WIHS Rules & Regulations

Equitation Rules & Regulations

Riders must be members of the WIHS Equitation
to earn points in the standings.

The WIHS Equitation and WIHS Pony Equitation are open to USEF and Equine Canada member shows that request an application to hold an equitation qualifier class. Shows must apply at least 30 days prior to the start of the show to offer the equitation class(es).

EQ112 Requirements for Specific Classes.

14. WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW EQUITATION

a. RIDER MEMBERSHIP. Annual WIHS membership is $35. Membership entitles riders to earn points in the rankings. Membership (application & fee) must be received at the WIHS Membership Office within 10 days of the completion of an event for points from that event to count. Riders may join at a show; however, riders are strongly encouraged to mail the application themselves. Riders may obtain an application or download an application from the website, www.wihs.org

(1) Riders need not be members of the WIHS Equitation to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members will accrue points towards yearend finals.

b. QUALIFYING PERIOD. Qualifying period: shows starting on or after September 1st through shows starting on or before August 31st. The top 30 riders will be invited to compete in the WIHS Equitation Finals and the top 25 riders will be invited to compete in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals at the Washington International Horse Show. Multi-day horse shows are permitted to hold either a one or two phase WIHS Equitation qualifier. One-day horse shows are only allowed to hold a one-phase event. WIHS Pony Equitation classes may only be one phase.

c. Awarding of Points
1st - 6th place points are tabulated by multiplying the # of riders in the qualifier class by 10, 6, 4, 2, 1, ½ points respectively.
When there is a two-phase junior equitation qualifier, only the overall results of a two-phase junior equitation qualifier will be tabulated for the standings. A multiplying factor of 2 will be applied to these classes only.

d. CLASS SPECIFICATIONS. WIHS Equitation and WIHS Pony Equitation:
(1) The WIHS Equitation Classes are open to junior members of USEF or Equine Canada.
(2) Three riders must complete the course for the class to be included in the National Ranking.
(3) The same horse must be used in all phases of the event...No Exceptions.
(4) Only one rider per horse, unless the judge requests a change.
(5) Classes to be judged in accordance with the current USEF standards for equitation.
(6) Riders may only compete in one WIHS Equitation class at a show.
(7) If there are 50 or more entries at the start of either phase, it must be divided as under HU108.4 (“California Split”). In this case, EQ103.3 will not apply. If either phase is double pinned, then the overall results must also be double pinned. Points will be awarded based on the number of riders in the largest phase after any split, however for calculation purposes the maximum differential between the two phases will be no more than ten riders of the lesser section.

e. WIHS Pony Equitation: To be shown over a course of not less than 6 obstacles. Fence heights: 2’3” for ponies not exceeding 12.2 hands; 2’6” for ponies over 12.2 hands and not exceeding 13.2 hands; and 3’ for ponies over 13.2 hands and not exceeding 14.2 hands. If an in and out is used, the suggested distance for small ponies is 20’, for medium ponies is 22’ and for large ponies is 24’. The distance must be altered for each height division. A maximum of 20 riders may be asked to return to show at the walk, trot and canter and to perform any additional tests at the judge’s discretion. Conventional tack per EQ 109.2.

f. WIHS Equitation: Conventional tack per JP111. Only running martingales used in the conventional manner is permitted in the Jumper Phase. Boots and conservative colored bandages are permitted in both phases.

(1) Hunter Phase - To be shown over a minimum of 8 jumps at 3'6". It is recommended that the course be a straight forward hunter course consisting of natural jumps, including a combination, hunter lines, and a long approach to a single jump. A numerical score will be given.
(2) Jumper Phase - The course should be of the type used in a High Junior Jumper competition. To be shown over a minimum of 10 jumps at 1.10 m (3’7”). A minimum of two double or one triple combination are required. There must be at least two changes of direction after the first fence. In addition, at least two of the following are required and more are recommended: vertical - no ground lines; Liverpool; narrow jump – minimum width 8'; one or more of the following - triple bar, swedish oxer, fan jump.

A Time Allowed will be used based on a speed of 360 yards per minute. The judge will give a numerical score for each competitor's round. The announcer will announce the judge's numerical score and then deduct time faults as follows: one point for each commenced second over the Time Allowed. A FINAL SCORE BELOW ZERO MAY NOT BE GIVEN.

(3) Two Phase Event - Hunter & Jumper - Each phase to be conducted under their own specifications and pinned separately, as well as an overall placing.

(a) Both Hunter & Jumper Phases to be scored under the numerical system. Scores from each phase will be added together to determine the overall winner. In the event of a tie for any placing, the tie will remain.
(b) Scores from the first phase will determine the order of go in the second phase. The highest scores will return last; riders may volunteer to move up in the order.
(c) One or more judges may be used in any combination.
(d) National Ranking points will be awarded based on the OVERALL placing only.

g. Procedures for the WIHS Equitation Finals: Held at the Washington International Horse Show in October

(1) Judging - All three phases of the Finals will be judged under the Open Numerical Scoring system by three panels of two judges seated in three separate locations. Each panel may include one high performance jumper rider, provided that the rider has either judged the East or West Coast Finals of the USEF Talent Search class or held a Hunter Seat Equitation Judges’ Card within the last ten years. Each panel shall submit a single score, and the three separate scores will be averaged to produce a final score for each rider for each phase.

(2) Hunter Phase - The Hunter Phase will be held first. The order of go shall be determined by a random draw. The score will be announced. The top ten finishers will return to the ring, mounted, for awards at the conclusion of the Hunter Phase.

(3) Jumper Phase - The order of go for the Jumper Phase will be in reverse order of the Hunter Phase with the winner of the Hunter Phase competing last. An audible tone will be used to start competitors. A Time Allowed based on a speed of 360 yards per minute will be applied. The score will be announced. Time Faults, if any, for exceeding the Time Allowed will be deducted from the judges’ original score, with one point being deducted for each commenced second over the Time Allowed.

(4) Third Phase - The scores from the Hunter & Jumper Phases will be added together to determine the ten riders who will participate in the Third Phase. The combined score will determine the order of go, with the highest scoring rider competing last. These ten riders will change horses. The order of change will by random draw. The top five (5) will draw among themselves and the bottom five (5) will draw among themselves. In determining the ten riders for the Third Phase in the event of a tie, the higher score in the Jumper Phase will determine the order. Riders in the Third Phase will negotiate the Jumper Phase course. There will be neither a starting tone nor a Time Allowed in the Third Phase. A score will be given by the judges in the Third Phase, but will not be announced until the conclusion of the class. Once the riders have changed horses for the Third Phase and before the first rider in the Third Phase has entered the arena to compete, there will be a 3- minute period during which riders may work on the flat. Should any rider feel that the horse on which they will compete in the Third Phase is unsound to the extent it will impair the horse’s ability to perform the Third Phase, that rider must petition the panel of veterinarians who will be available to assess the soundness of any questioned horse. The panel’s decision regarding the fitness of a questioned horse to compete will be final. Should a horse be declared unfit to compete in the Third Phase, the rider who qualified that horse will be eliminated from the Third Phase and automatically placed 10th. The Show Steward will then draw by lot 1 of the 8 remaining riders (not to include the rider who was to ride the eliminated horse in the Third Phase). The rider drawn will then change its switched mount with the horse qualified by the rider who was switched to the unfit horse. In the event that more than one horse is declared unfit to compete, this procedure will be repeated in each instance. In the case of multiple eliminated riders due to unsoundness, the combined score of the first 2 rounds of the Finals will determine their final placing.