American Saddlebred Horse Association

Updated July 14, 2008

Competition Selection Criteria and Guidelines for ASHA Regional Championships

 

            >Recognized Competition of United States Equestrian Federation

            >One Regional Championship per Region/Combined Region (USEF Map)

            >Must Offer Competition in:

                                    *Five Gaited, Three Gaited, Fine Harness (Open and Amateur)

                                    *English and Western:  Show Pleasure and/or Country Pleasure

                                    *Park Pleasure

                                    *Youth Showmanship

                                    *Saddle Seat Equitation

                       

            >Incentive for Membership in ASHA Grand National Program

                                    *Eligibility for Special $3,000/$5,000 Stakes

            >Held in the months of September, October, November

Recommended:

*Offer Competition in Other Saddlebred Sections, Including Emerging FEI Disciplines

ASHA to provide:

            >Advertising and marketing support, Web site, etc.

            >Point-keeping, qualifying support

            >Titles/recognition

            >Exclusive ribbons

            >Grand National considerations:  incremental purses/designations

           

Charter Club Council Recommendations (As of February 2008):

            >Horses must compete and receive a ribbon (1 through 8) in three (3) separate competitions within the region, in the same section within the Saddlebred division, to qualify for the Regional Championship Class in that region’s championship event, in the qualifying period. 

            >Beginning with the 2008 year, the qualifying period will be from the entry due date for the Regional Championship horse show in one year to the entry due date for the Regional Championship show in the next year.

            >Qualifying shows need not be USEF-licensed but must be recorded in the ASHA database of competitions, and ASHA must receive official results; Regional Championship competitions themselves must be USEF-licensed.

            >Classes that can be designated as a Regional Championship can be any Saddlebred class and must be a championship or stake class.  Equitation classes to be awarded the designation shall be a Walk and Trot Equitation Championship and an Equitation Championship.  ASHA must approve all Regional Championship classes offered prior to the show.

            >In the case of a sale of a horse, all qualifying records will travel with the horse (Equitation excepted).

            >Entry blank for Regional Championships shall include an area to provide a horse’s qualifying information.  ASHA to assist with appropriate forms and methods of verifying information.

            >Previous residency requirements for horses’ stabling, and/or residence of trainers, riders, and owners are replaced by the qualifying requirement above.  In the event of a horse qualifying in more than one region, only one region may be declared by the owner (by August 15) for Regional Championship competition.  Horses/riders may compete for only one Regional Championship title in a given calendar year, even if exhibiting at more than one such competition.