Circuit Membership Rules
1. Membership of riders and recording of horses is required to participate in year-end awards, but is not required to compete in shows. Please complete your nomination form carefully and include all the information requested. Please be consistent when entering horse/exhibitor at the horse show so that the names correspond with the nomination form. Also, don’t forget your mailing address, phone number and email address so that we can contact you if we have any questions.
2. Points will count from date of membership and recording.
3. For 2024, riders must compete in three (3) of the circuit shows in a division to be eligible for year-end awards.
4. A recorded horse and rider combination only will count for points in any division. In hunter divisions, the rider may change from show to show, but not within the division on the same day.
5. Members riding 2 or more horses in the same division may substitute a rider in the under saddle class if they are also mounted and competing in those classes. The rider must be nominated for the points to count.
6. In equitation, riders must nominate a division, and will accumulate points only in that division. They must ride a nominated horse to accumulate points. Equitation riders may change horses from show to show, but not within the division on the same day.
7. Ties will be broken by points over fences or by the most difficult class.
8. Points will be as follows, no matter how many entries are in the class: first 10, second 6, third 4, fourth 3, fifth 2, and sixth 1.
9. Cross entering may be done only as specified in the rules and division descriptions. Anyone incorrectly entering divisions will lose all points incorrectly received and will return all ribbons. No entry fees will be refunded.
10. All ponies must be measured. We will accept current USAE, MHSA, or 4-H measurement cards.
11. Riders must jump the same height in a division for the day. Riders may change heights if entered in another division, or in the same division at a subsiquent show.
12. Show managers will act as stewards, and their decision is final. Any questions or concerns should be brought to their attention. Judge's cards will not be available for inspection at the show.
Circuit Show Rules
1. Riders are guests of the hosting farms, and must abide by the farm’s policies. Hosting farms and the Blue & Gray Circuit have the right to refuse an entry for any reason.
2. Warning - In accordance with PA Act #93 of 2005 you assume the risk of Equine Activities Pursuant to Pennsylvania Law.
The hosting farm, its owners, employees, or volunteers and the Blue & Gray Circuit, its officials, volunteers, or employees will not be responsible for any accident, injury, loss, or theft which occurs at the show or on the grounds.
3. All entrants must sign a release before showing. Juniors 18 & under must have an adult sign.
4. Please check in (or have a representative check in) with the show office prior to your classes with payment or an open check.
5. Ten-minute schooling breaks are limited to the following division, and will be timed. Anyone who needs extra schooling can purchase more schooling time at the secretary stand.
6. Classes will be run by USEF rules whenever possible. Should a question arise that is not covered by those rules or this program, it will be referred to the show committee, whose decision is final.
7. Hard hats and proper footwear are required when mounted. Riders must wear protective headgear with a secured harness. We strongly encourage ALL riders to wear an ASTM certified helmet with a secured harness while mounted! FOR SAFETY AND INSURANCE REASONS all piercings that risk entanglement or injury must be removed. Failure to do so could result in elimination and loss of points for the day. The show manager's decision shall be final on such matters.
8. When competing, riders must wear a riding jacket, breeches or jodhpurs, and boots. Protective headgear is mandatory while mounted. When management permits riders to ride without jackets, traditional, short, or long-sleeved riding shirts with chokers or ties OR solid color polo shirts will be allowed in judged classes. In the case of exterme temperatures, jackets may be banned for all riders. The Show Management or Judge may eliminate an exhibitor who is inappropriately attired.
9. Schooling will be permitted in the ring at designated times corresponding with the divisions entered.
10. During controlled schooling, only 10 horses will school at a time. Riders in schooling traveling opposite directions should pass left shoulder to left shoulder.
11. Fences should only be jumped in the direction specified on the course posting. Diagonal lines may be opened individually during each session.
11. All fence heights are approximate.
12. Dangerous or unsportsmanlike conduct in the schooling ring, during breaks, or while competing, AND/OR lack of soundness or condition is cause for dismissal from the class or show at the discretion of the judge and/or the show management.
13. Scratches for a refund must be done before the class begins.
14. A current Coggins test is required for all horses on the show grounds. The Blue & Gray Circuit is compliant with The Equine Vaccination Rule. Exhibitors must provide documentation of current EIV and EHV (flu and rhino) vaccinations to our show offices. ONLY MEMBER PAPERWORK WILL BE KEPT ON FILE BY THE CIRCUIT! We ask that you check your horses temperature before hauling to our facilities to continue to help give everyone peace of mind while traveling and showing. We will accept the following proof of vaccination:1) certificate of vaccination from a veterinarian 2) an itemized bill for services from a veterinarian 3) completed USEF Vaccination Record (used for self administered vaccines). This form is available on our "Links" page.
15. No dogs will be allowed on the grounds. **NO EXCEPTIONS!** A second warning will incur a $25.00 fine.
16. Water may be limited. Please bring your own.
17. Classes with 20 or more entries will be split. The class will be run in sections. The top riders from each section will be called back, and the class will be pinned with 1 set of ribbons and points.
18. Pre Entries are $15.00/ class except for the Hunter Classic and Equitation Challenge, which are $20 each. Anyone who pre entered may add or change classes at the initial cost. Entries recieved after the closing date will be $20/class, with the Hunter Classic and Equitation Challenge $25 each.
19. Shows will start at 8:00 AM.
20. Cross entering may be done only as specified in the rules and division descriptions. Please read the information in this program carefully!Anyone found incorrectly entering a class or division will forfeit all ribbons and points earned in that class or division on that day and/or for the season.
Changes for 2024 are highlighted in the division descriptions
Hunter & Equitation Division & Class Descriptions
Blue/Red Warmup – Open to any rider as a warm-up round. The coure for all Blue/Red trips will be Hunter Course 2. Rider must enter the Blue/Red class on the entry form (can enter multiple times) and specify that it is a Blue/Red round when entering the ring. Blue/Red classes can be jumped at whatever the current height is in the ring. Horse and rider can do as many as Blue/Red rounds as they would like. At management’s discretion blue/red classes may be closed due to a lack of time. Also they will be closed during medal classes and the classics. No ribbons will be awarded in these rounds.
Hunter Divisions
* Pleasure: Open to any age rider on horses or ponies. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, with an emphasis on suitability. Riders may be asked to do an extended trot in the under saddle class. Fences will be 2’.
* Hopeful Hunter: Please note: Eligibility for Hopeful Hunter is determined by the horse, not the rider. Open to green horses and ponies in their first or second year of showing over fences higher than 18” with any rider. Adults may ride ponies. Simple changes of lead will not be penalized. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and way of going. Fences will be 2’. Riders will receive a numerical score in the over fences round.
* Adult Amateur Hunter: Open to riders eligible to compete as adults who are eligible to ride as an amateur as per USEF rules. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and way of going. The third over fences class will be a Handy Hunter course. In the Handy class, emphasis will be placed on turns, promptness, and brilliance. Fences will be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice. Riders will receive a numerical score in the first over fences round.
* Children’s Hunter: Open to riders eligible to compete as a junior. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and way of going. The third over fences class will be a Handy Hunter course. In the Handy class, emphasis will be placed on turns, promptness, and brilliance. Fences will be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice. Riders will receive a numerical score in the first over fences round.
* Pony Hunter: Open to all ponies. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and way of going. The third over fences class will be a Handy Hunter course. In the Handy class, emphasis will be placed on turns, promptness, and brilliance. Fences will be 2’.Riders will receive a numerical score in the first over fences round.
Open Hunter: Open to all horses and riders. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and way of going. The third over fences class will be a Handy Hunter course. In the Handy class, emphasis will be placed on turns, promptness, and brilliance. Fences will be 2’ or 2'6", rider’s choice. Riders will receive a numerical score in the first over fences round.
* Blue & Gray Hunter Classic: Open to all horses and ponies. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. The Challenge is a 2 round competition open to all riders in the Hopeful, Children's, Adult Amateur, Pony, and Open Hunter divisions. Riders must be entered in one of these division to be eligible for the Challenge.
Round 1: The first round that counts toward the Classic is the first over fences round in the above divisions. Riders should specify which round counts towards the Classic if they are competing in more than one of these divisions. All riders will receive a numerical score for the round. Riders will be pinned for this class as a part of their respective division.
Classic Round (Round 2): All classic entries will complete a second round over fences. This round must be jumped at the same height as the division was jumped. The Classic Round will be run as an open card to be completed at the end of the entered division. The course will be a handy type course which MAY include fence options and/or fences outside the ring, trot fences, etc. The second round will be judged on performance, hunter pace, jumping style, quality and substance, movement, handiness, and brilliance. All riders in theis round will recieve a numerical score combined with their first round score.
Hunter Classic Placings: Scores for rounds one and two will be combined for an overall total. Special ribbons will be awarded at each show, with an extra prize for the winner. The Classic will also accumulate points for a year-end award.
Walk Trot Hunter: Open to horses and ponies. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. The second flat class may be asked to halt and/or back up. Fences will be a minimum of four cross rails no higher than 18” to be jumped at the trot. Excessive cantering will be penalized. Any horse/rider combination entered in Walk Trot Hunter may not cross enter into any divisions jumping higher than 18”.
Modified Hunter: Open to any age rider on horses or ponies. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. Judged on performance, manners, soundness, and suitability. Fences may be cross rails, boxes, gates, etc. not to exceed 18”. Simple changes will not be penalized. Any horse/rider combination entered in Modified Hunter may not cross enter into any divisions jumping higher than 18”.
Equitation Divisions
*Novice Equitation: Open to riders who have not won 3 blue ribbons over fences in equitation at this level or higher. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. Judged on hands, seat, and control of mount. In the combined class, riders will show on the flat then be tested individually over two fences at the judge’s discretion. Fences will be 2’.
*Open Equitation: Open to riders no longer eligible to compete in Novice Equitation. Judged on hands, seat, and control of mount. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. In the combined class, riders will show on the flat then be tested individually over two fences at the judge’s discretion. Fences will be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice.
*Blue & Gray Equitation Challenge: Riders must be a circuit member on a nominated horse or pony. Open to all age riders competing in Open or Novice Equitation on horses or ponies. Adults may ride ponies, but please note suitability will be considered. Fences to be 2’ or 2’6”, rider’s choice. Challenge round MUST be shown during the corresponding height of the Open or Novice Equitation division. To be shown over a separate equitation-type course that may be posted no less than 30 minutes before the start of the class. The top 6 riders, or more at the judge’s discretion, MAY be called back in original tack for further testing on the flat. Riders will earn points following the scale used in all classes. Special ribbons will be awarded at each show, with an extra prize for the winner. The Challenge will also accumulate points for a year-end award.
*Beginner Equitation: Open to riders of any age in their first or second year of showing. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on hands, seat, and control of mount. Trotting fences will not be penalized. Riders may only cross enter into the Modified Hunter division.
*Maiden Equitation: Open to any age rider who has not won 3 blue ribbons in equitation over fences at this level or above. Adults may ride ponies. Judged on hands, seat, and control of mount. Fences may be cross rails, boxes, gates, etc. not to exceed 18” in height. Simple changes are allowed.
Combined Divisions (judged 50%rider, 50% horse)
* Lead Line: Open to children ages 8 & under. Judged 50% on child’s hands & seat and 50% on the quietness & suitability of mount. In the second class riders will be asked to demonstrate a trot on lead. In the third class, riders will show off the lead at a walk (with a side walker). Riders may be asked to drop and pick up reins/stirrups or asked simple questions. Lead line riders may ONLY cross enter into the Blue & Gray Stirrup division.
Blue & Gray Stirrup: Open to beginner riders of any age who have never shown over fences. Adults may ride ponies. Judged 50% on hands, seat, and control of mount AND 50% on suitability and manners of horse/pony. In the poles class, the difficulty level of the pole course may progress as the season goes on. Riders may only cross enter into Lead Line and/or Walk Trot Hunter Divisions
**THOROUGHBRED DIVISION & CLASSIC**
** T.I.P.. Awards**
In 2024 we are proud to once again partner with the Thoroughbred Incentive Program for our year-end Thoroughbred awards! Riders must fill out a separate application to nominate their thoroughbreds for these awards. Horses must have a Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) card to be eligible. These cards are available free of charge at www.tjctip.com. You will need to create a login and submit your horse’s information (tattoo number or registered name; they have a link to help search for this information if needed) All Thoroughbreds nominated with the Blue & Gray are eligible to compete in the 2022 TIP Championship show.
For 2023, we are offered 3 special T.I.P. awards. 2024 award approvals are pending.
Thoroughbred Division
Points will be accumulated by nominated TB horses in one of the following divisions: Children's, Adult Amateur, Hopeful Hunter, Open Hunter, the Hunter Classic and Modified Hunter. This division is pinned with both T.I.P. awards and circuit ribbons.
T.I.P. High Point Champion & Reserve TB for the Hunter Classic
Awarded to the top placing thoroughbred finishers in the hunter classic at the end of the year.
T.I.P. Hunter Classic
Nominated thoroughbreds will be invited to participate in a special Thoroughbred Hunter Classic held at the double point show, with its own prizes.