Overall Etiquette & General Rules

* Be kind and courteous to EVERYONE.

* Our shows are run by volunteers. Being polite and appreciative goes a long way and keeps our volunteers willing to keep coming back! Being unkind to any volunteer, show management individual, or facility employee is grounds for being asked to leave the show.

* Be kind to your horse! Mistreating your horse is the fastest way to being asked to leave the show.

* In order to be on the show grounds you MUST have the following:

     1. A current negative Coggins on file with NFDA

     2. An ASTM / SEI certified helmet that you wear at ALL times while mounted

* In order to compete in the show you MUST additionally have the following:

     1. A signed release form on file with NFDA

     2. A signed etiquette form on file with NFDA

* USDF Intro, WDAA Intro, and WDAA Basic levels will all run in a small arena (20m X 40m).  All other levels will run in a large arena (20m X 60m).

* Trainers: Your students are a reflection on you just as much as you are an example for them. Thank you for helping them be their best and for helping us create the next generation of fabulous riders.

* Please be familiar with all USEF and USDF rules. USEF has a convenient app that you can install on your phone so that you can quickly reference the most current rules. NFDA follows all of those rules with some exceptions that are listed on the prizelist.

Before the Show

* Send ride time requests and stabling requests to the show secretary when you send in your entry. Requests made after ride times come out are likely to not be accommodated.

* Let the show secretary know of any other conflicts you would like us to avoid such as trainers coaching multiple riders or if one person needs to call a test for another. Make us aware of this when you send in your entry. Requests made after ride times come out are likely to not be accommodated.

* Please double check your ride times and stabling assignments as soon as they are posted. Inform the show secretary of any errors ASAP.

Barn Rules

* Keep your area clean and free from trash

* Double check your stall door and tie it shut if needed - not all of them latch well.

* Keep aisleways and wash racks free of poop

* Keep music to a low volume to avoid upsetting other horses

* If you are the last one in the barn on Friday night we may ask that you be responsible for turning off the lights. The horses deserve a good rest. If you need the lights after lights-out, please be efficient, and then shut them off again.

Friday schooling: The competition arenas are open for schooling Friday starting at noon. There is NO schooling in the competition arenas on Saturday. During schooling:

* Please try to keep the number of horses in each ring to about 3 or 4.

* Please be efficient with your time spent in the rings. If other riders are waiting to use the ring, please be courteous and allow them a turn.

Friday AND Saturday schooling / warm-up

* Be aware of someone practicing a specific figure or movement and try to allow them the line they need.

* Make sure to check the USEF rulebook for allowable equipment and make sure you are using what is legal and appropriate for your horse and your level.

* No lunging in the warm-up arena. Ask in the show office where the designated lunging area is.

* If at all possible, try to pass left shoulder to left shoulder. If this isn't possible, communicate verbally with other riders so everyone knows where you are heading.

* Give all other horses as much room as possible. You never know when another horse might be offended by you coming too closely.

* If another horse is having trouble - give LOTS of room.

* No trail riding. If your horse needs a long walk (understandable!) please try to do so around the property instead of taking up space in the warm-up.

* Trainers or other ground crew - please stay out of the arena. This is for your safety! Please do all instructing from the sidelines.

* Riders - if you need to have a conversation with your trainer, have your boots wiped off, your girth tightened, or any other equipment adjusted, please step out of the warm up area so that you are not accidentally causing a traffic jam.

Show day

* Your horse must have his number on either his bridle or your saddle pad at any point while mounted or being lunged.

* No more riding in the rings. You may ride in the warm-up arena only.

* Check in at the office early and verify that all information is correct. We can't fix anything after you have ridden!

* Be responsible for knowing your number, your ride times, and your rings.

* Keep the ring entrance clear so that those riders entering and exiting have a clear path.

* NO parking cars near the rings.

* All spectators should watch calmly and quietly.

* Having ring stewards is a luxury, and ours are amazing. However, it is the RIDER'S responsibility to be in the ring on time. Knowing if the ring is running on time and also the number of the rider you follow is a great way to keep on top of things.

* Please plan to be at the ring entrance 2 minutes before your ride time. It is not our responsibility to go looking for you. If you go down centerline more than 45 seconds after the judge rings the bell, you are eliminated. Our shows typically run on time. Therefore, if your ride time is 09:12:00 AM, and the judge rings the bell at 09:12:00 AM, you will be eliminated if you do not go down centerline by 09:12:45 AM.

* If the ring is running early you are under no obligation to ride before your time, however, if you are ready, please go ahead and ride as a courtesy to the judge.

* If the ring is running late, you should be prepared to enter the ring immediately after the previous rider's final salute. The judge has the right to eliminate you for being late otherwise!

* When you enter the ring (or go around the outside, depending on the set-up) please say hello to the judge and scribe and tell them your number and test. They don't need any other information than that, but don't assume they can see your number from a distance.

* If you have a caller they must stand on the outside of the ring and on the side furthest away from the other ring.

* Your caller may only read the exact words on the test. If they say anything else you may be disqualified for "unauthorized assistance".

* You may ride around the outside of the ring (if space permits) or within the ring until the judge rings the bell for your test to begin. You may not go down centerline until that happens.

* While riding your test, if the judge rings the bell you may have gone off course or made an error. Approach the judge to receive instructions on where they would like you to start over. Be courteous and polite! It's ok to ask for clarification, but this is not the time to argue!

* If you are eliminated or disqualified, be courteous to the judge and kind to your horse!

* After your final halt, walk a few steps forward and say thank you to the judge! Even if you are less than pleased with your ride, thanking the judge for their time is always appreciated.

* Wait until your score is posted on the board before you ask to see your test. If it isn't posted, the class isn't ready to pin yet. Stay out of the office and let the scorers do their job! Hanging around and staring at them does not help the calculators work faster.

* If you think there is an error on your test, politely bring it to the attention of the show office. We will be glad to recalculate. You must do this, however, before the end of the show. After the show is over there can be no adjustments.

I Iacknowledge that I have received and reviewed a copy of the Etiquette Rules for NFDA. agree to follow all of the rules listed here for the show year of 2024, and will do my best to ensure that anyone accompanying me to the show does the same.