CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS & OFFICIAL RULE BOOK 2025 Edition
Idaho State Horse Show Association History .................................................................. 1-1 Constitution ..................................................................................................................... 2-1 Name .................................................................................................................... 2-1 Objectives ............................................................................................................ 2-1 Membership ......................................................................................................... 2-1 Officers and Directors .......................................................................................... 2-1 Meetings ............................................................................................................... 2-2 Amendments to the Constitution ......................................................................... 2-2 By-Laws .......................................................................................................................... 3-1 Dues ..................................................................................................................... 3-1 Officers ................................................................................................................ 3-2 Delegates .............................................................................................................. 3-3 Executive Committee ........................................................................................... 3-3 Elected Officers ................................................................................................... 3-4 Executive/Elected Officer Meetings .................................................................... 3-4 Ethical Practice Review Board and Licensed Officials Committee .................... 3-4 Ethical Practice Review Board ............................................................... 3-5 Filing and content of protests ................................................................... 3-5 Licensed Officials Committee (LOC) ...................................................... 3-7 Procedure for becoming an ISHSA judge ................................................ 3-8 Appointment of Delegates ................................................................................. 3-10 Meetings ............................................................................................................. 3-10 Election of Officers ............................................................................................ 3-10 Vacancies ........................................................................................................... 3-11 Liabilities ........................................................................................................... 3-11 Annual Audit ...................................................................................................... 3-11 Emergency Assessments .................................................................................... 3-11 Compensation of Officers and Directors ........................................................... 3-11 Scholarship(s) .................................................................................................... 3-11 Amendments to By-Laws .................................................................................. 3-12 Procedure for rules changes ............................................................................... 3-12 Rules for Putting on a Show ........................................................................................... 4-1 General ................................................................................................................. 4-1 Request for show approval................................................................................... 4-2 Local and non-point classes ................................................................................. 4-2 Show Management Responsibilities .................................................................... 4-2 Conduct of Show Management, Exhibitors and Spectators................................. 4-4 Miscellaneous Show Rules ...................................................................... 4-4 Conduct .................................................................................................... 4-4 Judges ....................................................................................................... 4-4 Ring Steward ............................................................................................ 4-5 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS, p. (i)
Duties of an ISHSA Show Steward ......................................................... 4-6 Class Entry Fees ....................................................................................... 4-7 Breed Classes ........................................................................................... 4-8 Point Rating ............................................................................................. 4-8 Point Disputes .......................................................................................... 4-8 Insufficient Funds .................................................................................... 4-8 Annual Point Awards ........................................................................................... 4-8 Protests ................................................................................................................. 4-9 Classes to Be Shown and Judged as Designated ............................................... 4-10 Addendum .......................................................................................................... 4-10 Resources ........................................................................................................... 4-10 General Showing Rules ................................................................................................... 5-1 Animal Welfare Policy ........................................................................................ 5-1 General ................................................................................................................. 5-1 Audits ................................................................................................................... 5-3 Gait Calls ........................................................................................................................ 6-1 Conformation Characteristics ......................................................................................... 7-1 ISHSA Approved Class List ........................................................................................... 8-1 Halter.................................................................................................................... 8-1 Showmanship ....................................................................................................... 8-1 English equitation ................................................................................................ 8-1 Western horsemanship ......................................................................................... 8-1 Reinsmanship (driving equitation) ....................................................................... 8-2 Lead-line, 6 and Under ........................................................................................ 8-2 English pleasure – hunt or saddle seat ................................................................. 8-2 Driving ................................................................................................................. 8-2 Western pleasure .................................................................................................. 8-3 Trail ...................................................................................................................... 8-3 Reining ................................................................................................................. 8-4 Gymkhana ............................................................................................................ 8-4 Ranch ................................................................................................................... 8-4 General notes for all classes ................................................................................. 8-5 Rules for Halter Classes .................................................................................................. 9-1 General ................................................................................................................. 9-1 Halter judging ...................................................................................................... 9-1 Proper halter class to enter ................................................................................... 9-4 Halter patterns ...................................................................................................... 9-5 Championship halter ............................................................................................ 9-6 Class specifications and class default rule book .................................................. 9-6 p. (ii), TABLE OF CONTENTS 2025
General ............................................................................................................... 10-1 Appearance ........................................................................................................ 10-1 Grooming & fitting of animal ............................................................................ 10-1 Presentation of animal........................................................................................ 10-1 Class procedure .................................................................................................. 10-2 Western showmanship ....................................................................................... 10-2 English showmanship ........................................................................................ 10-2 Scoring rubric..................................................................................................... 10-3 Class specifications, default rule book, and score sheets................................... 10-4 Rules for Equitation Classes .......................................................................................... 11-1 Equitation, horsemanship, reinsmanship, and lead-line..................................... 11-1 Hunter seat equitation ........................................................................................ 11-1 Saddle seat equitation ........................................................................................ 11-3 Scoring rubric for English equitation ................................................................. 11-5 Western Horsemanship ...................................................................................... 11-6 Scoring rubric for horsemanship ........................................................................ 11-8 Reinsmanship equitation (driving equitation) .................................................... 11-9 Reinsmanship tests ........................................................................................... 11-10 Reinsmanship scoring rubric............................................................................ 11-20 Lead-line, 6 and under ..................................................................................... 11-21 Class specifications, default rule book, and score sheets................................. 11-21 Rules for English Pleasure Classes ............................................................................... 12-1 General ............................................................................................................... 12-1 Hunter seat pleasure ........................................................................................... 12-1 Saddle seat English pleasure .............................................................................. 12-3 Gaited horse English pleasure ............................................................................ 12-4 Class specifications and default rule book ......................................................... 12-8 Rules for Western Pleasure Classes .............................................................................. 13-1 General ............................................................................................................... 13-1 Gaited horse western pleasure ........................................................................... 13-6 Class specifications and default rule book ....................................................... 13-10 REMOVED .......................................................................................................................14 Rules for Driving Classes ............................................................................................. 15-1 General regulations & appointments ................................................................. 15-1 Pleasure driving ................................................................................................. 15-1 Roadster driving ................................................................................................. 15-2 Disciplined rail driving ...................................................................................... 15-3 Class specifications and default rule book ......................................................... 15-3 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS, p. (iii)
General ............................................................................................................... 16-1 Mounted Trail .................................................................................................... 16-2 Appointments ......................................................................................... 16-2 General ................................................................................................... 16-2 In-hand trail ........................................................................................................ 16-2 Appointments ......................................................................................... 16-2 General ................................................................................................... 16-2 Mandatory obstacles .......................................................................................... 16-3 Optional obstacles .............................................................................................. 16-6 Unacceptable obstacles ...................................................................................... 16-8 Scoring rubric..................................................................................................... 16-9 Class specifications, default rule book, and score sheets................................. 16-11 Measurements .................................................................................................. 16-12 Reining Classes .............................................................................................................. 17-1 General ............................................................................................................... 17-1 Appointments ..................................................................................................... 17-1 Patterns ............................................................................................................... 17-2 Scoring rubric................................................................................................... 17-20 Reiner rail......................................................................................................... 17-22 Class specifications, default rule book, and score sheets................................. 17-23 Rules for Gymkhana Classes ........................................................................................ 18-1 General ............................................................................................................... 18-1 Disqualification .................................................................................................. 18-1 Penalties ............................................................................................................. 18-2 Appointments ..................................................................................................... 18-2 Events Barrel racing........................................................................................... 18-3 Flag race ................................................................................................. 18-4 Pole bending........................................................................................... 18-5 Key race ................................................................................................. 18-6 Figure 8 stake race ................................................................................. 18-7 Class specifications and default rule book ......................................................... 18-8 p. (iv), TABLE OF CONTENTS 2025
General ............................................................................................................... 19-1 Appointments ..................................................................................................... 19-1 Ranch Horse Gaits ............................................................................................. 19-3 Class specifications, default rule book, and score sheets................................... 19-3 Ranch Trail......................................................................................................... 19-4 Mandatory Obstacles ............................................................................. 19-5 Optional Obstacles ................................................................................. 19-5 Scoring Rubric ....................................................................................... 19-7 Ranch Riding ..................................................................................................... 19-9 Scoring Rubric ..................................................................................... 19-10 Patterns................................................................................................. 19-12 Ranch Reining .................................................................................................. 19-42 Scoring Rubric ..................................................................................... 19-42 Patterns................................................................................................. 19-44 Ranch Rail Pleasure ......................................................................................... 19-51 Penalties ............................................................................................... 19-52 Ranch Conformation ........................................................................................ 19-53 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS, p. (v)
p. (vi), TABLE OF CONTENTS 2025
Rodna Smith had an idea, a new horse organization that would be economical and allow families to compete together. Based on Jackie Fuller’s encouragement, Rodna reached out to various people in the horse community and presented her idea about the new horse organization. As a result, Idaho State Horse Show Association (ISHSA) was formed in the home of Ron & Rodna Smith, Sweet, ID January 1979. The new organization was based on the Indiana Saddle Horse Association that the Smiths were familiar with and the Kansas Open Horse Show Circuit that Jud & Virgil Morriss were familiar with. The new club was born. The first deposit for this organization was $40.00, most of which was donated by the Smiths. With the assistance of Fred and Anne Phillips, the first ISHSA show was held at the Gem County Fairgrounds in May of 1979. Hope and expectations were high. There were over 200 entries, and much excitement about this fledgling organization. There were 8 shows that first season, 3 sponsored by the new organization. The second year there were 12 shows, four of these sponsored by the parent club. In 1980, Idaho State Horse Association, ISHSA, was incorporated in Gem County, State of Idaho, as a non-profit organization to promote the showing and care of all equine— horse, mule, donkey, and pony—breeds. The first ISHSA banquet was held in November of 1981 at the Emmett High School gym. One hundred seventeen people attended. The year-end awards were gift cards from Lloyd’s Country Store. Some awards were as much as $500.00. All participants received award certificates for their placings in the shows held during the year. ISHSA needed its own set of rules because the organization encompassed all breeds and disciplines so not one set of rules would be broad enough to serve the organization. Rodna set about writing the first ISHSA rule book with help from Jud and Virgil Morriss and Nola and Russ Krahn. Due to the success of ISHSA in the Treasure Valley, a Magic Valley group headed by Phyllis Knapp ask for information. Ron and Rodna Smith and Anne and Fred Phillips met with the Magic Valley group. A new division of ISHSA was formed in the Magic Valley. Plans were discussed for a “Champion of Champion show” to be held in the fall after each area had completed their show season. This show would feature the top of each division. These Champion of Champion shows were held for several years but then were discontinued. In 1989, ISHSA decided to formalize its judges and judging clinic. Bruce and Lana Jackson helped to organize the first ISHSA Judges Clinic. ISHSA decided to hire a professional judge to act as clinician. ISHSA modeled its judge’s seminar and judges licensing process after the International Equine Judges Seminar, which is held annually in Oklahoma. 2022 HISTORY 1-1
reality. The ISHSA rule book has been written and rewritten several times as equine disciples have changed and progressed. The ISHSA Judges Clinic has advanced to the point where it is now a nationally recognized judge’s clinic for people seeking their national mule, donkey, or POAC judges card. ISHSA strives to keep current and yet stay true to its founding principles. This rule book presents the rules and by-laws of the Idaho State Horse Show Association (ISHSA). The Pinto Horse Association of America (PtHA) and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) provided a majority of the support material for this rule book; therefore, various sections of this rule book default to these organizations for situations not covered within this rule book. This rule book supersedes any and all rules previously published by ISHSA. Idaho State Horse Show Association Charter Members including their represented horse breed: Ron and Rodna Smith--AQHA Jud and Virgil Morriss--AQHA Russ and Nola Krahn—Paint Fred and Anne Phillips—AQHA and Paint Bruce and Lana Jackson—Morgan Jackie Fuller—Thoroughbred and AQHA 1-2 HISTORY 2022
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