SPECIALTY CLASSES
Coon Jumping, Freestyle Reining, Side Saddle
192 Coon Jump
A. Exhibitors: The Coon Jump is open to all ages of exhibitors but any youth exhibitor must have a responsible adult in the ring during the class. This adult may not physically assist except in case of an uncontrollable incident and any assistance will terminate further competition from that youth exhibitor.
B. Attire: Western attire or anything a real coon hunter might wear is appropriate. Tennis shoes are not permitted. Some type of hat or cap is required.
C. Equipment: Freestanding jump will have a single, vertical, freely sliding crossbar which will be supported by wooden dowels no more than 1/4” in diameter which will break and drop the crossbar if the animal fails to make the jump. Horizontal width of the jump will be a minimum of 8’ feet. Holes for dowel pins can be at 1” or 2” increments with the bottom hole 30” inches from the ground and the top hole at a minimum of 72”. Blankets or jackets on the crossbar are not required.
D. Class Division: May have up to 3 height classes
1. up to 48”
2. 48.01” to 54”
3. 54.0 1” and up
E. Size of Box: Animals in the small height class will jump from inside a 10’ marked box. Animals in the larger height classes will jump from inside a 12’ marked box.
F. Size of Initial Jump: Initial jump will be determined by the chest height of the smallest animal in the class. Initial jump must be cleared to qualify for placing.
G. Timing: Each jumping attempt is to be timed by a stopwatch with a required backup stopwatch. Time starts when the first hoof touches the ground in the box.
H. Stop before Jumping: After entering the marked box area, the animal must stop before jumping.
I. Attempts: Two attempts may be made at each height in a maximum of 60 seconds. Time is stopped only to replace pins. Pins should be checked between jumps. Attempts will be considered:
1. If animal steps out of box
2. If animal breaks pin or pins
3. If animal pushes jumps more than 2”
J. Handler: Handler may stand to either side of box, but must hold reins or lead rope in hands at all times. Failure to do so is a disqualification. Handler is not to hold or touch the jump in any way, except for placing blanket or cover before animal begins attempt. Holding cover, jump bar, standard or pin while competing is an immediate disqualification.
K. Covering Jump: A blanket or cover may be used over the jump if the handler desires.
L. Abuse: No physical abuse or force of the animal will be allowed.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO-ULQOzV6s&feature=related
194 Freestyle Reining
A. Reining maneuvers originated from moves that a cow mule must use in performing its duties and have been refined to the high level of competition existing today. Freestyle Reining not only provides an opportunity to use these maneuvers creatively, but also expand them to music by means of choreography. Riders are encouraged to use musical scores which permit them to show the athletic ability of the mule in a crowd appealing way. NASMA rules will apply except where the following rules preempt
B. Required Maneuvers: Required Maneuvers will be defined as followed:
1. A minimum of 4 consecutive spins to the right.
2. A minimum of 4 consecutive spins to the left.
3. A minimum of 3 stops
4. A minimum of I lead change at the canter from right to left
5. A minimum of 1 lead change at the canter from left to right.
C. Exhibitors will only be judged astride
D. Use of Two Hands: Exhibitors are allowed to use two hands (as well as one or no hands) and any bit approved for by NASMA rule book, including snaffle bits and hackamores approved for use in Junior Mule classes.
E. No Score: Failure to perform all the required maneuvers or failure to complete the pattern within the time limit will result in no score.
F. Credit: Additional maneuvers such as rollbacks, backups, speed variations, and non-classical reining maneuvers such as half pass and side pass are appropriate in Freestyle and shall be given appropriate credit. Additional repetitions of required maneuvers are appropriate, but will only add or subtract from the existing scores already given for the required maneuvers, not as additional scores.
G. Time Limit: Time limit is a maximum of 4 minutes including any introductions. The time limit will be from the beginning of the music or from the beginning of the introduction (whichever is first) and will end with the music.
H. Costumes: Costumes are permitted. but not required. Emphasis is placed on performing the reining maneuvers to music.
I. Props: Props are permitted but at no time may hinder the judge’s view of the mule. The use of props will not add to the score.
J. Judging Considerations - The judging method to be used for the Freestyle will allow for the assessment of an overall score following the ride. This overall score will be based on the technical merit of required maneuvers and the quality of non required maneuvers as they add or detract from the overall impression of the ride.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG94o5ynXEQ
195 Ladies Side Saddle
A. Class Routine: Animals shall enter the ring counter clockwise at a trot or jog and work both directions at the walk. trot or jog. and canter or lope. A good ground covering walk, a comfortable trot or jog, and easy flowing canter or lope are desired gaits. Mules or donkeys may be asked to halt and stand quietly on a loose rein. Animals must be brought to a walk before changing gaits. Animals are to be reversed at the walk or trot, but shall not be reversed at the lope or canter. Riders shall not be asked to dismount.
B. Judging Considerations: Transitions from one gait to another should be smooth and effortless. Riders with English tack and attire may sit or post the trot. Mules should stand quietly and back readily if requested by the judge.
1. The side saddle mule should have gaits that give the distinct impression that it is a comfortable mount to ride.
2. Manners and suitability of purpose shall be emphasized.
3. Class to be judged as 75% on Performance, manners and way of going, 25 % on Appointments and overall appearance.
C. Appointments: Safety is of the utmost importance in both tack and attire. Judges should penalize exhibitors not conforming to good safety practices. All sidesaddles are required to be in safe rideable condition, whether in original condition or renovated. Leaping pommels are required for saddles. Balance straps are recommended on appropriate side saddles.
1. Tack- Mule should be tacked up in appropriate side saddle of either an English or Western Style. Bridles should be appropriate to style of the saddle and only regulation bits may be used. No martingales or tie downs allowed. Appropriate whip or crop may be carried A spur is optional. Formal hunt seat riders will need proper appointments.
2. Attire- English (formal and informal), hunt or saddle seat, or Western (western consisting of a long sleeve blouse or shirt, a coat or vest, skirt or apron, hat and boots).
Coon Jumping, Freestyle Reining, Side Saddle
192 Coon Jump
A. Exhibitors: The Coon Jump is open to all ages of exhibitors but any youth exhibitor must have a responsible adult in the ring during the class. This adult may not physically assist except in case of an uncontrollable incident and any assistance will terminate further competition from that youth exhibitor.
B. Attire: Western attire or anything a real coon hunter might wear is appropriate. Tennis shoes are not permitted. Some type of hat or cap is required.
C. Equipment: Freestanding jump will have a single, vertical, freely sliding crossbar which will be supported by wooden dowels no more than 1/4” in diameter which will break and drop the crossbar if the animal fails to make the jump. Horizontal width of the jump will be a minimum of 8’ feet. Holes for dowel pins can be at 1” or 2” increments with the bottom hole 30” inches from the ground and the top hole at a minimum of 72”. Blankets or jackets on the crossbar are not required.
D. Class Division: May have up to 3 height classes
1. up to 48”
2. 48.01” to 54”
3. 54.0 1” and up
E. Size of Box: Animals in the small height class will jump from inside a 10’ marked box. Animals in the larger height classes will jump from inside a 12’ marked box.
F. Size of Initial Jump: Initial jump will be determined by the chest height of the smallest animal in the class. Initial jump must be cleared to qualify for placing.
G. Timing: Each jumping attempt is to be timed by a stopwatch with a required backup stopwatch. Time starts when the first hoof touches the ground in the box.
H. Stop before Jumping: After entering the marked box area, the animal must stop before jumping.
I. Attempts: Two attempts may be made at each height in a maximum of 60 seconds. Time is stopped only to replace pins. Pins should be checked between jumps. Attempts will be considered:
1. If animal steps out of box
2. If animal breaks pin or pins
3. If animal pushes jumps more than 2”
J. Handler: Handler may stand to either side of box, but must hold reins or lead rope in hands at all times. Failure to do so is a disqualification. Handler is not to hold or touch the jump in any way, except for placing blanket or cover before animal begins attempt. Holding cover, jump bar, standard or pin while competing is an immediate disqualification.
K. Covering Jump: A blanket or cover may be used over the jump if the handler desires.
L. Abuse: No physical abuse or force of the animal will be allowed.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO-ULQOzV6s&feature=related
194 Freestyle Reining
A. Reining maneuvers originated from moves that a cow mule must use in performing its duties and have been refined to the high level of competition existing today. Freestyle Reining not only provides an opportunity to use these maneuvers creatively, but also expand them to music by means of choreography. Riders are encouraged to use musical scores which permit them to show the athletic ability of the mule in a crowd appealing way. NASMA rules will apply except where the following rules preempt
B. Required Maneuvers: Required Maneuvers will be defined as followed:
1. A minimum of 4 consecutive spins to the right.
2. A minimum of 4 consecutive spins to the left.
3. A minimum of 3 stops
4. A minimum of I lead change at the canter from right to left
5. A minimum of 1 lead change at the canter from left to right.
C. Exhibitors will only be judged astride
D. Use of Two Hands: Exhibitors are allowed to use two hands (as well as one or no hands) and any bit approved for by NASMA rule book, including snaffle bits and hackamores approved for use in Junior Mule classes.
E. No Score: Failure to perform all the required maneuvers or failure to complete the pattern within the time limit will result in no score.
F. Credit: Additional maneuvers such as rollbacks, backups, speed variations, and non-classical reining maneuvers such as half pass and side pass are appropriate in Freestyle and shall be given appropriate credit. Additional repetitions of required maneuvers are appropriate, but will only add or subtract from the existing scores already given for the required maneuvers, not as additional scores.
G. Time Limit: Time limit is a maximum of 4 minutes including any introductions. The time limit will be from the beginning of the music or from the beginning of the introduction (whichever is first) and will end with the music.
H. Costumes: Costumes are permitted. but not required. Emphasis is placed on performing the reining maneuvers to music.
I. Props: Props are permitted but at no time may hinder the judge’s view of the mule. The use of props will not add to the score.
J. Judging Considerations - The judging method to be used for the Freestyle will allow for the assessment of an overall score following the ride. This overall score will be based on the technical merit of required maneuvers and the quality of non required maneuvers as they add or detract from the overall impression of the ride.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG94o5ynXEQ
195 Ladies Side Saddle
A. Class Routine: Animals shall enter the ring counter clockwise at a trot or jog and work both directions at the walk. trot or jog. and canter or lope. A good ground covering walk, a comfortable trot or jog, and easy flowing canter or lope are desired gaits. Mules or donkeys may be asked to halt and stand quietly on a loose rein. Animals must be brought to a walk before changing gaits. Animals are to be reversed at the walk or trot, but shall not be reversed at the lope or canter. Riders shall not be asked to dismount.
B. Judging Considerations: Transitions from one gait to another should be smooth and effortless. Riders with English tack and attire may sit or post the trot. Mules should stand quietly and back readily if requested by the judge.
1. The side saddle mule should have gaits that give the distinct impression that it is a comfortable mount to ride.
2. Manners and suitability of purpose shall be emphasized.
3. Class to be judged as 75% on Performance, manners and way of going, 25 % on Appointments and overall appearance.
C. Appointments: Safety is of the utmost importance in both tack and attire. Judges should penalize exhibitors not conforming to good safety practices. All sidesaddles are required to be in safe rideable condition, whether in original condition or renovated. Leaping pommels are required for saddles. Balance straps are recommended on appropriate side saddles.
1. Tack- Mule should be tacked up in appropriate side saddle of either an English or Western Style. Bridles should be appropriate to style of the saddle and only regulation bits may be used. No martingales or tie downs allowed. Appropriate whip or crop may be carried A spur is optional. Formal hunt seat riders will need proper appointments.
2. Attire- English (formal and informal), hunt or saddle seat, or Western (western consisting of a long sleeve blouse or shirt, a coat or vest, skirt or apron, hat and boots).