Welcome to MAEL Horse Shows!

• Event entries will be made through the MAEL online system. Entry fee payment must be submitted at time of registration. 
• Scratches prior to closing date may be refunded or applied to another show. MAEL is not obligated to refund scratches after the closing date. 
• If a show is canceled, entries will be applied to the rescheduled show or another show of rider’s choosing. 
• Riders must turn in a Lesson Verification Form before their first show in the fall and again after their first show after the new year. 

• Varsity and Junior Varsity divisions are open to any 5th - 12 grader. Divisions are based on rider’s skill, not their age.
• The team coach will be responsible for assigning the rider to the appropriate division, by matching the rider’s skill level and experience to an MAEL division description. The Lesson Verification Form can be used if the rider has no coach. All riders are strongly encouraged to enter the first show of the season - the Equitation Clinic Show, where riders get direct feedback from a judge. This show does not offer team or individual points for the season, but will be run as a horse show complete with ribbons.
• After participation in a show, a rider may move up or down divisions, but will lose any individual points. The rider, coach, or MAEL show officials may request the move.
• Riders must move up a division the following season if they are year-end Champion in that division. Exceptions can be considered. 2’6 Champions may remain in that division until they graduate high school.

• Parking for cars will be available in the grass field on the right as you approach the barns. Please park in such a way to allow the maximum number of cars while at the same time not blocking any parked cars. Please do not drive between the barns or towards the indoor arena, unless you are dropping off equipment for your horse in a trailer. Please do not park cars with the trailers so that we have room to get as many trailers as possible in the trailer parking lot.
• The show will begin with Varsity 2’6 at 10 a.m. Each division takes approximately one hour. There will be a break between Varsity 2’3 and Junior Varsity 2’. Riders should bring their horses one CLASS (not division) prior to the start of their division. 
• Riders will be issued a back number at the first show they attend. Riders will keep their back number for the season. Should a back number become damaged or a rider forgets to bring it to a show, a substitute number will be provided. 
• The show secretary table is in the indoor arena. Coaches and individual riders may pick up their information packet there.
• Ribbons for each division will be available at the completion of each division at the secretary table. Please make sure you are picking up the correct ribbon, and make sure someone else isn’t picking up the same ribbon for the rider. Champion and Reserve results will be made available shortly after the division is over.
• Please, no outside dogs allowed.
• The show is open to spectators - family, friends, and school mates are encouraged to attend. School teams are welcome to hang support posters in the front of the indoor arena, or may set up a school tent outside of the indoor arena. Spectators may stand at the front space of the indoor arena or sit on the bleachers. They may also bring their own chairs to place at the front space at the indoor arena. Spectators may not stand at the in-gate which is reserved for coaches only. Spectators should not stand by the open side doors of the indoor arena as it might spook horses.
• A food truck will be present at all the shows.

• There will be no schooling on leased horses.
• Riders who bring their own horse may school in the ring until 15 minutes before the show begins, and during the break between Varsity and Junior Varsity. 
• One jump will be designated as the warm up jump.
• Proper ring etiquette, including passing left shoulder to left shoulder and calling the jump, must be adhered to. If there are too many horses, a limit may be set as to how many horses may be in the ring at one time.

• Each division will begin with two under saddle classes. Coaches will have no more than 5 minutes between the two flat class to confer with their riders.
• Flat class riders must enter the ring at the walk and remain at the walk until the class is called to order unless otherwise instructed by the judge. 
• Riders enter the ring as a group and demonstrate the appropriate gaits in both directions as directed by the judge. 
• The judge may decide to split the riders for cantering, and the announcer will direct which riders are to stay in the middle and which ones should take the track. Riders in the middle should stay close so that the ring is available for riders on the track to pass safely.
• A rider is considered to have fallen when the rider is separated from the horse. Falls during the judged portion of competition will result in elimination from that class. Riders may not remount their horse and must exit the arena.
• Riders who receive a ribbon in either of the under saddle classes may participate in the over fences phase of the division. Riders are not required to jump if they wish not to.

• The judged round begins when the rider enters the ring, or when the rider is given the signal to proceed after entering the ring. 
• Unless otherwise indicated on the posted course, each rider may include one courtesy circle, if desired, before approaching the first jump. They shall then proceed around the course, keeping an even pace throughout. 
• Except for refusals, jumping faults of the horse are not to be considered unless it is the fault of the rider. 
• The number of strides in a line shall not be considered unless it is the fault of the rider. 
• Flying and simple changes of lead are both acceptable and scored equally when well executed. 
• Three cumulative refusals will result in elimination. No courtesy fence will be allowed after elimination. If a rider falls, they are automatically eliminated.
• Riders on leased horses may be assigned a different horse to jump than the one they showed under saddle. Please check to see if the horse you are riding might be needed for another rider over fences.

• The Varsity and Junior Varsity Equitation Medal is open to any rider, regardless of whether they received a ribbon under saddle in their prospective division.
• The Medal is over fences; there is no flat phase. The Varsity Medal card will open directly after the 2’6 riders jump for their division, and 2’6 medal riders will jump the course of jumps up to 2’6. The card will remain open after the 2’3 division, and 2’3 medal riders will jump the course of jumps up to 2’3. The course is the same for the 2’6 and 2’3 riders, and may include a trot fence, rollbacks, broken lines, a halt, or any various other equitation tests. 
• The Junior Varsity Medal card will open directly after the 2’ riders jump for their division, and 2’ medal riders will jump a course of up to six vertical jumps no higher than 2’. The card will remain open until after the 18” division, and the 18” medal riders will jump the same course of up to six vertical jumps no higher than 18”. The course is the same for the 2’ and 18” riders, and may include a trot fence, rollbacks, broken lines, a halt, or any various other equitation tests.

• Riders are expected to wear appropriate hunt seat equitation attire while showing. 
• Appropriate attire includes a conservative color show coat, show shirt with choker or necktie, black gloves, beige/tan breeches and tall boots or beige/tan jodhpurs with jodhpur straps, garter straps, and paddock boots. Half chaps are discouraged, but are allowed providing they are clean and well-fitted.
• MAEL doesn’t have an explicit rule regarding riders to tuck their hair into their riding helmet, but it is a long-standing expectation, and judges do consider it part of overall turnout. Most riders wear their hair up under their helmet using an equestrian hair net that closely matches their hair color. Show buns, even with nets, are discouraged.
• Riders wearing jodhpurs may wear their hair in two braids, braiding in such a way as to not block the rider’s back number.
• Using position aids such as shoulder back straps is prohibited.

• Riding helmets must be a harnessed and fully fastened protective ASTM/SEI-approved safety helmet for equestrian use. They should be properly fitted.
• Safety of our participants is of the utmost importance. Therefore, if a participant in an MAEL show exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury while schooling or competing, the individual must be removed from the schooling session or competition. 
• Air canister vests and body protector vests are permitted. Riders using air canister vests on leased horses are responsible for tethering/anchoring the vest in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Tethering/anchoring to a stirrup bar is permitted, but stirrups must be put back on the saddle when ride is over.

• Care and control of horses shall be the sole prerogative of owners and/or providers of the horse. 
• Ponies may be used in all divisions.
• Stallions are not permitted.
• There are designated trailer parking areas; cars accompanying trailers may not be able to park with trailers.
• Dry stalls are available on a first-come/first-serve basis. Bring your own water bucket and double-ended snap. Stalls must be cleaned before leaving.

• Please be accurate when filling out the height/weight requirement on the entry form. The height and weight of the rider is important when we assign horses and is for the horse’s well being.
• It is the coach’s and the rider’s responsibility to check the tack before mounting.
• A list of aids appropriate to each horse is included on the horse description sheet that is distributed to coaches and riders. Riders are responsible for checking the horse description sheet prior to mounting. Riders who use anything other than the approved aids identified in the horse description sheet may be eliminated.
• The need for crops and spurs may change throughout the day. Coaches should ask the MAEL staff whenever there is a question as to what is listed in the horse description. 

• Conventional tack appropriate for the hunter show ring is expected. 
• Standing martingales are allowed in both under saddle and over fences classes. 
• Running martingales are not allowed. 
• Training equipment (e.g. draw reins, German martingales, training forks, tie downs) may not be used in competition. 
• Anti-grazing or over-check reins are acceptable.

• No gag or dressage bits are allowed. 
• No drop, flash or figure 8 nosebands are allowed. 
• English bitless bridles are allowed. 
• Hackmores are not allowed.

• Peacock and hook-and-loop stirrups are discouraged as they have upward pointing projections that might hook or catch a rider’s clothing or person when dismounting.
• Riders are allowed to exchange stirrup leathers and/or irons on leased horse tack, provided they attach original stirrups back in place.
• Black or colored stirrups are discouraged.

• Crops or bats should be 30” or shorter. If riding a leased horse, check the horse description sheet to see if horse needs a crop. 
• Dressage whips are not acceptable.
• Spurs may be worn by riders on their own horses; on leased horses spurs may only be worn if suggested by MAEL staff. 

• White fitted pads are preferred, however schools may use their own saddle pads.
• Almost all leased horses have a half back pad which must be used over the white fitted pad or school saddle pad. The half back pad is not to be used in place of a saddle pad.

• Ear or fly bonnets are not allowed.
• Ear plugs are allowed on rider’s own horses; ear plugs shall be provided if necessary to any leased horses.
• Bell boots are allowed. Please do not remove any bell boots from leased horses.
• Open front boots are allowed. If leased horses require boots, they will be put on by MAEL staff and shall remain on throughout the show.

• Coaches need to have an understanding about hunter equitation and horse shows. Their job is to make sure their rider’s stirrups are adjusted and girth is tightened. They will be able to confer with their rider between flat classes. They should be able to read a course diagram and teach the course to their rider. Coaches may be school staff members, parents, or any adult volunteer. 
• All coaches and riders will receive leased horse information before the start of the show, including a horse list with descriptions of horses and equipment required. 
• It is the coach’s and the rider’s responsibility to check the tack before mounting; any tack concerns must be communicated to MAEL staff for adjustment. 
• Coaches and riders may adjust stirrup length. Changing stirrup leathers and/or stirrups is allowed, but original stirrups must be returned on the saddle.
• When concerned about their own rider’s ability to compete safely on a specific horse, coaches should discuss with MAEL staff.  
• If a team or a rider does not have a coach, an MAEL staff member will be assigned as a coach for a fee. The coach will assist the rider with adjusting stirrups and tack, assist them entering the show arena, speak to them between classes, and help them learn their course if they are jumping and/or participating in the Equitation Medal. 

• MAEL strives to provide quality judges for each show. MAEL judges are familiar with the difference in requirements of traditional equitation classes and the MAEL equitation classes. 
• A judge must order from the ring any unruly horse or one whose actions threaten to endanger other exhibitors.
• In all MAEL classes, good horsemanship and equitation are paramount. Judges are to reward the best riders, not the best mounts. Only the rider is being judged; therefore no penalty should be assessed because of the horse’s conformation, color or way of going. Riders will be judged on seat, hands, ability to control and show the horse. Results as shown by performance of the horse are NOT necessarily to be considered more important than the method used by the rider in obtaining them. 
• One or two disciplinary applications (typically used behind the girth unless otherwise designated) in the event of disobedience are sufficient. Use of the crop or spur should not be penalized when it is appropriate to the situation and/or mount. The judge may rule that a rider be penalized or disqualified for improper use of crops, whips, bats, or spurs. 
• The decision of the judge is final. 
• Judge’s cards are available upon completion of the division. Judges are not required to keep notes, and each judge has their own system for judging, so cards may or may not be helpful to the rider. Questions regarding the judge’s decision may be addressed to MAEL staff.

• A minimum of six ribbons shall be awarded in each class during regular season shows.

The points will be counted and awarded as follows: 

• First place — 7 points 
• Second place — 5 points
• Third place — 4 points 
• Fourth place — 3 points 
• Fifth place — 2 points 
• Sixth place — 1 point 

• If a division is split, points will be given to both groups. Division splits must occur if there are more than 14 riders in a division, except the 2’6 division. MAEL reserves the right to have splits of less than 14 riders if deemed appropriate. Points will be given to both groups. The assignment of riders to each split class shall be equitable. 
• Champion and reserve ribbons will be awarded to the riders with the most points of each division. If a division is split, only one champion and reserve ribbon shall be given to the riders with the most points of the division, not the split. In the event of a tie, the rider with the most points over fences shall receive either the champion or reserve, depending on which spot is tied. In the event both riders have the same points over fences, two champion and/or reserve ribbons may be awarded.
• Champion and reserve ribbons will be awarded to the first and second place Varsity and Junior Varsity School Teams. These ribbons will be available at the next show for the riders who participated at the previous show. Champion and reserve school teams will be determined by the top four riders’ scores.
• A special award will be presented to the Varsity and Junior Varsity high point rider. 
• Individual and Team points will be posted on the MAEL website. Coaches are responsible for verifying points  - if there are any discrepancies they should contact MAEL staff. 
• The top eight riders in each division shall be invited to participate in the Invitational Show, which is the final show of the season. Immediately following the Invitational Show and awards presentation, an Open Show will be held for all riders who participated in the season. Upcoming 5th graders and any prospective riders shall also be allowed to compete.

• It is expected that any and all participants and attendees including, but not limited to, exhibitors, spectators, coaches, employees, and MAEL staff will behave in a manner that reflects the dignity of our sport. Ill-mannered conduct will not be tolerated. Show management may expel from the grounds any person whose behavior is deemed dishonest, unethical, unsportsmanlike, or detrimental to the safety, health or well-being of any horse, person, or the MAEL. 

• MAEL recognizes the importance of the internet in shaping public thinking about our sport, our organization and our current and future events and potential services. We also recognize the importance of our members, families, coaches, trainers, sponsors, volunteers, employees, vendors, contributors and friends joining together to have communication about MAEL, its events, activities and subjects related to equestrian sport. MAEL is committed to supporting honest, transparent and knowledgeable dialogue on the internet through social media in a manner that is befitting the organization and promotes good sportsmanship.