Youth World Games

2012 Rules and Guidelines
Application Deadline: May 1, 2012

 Eligibility and Selection Procedure

1. 1. Competitors must be 18 years of age or under as of January 1, 2012. Competitors and team managers/coaches must be members in good standing of the American Paint Horse Association at the time of the event.
   
   
2. 2. A team will consist of up to five competitors and one team manager/coach. Each country’s Regional Club or Affiliate Association shall govern its system for team qualification and will name the official team manager/coach.
   
   
   1. a. In countries with more than one APHA-approved Regional Club or Affiliate Association, an advisory committee should be formed to govern team qualification. This committee must have equal representation from all interested clubs and associations.
      
   
   
   2. b. In the event a country cannot assemble a full five member team, adjacent countries may combine to form a team. In this instance, an advisory committee should be formed as stated above.
      
      
3. 3. APHA will assemble the Team USA Advisory Committee.
   
   
4. 4. There are no entry fees. Teams are responsible for all other expenses associated with the World Games, including but not limited to, travel, transportation, lodging, and meals.  

Rules of the Competition

1. 1. All rules stated and associated with the APHA World Show will also apply to the World Games competition.
   
2.  2. The following classes will be held: Showmanship at Halter, Western Horsemanship (rail and pattern), Hunt Seat Equitation (rail and pattern), and Trail.
   
3.  3. Each team will be allowed one entry in each class. An individual team member may compete in a maximum of two events. The fifth team member on five member teams must be designated as an alternate exhibitor.
   
4.  4. The team manager/coach must assume responsibility as chaperone for their team, and must be present at all sessions and events during the World Games competition.
   
5.  5. Competitors will draw their horses for the competition, and be allowed to visit with the owners, watch the horse being worked, and ask for any advice on the horse drawn. Competitors will be given a 30-40 minute warm-up on their horse before the class they are to compete in.
   
6.  6. Contact with the horses outside of competition, including but not limited to, grooming, tacking, longeing, schooling, and riding is prohibited. This includes team members, team managers/coaches, parents or other individuals associated with the team. If any exhibitor, coach, manager, or individual associated with the team is found to have been in violation of this rule, it will result in disqualification of the team from the World Games competition.
   
7.  7. No team manager/coach, professional trainer, or other adult may ride or school the horse during the warm-up or competition.

 Horse Selection & Tack

1. 1. Horses will be grouped according to their ability in the events to be held and will be drawn at random by the teams. These groups of horses will be assembled by the World Games Oversight Committee to ensure each team is provided with horses of equivalent caliber.
   
2.  2. In circumstances where a horse becomes lame or is unable to be used, another horse may be substituted for the team. The World Games Oversight Committee will have the final decision in horse substitutions.
   
3.  3. All tack and equipment will be provided with the assigned horse. Although not required, teams may provide a show saddle pad/blanket for use on the horse. The horse’s owner or agent must approve the saddle pad/blanket as suitable for use.
   
4.  4. In circumstances where tack is deemed unsuitable (seat size and stirrup length) for an exhibitor, the World Games Oversight Committee will have the final decision in tack substitutions.
5.  5. Competitors may not exhibit a horse he or she has previously ridden, exhibited or schooled outside of the World Show competition.
   
6.  6. Spurs must be approved by the horse’s owner or agent and the World Games Oversight Committee prior to use.

Attire

1. 1. Competitors must be appropriately attired for World Games competition according to the rules outlined in the 2012 Official APHA Rulebook.
   
2.  2. Although not required, teams may wear matching show outfits, shirts, blouses, jackets, or vests that incorporate the countries colors.

Judging

1. 1. The World Games competition will consist of a single go-round judged by three judges. Judges scores will be combined to determine the overall placings. A tie-breaker judge will be designated for each class. Awards will be given through 10th place in each class.
   
2.  2. In instances where class procedures vary between countries, the pattern or procedure used for the class will be at the judges’ discretion.
   
3.  3. Judging will be according to the 2012 Official APHA Rulebook. During World Games competition, the exhibitor’s ability is being judged; therefore, no penalty will be assessed because of the horse's conformation or way of going. Results as shown by performance of the horse are NOT to be considered more important than the method used by the exhibitor in obtaining them.
   
4.  4. When through no fault of the rider, a horse performs so poorly that it is impossible to fairly judge the rider’s ability; a re-ride may be granted at the judges’ discretion. If a re-ride is granted, it shall be judged as if the first ride never occurred. The re-ride shall take place after all other rides in that class have been completed.

Overall Awards

1. 1. Placings in each of the four classes will be used to determine the final ranking of teams. Points will be awarded as follows:
    1st place-10 points
    2nd place-9 points
    3rd place-8 points
    4th place-7 points
    5th place-6 points
    6th place-5 points
    7th place-4 points
    8th place-3 points
    9th place-2 points
    10th place-1 point
   
   
2.  2. In the event of a tie, the following tie-breaker procedure will be used: a. The team with the most first place wins; then b. The team with the most second place wins; then c. The team with the highest placing in Showmanship at Halter.

APHA Position Statement on Animal Welfare
The American Paint Horse Association is committed to the humane and proper treatment of all animals. In this respect;

• • The welfare of the horse is the primary consideration in all activities.
• • Horses will be treated with kindness, respect and compassion at all times.
• • Responsible care will be used by all parties in handling, treatment and transportation of horses
•  • Horse men and women as owners, exhibitors or trainers will ensure the health and well being of animals in their care at all times.
• • The standard by which conduct or treatment will be measured is that which a reasonable person informed and experienced in generally accepted animal husbandry standard and equine care, training and exhibition procedure would determine to be neither cruel, abusive nor inhumane. Based on their principles, the Association has developed and enforces strict rules to ensure ethical competition and humane treatment of American Paint Horses. The Association supports the development of procedures that assure equity, fairness, safety, health and welfare for all participants. Because the Association is strongly opposed to animal abuse, any member convicted in a court of law of cruelty to animals may be suspended from the APHA when certified evidence is presented to the Executive Committee. Further, APHA reserves the right to excuse from further competition and/or remove from the grounds any person who fails to abide by this animal welfare statement and/or any animal whose welfare is under question by APHA.