|
OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
As of June 1,
2007
(revised May, 2007)
GENERAL RULES
II I.
Intent and Philosophy:
To educate, promote and foster
interest in the naturally gaited pleasure
walking horses; to encourage sportsmanship; to create wholesome competition
among riders, owners, and exhibitors of naturally gaited pleasure walking
horses; and to expand upon the popularity as well as to demonstrate the
versatility of the natural pleasure walking horse gaits.
Horses are to be evaluated on
the basis of “way of going” and how well they fit the description of the ideal
horse for the class rather than on the arbitrary distinction of how they are
shod. United Pleasure Walking Horse Association (hereinafter referred to as
UPWHA) is committed to shoeing practices that correspond with the protection and
preservation of the horse’s foot and structure rather than the use of the shoe
as a gait enhancer or “action device”.
Any
shoeing practice that detracts from the integrity of the animal’s foot or that
is done with the intent of creating exaggerated performance is prohibited
II. Drugs and Medication:
a. Each UPWHA member must conduct
themselves in accordance with Horse Rule S-2543, Horse Protection Act of 1970,
signed into law by
The President of the United
States.
b.
Cruelty to, or the abuse of a horse by any member is forbidden
and constitutes a violation of
UPWHA rules and renders the offender
subject to penalty. It shall be
the duty of any member and any properly
constituted humane organization
to report to any association officer,
any person who indulges in the
abuse or cruelty, for such further
actions as may be deemed
appropriate.
III. Conduct:
a.
It shall be incumbent upon all members to conduct themselves in
a sportsmanlike manner,
displaying no acts of discourteousness, and
to behave as ladies and
gentlemen at all times.
b.
Anyone found to be in violation of this rule by the Executive
Committee shall have their
membership reviewed and, upon evidence of good cause, revoked.
IV.
Coggins and Health:
a. Proof of current health
statement and/or negative Coggins test
is required by State Law. At the
time of any UPWHA sanctioned activity
said papers must
be made available upon request.
b. UPWHA agrees to
strictly enforce all rules and regulations of
the USDA and the Horse Protection
Act.
HORSE SHOW RULES
1)
UPWHA shall adhere to the rules of the
International Judges
Association, with the additions or exceptions listed below:
a)
UPWHA member horses shall be trained, ridden and shown keg-shod or
barefoot. No shoes heavier than a traditional manufactured keg shoe of
comparable shoe size shall be used on member horses. Shoes may not extend
beyond the hoof wall more than ¼” all around, and may not extend beyond a
perpendicular line from the heel to the ground.
b)
Beginning January 1, 2007 the toe length on UPWHA (formerly UPWHA)
member horses must not exceed 4 ½ inches.
i)
The length of toe shall be measured with the horse standing on a
flat surface, from the coronary band at the center of the anterior portion
of the hoof, following the angle of the hoof, to the ground and shall
include the shoe.
2)
Classes:
a.
All classes to be shown in accordance with UPWHA rules.
b.
All horses may cross enter in Western and English classes.
c.
Stallions may not be shown in Juvenile classes
JUDGING STANDARDS
1) UPWHA shall
adhere to the judging standards of the
International Judges
Association, with the additions or exceptions listed below:
a) UPWHA
Country Pleasure classes shall be treated as breed specific, Pleasure Walking
Horse classes with the gaits called accordingly.
VIOLATIONS AND HEARINGS
I.
Any person suspended by USDA is automatically suspended by the UPWHA for
the period of the USDA suspension from membership and any UPWHA activity.
II.
Cases will be heard before the Executive Committee or the Rules Committee as
appointed by the President of UPWHA.
III. A
complaint must be received by UPWHA no later than 2 weeks after the occurrence
of the rules or bylaws infraction. Except for protests or complaints filed by a
show official or show management, a Complaint must be submitted with a $100
check payable to UPWHA and must be mailed to the address of the President. If
the complaint is upheld these funds will be refunded to the complainant.
a. The Board of
Directors must first decide whether the complaint warrants immediate temporary
suspension of association privileges until such time as hearing and final
determination are reached. They will notify all Interested Parties of such a
suspension and its enforcement should that be the case, until the matter can be
resolved.
b. All persons involved in or handling a Protest, Complaint or Disciplinary
Action shall keep information relating to these proceedings confidential,
providing information only to the extent necessary to complete official review
of the matter.
c. Rules of evidence
need not be strictly observed, and the standard by which admissibility of
evidence is determined is whether the evidence is such that an ordinary prudent
person could rely on it. The Investigating Committee may examine the
allegations made in the Complaint or Disciplinary Action Resolution to determine
if a Hearing is warranted. A majority vote of the board of directors will
authorize the committee to conduct such a disciplinary hearing.
d. Any disciplinary hearing shall be scheduled within a reasonable time period
not to exceed 60 days. Complainants and interested parties have the right to
produce evidence to the Hearing Committee and may be represented by counsel.
Physical appearances are not required. The Hearing Committee shall establish
further procedures for a hearing, which shall provide both reasonable and due
process for complainants and interested parties and as prompt a resolution of
the matter as possible. Documented evidence will be required and presenting
party will bring sufficient copies, at their expense, for all of the hearing
Board of Directors. Hearing and determination by Board of Directors constitutes
a condition precedent to further legal action or challenge. Should a further
legal challenge be raised by any party, the parties agree that such dispute
shall be submitted to binding arbitration subject to the right of the American
Arbitration Association.
e. The Hearing
Committee shall issue its decision within thirty (30) days after the hearing has
concluded, and the decision shall be final. Written notice of the decisions and
any action, remedy or penalty prescribed by the committee shall be mailed to the
complainant, to all interested parties and to the President of UPWHA. The
Hearing Committee has complete discretion in fashioning a remedy and/or penalty
arising out of any hearing, including but not limited to, conditional
participation in, suspension or expulsion from, the ability to participate in
sanctioned classes or events sponsored by or affiliated with UPWHA.
f. Forfeiture of
membership, awards or points, imposition of fines and/or any other actions may
be deemed appropriate by the Board. If the Board’s decision involves any of
these actions, a summary of its decision shall be made known to all members and
become part of the official minutes. The Board’s decision must
include a determination whether a fee submitted with a complaint is
to be refunded.
g. Actions of
Officials: Neither UPWHA, the Hearing Committee or any of their officers,
directors, representatives, or agents will be liable for losses or damages
incurred by any individual in connection with proceedings under this rule, or in
connection with any failure to take action under this rule, except for any
losses or damages resulting from such individuals’ proven intentional
wrongdoing.
DEFINITIONS AND GLOSSARY
§
A naturally gaited pleasure walking horse is one which is owned,
trained and/or ridden in a manor to promote the talents of the horse, without
the influences of mechanical or chemical “aids” intended to effect, alter or
enhance gait.
§
Junior horse: FIVE -year-old horse
and under.
§
Juvenile Exhibitor: 17 years and under, as of January 1 of the
show year.
§
Amateur: A person is an amateur for horse show purposes who,
after his or her 18th birthday, does not engage in any manner in
which the individual receives compensation of any kind. Any person who has not
reached his 18th birthday is declared to be an amateur.
§
Keg Shoes: Unaltered factory made shoes of the sort normally
referred to as a keg shoe are permissible with the exception of toe weighted
shoes.
§
Prohibited Tack and Equipment that would eliminate a horse from
showing in UPWHA may include:
o
Heavy shoes
o
Pads or stacks
o
Chains of any kind on the legs of the horse
o
Leg wraps while being stalled
o
Weighted bell boots
o
Shoes heavier than manufactured keg shoes
o
Shanks on curb bits greater than 8.5 inches
o
Any bit the judge considers inhumane
o
Cross chain or crank chain cavessons
o
Bits with bicycle chain or chainsaw chain
o
Sharpened points on spurs
o
Whips longer than 48 inches
o
Tongue ties or mouth ties
o
Curb straps or Chains less than ½ inch in width or do not lie
flat; any wire, rawhide or other material
|
