Premier Championship Horse Show – Wilmington
World Equestrian Center
Equitation Championship Class:
The World Equestrian Center Equitation Championship Class will be open to junior riders who have not reached their 18th birthday in accordance with USEF Rule GR.127. Junior riders must have competed at the WEC Fall I and Fall II horse show in the same competition year. Riders must have competed in either the Fall I or Fall II show of the same competition year to be eligible to compete in this class. Only one rider per horse is permitted.
Course:
The Equitation Championship will be a three-phase event with phase three being a testing phase for 14 riders. Fence heights will be set at 3’6”. The course will be shown over a course of no less than eight fences and will be designed by a USEF licensed course designer. The course will be mocked over a Dover USEF Medal Style Course & Maclay final style format. The course should include 30% oxers, one combination, a bending line, a Skinny, long run to a single. Oxers will be a maximum width of 4’, and triple bars and specialty fences set at maximum 5’ width. A random order of go will be drawn the day before the class at noon.
Judging:
The jumping round will be judged on seat, hands, guidance and control of the horse. Three refusals will constitute elimination. A minimum of two judges will be required to officiate the competition.
First Round:
First rounds are to be shown over a special course of jumps prepared over the specifications as outlined above. The jumping round shall count for 60%.
Flat Phase:
At the completion of the first round, riders with no major faults will be invited back for a flat phase. Riders will be asked to flat in groups of no more than 12 at a time. The flat phase will be judged on the rider’s position, seat, and correct effective use of aids. Riders will perform the working walk, the working trot sitting, and the working trot rising, as well as showing a lengthening of stride. Riders will also show the working canter, and the working canter showing a lengthening of stride. All riders will be required to show a working counter canter for at least one full round of the ring in both directions. In addition, the flat phase may include, but not limited to Shoulder-in, Shoulder-out, Haunches-in, and Haunches-out. At least 12 riders, if available, must be called back for the flat phase. The flat phase shall count for 40%.
Testing phase:
The top fourteen riders will be asked to return for a final round over a second course following the above-stated specifications. The second round course may include tests using USEF test 1-18. At the conclusion of this round, it will be at the judge’s discretion to further test any riders. A maximum of 4 riders may be called back for additional testing.
Conditions:
Conventional tack per USEF EQ 105.5a. Martingales are not permitted for the flat phase. Trainers/Coaches are permitted to ride and school competitors’ horses. Trainers/Coaches are permitted to walk any and all courses with competitors. During the jumping, flat, and testing phase outside direction from any source will be prohibited.
Awards:
Awards will be awarded to the top 12 competitors. Special prizes to be awarded to each placing.*†
Junior / Amateur Hunter WEC Cup Classic:
Qualification:
Junior or Amateur riders will qualify for this class by winning a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbon in any one of the following divisions: Amateur Owner 3’6” 18-35 and 36 & Over, Amateur Owner 3’3” 18-35 and 36 & Over, Small Junior Hunter 3’6” ages 16-17 and 15 & under, Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 and 15 & under, Small Junior 3’3”, and Large Junior Hunter 3’3”. These ribbons must be won during the Fall I – III, and Fall Classic I horse shows.
Course:
The class will be held over a Hunter Classic style format. Fences heights will be 3’3” & 3’6” for riders to compete at their respective height. An open numerical scoring system will be used. The first round will consist of 8-10 obstacles. Fences will be set at required height and may have a variance of no more than 2” over or under. Exceptions are: Walk fences will not exceed 2’ in height and spread, Trot fences will not exceed 3’ in height and spread, brush obstacles, hedges, split-rail fences, simulated rock or stone walls, ditches, banks and other specialty jumps designed to simulate natural obstacles found in the hunt field. The top 12 riders will be called back in reverse order of the first round score. Round 2 will be a handy round and will consist of at least 10 obstacles of 6 different types. Handiness will be taken into consideration, no bonus points will be added. The handy round will have obstacles that simulate those found in trappy hunting country.
The course will have at least two changes of direction and at least one in and out as well as three of the following: hand gallop a jump, bending line, rollback turn, fence at the end of the ring, and or trot over one obstacle. Judges must place emphasis on promptness and tight turns with precedence being given in that order. Handiness is defined as time and ground-saving movement without adversely affecting performance or style. Brilliance of pace is defined as a faster pace than ordinary, without sacrificing performance or style. Hand Gallop is defined as a significant increase in pace without sacrificing performance or style. There is no limit to the number of horses a rider may compete on so long as the horse & rider combination has qualified as defined above. The same horse/rider combination must compete in both rounds of the classic. This classic will not count for division, zone, or national HOTY points.
Attire:
Formal attire required. Riders are required to wear scarlet or dark coats; white shirts with white stock; white, buff or canary breeches. Shadbellies preferred.
Awards:
Ribbons will be awarded to the top 12 riders. Riders will receive special prizes and must be present for the awards presentation.*
Children/Adult Amateur Hunter WEC Cup Classic:
Qualification:
Children or Adult Amateur riders will qualify for this class by winning a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbon in any one of the following divisions: Adult Amateur Hunters 18-35 and 36 & over, and Children’s Hunter 14 & Under and 15-17. These ribbons must be won during the Fall I, II, III, and Fall Classic I horse shows.
Course:
The class will be held over a Hunter Classic style format. Fences heights will be 3’. An open numerical scoring system will be used. The first round will consist of 8-10 obstacles. Fences will be set at required height and may have a variance of no more than 2” over or under. Exceptions are: Walk fences will not exceed 2’ in height and spread, Trot fences will not exceed 2’6” in height and spread, brush obstacles, hedges, split-rail fences, simulated rock or stone walls, ditches, banks and other specialty jumps designed to simulate natural obstacles found in the hunt field. The top 12 riders will be called back in reverse order of first round score. Round 2 will be a handy round and will consist of at least 10 obstacles of 6 different types. Handiness will be taken into consideration no bonus points will be added. The handy round will have obstacles that simulate those found in trappy hunting country.
The course will have at least two changes of direction and at least one in and out as well as three of the following: hand gallop a jump, bending line, rollback turn, fence at the end of the ring, and or trot over one obstacle. Judges must place emphasis on promptness and tight turns with precedence being given in that order. Handiness is defined as time and ground-saving movement without adversely affecting performance or style. Brilliance of pace is defined as a faster pace than ordinary, without sacrificing performance or style. Hand Gallop is defined as a significant increase in pace without sacrificing performance or style. There is no limit to the number of horses a rider may compete on so long as the horse & rider combination has qualified as defined above. The same horse/rider combination must compete in both rounds of the classic. This classic will not count for division, zone, or national HOTY points.
Attire:
Formal attire required. Riders are required to wear scarlet or dark coats; white shirts with white stock; white, buff or canary breeches. Shadbellies preferred.
Awards:
Ribbons will be awarded to the top 12 riders. Riders will receive special prizes and must be present for the awards presentation.*
* Refer to additional Rules and Restrictions that may apply. Winners will also have their name placed on the World Equestrian Cup that will be displayed year-round in a prominent location at WEC.
† Riders will be required to be present for presentations in the ring with their trainer.