Youth Horse Department

1. Orientation days: All exhibitors participating in the Cass County Horse Program must attend one of the three scheduled CCHP orientation meetings to be eligible for the 2025 Cass County Fair Horse Program. If an exhibitor fails to attend one of the three meetings they will be ineligible to participate in this year’s Cass County Horse Program.Saturday, February 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m.Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 6:00 p.m.Sunday, March 23, 2:00 p.m.

2. Exhibitors are not required to own their horse/pony project, but must acquire the use of their individual horse/pony by May 1, 2025.

3. The Cass County Fair Horse ID Form (Horse I.D. sheet/stall reservation) must be filled out and submitted on-line by May 1 of the current fair year. NO EXCEPTIONS! Along with the ID sheet, a non-refundable stall fee of $20.00 for each exhibitor is due to your club leader by July 10. Leaders shall submit this to the fair office by July 15. Open exhibitors are to turn in their fee, earmarked to the Light Horse Department, to the fair office by July 10.

4. A negative Coggins test (which must be drawn on or after January 1 , 2025 for your primary horse must be submitted by May 1 of the current fair year, and should be uploaded at the time your ID Form is uploaded, along with your $20 non- refundable stall fee. This negative Coggins test is required on all horses entering the Cass County Fairgrounds. All fair light horse exhibitors should be prepared to present copies of their Coggins to fair representatives at each workout prior to the fair and after May 1 of the current year upon request. If we do not have a copy of your horse’s negative Coggins, you will have to leave the fairgrounds immediately. This document is required by law when a horse is removed from the premises in which the animal is housed.

5. A current health certificate is required by law on all out-of-state horses. A pre-printed paper copy must be brought to the horse entry booth on the first Saturday of the fair between 9:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m., unless turned in prior to this date with superintendent’s approval. Electronic copies will NOT be accepted. Please note: health certificates are only valid for 30 days, and must be current during the entire time of the fair. A health certificate is not a substitute for a Coggins test.

6. Youth Horse Show is open to light horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and utility types. When the term “horse/pony” is referenced, it will also include donkeys and mules. If a utility type is used, it may not enter into any class in Department 10.

7. Age restrictions for Department 9 only: a. Eight-year-olds are allowed in Walk/Trot classes only, which also includes showmanship, introduction to Dressage, Halter, and Costume class. b. Seven-year-olds will be allowed to show in Class 1761 – Showmanship and either 1762 – Walk/Trot or 1763 – Leadline (they will NOT be allowed to show in both class 1762 and 1763). c. All Cloverbud/Pee Wee participants must meet the Pee Wee/Cloverbud rules in Section R. Pee Wee/Cloverbud classes are available for children ages 5-7. Horse/pony participants must also complete the online horse ID sheet by May 1 st of current fair year.

8. Only one horse allowed per exhibitor, with the exception of a mare’s current year’s foal.

9. Only one registered back-up horse will be permitted. You must inform the Superintendent by July 13 if the registered back-up horse is taking the place of the primary. You must submit a signed vet slip stating the original entry is ill and/or may create a health hazard to other equine at the fair.

10. No substitutions of horses may take place during the fair week.

11. A show area clean-up day will take place in July prior to the fair. Exhibitors are encouraged to participate. Points for High Point will be awarded to those that participate.

12. Horses are not to be on the midway, in camping areas, around other livestock wash racks, or the parking lots. Horses are to be washed only in designated wash racks. (Rinsing only of hot horses at the discretion of the superintendents in areas other than wash racks.).

13. Longeing times will be 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. in practice and show arenas unless otherwise posted or announced; 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the round pen, unless otherwise posted or announced.

14. No horses or ponies out of the barns before 5:00 a.m. and must be in the barns by 10:00 p.m. unless show is in progress, being washed, or have prior approval of the Superintendent.

15. Horses may be ridden in the practice ring, show ring, and make-up area only.

16. Horses must be led to and from the barns. Riding is NOT permitted.

17. No bareback riding (except in costume classes), no running or racing anywhere on the fairgrounds or arenas. No riding or sitting on a horse except in designated areas, and you must sit your horse properly. Standing on the back of a horse is not permitted. Bridles are required at all times while riding unless being led by a handler during the Costume class.

18. No riding of a horse/pony without approved Western or English boots with a heel that is recommended by the manufacturer for riding (fashion heels are prohibited). No handling of a horse, or entering a stall without an enclosed toed and heel shoe.

19. Proper attire is to be worn at all times when handling any animals. No clothing less than a full-length T-shirt with sleeves and full-length pants (waist to ankle, and without holes) will be worn when riding your project animal. See additional attire requirements in the General Youth Rules.

20. All participants in Hunt Seat, Dressage, Saddle Seat, and Gymkhana classes are required to wear an S.E.I. approved helmet whenever they are riding.

21. Only the exhibitor my ride/drive/lunge their registered project animal during the week. Cloverbuds and alumni riders may practice on Saturday during the specified time. Each exhibitor is expected to do the care and preparation of the horse while on the fairgrounds.

22. Your exhibitor card must be completed and displayed on your stall by 2:00 p.m. the first Sunday of fair.

23. Vet on premises for checks on Sunday (start of the fair) after 2:00 p.m. The fair board, superintendent, vet and/or judge reserves the right to reject any horse from participating in any classes due to unsoundness and/or safety issues.

24. No coaching from the sidelines during a class is allowed. Coaching may result in disqualification of the exhibitor from that class or classes.

25. Any class may be split at the discretion of the superintendent and/or the judge.

26. The Public Address system is a COURTESY provided by the fair. IT IS THE EXHIBITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE AT THE RING, AND READY TO SHOW WHEN THE CLASS IS CALLED.

27. A two (2) minute gate call will be enforced. Time allowed for entering the class is a maximum of two (2) minutes from the time the gate is opened for the class. Exception: Please see the entry booth as soon as possible if the exhibitor has a class in another species, or if a tack change/error occurs,

28. If you have any questions during fair week, first discuss the matter with your club leader. If your question remains unresolved, then please come up to the entry booth.

29. Pony Information: ALL PONIES will be measured on Sunday (start of the fair) at the wash rack behind the Silver Spurs barn. There will only be a separate pony class for exhibitors aged 9-13. Ponies must measure 56 inches or less at the withers. Shod ponies will be allowed ½-inch for the thickness of the shoes.

30. Walk-Trot Information: Any exhibitor aged 8-13 may show in walk-trot classes. There will be a separate walk-trot Showmanship class for 8-year-olds only. Walk-trot exhibitors aged 9-13 will show in their age-appropriate Showmanship class. If showing in Walk-Trot classes, the exhibitor is not allowed to enter any canter/lope classes. Walk-Trot high point is open to 8-year-olds only.

31. Grand Champion Showmanship Class: Exhibitor must show their horse in the qualified discipline. If the exhibitor qualified in both Western/Ranch and English, the exhibitor may choose which discipline to show in.

32. Dressage: Exhibitor may only show in one Dressage test. Only exhibitors showing in Training Level 1 or 2 are eligible for Dressage Equitation,

33. Hunter Over Fences Information: Baby Green and Intermediate eligibility will be determined through validation. You will only be allowed to show in one division. Only Intermediate can participate in Equitation. (Jumps for pony are not to exceed 2’3”, for horse 2’6”). Jumps may be lowered at the discretion of judge.

34. Gymkhana Information: Western attire is required. No practicing the week of fair. Championship Gymkhana classes (6 classes) will be held on Friday, after Dressage.

35. All Hunter Over Fences, Gymkhana, and Versatility exhibitors must pass validation in order to participate in the respective classes. Validation dates to be determined.

36. Western and Ranch Information: Exhibitors may only sign up for Western or Ranch classes, not both, during online registration. This includes horse & pony classes.

37. No class changes/additions permitted during fair week. Exceptions: clerical errors or entry of comparable classes due to entry of back-up horse. Any changes to be approved by horse Superintendent.

38. Western & Ranch horses/ponies aged 6 & over must be shown in a shanked bit.

39. Ranch Rules: a. Exhibitor Attire: All exhibitors must wear traditional Western attire that reflects the true ranch lifestyle. Appropriate attire includes a long-sleeved shirt with collar and that has buttons or snaps that must be fastened at the wrist, western hat (or helmet), and boots with heels. Clothing with excessive crystals, glitter, or sequins is not allowed. The addition of protective outerwear is acceptable as dictated by weather conditions. b. Equipment/Grooming: i. Animals to be shown in good working halter (rope, braided, nylon, or plain leather. No silver). ii. Saddles: No silver is to be on saddles beyond conchos, two-inch (2”) corner plates and/or cantle name plates, horn caps, and silver lacing. Saddles with excessive silver have the option to use duct tape or something similar to cover any excessive silver and will not be penalized. iii. Bridles: May be leather, rawhide or a combination thereof, and may have buckles with vaquero style silver, nickel, copper or brass, any type of leather inlaid in cheeks of the bridle or “silver-colored” dots. All bits and spurs are excluded from any silver requirements, iv. Bits: Standard western bits to be used in performance classes. See Horse & Pony Rules and Regulations for details. v. Lip chains, splint boots, leg wraps or bandages are prohibited in showmanship classes. vi. Shin and/or bell boots on front lfegs and standard sliding rundown boots on rear fetlock optional in working classes. vii. Hair dyes or fresh hoof black, hoof polish and/or oil is not allowed. viii. Clipping in ears, bridle path, roached manes, mane and legs is left to the discretion of the exhibitor and has no bearing on the horse’s performance. ix. The horse should be clean and brushed, and should be shown as naturally as possible. x. Banded or braided manes, braided tails, tie-in tails and/or extensions are not allowed.

40. Versatility Rules: Open to exhibitors 13-19 years old. Two grooms will be allowed per entry. Classes will consist of English Equitation, Western Horsemanship, Reining, and Barrels. There will be a four-minute tack change allowed between classes. Horse and rider must have proper attire for each class. If equipment failure occurs, report immediately to the center of the ring. At the judge’s discretion the class maybe stopped for up to 4 minutes for repairs. If repair cannot be made, the participant will be disqualified from the Versatility event., Once the horse and rider enters the arena, neither may leave until completion of the Versatility event. Barrel scores will be used in the event of a tiebreaker, Scores will be given for the top 10 in each class/placing will be 1 thru 10. Disqualifications: More than two grooms in the ring at any time or untacking before and/or after the allowed time. Any participant not ready to compete, in proper tack and attire, at the end of four minutes will be disqualified. If a horse is deemed to be out of control, at the judge’s discretion, the exhibitor will be dismissed from the Versatility class.

41. Freestyle Reining: Open to exhibitors ages 9-19. If exhibitor performs a routine as a team with other riders, only the one The exhibitor shall wear a back number, and it is the one back number only who will be judged. A rider may participate in only one routine, even if the ride was as an unjudged teammate. The equipment is the same as a regular reining class. Limited costume and music allowed, but not required, Entrant will be disqualified if costume is determined a hazard to horse or rider, Class will be judged on execution of pattern, Ni inappropriate or offensive music, costume or dress allowed. Music is allowed but not required and must meet the following guidelines: execution of selection limited to up to 3 minutes, music used must be provided by exhibitor, and if using music, beginning and ending of pattern must be within music selection, the pattern is freestyle, but required maneuvers to be included are defined as follows: minimum one spin to the right, minimum one spin to the left, minimum three stops, minimum one lead change at the canter from right to left, and minimum one lead change at the canter from left to right. Exhibitor will only be judged astride. Exhibitors will be allowed to use either one hand or two hands without penalty. Failure to perform required maneuvers or exceeding time limit will result in a score of 0. Props will be permitted, but must not obstruct judge’s view, hinder the performance, and will not add to the score.

42. High Points and Overall High Points: Exhibitors must sign up for each high point and overall, by June 17. Exhibitors must sign- up, and show, in a Showmanship class to qualify for ALL High Points. Points will be awarded from all classes including Champion and Reserve Champion, but will not include versatility, freestyle reining and costume. Points will also be awarded for ring clean-up participation (see rule 11).

43. All traveling trophies are to be returned to the Cass County Fair office by June 1st.  Exhibitor is responsible for nameplate engraving, at no charge to the exhibitor. If an exhibitor does not return a trophy by June 1st, the exhibitor no longer qualifies for any traveling/high point trophies for the current fair year. Any exhibitor who wins a traveling trophy will sign an agreement showing that the read and understand the trophy deadline and restrictions.

44. Barn Herdsmanship Policy will be enforced – see General Youth Rules.

45. Superintendent reserves the right to revise the show schedule.

46. Horse Exhibitors with Disabilities Showmanship class will be held on Saturday. Exhibitors may haul in their own horse or use an exhibitor’s horse already stabled on the grounds.

47. Stalls must be cleaned at the conclusion of fair prior to departure from the grounds. See club leader to check-off for permission to leave grounds. Clubs will incur a $100 cleaning fee for each uncleaned stall. Open exhibitors must see Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent prior to leaving.

48. Any person can be excused from the fairgrounds for abuse to animals, abusive/foul language, or discourteous behavior towards judges, superintendents, show officials, volunteers, exhibitors, or guests. Such behavior will be evaluated upon review by the Fair Board.