Goals & Objectives of High Desert Equestrian Club Events:
1. Have Fun!
2. Learn and grow your equestrian skills.
3. Build a bond with your horse.
4. Celebrate your accomplishments and celebrate those around you!
5. Develop friendships that will last a lifetime.
6. Be role models for others! Somewhere around this arena, there is a little kid that wants to be just like you someday, you owe it to them to be the best you can be.
Trail Event & Gymkhana Rules:
1. To qualify for Year End Awards you must:
a. Volunteer during events.
b. Be a HDEC member in good standing.
2. Conduct & Safety:
a. Any un-sportsman like conduct or abuse will cause an exhibitor to be dismissed by the judge or HDEC committee person.
b. Any horse may be excused for lameness or for posing a danger to other horses and exhibitors by the judge or HDEC committee person.
3. Add/Scratch/Refunds for classes:
a. Please provide any class “adds” to the show personnel prior to class start.
b. Please notify the show manager of scratches ASAP, classes will have a “final gate call” and provide the exhibitor no more than 2 minutes of final gate call time to enter the ring. It is your responsibility as an exhibitor to notify the show staff of any tack or horse/rider changes.
c. Reasonable tack change requests will be accommodated as best as possible. However, as a courtesy to all other exhibitors please have those items arena side and ready for change (2-minute standard).
**No refunds once entries are paid
4. Cash Pay Outs on Event Days:
a. 1st through 3rd place cash payouts will be awarded per age division provided there are enough entrants to cover the arena fee
b. Cash payouts may be eliminated with reduced entrance fees
c. Points will be tallied for end of year prizes
5. Gymkhana Events
a. Current rider must enter the arena within 2 minutes of being called or move to the end of the runs.
b. Horses will be allowed to help when entering the arena as long as it is done in a safe manner.
c. There is a 5 second penalty for knocking over a barrel, pole (per pole), jump or other obstacle.
d. A maximum of 2 riders may use the same horse per age class.
e. Time will not be given for tack changes so please be prepared.
f. A rider may enter more than one horse for the events but will only collect end of year points on one horse (done at time of entry).
g. One entry per horse is required.
h. All arena rules must be followed.
i. A broken pattern constitutes as a No Time.
j. No dress code but please wear appropriate attire.
6. Lead line Class:
a. Age 7 and under.
b. Must be led by an adult handler (18 & or over)
7. Western or English Attire for Judged Events (Not Gymkhanas):
a. Western Attire: Western hat (or helmet) and boots must be worn in all classes. Western riders should wear a long-sleeved western type of shirt with a collar.
b. English Attire: Long sleeve shirt, jacket preferred - collared short sleeve (polo type ok) for summer shows and boots. Half Chaps with paddock boots are permitted.
8. Eligibility:
a. The age of the rider as of January 1st will determine the age group for that year.
**Age groups are as follows: 0-5, 6-9, 10-14, 15-18, 19+
b. Show management will determine any other eligibility issues.
9. Show Ground Etiquette
a. Outside the arenas, riders must walk their horses at all times, Safety First!
b. Bleachers/Announcers Stand: No horses allowed in the bleacher area or around the announcer's stand.
c. Per insurance, dogs will not be allowed on arena grounds.
10. Event Etiquette & Grievances:
a. Any grievance must be submitted in writing before the end of the event and will not be discussed at the announcer's stand but with show management directly.
b. It is the expectation of HDEC that good sportsmanship be exercised at all times.
c. Interrupting the judge during the show is not acceptable. This pertains to exhibitors, coaches, trainers and spectators.
d. All questions concerning patterns should be addressed prior to the start of the class with the ring steward for clarification.
11. Judges
a. Judges are providing their opinion of a particular performance, opinion will vary.
b. Judges may discuss feedback with riders at their discretion, post results.
c. Please be courteous to your judges, we are appreciative of the time and effort they make to support our events.
12. Volunteering
HDEC encourages volunteering. Putting these events together takes a lot of time and effort. Any volunteering will be greatly appreciated. Volunteering includes but is not limited to:
· Set up equipment
· Gate keeper (usually 2 are needed per event)
· Announcing
· Timekeeper
· Equipment tear down
· Arena maintenance i.e. pulling weeds
13. Sponsorships
The more money we are able to raise as a club, the better our year-end prizes will be. We encourage members to seek out sponsorships from businesses and individuals. There are different sponsor levels available. Sponsor forms are available from one of our board members or on our website: highdesertequestrian.wixsite.com/bigwater
Club Benefits and Board Member Information
1. One of the benefits of being a club member is the use of the arena outside of scheduled events. You must participate in at least three scheduled events to take advantage of this benefit. You are welcome to bring nonmembers with you, but they must sign a liability form before using the arena. Nonmembers cannot use the arena without a member. If a member gives out the gate combo to any nonmember, the arena usage privilege will be revoked. Please do not abuse this benefit.
2. As board members, we try to be available to all members through various means of communication. All members will be added to the GroupMe app chat. All board members can be reached through the app or via text or phone. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any members of the board.
HDEC Board members:
Doris Crowley: (928)691-1064
Emily Crowley: (928)660-2033
Cassandra McConville: (928)660-1354
highdesertequestrianclub@gmail.com