Rules and Regulations — Breeds

Association Requirements

All owners, trainers and riders in American Saddlebred and Paso Fino classes must have a current United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) card. Please refer to the information below for specific breeds. Social Security or Federal Tax ID number is required for payee.  Back numbers will not be issued until all paper work is complete.

American Saddlebred Participants

All owners, trainers and riders in American Saddlebred classes must present copies of the following to the horse show secretary before numbers will be issued:

  • A current United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) card
  • Owners, trainers and riders: current membership in the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA)
  • Horse registration papers showing proof of ownership
  • CurrentCoggins

Paso Fino Participants

All owners, trainers and riders in Paso Fino classes must present copies of the following to the horse show secretary before numbers will be issued:

  • A current United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) card
  • Horse registration papers showing proof of ownership
  • Current membership in the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) with amateur status if applicable
  • Current Coggins

Racking Horse Participants

All owners, trainers and riders in Racking Horse classes must present copies of the following to the horse show secretary before numbers will be issued:

  • A membership and/or show card issued by the Racking Horse Breeders’ Association of American (RHBAA)
  • Horse registration papers
  • Current Coggins

* Speed Racking Horse participants will only need a current Coggins to enter.

Walking Horse Participants

All owners, trainers and riders in Walking Horse classes must present copies of the following to the horse show secretary before numbers will be issued:

  • Exhibitors must have an Amateur, Youth, or Professional membership in the Walking Horse Owners’ Association
  • Horse registration papers from the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitiors Association (exception: All Day Pleasure entries are not required to have registration papers)
  • Current Coggins

Gypsy Vanner Participants

All owners, trainers and riders in Gypsy Vanner classes must present copies of the following to the horse show secretary before numbers will be issued:

  • Current Coggins
  • In order for points to count for GVHS awards, the rider must be a member of GVHS and the horse must have registration papers with GVHS

Attention Devices GR839.4(i)Included under Cruelty and Abuse

Use of any explosive (e.g., fire crackers, torpedoes, fire extinguishers except in case of fire, etc.) or laser beam devices anywhere on the competition grounds, except in an exhibition or if required in class specifications.   SB103.9  Attention getting devices &/or other noisemakers (including but not limited to tape measures, blow horns, bamboo poles, explosives, fire extinguishers, baby powder, whips longer than 6′, etc.) are not allowed in and around the make up and competition rings during scheduled competition sessions. All such items will be confiscated and offenders will be reported to the USEF. (See also GR839.4i)

Barn Calls

Entries must be prepared and report to the makeup area at least 10 minutes prior to the class in which they are entered.  Germantown Charity Horse Show will make every effort to announce the progress of the preceding class over speakers to the stable area.  Barn calls are a courtesy of the show.  It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to present your horse prior to the gate closing.

Championships

To be eligible for Championships, horse must have shown in another class in that section unless otherwise noted.

Classes

The Management reserves the right to limit entries, alter courses; prohibit or disqualify exhibitors; change, cancel, limit or combine classes at its discretion to compensate for excessive or inadequate entries or due to acts of nature, without claim for damages.

Coggins Tests and Health Certificates

A Current negative Coggins Test certificate dated within one year must be included with entry as well as current veterinarian practice health papers noting Equine Influenza Virus and Equine Herpes Virus vaccination within six months of the competition.  If your animal’s vaccinations were not administered by a veterinarian, you must, if asked be able to provide to secretaries, a receipt for purchase of vaccines, signed by the owner or agent with control of the animal; name, serial #, expiration date and date of administration.

Dogs

Germantown has a strict leash law and unleashed dogs are subject to impoundment and their owners fined. Loose dogs that are a problem, especially if caught in any arena will cost exhibitor $100.00.

Entries

Entries will be accepted until 5:00 PM each day for classes that evening. Entries for morning classes must be made by 9:00 PM the night before. All classes that re entered before 1:00 p.m. on the day they are scheduled receive a discount of $10 per class (exception – entries for morning classes should be made by 5:00 pm the day before).

Every exhibitor, rider, driver, handler and trainer or his/her agent(s) must sign an entry blank. In the case of a rider, driver or handler under the age of 18, his/her parents or guardian must sign an entry blank on the minor’s behalf.

Entries will be accepted the following ways:

  • Online
  • By mail to GCHS, ℅ Mark Farrar, 220 Farrar Road, Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160; (do not send signature required) via email.
  • By phone at (901) 754-0009

All Adds & Scratches must be made in the horse show office before the class starts. Anyone
competing in a class in which they were not entered will be charged double entry fees.

Make checks payable to Germantown Charity Horse Show, Inc. There will be a $50 returned
check fee.

Entry to Show Ring

Prompt entry into the show ring is appreciated when your class is called. In classes where horses compete collectively, exhibitors will have two minutes to enter the ring after the first horse enters. Holds can be requested when the same horse or rider has back-to-back classes, but they should be requested before the start of the session.

Exhibitor Passes

No more than 1 parking and 2 exhibitor passes provided per entered horse or pony. Additional passes will be available in the horse show office at a cost of $5 per exhibitor pass and $10 per parking pass.

Footing

All show and warm up rings are made of all-weather footing of sand and limestone screenings.  Arena dimensions as follows: Main Arena – 130’ x 250’, North Arena – 112’ x 215’, South Arena – 120’ x 224’.

Grounds Fee

A one-time grounds Fee of $15 per day or $50 for the week of the show will be charged for each horse brought on the show grounds and not paying a stall fee.

Horse Show Office

The Horse Show Office will be open by 10:00 a.m. the day prior to the start of the show for processing entries.  The office will remain open ½ hour after the last class each day.  Numbers will not be issued without an open check or credit card on file. There will be a 5% “non-swipe” credit card fee for accounts closed without a card present. There will be a $50 close-out fee for entries not closed out by a trainer or exhibitor.

Measurement

Horses and ponies without a current valid measurement card issued by USEF will be measured by the horse show steward.  Check with the horse show secretaries for a measurement schedule.

Motorized Vehicle Statement

Minors who do not have a valid driver’s license which allows them to operate a motorized vehicle in the state in which they reside will not be permitted to operate a motorized vehicle of any kind, including, but not limited to, golf carts, motorcycles, scooters, or farm utility vehicles, on the competition grounds of licensed competitions. Minors who have a valid temporary license may operate the above described motorized vehicles as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid driver’s license. The parent(s), legal guardian(s), or individual who signs the entry blank as a parent or guardian of a minor operating a motorized vehicle in violation of this rule are solely responsible for any damages, claims, losses or actions resulting from that operation. Violations of this rule will be cause for sanctions against the parent(s), guardian(s) and/or trainer(s) who are responsible for the child committing the offense. Penalties may include exclusion of the child, parent(s), guardian(s), and/or trainer(s) from the competition grounds for the remainder of the competition and charges being filed against any of the above individuals in accordance with Chapter 6. Wheelchairs and other mobility assistance devices for individuals with disabilities are exempt from this rule.

Non-Showing Horse Fee

In addition to the stall fee, a non-showing fee of $135 will be charged for each horse, pony, mule, etc. stabled on the grounds and not in a competition in a complete division. Non-showing horses must be on a signed entry blank on file with the horse show secretaries.

Official Photographer

Only the official photographer(s) contracted by the GCHS are allowed to take and sell photos during and after the show. Photography and/or video recording is allowed only in areas where the view of spectators is not obstructed. Only official photographers are allowed to take photos in the show ring. In addition, no images should be shot over the rail for publishing purposes depicting a horses’ motion unless by the official photographer. Camera lenses over three inches in length are considered professional and are not allowed except by an official GCHS photographer. Flash photography is strictly prohibited.

Officials

The show committee reserves the right to substitute a show official in the event of failure of an advertised show official to attend this show or perform his duties.

Opportunity/Exhibition Classes

Horses and Riders/Drivers/Handlers entered in Opportunity and/or Exhibition Classes may cross enter into the rated/recognized classes at this competition and will be subject to USEF membership rules and fees.

Proper Attire

It is the tradition of the show ring that riders and drivers and handlers be correctly attired for all classes and that horses be properly presented. Please be familiar with all rules regarding tack and attire. This includes trainers/attendants who may enter the ring to assist an entry.

Refund Policy

Prepaid entry fees will be refunded only upon presentation of a vet certificate before June 8th. After an entry is accepted, stall fees will be charged even if a horse is scratched. There will be a scratch fee equal to the office fee for any entry withdrawn/scratched after the entry has been accepted.

Responsibility

Neither the Germantown Charity Horse Show Inc., the manager, his employees or any other employee of the show will be responsible for any article of any kind or nature that may be lost, destroyed or stolen, nor liable for any injury sustained to horse, exhibitors, spectators or employees of exhibitors. The foregoing shall be included as a condition of entry.

RV Parking

RV parking is available at a rate of $260 for the entire show or any portion of the show. Space is limited. RV spots must be reserved by emailing Mark Farrar at GCHSmanager@gmail.com. RV registration cards must be picked up in show office and displayed in a location visible from outside the trailer. Please do not show up with your camper if you do not have a reservation.

Warning

Under Tennessee Law, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, title 44, chapter 20. 44-20-103. Limitation on liability for injury or death of participant Except as provided in §44-20-104, an equine activity sponsor, an equine professional, or any other person, which shall include a corporation or partnership, shall not be liable for an injury to or the death of a participant resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities. Except as provided in §44-20-104, no participant or participant’s representative shall make any claim against, maintain an action against, or recover from an equine activity sponsor, an equine professional, or any other person for injury, loss, damage, or death of the participant resulting from any of the inherent risks of equine activities.

The Germantown Charity Horse Show Association volunteers, officers and management assume no liability for any errors that might appear in this publication. Great care has been taken to provide accuracy in this document and compliance to USEF rules and regulations

Stabling

Permanent stabling of 262 stalls and additional tents are on the show grounds at a cost of $150 per stall, if reserved by May 14, 2021. After May 14 all stalls are $210 per stall. Once reserved, stalls are not refundable. All stalls are approx. 10×10 w/doors. All stall fees must be paid before the stall will be reserved. Bagged shavings will be available through the show office and may be charged to your account. Stabling is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Email Mark Farrar at GCHSmanager@gmail.com for all stall reservations. Management reserves the right to close entries. Additional stalls are also available during the show at the Shelby Show Place Arena.

Stall Reservations

Due to limited space available, stall reservations must be emailed to Mark Farrar at:
GCHSmanager@gmail.com by Friday, May 14, 2021. Stabling will be available from 12:00 noon on Sunday, June 6, 2021 until 12:00 noon on Sunday, June 13, 2021.

Stripping

No class will be required to strip.

Time Outs

Only one (1) five-minute time out may be requested per exhibitor per class. In case of casting a shoe or breakage of equipment in the paddock, the gate may be held no more than 3 minutes. There will be no delay after the first horse enters the ring, at which time the gate will be held for two minutes.

Trophies, Ribbons, and Prize Money

A trophy and ribbons 1st – 8th will be awarded in classes unless otherwise specified. Prize money will not be credited to exhibitor’s account without a current Social Security number.  Refunds, if owed, will be mailed promptly. Any prize money owed will be mailed within 30 days following the show.