We regret to inform you that the 2016 Arabian Foal Festival will be on Hiatus.
The popular Arabian Foal Festival has been put on a Hiatus for the 2016 show season. Unfortunately due to county permits and insurance our location will not be able to accommodate the 2016 show. With the limited time available to make the necessary changes the decision was made by the Arabian Foal Festival Board to postpone the majority of the 2016 Show. The Santa Ynez Futurity Gelding classes WILL STILL BE HELD AT A DATE AND LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED. That will include a Halter Class for the Yearling Geldings, an In Hand Trail Class for the Two year old Geldings and a Ridden Trail Class for the Three year old Geldings. All three classes will continue to be awarded prize money of a combined total of over $34,000 for the Santa Ynez Futurity with checks being given to the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners of their classes.
We will make public the dates for the show as soon as they are solidified.
Thank you for your continued support,
The Arabian Foal Festival Board
Kelly Elm, Greg Gallùn, Doug Dahmen, Henry Metz & Bart Van Buggenhout
Questions can be addressed to: info@thearabianfoalfestival.com or 562.260.8664 any updates to schedule or rules will be on Facebook at The Arabian Foal Festival
Show Organization – By Participating in this Show: The Arabian Foal Festival; the show board members, show officials, judges, exhibitors and handlers will unconditionally submit themselves and their accompanying person to the “Show Rules of Conduct and Procedures” and will accept the jurisdiction of The Arabian Foal Festival Board and the Santa Ynez Valley Arabian Horse Association. The AFF, SYVAHA and the DC – Disciplinary Committee. These rules will be interpreted where necessary under the provisions by such committee. No gifts in the form of fees or money will be paid or given by the show organization nor accepted by the judges or other officials. Material gifts are allowed to be given by the show organization only. This show is not recognized by the Arabian Horse Association.
Admission to the Ring: There will be an assigned “Order of Go” in all qualifying classes. Horses entering the ring in the wrong order or who have missed entering the arena in the assigned order will be eliminated from competition. It is the exhibitors/handlers responsibility to enter the arena in the posted “Order of Go:”.
Advertising: You may not advertise in any publication or social media site horses or handlers that will be showing at The Arabian Foal Festival or showing in the Santa Ynez Futurity class. You may advertise a barn, farm or breeding program as showing at The Arabian Foal Festival.
Age of Horses: For horse show purposes any horse shall be considered to be one year old on the first day of January following the actual date of foaling.
Amateur Handlers: Only amateur handlers will be allowed to show. You may work in the horse industry, however you may not receive remuneration for showing horses at horse shows, including flights, lodging and thank you gifts. The AMATEUR DIVISION IS FOR HANDLERS WHO HAVE WON IN HALTER AND OR PERFORMANCE AND BEEN REGIONAL, SCOTTSDALE, WORLD CUP, US NATIONALS FIRST PLACE, RESERVE OR CHAMPION WINNERS. NOVICE AMATEURS HAVE NOT BEEN FIRST PLACE, RESERVE OR CHAMPION WINNERS. Amateur horses may be professionally trained at a Training or Show Barn.
Barn Calls: Barn Calls are a courtesy only. Exhibitors must ascertain when and where classes are being judged. Every effort will be made to advise the exhibitor of any changes in the tentative schedule. Due to unforeseeable problems with any mechanical device, the public address system and paddock calls over that system must be considered a courtesy. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to be sure that their horse is at the gate at the prescribed time. Every effort will be made to maintain a working public address system to carry class calls, however no protest will be upheld, nor will any section class be changed on the basis of the public address system malfunctions. Exhibitors are responsible for reporting all entries to the gate attendant and Disciplinary Committee before each respective class is called for showing and must enter the ring promptly when called. Remember the gate attendant cannot see you, therefore it is important that you listen carefully and report immediately to the holding area when your class is called. The gate will be closed after the last horse enters the ring. After the gate is closed no entry will be allowed unless approved by the judge or DC. All gate holds must be approved with the DC.
Class Conduct: All Qualifying Classes will be officiated by one judge – judges will be chosen by the show management. All horses will be judged independently and comparatively. Judges will examine each horse individually: walking, trotting and standing. All horses to be shown collectively at the beginning of each class. Horse shall enter the ring at a trot in a counter-clockwise direction in chronological age order (according to date of birth) from youngest to oldest. Horse shall be encouraged to move with elegance, impulsion and charismatic animation at the trot exhibiting authentic Arabian Type. Following the trot into the arena, each entry shall proceed to a designated area. ( Continued Page 2)
Class Conduct: All Qualifying Classes will be officiated by one judge All entries must remain in the designated area while the other horses enter into the arena. Immediately following the individual presentation at the trot (entrance into the arena) all horses shall walk in a counter-clockwise direction around the arena. Horse to circle at a controlled walk around the ring at the discretion of the judge and the instruction of the Ring Steward. The purpose of this presentation is to allow the judges to collectively access the quality of each entry at a natural walk. At the conclusion of the collective walk, horses will be presented to the judges in the center ring. A TRADITIONAL HALTER STAND-UP WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. No whips will be tolerated. NO CHAINS ON WEANLINGS/FOALS, CAPTIVE CHAINS ARE ALLOWED ON YEARLING, TWO AND THREE YEAR OLDS. Weanling/Foals are welcome to enter the ring and be presented with their Dams or their Recipient Mares. YOU MAY NOT STAND IN FRONT OF YOUR FOALS/WEANLINGS – AS YOU ARE NOT STANDING THEM UP. STANDING AT THEIR SIDE ALLOWING THEM TO LOOK AT A TREAT OR LOOK AT YOUR HAND. Exhibitors will show their Foals/Weanlings horses without whip and without the use of a chain. Yearling, Two and Three Year Old Horses may be shown with a CAPTIVE CHAIN. Carrots, grain, the use of grass and a leather strap under the chin may be used. You may stand in front of your Yearlings/Two Year Olds/Three Year Olds.
Close of Entries: Entries must be postmarked by August 1, 2016
Refusal of Entires: The Show Board reserves the right to refuse, accept conditionally or cancel any entries of any exhibitor for failure to adhere to the Show Rules & Procedures.
Discipline: Exhibitors are warned that any act of discourtesy or disobedience to the officials on the part of the owner, groom, trainer, or member of the family of the person participating in the show, will disqualify the horse from adjudication. The management reserves to itself the right to remove a groom, horse, trainer or owner from the show without being liable for compensation or damages. Any acts made during the show that are considered offensive or made with intent to influence or cast aspersions on the judging an exhibitor may be banned from the show and the discretion is solely up the the Show and Disciplinary Committee.
Dispute Not Covered by Rules: Should any question or dispute arise not provided for in the governing rules, the same shall be referred to the Show Board whose decision is final.
Disqualification: Any horses doctored in any way artificially, improperly or unfairly prepared or tampered with before entering the show ring will be disqualified. If it is ascertained that any exhibitor has made or caused to be made, any false statement in regard to any animal or article exhibited, or if any exhibitor shall attempt to interfere with judges in the performance of their duties, he or she shall be excluded from competing or exhibiting.
No alteration or the equipment intended to alter the basic color of the skin, coat or hooves is permitted. Hoof paints, colorless varnishes, (slight sanding or polishing of the hooves is permitted) coat dyes are prohibited. Use of ginger or any other substance which alters the horse’s natural tail carriage is forbidden. Artificial methods affecting the natural action of the horse or otherwise influencing its action or behavior by oxygenating the bloodstream or by the use of weights or artificially weighted shoes, or by electrical or chemical treatment of any kind at any time before or during exhibition are forbidden. Whip marks or any other form of abuse will be regarded as full and adequate grounds for exclusion of any exhibit or exhibitor from competition, at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee. (Continued pg 3)
Disqualification Continued: In all classes horses may be fully or partly body-clipped with no more then a 10 blade. Whiskers and eye lashes untouched and the hair outside the ear may be clipped but the hair deep inside the ears stays untouched. Horses not fulfilling these criteria will not be allowed to participate.
Entries: Entries must be made on the official entry form along with a copy of a horses registration papers (both sides) must be submitted to the show office. If registration is pending please send a copy of the pending paperwork. If horse is leased a copy of the paperwork must also be provided. The official entry form must be signed by the Owner, Trainer, Coach, if no Trainer or Coach then the Owner must sign in lieu of. The Handler – Amateur must also sign the entry form. If more than one Handler, then Handlers must sign under the appropriate location #1, #2 or #3.
Filing a Complaint: A show organizer, appointed judge, ring master, exhibitor, owner or handler of a horse entered at the show may lodge a complaint alleging infringement of the above stated rules. A complaint concerning a horse or handler is to be made in writing within one hour of the alleged infringement occurring. Any other complaint, except concerning a complaint about a judge or any other official including show organizers, is to be made in writing before the end of the show. A deposit of $100 will be lodged with the Disciplinary Committee, DC or show organization and may be retained if the complaint is considered frivolous, at the DC’s or show organization’s discretion. Any complaint about a judge or any other official including the show organizers is to be made in writing and signed by two individuals. Such complaints must contain any evidence and be sent to the show organization with full name and postal address of the complainant within 3 days of the show. A deposit of $100 must be paid in accordance.
Get of Sire: Entry must consist of at least two of the Sire’s offspring. Offspring can be either Foals/Weanlings (recipient mare may accompany them), Yearlings/Two or Three Year Olds. Entry fee is $130 for the entire entry. All entries must be listed on the official entry form. Limited to “5” Entries. A group will be considered one entry. Entry will be allowed based on the postmark, fax or email date. After “5” entries are received the class will be closed.
Judges: In the event that due to an illness or failure of a judge to attend the show or to perform the duties, the Show Board reserves the right to substitute a judge for the one who is officially designated in the Premium List or to appoint another judge at its desecration. No exhibitor shall approach a judge regarding a decision unless he or she first obtains permission the the Disciplinary Committee (DC) designated by the Committee for such purpose. Further , no exhibitor shall approach a judge regarding a decision unless he or she first obtains permission from the DC, who shall arrange an appointment with the judge at the proper time and place and solely at the DC’s discretion.
The invited judges agree to judge with integrity and honesty and to carry out their judging duties solely with the objects of the show organization and the welfare of the horses in mind. Judges will not consult the show catalogue before or during the show at which they are judging. Judges appointed at the show will not knowingly judge horses concerning which there may be an actual or apparent conflict of interest. No judge appointed at the show may exhibit, ride, drive or handle an entered horse. The Show organizers will not accept any entries for which any actual or apparent conflict of interest with one of the appointed judges has been indicated, unless a reserve judge is available. An actual or apparent conflict of interest may occur if a horse is judged that: has been bought or sold by the judge either as owner or agent, is owned in whole or part by the judge or by a member of the judge’s family, or business partner in an Arabian horse business venture. A horse that has been leased by the judge at any time. A horse that has been bred by the judge or is the property of a breeding organization in which the judge is or was an employee. A horse that has been regularly trained, examined or treated by the judge in a professional capacity.
In the show ring, all communication between judges and handlers prior to the presentation of prizes will be through the ring master. Judges may withhold any award if in their opinion the exhibit does not merit such an award.
Judging in the Championship Classes will be three judges using the comparative system. Judges will score their Gold placing with “9”, Silver placing with a “4” and Bronze placing with a “1”. Scores will be tabulated and winners will be chosen with the highest score being named Gold Champion, second highest score being named Silver Champion and third highest score being named Bronze Champion. Only amateur handlers will be allowed to show. You may work in the horse industry, however you may not receive remuneration for showing horses at horse shows, including flights, lodging and thank you gifts. Handlers will be neatly dressed in a full white outfit (khaki pants are allowed) tie are permitted in colors. Handlers will not wear clothes carrying any form of advertising for the horse industry or products.The judge(s) may request that the ringmaster order unruly horses to be withdrawn. The judge(s) may request that the ringmaster ask a handler to open a horse’s mouth or pick up its feet for inspection. Exhibits are to be judged standing, walking and trotting. Handlers who do not comply with the ring master’s instructions may be excused from the ring.
Horses will appear in the collecting ring no less than 10 minutes before the start of the class, so the Disciplinary Committee, DC can check the clipping and preparation; handling rules to be followed by the participant. No horse can enter the arena without being checked and approved by the DC first. Failure to appear in the collection ring in a timely manner is cause for disqualification.
Weanling/Foals are welcome to enter the ring and be presented with their Dams or their Recipient Mares. YOU MAY NOT STAND IN FRONT OF YOUR FOALS/WEANLINGS – AS YOU ARE NOT STANDING THEM UP. STANDING AT THEIR SIDE ALLOWING THEM TO LOOK AT A TREAT OR LOOK AT YOUR HAND. Exhibitors will show their horses without whip and without the use of a chain. Carrots, grain, the use of grass and a leather strap under the chin may be used. You may stand in front of your Yearlings/Two/Three Year Olds and a CAPTIVE CHAIN may be used.
No horses shown at other horse shows by a professional will be accepted. This show is intended as a first or second experience show, the show organization expects the exhibitor to comply with this request and handle accordingly. A yearling/two/three year old may have been shown at another horse show besides The Arabian Foal Festival – BUT ONLY BY AN AMATEUR.
Additional Awards will be given and judged and calculated as follows: Best Large and Small Breeder. Best Small Breeder (S) is five and under foals a year. A Large Breeder (L) is six and over foals a year. Breeders may not be partnerships for the purposes of calculation. Partnerships will be calculated as separate breeders. So an individual can be in the running for the title as well as be in the running for the title as a partnership, but those points will be calculated separately and not added together. Points will be awarded in classes as well as the championships. Points will be as follows: 1st place in a class (2), 2nd place in a class (1) – Gold Champion (3), Silver Champion (2), Bronze Champion (1).
Best Handler: Best Handler will be calculated with the same points system as Best Small and Large Breeder. 1st place in a class (2), 2nd place in a class (1) – Gold Champion (3), Silver Champion (2), Bronze Champion (1).
Best Sire of the Show: Points will be awarded in classes as well as the championships. Points will be as follows: 1st place in a class (2), 2nd place in a class (1) – Gold Champion (3), Silver Champion (2), Bronze Champion (1).
A loose horse in the collection ring or the show arena will be given one time out – if a horse becomes loose a second time that is grounds for disqualification.
Location of Classes: Show Management reserves the right to change the arena location of classes with the proper notification to exhibitors concerned.
Non-Responsibility and Indemnity: All entries are accepted with the understanding that The Arabian Foal Festival will not be held responsible for any loss, damage or injury to any horse exhibited or any article of equipment of any kind. All horses shall be under the control and direction of the Show Board solely at the risk of the exhibitor, who will be responsible for any loss, damage or injury to any person, animals or property occasioned by him, his agents or employees, or by any animal owned or exhibited by him and shall indemnity The Arabian Foal Festival and/or The Santa Ynez Valley Arabian Horse Association against any and all loss, damages and liability thus occasioned, including but not limited to any and all legal costs, including attorney fees, which may be incurred as a result thereof. Exhibitors, grooms, handlers, owners, etc., are hereby warned that they may not use any device or conduct which may cause harm to any other person(s) horses, or equipment. The submitting of an entry form to the Arabian Foal Festival shall constitute an acceptance by each person signing same of the provision herein set forth.
Novice Handlers: Only amateur handlers will be allowed to show. You may work in the horse industry, however you may not receive remuneration for showing horses at horse shows, including flights, lodging and thank you gifts. The NOVICE DIVISION IS FOR HANDLERS WHO HAVE NOT WON IN HALTER AND OR PERFORMANCE AND BEEN REGIONAL, SCOTTSDALE, WORLD CUP, US NATIONALS FIRST PLACE, RESERVE OR CHAMPION WINNERS. NOVICE AMATEURS HAVE NOT BEEN FIRST PLACE, RESERVE OR CHAMPION WINNERS. THEIR HORSES MAY NOT BE TRAINED IN A PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND OR SHOW BARN.
Number of Entries in a Class: Classes may be split into sections. Qualifying classes are limited to 9 horses each. Classes of more than 9 entries will be broken into sections. The number of sections will depend on the number of entries into each class. The show organization will organize the classes in such manner that more or less even numbers participate in each class.
Produce of Dam: Dam/Mare must be a part of the entry. Dam/Mare may have been shown before by either an amateur or professional. Entry must consist of at least two of the Dam/Mare’s offspring. Offspring can be either Foals/Weanlings (recipient mare may accompany them) Yearlings/Two Three Year Olds. Entry fee is $130 for the entire entry. All entries must be listed on the official entry form.
Limited to “5” Entries. A Dam/Mare and her foals are considered an entry. Entry will be allowed based on the postmark, fax or email date. After “5” entries are received the class will be closed.
Program: The show organization will issue a printed program. The name of each participating horse along with their sire and dam, owner and breeder will be listed, therefore no late entrees will be permitted. Neither the Show Management nor The Arabian Foal Festival or The Santa Ynez Valley Arabian Horse Association, shall have any liability to any exhibitor, owner, handler or other person, firm or corporation by reason of a misprint in the show program.
No announcement identifying the participating horse or its breeder will be made until the scoring of the class or horse is finished in the qualifying classes. The championship classes no announcement will be made until after the horses have finished their performance, then the horses name, breeding and owner will be announced. Programs will not be offered for sale, published or posted on internet more than one day before the commencement of the show.
Ring Procedures: Any exhibitor using the wrong number or having no number may be excused or disqualified from the class at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee, DC. No person other than the officials, DC, attendants on duty and the judge of the class may enter the show ring without permission from the judge. No whips may be used inside or outside of the ring. Lashes or appendages of any kind are prohibited.
Schedule: Show Management reserves the right to change the dates and/or the location of the show or to cancel the show altogether. In the event of a cancellation, all entry fees and stall fees will be refunded. Neither the Show Management nor The AFF or The Santa Ynez Valley Arabian Horse Association, shall have any liability to any exhibitor, owner, handler or other person, firm or corporation by reason of any change or cancellation of the show, except for the return of fees as aforesaid.
Shoeing Regulations: No shoes will be allowed on either Foals/Weanlings or Yearlings. Two, Three Year Olds and above may wear shoes.
Soundness: Horses must be serviceably sound i.e., horse must not show evidence of lameness, broken wind or complete loss of sight in either eye. Horses which appear to be lame may not be assessed and placed by the judges. Judges and the Disciplinary Committee must excuse from the ring any horse so lame that assessment will inflict pain. All entries must be in good condition.
Surprise the Judge Championship: The Surprise the Judge class is for Four and Over Horses that have NEVER BEEN SHOWN. Amateur and Novice Handlers are welcome and the class has a Cash Prize. A Gold, Silver and Bronze Champion will be chosen. Championship Judging applies for the Surprise the Judge Class. Judging in the Championship Classes will be three judges using the comparative system. Judges will score their Gold placing with “9”, Silver placing with a “4” and Bronze placing with a “1”. Scores will be tabulated and winners will be chosen with the highest score being named Gold Champion, second highest score being named Silver Champion and third highest score being named Bronze Champion.
Stabling Rules: Temporary stalls will be used. No straw is allowed at the event location. Stalls may not be structurally altered in any way. Exhibitors will be financially responsible for damage to their stalls. Any damage or replacement costs will be billed to exhibitor. By order of the Fire Marshall, all aisle ways between stalls much remain open. All material used for decorative purposes must be treated with flame-proofing. The use of electric, open flame or space heaters is prohibited. If you overload the electric circuit with extra lighting and blow out circuit breakers, you will be billed for the labor to repair or reset the circuit. breakers. This is a two day show so decorations are at the exhibitors discretion – but are not encouraged.
Stabling Move In/Out: Stalls will be available at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 26th, and must be vacated on Monday, August 29, at 10:00 am.
Stress, Cruelty & Medications: Horses shall not be punished unnecessarily or severely anywhere on the show grounds. Whips, excessive stimulation by noise or intimidation, excessive jerking or excessive circling of the horse, or infliction of pain by any means is forbidden in all parts of the show ground, or stable areas at all times. The above offenses are punishable by disqualification at discretion of the appointed Disciplinary Committee. Enforcement verbal warnings: DC, ringmasters, stewards or show officials may issue verbal warnings. These are not recorded in the DC report. Horses with apparent clinical signs of a disease may not participate at the show at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee, Veterinarian, Show Officials or Show Board. All Veterinary treatment necessary at the show ground must be carried out with the knowledge of the Disciplinary Committee. It is at the Disciplinary Committee discretion to decide if the treatment may affect the performance of the horse. In case the Disciplinary Committee thinks it will affect the performance of such treated horse she/he may refuse the horse from further participation.
Trail In Hand: Yearlings, Two and Year Olds may compete in the Trail In Hand. A pattern will be available on the SYVAHA.com website. Judging will be scored by one judge. Class may be split depending on entries. May be split for age groups or skill level.
Vaccinations: We ask that your Foal/Weanling, Yearling, Two and Three Year Olds have been properly vaccinated and wormed. Unlike Europe where the horses have official vaccination records – you are on the honor system to bring healthy horses.
Withdrawing Entries: After the Close of Entries horses may be scratched from the show at the owner’s option. Under no circumstances will any fees or stall and tack room charges be refunded to the exhibitor.
Download the Arabian Foal Festival Show Rules & Class Specifications
Download the Arabian Foal Festival Class Conduct Diagram