Host A DA-HA Sanctioned Event

DA-HA allows other DA members to host their own sanctioned events that contribute points to DA-HA totals. If you are interested in holding an event, please read the following information.

WHAT KIND?
First, you will have to decide what type of event you would like to hold. Events fall into a couple of categories.

Shows
Includes Hunter and Field Hunter Trials

Hunter: Hunter shows include over fences, under saddle, and conformation classes for both horses and ponies. They can also include equitation classes both under saddle and over fences. They can take place in an indoor or outdoor arena, with arena footing (like sand or bluestone) or with grass.

Field Hunter Trials: Hunter Trials are oriented more towards fox hunters, with classes and jumps set out on grassy terrain. Jumps are more natural obstacles, like those that would be encountered while hunting. Trials include both over fences and under saddle classes. Over Fences classes can be ridden by one horse, two horses, or three horses at a time (individual, pairs, or teams). They can take place in grassy fields, which may or may not have fencing or a roped off area.

Events
Includes Clinics, Fox Hunts, Schooling Shows, and Fun Days

Clinics: Clinics are special lessons taught by renowned, professional riders.

Fox Hunts: Fox hunting, what else?

Schooling Shows: Schooling shows are a chance to get out of the barn and practice for the real deal!

Fun Days: Fun days can include anything, really. Barrel racing, egg and spoon, trail classes, you name it!

Specific Classes

DA-HA members are also allowed to host shows in which only certain classes are DA-HA sanctioned. For example, if you are holding a show jumping and hunter jumping competition, you may hold both at the same show. The hunter classes may be DA-HA sanctioned, while the jumper classes won't be. Points earned in those hunter classes by registered horses will go to DA-HA totals.

DIVISIONS & CLASSES
If you wish to hold an entire show, more than just a few classes, you will probably want to divide your show into divisions. A division is a broad category, like "Ponies" and "Horses" or "Over Fences" and "Under Saddle."

The helpful thing about divisions is that it allows members to show horses as realistically as they like, while still keeping entries high enough that you can judge properly.

For example, a Pony Hunter division allows you to include classes like Small Pony Hunter and Large Pony Hunter for people who like to realistically show their horses. Since both these classes are judged on the same criteria, you can combine all the entries (if there are only a few) and just create a winner of the Pony Hunter Division. If there are a lot of entries in each class, classes can be judged separately instead.

A good idea for combining classes is to follow a 3 or more entry rule. If a class has 3+ entries, it can be judged as a full class with 1st to 3rd placings. If it has 2 or 1, those can be combined with another class in the same division. For example, if there is 1 small pony entry but 3 medium, the class can be combined and judged as small/medium class with 4 entries total.

RECOGNIZED CLASSES
The classes listed below are currently the ONLY classes recognized by DA-HA. If you would like to suggest other classes, send a note. They do not have to be as specific depending on the size of your show(ie. Green, pony/horse, modified) but heights of jumps should be included for the entrants to be able to select based on their horse's experience. However,  if you are not specific about the types entered in classes, you must put caps or restrictions on the lowest and highest levels so that an 'experienced' hunter doesn't dominant the lower classes, or that a 'green' (unshown) horse isn't entered in the high levels(3'3, 3'6 mini or grand prix.)

HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
Small Pony - 12.2hh and under
Medium Pony - 12.3hh-13.2hh
Large Pony - 13.3hh-14.2hh
Small Horse - 14.3hh-15.3hh
Large Horse - 16hh and up

HUNTER CLASSES
Small Pony Hunter 2'3''
Medium Pony Hunter 2'6''
Large Pony Hunter 3'0''

Regular Low Hunter 3'
Regular Modified Hunter 3'3''
Regular Working Hunter 3'6''

Small Pony Hunter Under Saddle
Medium Pony Hunter Under Saddle
Large Pony Hunter Under Saddle
(may be grouped into Pony Hunter Under Saddle)

Small Horse Under Saddle
Large Horse Under Saddle
(may be grouped into Horse Hunter Under Saddle)

Small Pony In Hand
Medium Pony In Hand
Large Pony In Hand
(may be grouped into Pony In Hand)

Small Horse In Hand
Large Horse In Hand
(may be grouped into Horse In Hand)

Equitation classes still under consideration.

FIELD HUNTER TRIALS
Hilltopper (equivalent of flat class)
Over Fences 2'6''
Over Fences 3'
Pairs On The Flat
Pairs Over Fences 3'
Teams On The Flat
Teams Over Fences 3'

INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY
Hunter Classic 3'6''-3'9'' with 4' option
Handy Hunter

SCHOOLING SHOWS
Schooling show entries earn a base number of points for simply completing a drawing. Extra points are not given for winners, although winners may be awarded. Schooling shows may include any of the events listed above as well as the following:

Leadline
Crossrails
Hunter Hack (Max 3')
Baby Green Hunter Over Fences 2'3''
Pre-Green Hunter Over Fences 2'6''
Green Hunter Over Fences 2'9''
(all open to any height horse or pony)

SAMPLE CLASS LISTS
Here are sample class lists for Hunter & Hunter Field Trial shows. Feel free to use these class lists for your own shows.

HUNTER SHOW
Pony Hunter Division
Small Pony Hunter 2'6''
Medium Pony Hunter 3'0''
Large Pony Hunter 3'3''

-to be continued-

I'M SO CONFUSED
This stuff can be really confusing, but don't let that discourage you. If you want to host an event but don't understand divisions/classes just send a note with what you're interested in including and I can come up with a class list for you/with you, tell you exactly which to judge, etc. Or, if you just want to take a stab at creating your own class list, send that along and I can edit it.

JUDGING
DA-HA shows MUST be judged according to these rules-- NO random number drawing.
1. Is the horse suitable for hunter events? Not crazy undersaddle etc.
2. Accuracy of tack/turnout. Is the horse wearing correct hunter tack? Is the rider wearing the right clothes?
3. Accuracy of jump. Is the jump hunter appropriate? Does it look the right size for the class compared to the horse's height?
4. Overall picture. Do the horse and rider make a nice pair? Does the horse look to be jumping easily and carefully?
5. Scores can in influenced by artistic ability, seeing as the overall picture needs to look hunt-like, but only up to 25% of the score maximum.
6. There is no longer any realistic type horse restrictions on regular, open hunter shows. However, you may hold breed specific hunter shows which will look at color, build etc of the horse as well as the above. You may also hold realistic only hunter shows if you desire, but as Hunter shows are few and far between as of this time, I would encourage you to allow unnatural trained hunters to enter for their own experience.

JUDGING CRITERIA/SCORE CARDS
These are the score cards you should use to judge your entries. The number after the section is the maximuum possible points, but the total is made up of the criteria underneath. For example, a horse with a breed realism score of 5 and a suitability of 3 would have a total of 8 points.

Definitions:
Suitability - is the horse's breed suitable for the class? a twh or shire in a 3'6'' show hunter class would likely score lower on this, for example.
Tack - is the saddle the right type and color? bridle? bit? saddle pad?
Rider - is the rider wearing the right clothes?
Decor - is the jump a hunter type jump? are the decorations appropriate for a hunter class?
Size - is the jump approximately the right size for the class? this can be determined by either comparing it to the size of the horse or to the height of the poles on the standards.
Neck - is the horse stretching its neck down and out? is it relaxed, not stiff and upright?
Legs - are the horse's legs square and even? for the flat, are they moving out nicely?
Back - is the horse's back rounded?
Overall Picture - do the horse and rider look neat, capable, and organized?

Please note, you do not have to use this scoring system, this will be used for DA-HA group hosted events. However, if you wish to host a DA-HA Sanctioned Event you must have a link to your scoring system when you send your note in so that we know how it's judged before accepting. The judging must follow the guidelines.

Flat Classes:

horse: 5 possible
suitability 5

turnout: 10
tack 5
rider 5

form: 15
neck - 5
legs  - 5
back - 5

overall picture: 5

total possible: 35

--

Over Fences Classes:

horse: 5
suitability 5

turnout: 10
tack 5
rider 5

jump: 10
decor 5
size 5 -- for images with only the top rail of fence shown, 5 points awarded

form: 15
neck - 5
legs  - 5
back - 5

overall picture: 5

total possible: 45

--

In Hand Classes:

horse: 5
suitability 5

turnout: 10
tack 5
rider 5 -- for entries with a handler, judge this. otherwise, 5 points awarded.

form: 15
neck - 5
legs  - 5
back - 5

overall picture: 5

total possible: 35


HOW TO HOST A SHOW
Shows and events should have their own journal entries.
Note me with a link to the journal so I can approve the show. The journal must have a link to the scoring system you will use to be approved.
If approved, the show will be added to the sanctioned list. If not, I will suggest corrections. If you choose not to have your show sanctioned, I can still add it to the unsanctioned schedule.


DON'T FORGET
Don't forget to include this info on your show page.
1. Opening Date / Closing Date
2. DA-HA link & reminder to register horses to qualify for points
3. Map of the barn
4. Weather
5. Additional prizes (besides points) if you would like to offer them
6. All horses welcome, however, only realistic , registered horses will get DA-HA Points. (This is due to the fact that Hunter shows now are few and far between.)