2026 · Version 7.3 · Effective March 2026
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ESC Participant Code of Conduct
253 matching sections
SSE 3.0 Tack & Apparel 1. Maintaining a traditional appearance is essential for riders, following established customs. Judges are required to penalize or disqualify participants who do not adhere to these standards. 2. Informal riding attir…
SSE 4.0 Class Execution Protocol 1. Each exhibitor is permitted to request a single 5 minute time-out per class. 2. It is the duty of the judge to remove any horse from the ring that displays unruly behavior or poses a danger to the rider, …
SSE 5.0 Class Specifications & Qualifications Four age categories may be offered but may vary according to local conditions: 1. Juvenile riders 10 years of age and under 2. Juvenile riders 11-13 years of age 3. Juvenile riders 14-17 years o…
SSE 6.0 Pleasure Division 1. Juvenile riders are permitted to ride Pleasure horses with full mane and tail, displaying a natural carriage. 2. Classes may be categorized by the rider's sex and/or age. 3. If participating with American Saddle…
SSE 7.0 Adult Riders Open to amateur riders 18 years of age or older. Skill Sets Low to High.
SSE 8.0 Championships 1. The decision to restrict championships to ribbon winners lies with competition management. 2. Competition management is required to allow any class in the saddle seat sections (such as age groups, Challenge Cups, Me…
SSE 9.0 The Good Hands National Finals The Mane Event Horse Show is host to the Good Hands National Finals. 1. The Good Hands Qualifying Classes: For juveniles who have not reached their 18th birthday. To be judged at a walk, trot, and cant…
SSE 10.0 UPHA Challenge Cup See https://www.uphaonline.com/
SSE 11.0 Instructions for Executing Skill Set Tests 1. All tests, whether performed individually or collectively, must adhere strictly to the specified guidelines. No other testing methods are permitted. 2. Instructions for each test must b…
SSE 12.0 Testing the Rider 1. Alternatively known as Traditional Tests 1-16, now arranged by Complexity Skill Sets going from Low to High. 2. Each pattern skill set has a recommended scoring range. When a judge is selecting a pattern, the s…
SSE 13.0 Low Complexity Skill Sets - 11yo & Over Possible Points: 1-5 performed in line up or straight line along rail no canter 1. L1. Dropping of Irons in Lineup - (Traditional Test 5) As instructed by judge or ringmaster each rider to di…
SSE 14.0 - Medium Complexity Skill Sets - 13yo & Under Possible Points: 5-10 trotting on or off the rail 1. M1. Trotting Circle - (Traditional Test 1) Circling clockwise (to the right) and posting to the left diagonal; going counter-clockwi…
SSE 15.0 - High Complexity Skill Sets Possible Points: 10-20 cantering patterns, dropping of irons while performing. 1. H1. Canter Straight Line - (Traditional Test 3) Canter a straight line on the correct lead. 2. H2. Ring Performance & Sh…
HH 1.0 General The Hunter Hack class typically includes individual fence work (70% weight) and collective rail work (30% weight), judged on manners, performance, and versatility. Some shows may offer the class on the flat only, judging mann…
HH 2.0 Gaits Walk, trot, canter, hand-gallup and backup. The judge may extend any gait.
