2011 Official Rule Book - New England Pinto Horse Association

1. All courses must be posted at least one hour before
scheduled time of class in a place readily available to
exhibitors.
a. The plan or diagram of the course must show the
obstacles, which must be taken in the order indicated
by numbers.
b. Exhibitor is not bound to follow a compulsory track.
c. An arrow is used to indicate on the plan the direction in
which each obstacle is to be taken.
2. Circling is permitted once upon entering the ring.
3. After jumping the last fence, while still mounted and prior
to leaving the arena, the horse should be trotted in a small
circle with a loose rein to be checked for soundness.
4. Horses shall not be requested to show at a walk, trot and/
or canter or to re-jump the course or any part thereof.
5. The Show Committee should take into consideration the
quality and experience of Horses available in determining
the height of fences for each class (i.e., beginning Horses
use lower fences than more experienced Horses, who
usually will not jump well if the jumps are too low).
6. The premium list must include the exact height of fences to
be jumped in each class (i.e., Fences 3’0”).
B. Course Design
1. A Hunter course shall be a course which management
deems a fair test of a Hunter.
a. Fences shall simulate obstacles found in the hunting
field such as natural post and rail, brush, gate and
chicken coop.
b. Jumps such as triple bar, hog’s back or targets are
prohibited.
2. In handy classes, fences should simulate those found in
trappy hunting country.
a. The course should have at least two changes of
direction.
b. Entries to trot over one fence toward the end of the
course.
c. A ground line is recommended for all fences.
3. Courses shall consist of at least six fences
a. A fence may be jumped more than once if so designed.
b. A course should have no more than ten fences.
c. A course should have at least one change of direction
in all classes.
d. In all 3’3” classes, a combination (in-and-out) should
be included.
4. Distances between fences shall be set as 12’ multiples
(i.e., an in-and-out with one stride between fences would
be 24’; a two stride, 36’).
5. The top element of all fences must be securely placed so
that a slight rub will not cause a knockdown.
a. Fifty percent or more of the fences must be the
required height.
b. None shall be more than 2” over or under.
c. Brush jumps may be lower.
6. The minimum height for any class shall be 2’6”.
7. The maximum height for any class shall be 4’0”.
8. A spread jump is an obstacle or combination of elements
taken in one jump and negotiated in the proper direction.
9. An in-and-out is considered as two obstacles, but must
never be used as a first fence.
C. Judging
1. Performance – An even hunting pace, manners, jumping
style, together with faults and way of moving over the
2011 PtHA Rule Book 173
ClassEs