The ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge, funded by Elisabeth Goth Chelberg, was developed to promote the American Saddlebred driving divisions among junior exhibitors. Competitors 17 years of age and under are adding driving to their horsemanship portfolios as horse shows add Driving Challenge classes to their class list. This program was designed with the intention of promoting both good sportsmanship and driving skills with ASHA youth members. All horses winning a ribbon in two official qualifying classes in their division are eligible to compete at the finals, which will be held in 2008 at the American Royal Horse Show in Kansas City, November 18-22. Custom trophies and ribbons are offered in qualifying events, with $10,000 in cash and prizes available at the finals.

To include an ASHA Driving Challenge qualifying class to a show, have the show secretary or manager contact Brenda Newell at (859) 259-2742 ext. 343 or email b.newell@asha.net.

ASHA Driving Challenge Rules

Rules for Participating Shows:

1. Classes are offered in two different divisions – fine Harness and show pleasure driving.
2. Shows must offer both classes, with a trophy and 8 ribbons awarded in each class.
3. Classes must be held at USEF A, B, or C rated shows, and must be judged in accordance with USEF.
4. Upon receipt of the application to host the classes and the show’s current prize list, ASHA will forward the medallions and ribbons for the designated classes; a penalty of $25.00 will be charged for not submitting the application and prize list prior to the start of the show. Otherwise, there are no fees to host the classes.
5. It is the responsibility of the hosting show to provide ASHA with an official copy of the class results, which must include the horses’ names and names and addresses of the recorded owners and exhibitors, within 30 days of the close of the horse show.
6. Shows must be in compliance with all the rules of this program in order for the designated driving classes to count as qualifying classes for the Driving Finals.

Rules for Eligibility:

1. Horse must be a ribbon winner (ANY placing) in two official qualifying classes in the same division to be eligible to compete in that respective division of the Finals, i.e., a horse must compete in two fine harness qualifying classes to be eligible to compete in the Fine Harness Driving Challenge Final.
2. Different drivers may show the same horse in the qualifying classes, and one driver may qualify different horses; however, one of those drivers who qualified the horse must show the horse in the final.
3. A first place win does not eliminate a driver from other Driving Challenge classes during that qualifying period.
4. The winner of a final is not eliminated from further competition.

ASHA reserves the right to make changes or decisions regarding this program.