EMR EQUITATION CHALLENGE

An equitation class open to junior and adult amateurs on ponies or horses who have not shown over 3’6” at a recognized USEF horse show.  Proper show attire required. The class will be judged pursuant to USEF equitation standards. Martingales are not permitted in any flat phase.  Class may be held in the jumper arena, over a course designed by the rider of at least 8 but no more than 12 jumps within a maximum 3 minute period of time. The jumper course will be available in the show office the evening before the show, and posted by 8:30 a.m. each morning.  Trainers and riders will be allowed to walk the course prior to start of the class.

 In and outs are considered one obstacle and may not be jumped separately.  Each jump may be jumped twice in either direction, but no more than twice. Square Oxers and verticals may be jumped from either direction, liverpools are not permitted.  Riders must use their stirrups.  The course should include at least 2 changes of direction and a combination.  Riders will be judged upon their equitation and horsemanship, and greater points may be given to the riders who demonstrate the ability to create and ride to a greater level of challenge in the course of their design. 

Upon entering the arena, the rider should face the judge at the nearest point to the judge, halt, salute; wait for the judge’s audible tone or signal and proceed to ride their course.  The rider’s salute should consist of the reins held in the left hand while they nod their head and place their right hand over their right thigh palm up.  Saluting the judge before and at the conclusion of the course is considered mandatory; riders who fail to do so are eliminated.  Jumping less than 8 obstacles is cause for elimination. Riders who jump more than 12 fences receive a 5 point deduction per fence over 12 jumped.    If the tone sounds at the end of 3 minutes and the rider is still actively jumping, the rider must halt nearest the judge, salute and answer the assigned question.   In and outs are considered one obstacle, however faults incurred at each obstacle are scored separately.  Riders who jump more than 12 jumps will be eliminated.  If a rider knocks down a fence, they may not take that fence again from any direction.  Should a horse refuse a jump, that jump must be taken and cleared before the rider may proceed on their course.  A total of three refusals on the course will signal elimination.  At the conclusion of their course, the rider should approach the judge, halt, salute and wait for a question to be asked of them by the judge.  Questions will pertain to general horsemanship, equitation, and stable management.  Riders should state their response clearly and concisely, turn and trot out of the arena, breaking to a walk shortly before the outgate.

The top 6 riders may be called back into the arena for a Flat Testing Phase at the judges’ discretion.  The flat testing phase will consist of walk, trot, canter, and other general tests of equitation as called forth by USEF.

EMR HUNTER CHALLENGE

A Hunter course, consisting of at least 2 changes of direction, rollback and a trot fence.  Additional tests of the horse or pony’s versatility within the hunt field may be addressed at the judges or course designer’s discretion.