SHOWS
1. “B” Show Fees - A fee of $25.00 must be paid for Member Show recognition by ASAW and its members.
2. Show Results - “B” Member Shows must submit to ASAW a complete record of results within fourteen (14) days of the show’s closing day.
3. Required Classes - “B” Member Shows must include in their prize list the offering of at least five (5) ASAW “B” Trophy Award Classes.
4. ASAW Recommendations - It is suggested that: ASAW Trophy Classes be listed as for American Saddlebred (ASB) horses; Saddle Seat, Hunt Seat and/or Western division classes should not be combined; Shows offer separate classes for ASB Show and Country Pleasure horses; Careful consideration be given to scheduling classes so that exhibitors and their horses do not have “back-to-back” classes without a reasonable rest period between events.
5. ASAW Points - Points will be counted toward ASAW Awards only from Show Classes named the same as those listed as ASAW Award Classes. For example, no points are counted for Maiden or Novice horse and rider classes since ASAW does not offer awards for those classes. Additional classes not eligible for ASAW points includes but is not limited to Prospect Horse, UPHA, ASHA Medal, Good Hands and Pleasure Medallion Equitation classes, Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure and Saddle & Bridle Hunt Seat Classic classes.
E. ASAW RULES FOR ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP
1. Academy Membership - A special individual Academy membership is eligible only to riders in an Academy program. The Academy nomination shall be included in the membership cost. Points will be counted from all Academy Equitation classes at “Open” Academy shows. ASAW Season High Point and Reserve Awards will be given to the riders accumulating the most over all points from any Academy Equitation class.
DIRECTORY/RULE BOOKS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE SECRETARY UPON REQUEST
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN
SCHOLARSHIP FUND, INC.
The American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin would like to recognize the members of the Association and American Saddlebred enthusiasts. Three scholarships will be awarded each year to promote involvement in ASAW and commitment to leadership, sportsmanship and community service.
Three scholarships will be awarded each year at the ASAW Summer Fun Horse Show. One of these scholarship will be the Melvin and Marion Meyer (founders of Lee-Mar Farm) Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $3,000 and will be awarded specifically to a graduating high school senior. The second scholarship, the ASAW Scholarship, will be in the amount of $3,000. The third scholarship is offered in the amount of $1,000. The scholarships will be paid to the educational institution of the winners’ choice in the first semester following the awarding of the scholarships.
Application
All scholarship application forms, transcripts of academic achievement and letters of recommendation must be mailed to Mary Markwiese, 2840 North 84th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53222. They must be postmarked on or before March 31 of the application year. Applications and letters postmarked after that date will not be eligible.
Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than May 15 of application year. Upon notification of the award, the student will provide to the Committee a confirmation of college acceptance. Scholarships will be paid in the name of the school upon enrollment for the following fall semester. Recipients must inform ASAW how the school wants this check made out. Applications will not be considered unless all items are submitted.
ASAW SEASON TROPHY AWARDS CLASS LIST AND POINT SYSTEM
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
A. POINT SYSTEM - Champion and Reserve Champion Season Trophies will be awarded as listed with points counted as follows:
FIRST PLACE 100 POINTS
SECOND PLACE 95 POINTS
THIRD PLACE 85 POINTS
FOURTH PLACE 70 POINTS
FIFTH PLACE 50 POINTS
Points are combined from qualifying, stake and championship classes unless otherwise specified. Award Classes will be divided as specified if there are ten (10) or more entries nominated for either subdivision of that class at the discretion of the Board.
B. POINTS REQUIRED - To qualify for an Achievement Award a contender must accumulate a minimum number of points for competition at ASAW Member Shows as follows:
160 Points - Trophy Classes where points are counted only from classes where no like named Championship classes are offered.
260 Points - Trophy Classes where points are counted from combined qualifying and like named Stake/Championship.
The two qualifying contenders accumulation the greatest and second greatest number of Achievement Points over the minimum required in each Trophy Class will be awarded the Champion and Reserve Champion Achievement Awards respectively.
C. “A” SHOW ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS CLASSES
FIVE-GAITED DIVISION
1. Open (260 Points)
2. Amateur (260 Points)
3. Ladies (160 Points)
4. Gentlemen - Amateur (160 Points)
5. Junior Exhibitor (260 Points)
6. Three Year Old (160 Points)
(Including UPHA Classics)
7. Junior Horse (160 Points)
8. Wisconsin Owned (160 Points)
THREE-GAITED DIVISION
9. Open (260 Points
10. Amateur (260 Points)
11. Ladies (160 Points)
12. Gentlemen - Amateur (160 Points)
13. Junior Exhibitor (260 Points)
14. Three Year Old (160 Points)
(Including UPHA Classics)
15. Junior Horse (160 Points)
16. Wisconsin Owned (160 Points)
PARK HORSE DIVISION - Horse shown in this division are ineligible to show in any other division at a same show except In-Hand and Equitation classes.
17. Park - Amateur (160 Points)
18. Park - Open (260 Points)
19. Park – Junior Exhibitor (260 Points)
20. Park Pleasure Horse (160 Points) - (Including UPHA Classics)
FINE HARNESS DIVISION
21. Open (260 Points)
22. Amateur (160 Points)
23. Junior (160 Points) - (All classes for horses 4 years and under including UPHA Classics)
EQUITATION DIVISION
23. Walk and Trot Only - Rider 10 & Under (160 Points)
24. S.S. - Rider 13 & Under (260 Points)
25. S.S. - Rider 14 - 17 (260 Points)
26. Pleasure - Rider 13 & Under (160 Points)
27. Pleasure - Rider 14 - 17 (260 Points)
28. Pleasure - Rider 18 & Over (160 Points)
SHOW PLEASURE DIVISION
31. Walk/Trot Rider 12 & Under (260 Points)
32. Rider 10 & Under (260 Points)
33. Rider 11 - 13 (260 Points)
34. Rider 14 - 17 (260 Points)
35. Rider 18 - 38 (260 Points)
36. Rider 39 & Over (260 Points)
37. Pleasure Driving (260 Points)
38. 5-Gaited Pleasure Adult Exhibitor (260 Points)
39. 5-Gaited Pleasure Junior Exhibitor (260 Points)
COUNTRY PLEASURE DIVISION
40. Rider 13 & Under (260 Points)
41. Rider 14 - 17 (260 Points)
42. Rider 18 - 38 (260 Points)
43. Rider 39 & Over (260 Points)
44. Pleasure Driving (260 Points)
45. 5-Gaited Pleasure (260 Points)
PLEASURE DIVISION/SHOW & COUNTRY COMBINED
46. Owner/Trainer/Rider (160 Points)
47. Western (260 Points)
48. Wisconsin Owned (160 Points)
49. Junior Horse (160 Points)
50. Junior Pleasure Driving (160 Points)
51. Hunt Seat (160 Points)
IN-HAND DIVISION
Points are counted from all In-Hand classes including Futurity classes.
52. Colt and Fillies - Age 2 years and under (160 Points)
53. Performance Horse - Five-Gaited, Three-Gaited, Fine Harness, Park Horse (160 Points)
54. Pleasure Horses (160 Points)
HACKNEY PONY DIVISION
55. Hackney / Hackney Harness - Combined (260 Points)
56. Roadster (260 Points)
57. Pleasure Pony (260 Points)
D. “B” SHOW ACHIEVEMENT AWARD CLASSES
1. ASB Show Pleasure (260 Points)
(a) Rider 13 & Under
(b) Rider 14 - 17
(c) Rider 18 - 38
(d) Rider 39 & Over
2. ASB Country Pleasure (260 Points)
(a) Rider 13 & Under
(b) Rider 14 - 17
(c) Rider 18 - 38
(d) Rider 39 & Over
3. ASB Junior Horse - Show & Country (160 Points)
4. ASB Owner/Trainer/Rider (160 Points)
(a) Show
(b) Country
5. ASB Five-Gaited Pleasure (260 Points)
(a) Show
(b) Country
6. Equitation
(a) Walk and Trot Only-Rider 13 & Under (160 Points)
(b) Rider 14 - 17 (260 Points)
(c) Rider 18 & Over (160 Points)
7. Hunter Seat Pleasure Horse - Amateur (160 Points)
8. ASB Pleasure Driving (160 Points)
(a) Show
(b) Country
9. ASB Western Pleasure (260 Points)
10. ASB Park Pleasure (160 Points)
(Park Pleasure Horses are ineligible to show in any other division at a same show except In-Hand and Equitation classes.)
11. In-Hand/Model (160 Points)
(Pleasure Horses must be shown by an Amateur)
E. ASAW ACADEMY SHOW EQUITATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
A Champion and Reserve Champion Trophy will be awarded to the Academy rider accumulating the most points in each of the following Academy Equitation and
Horsemanship divisions:
Walk, Trot and Canter Walk and Trot Only
Rider 18 and Over, Walk, Trot and Canter Rider 18 and Over, Walk and Trot
Rider 14 - 17, Walk, Trot and Canter Rider 11 - 17, Walk and Trot
Rider 11 - 13, Walk, Trot and Canter Rider 10 & Under, Walk and Trot Rider 10 & Under, Walk, Trot and Canter
F. ASAW “HIGH POINT” CHAMPION AWARDS
To be presented in recognition of ASAW Member and Member Horses accumulating the most “Achievement” award points in each of the following Divisions:
NOTE: In-Hand Points do not count toward High Point Trophies
“A” Show Division
“B” Show Division
G. ASAW “HORSE OF THE YEAR” CHAMPION AWARDS
To be presented in recognition of the quality and excellence of the American Saddlebred and those horses owned and exhibited by ASAW members. Points for these prestigious awards will be counted only from First and Second places won from “A” Show Division Classes. A minimum of 25 points is required to qualify for this award.
Points are counted as follows:
FIRST PLACE - 10 POINTS • SECOND PLACE - 5 POINTS
STAKE/CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST PLACE - 15 POINTS
STAKE/CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND PLACE - 10 POINTS
FIVE-GAITED DIVISION
THREE-GAITED DIVISION
FINE HARNESS DIVISION
PARK DIVISION
PARK PLEASURE DIVISION
SHOW PLEASURE DIVISION
Show Pleasure – Under Saddle
Show Pleasure - Driving
Show Pleasure - Five Gaited
COUNTRY PLEASURE DIVISION
Country Pleasure – Under Saddle
Country Pleasure - Driving
Country Pleasure - Five-Gaited
Western Pleasure
Huntseat
HACKNEY PONY DIVISION
H. STATE PLEASURE CHAMPION AWARDS
To be given by and under the criteria given by the American Saddlebred Horse Association through the accumulation of “A” Show Achievement Award class points.
I. “PEOPLE’S CHOICE” HORSE OF THE YEAR
Horses selected as recipients of this honor should embody the very best characteristics of The American Saddlebred breed and should exemplify to all, the very highest standards of The American Saddlebred.
The most important characteristics of an American Saddlebred are its beauty, its willingness to learn, and work, its impressive athletic ability and its personable temperament. While Saddlebreds are extremely alert and curious, they are highly intelligent, people oriented horses. Most Saddlebreds are said to possess that indescribable quality – personality, which endears them to their owners and admirers.
Longevity and stamina of The American Saddlebred horse are an underpinning of the breed. Horses that carry continued success in the show ring convey the essence of what is sought in our horse shows.
It is recommended that horses nominated for this honor demonstrate some, or all of the following criteria:
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The horse must be nominated for the award year; the award year is the same year as the year in which all points are accumulated for ASAW Season Trophy Awards.
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An ASAW nominated horse that has shown consistently at ASAW member horse shows.
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An ASAW nominated horse that has demonstrated consistent superiority by virtue of documented high placings at ASAW member horse shows
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An ASAW nominated horse that has repeatedly placed well at nationally recognized competitions.
Once a horse has won this award, the horse is no longer eligible in the future.
Nomination applications will be mailed or emailed to the voting membership. Members are asked to nominate their choice for “People’s Choice Horse of the Year”.
The application should include:
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Name of nominated horse
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Name of owner
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Brief statement as to why the horse should be considered the “People’s Choice Horse of the Year” based on the criteria stated above.
ASAW will only accept one nomination per voting membership. Each nomination must be in writing and mailed to the ASAW Special Awards Committee. A deadline date will be determined by the committee based on when the current awards banquet will be held and announced to the general membership.
The ASAW Special Awards Committee of the Board of Directors will review the nomination applications and determine which horses are to be presented on the official ballot based on the criteria stated above. The official ballot will be mailed to the voting membership of the awards year. Votes are limited to one vote per membership. Only those votes postmarked at least ten (10) days prior to the annual Awards Banquet will be counted. The People’s Choice Horse of the Year will be issued to the horse that receives the most votes. In the case of a tie, the winner will be chosen by a draw of chance.
REFERENCE NOTES
1. The official show season shall run from January 1 through December 31 of the calendar year.
2. Shows may combine or divide age group classes at their discretion.
3. Shows are encouraged to offer separate classes for ASB Show Pleasure and Country Pleasure horses. If separate classes are not offered, the words “Show” and “Country” should be eliminated from class descriptions. ASAW points will be counted from all ASB Pleasure classes open to, but not specified for, both Show and Country Pleasure horses.
4. In the situation of a combined class, it is up to the exhibitor to inform the ASAW point secretary as to which division to apply earned points.
NOTE: Regarding Show and Country Pleasure Horses, the USEF Rules reads: Shoe bands and pads are permitted in American Saddlebred Pleasure Horses but horses shown in Country Pleasure classes must be plain shod without pads, bands or any device between hoof and shoe.