Show Rules, Policies & Procedures

EXHIBITING POLICIES

Each NBC horse must have been pre-entered (see ENTERING OFFSPRING). At the NBC Championship Show, the owner or exhibitor must check in at the Registration Office for final registration of exhibitor name, exhibitor status, exhibitor number, etc.

For entrants in the Amateur Division, the original MFTHBA registration papers must be presented at the Registration Office to verify that the exhibitor of the horse is the current owner. Any horse exhibited by a non-owner must perform in the Open Division (see EXHIBITOR STATUS). The penalty for showing in the Amateur Division if not eligible, if protested and found guilty, is to forfeit all winnings and be suspended from showing at the National Breeders Cup Championship show for thirteen (13) months.

Horses may show in only one division, Amateur or Open, in Breeders Cup classes. Exception: This does not apply to Model Classes or Specialty Classes.

An exhibitor who is currently under suspension or who is not a member in good standing of the MFTHBA will be ineligible to exhibit at the National Breeders Cup Championship Show.

Performance classes will be split at the discretion of the NAB Board of Directors. Class sheets of classes to be split will be posted prior to the show.

Exhibition of any nominated Breeders Cup horse in a Breeders Cup designated class is open to riders age 12 and over, with the exception of stallions, which may only be ridden by riders age18 and over.

Any Breeders Cup horse may be shown in model or performance prior to the National Breeders Cup Championship Show.

For the purpose of eligibility for competition, the age of a horse shall be computed by the calendar year, starting January 1 of the year foaled. The exception to this is that any foal born from October 1 through December 31 shall be considered for show purposes only, to fall in the following year. (Example: A foal born in November 2007 will be considered a two year old in 2010.)

After the class is announced and the entries are called to the arena, a period of three minutes shall be allowed during which horses shall be permitted to enter the show ring. If all the horses have not entered the show ring after the three minutes, a one minute warning announcement shall be made, during which time a late arrival may enter the arena. At the expiration of that time (a total of 4 minutes), the gates are to be closed, the class called, and no other horse shall be allowed to enter. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to be ready to enter the arena within the specified time. Failure of the exhibitor to present himself/herself in sufficient time to enter t he arena during this four minute period, for whatever reason, shall be deemed a disqualification from this class and any subsequent class for which this class is a qualifier.

Exhibitors requesting additional time between back–to-back classes for a tack change shall advise a show official prior to the class so that a delay not to exceed seven minutes may be granted. The seven minute delay will be announced and commence after the victory lap of the previous class.

Should an exhibitor desire to be excused from the show arena, permission shall be requested from the Ring Master or Judge. The exhibitor is to remain in center ring until excused. An exhibitor may not voluntarily remove a horse from the ring without permission.

Exhibitors requesting a time out will ride to center ring, remain mounted and request a time out from the ring person. Riders may not dismount until given official permission. A judge will ascertain the reason for the time-out and grant it if valid. Horses cannot leave the ring during a time-out. Valid reasons for a time-out are replacement of a thrown shoe, repair or replacement of broken equipment or in rare cases other reasons that a Judge may find valid. A groom or farrier may assist the exhibitor as needed. No adjustments may be made while the rider is dismounted except for those that the time-out was granted. A total of seven minutes will be granted in aggregate for each entry for approved time-outs. The horses on the rail will go at ease during the time out.

An exhibitor will be disqualified if the horse and/or rider fall during the class. A horse is considered to have fallen when shoulder and haunch on the same side touch the ground.

Exhibitors of horses that are openly bleeding, show obvious lameness or present a bad image are requested to excuse themselves from the class. If the exhibitor does not excuse themselves, the judge or ring steward shall excuse the horse.

The assignment of a person to time classes and the maximum time limits for classes shall be at the discretion of Show Management.

Special needs exhibitors may request special exhibiting considerations from the NAB Board of Directors prior to the evening of the show.

Tack & Equipment:

The standard bridle includes a browband and cavesson.

No cruel or inhumane bits or similar devices will be allowed. Bit cheeks will be no more than 9 1/2 “ in length. The length is measured from the top to bottom of the sidepiece as illustrated.  

Curb chains must be at least one-half inch in width. No wire or solid curb is allowed.

Saddles shall be of the western type.

Martingales or similar tie downs are not allowed.

Spurs and whips are permitted. Whips may not exceed 4 feet in length including the popper.

Horses may not wear splint boots, leg wraps, bell boots, or bandages while exhibiting in the class.

The set allowable weight for each horseshoe shall not exceed 21 ounces, with no additional weight or weights allowed.

The use of electronic communication devices is permissible.