Silver Spur Saddle Club Operating By-Laws and Rules

1. A Silver Spur Saddle Club Membership, waiver and medical release form is necessary in order to participate in a show or event with horses present.

2. At all times while mounted, all riders 18 years of age and under are required to wear an approved ASTM/SEI helmet, which is properly fitted, with the harness correctly secured.

3. All participants must be in proper attire and equipment for the class.  Judges could or may penalize contestants who do not conform.  Judges and/or executive members present, at their discretion, may authorize adjustments to attire due to weather-related conditions.  Pants must have belt loops (regardless of material) must be in good repair and free of rips, tears or stains.
   Please note: some leniency may be allowed for leadline participants.  No names (barn names) are permitted on show clothing with the exception of brand logos.  Ie: wrangler, ariat.  If in doubt please contact the club
     A. ENGLISH ATTIRE-Helmet, long or short sleeved shirt, hunt coat, breeches, tall boots-black or brown or paddock boots black or brown with half chaps.  Hair must be neat and contained (as in net or braid).  Legal english spurs, crops and gloves are optional.  Jodphur straps are acceptable for juniors.
     B.  WESTERN ATTIRE-Western hat or helmet, button down shirt with collar, pants, belt, and cowboy boots or any legal riding boot.  Hair must be pulled back.  Legal western style spurs and chaps are optional.  Silver Spur Saddle Club tee shirts are permitted in games classes only.  
     C.  No names are permitted on show clothing with the exception of brand logos.  Ie: Wrangler

4.  

   ​There is to be no running/trotting on the track at the Arran Tara Fairgrounds by any horse and rider outside of the designated horse show area. Any inappropriate use of the track will result in disqualification determined by the Executive present

5. All participants are responsible for the behaviour of their horses while on the show grounds. Any horse out of control will be excused from the ring.
   Any horse deemed out of control at any time by the judge and/or 2 executive members may be subject to the following:
     A)  1st offence-a warning and could result in disqualification from a class or classes
     B)  2nd offence-2nd warning and could result in disqualification from the remainder of the show or event
     C)  3rd offence-3rd warning for a loss of membership eligibility fro the remainder of the current show year

6.  The fall of a horse and/or rider in any class during the course of the event will be cause for disqualification from the class.  Before horse and rider can continue they must be assessed
   For timed events, once the timer starts, a fall is grounds for disqualification.  If a rider falls before the timer starts they must leave the ring to be assessed before being allowed to retry.  If a rider falls after the timer stops they must leave the ring to be assessed before being allowed to continue.  For performance events, once you enter the ring a fall is a disqualification for that class and horse and rider must be assessed before being allowed to continue.  During a fall, an executive member present will arrive for the assessment
      Overall: Two (2) falls at one show is an automatic disqualification for the day

7.   A horse may be ridden in two (2) age groups per division for performance classes only. “for example: a horse may enter both junior and senior English classes. This does NOT apply to speed classes.

8. Any rider may show in an Open class.  A walk-jog rider may show in a games class at a walk or jog only​

9.  If your horse if found to be unsound by the judge and/or the executive members present you will be excused from showing that horse for the rest of the show. When the judge is absent, a vote by two or more Executive members present can excuse the horse. This vote can be delivered by one executive.

10.  All ages of horses may be ridden in any legal snaffle bit with 2 hands on the reins.  Western classes-any horse may be ridden with a legal leverage bit and one hand.

11. a) As per WHOA rules any humane legal type of bit, bosal, or hackamore may be used. The judge and/or executive present has the authority to remove or alter any piece of equipment.
    b) Curb chains: all legal leverage bits require a legal curb strap or chain that must be at least ½” in width and must lay flat against the horse.
    c) In a western headstall a curb strap is required for any “O” ring, “D” ring and egg butt snaffle 

12. Martingales and tie-downs are permitted in games and jumping classes only. In jumping classes a standing martingale is permitted at an appropriate humane length. In gaming classes a tie down will only be permitted if it is set to an appropriate humane length. Running martingales, training forks and draw reins are not permitted in any class

13. In any event, any excessive use of spurs, over-unders, crops, whips or motivators will result in a disqualification at the discretion of the judge and/or two (2) or more executive members present. In gaming classes, the rider may use spurs, over-unders, crops, whips or motivators up to three (3) times to the end of the ring and three (3) times running home.

14. Stallions may be shown only by a Senior member. A horse must be two (2) years of age or older to be considered a stallion.

15.  Use of depressants or stimulants is prohibited.

16. Any club member lodging a protest must do so in writing, sign it, and give it to the blub president before the end of the show.

17. The judge’s or executive decisions are final. Any person attempting to influence or interfere with the judge or executive while he/she is judging will forfeit any prize to which he/she was otherwise entitled.

18. Any act of abuse while on show grounds is grounds for disqualification by the judge and/or two (2) Executive members present.

19. No alcohol consumption, no recreational and/or illegal drugs are permitted on show property. As well no attendees may enter show grounds under the above influences at any event. Executive reserves the right to call the legal authorities.

20. The Executive reserves the right to change the running order of classes.

21. The Executive reserves the right to amend the class list prior to the show season.

22. The Executive reserves the right to set the cost of showing prior to show season.

23. Due to bio-security hazards, attendees are required to take their garbage and manure home or they will be subject to a $25.00 fee.

24. Patterns: any competitor off pattern in any class is subject to disqualification. This applies to all patterned classes. In particular take note of pylon placements and timer pylon placement.

25. Refund policy: After the entry deadline (Friday noon before the Sunday event) if a competitor cancels for any reason they may receive a refund of class entry fees only. Admin fees and day membership is not refunded. If the event is cancelled by the executive pre-entered competitors may receive a refund or a credit for the next show. Any entries submitted after the deadline may be subject to a late fee at the discretion of the executive.

26. All minors, 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  If you are unable to attend and another adult is accompanying your child, you must complete a medical release form

Last updated: May 2025