NEW RULES & CLASSES FOR 2025
NEW RULES & CLASSES FOR 2025
~ Showmanship at Halter -Novice Walk Only
~Western Horsemanship – Novice Walk/Trot
~Walk-Trot – Ranch Horse (Horse cannot compete in any other walk trot class)
NOVICE CLASSES
A person that shows in Novice Walk Showmanship, Novice Walk Trot Horsemanship, Novice Walk –Trot or Novice Western Pleasure is NOT eligible to exhibit in any other showmanship/horsemanship/walk-trot/western pleasure classes, with the exception of youth pony pleasure.
Showmanship – The same horse may be used in all four showmanship at halter classes if shown by different exhibitors
Ranch Riding will use AQHA Pattern 1 or 6 – Judges will announce at the beginning of the show which pattern will be judged
Contestant’s age is as of January 1. This is the age used for the entire year.
A stallion with an age of yearling or older must be shown by an exhibitor who is 18 years of age or older.
No ponying of horses in the arena will be allowed during scheduled breaks at NIHSA shows.
Approved shows must have 5-point placings.
Exhibitor numbers are available at every show but laminated permanent exhibitor numbers for the show season are available to be purchased at a cost of $5.00 per number. Each exhibitor is required to have their own number, which must be fastened to the exhibitor or saddle pad while showing; if it is the wrong number when participating in a class, the exhibitor will be disqualified in that class. You must have an approved number. If you are found to be using a number that is not approved you will be charged $5 for the number and additional $2 fine.
No member of NIHSA may judge an NIHSA approved show.
All ponies under 14.1 hands MUST be measured at least two classes before their class or at least one-half hour before they enter the arena, or they will be disqualified for the show. The NIHSA Measuring Committee must do the measuring.
RANCH HORSE CONFORMATION
A horse that competes in Ranch Horse Conformation class can not compete in any other conformation halter class.
SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER
The same horse may be used in all four showmanship at halter classes if shown by different exhibitors.
BIT RULES
Any horse that is 5-years-old and under may be ridden with a shank bit, snaffle bit or bosal, and has the option to be ridden two-handed. At 6-years-old or older horse must be ridden with a shank bit and one-handed.
NIHSA will use the same rules for bits as AQHA.
NOVICE WALK TROT\WESTERN PLEASURE
A person that shows in Novice Walk Showmanship, Novice Walk Trot Horsemanship, Novice Walk –Trot or Novice Western Pleasure is NOT eligible to exhibit in any other showmanship/horsemanship/walk-trot/western pleasure classes, with the exception of youth pony pleasure.
RANCH HORSE PLEASURE
A horse that competes in Ranch Horse Pleasure class can not compete in any other western pleasure class.
GAMES
Any one horse can not compete more than once in the following classes: Keyhole, Flag Race, Streaking, Softball Race, Speed Dash.
If any contestant rides more than one horse in a game class, he/she must designate the point horse and non point horse on entry cards.
No slip-on spurs allowed to be worn in the arena during game classes.
All game horse participants must follow the dress code policy: Boots, jeans, sleeved shirts unaltered and the shirt must be tucked in when entering the arena. If the show committee deems the apparel inappropriate the committee has the right to make the final decision.