55 5 year old Performance Horse 56 6 & 7 year Performance Horse

'BALMORAL STAR OF THE FUTURE' PERFORMANCE HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS SPONSORED BY GIBSON EQUINE HAYLAGE Entry Fees: RUAS Member £90, Non Member £95 Stabling is included in the entry fee on the evening before the class only. Championship finals will take place at Balmoral Show on Friday 12 May in the Main Arena. The championship is restricted to those who have pre-qualified. Aim To identify high class horses bred in Ireland with the potential to become top class performance horses whether that be in show jumping or eventing, to create a medium for breeders and producers to display their quality young stock and encourage breeders and trainers to produce and present the correct type of horse likely to make it at the top level. Eligibility Restricted to Irish Bred horses only. Only animals with named passports identifying sire, dam, dam sire, microchip and breeder may compete. Horses must be 15.0h (153cm) or over. To be ridden by riders who have attained their 16th birthday by 1st January in the current year. Competition Format On entering the arena, each competitor will present to the judge where conformation will be assessed whilst mounted before riding away to demonstrate their horses walk and trot paces on the flat. Competitors will then proceed straight to the jumping phase which will comprise of a course of show jumps immediately followed by natural cross country type fences. There will be no more that 16 jumping efforts in total with the maximum height of fences being 1m for 5 year olds and 1.10m for the 6&7 year old class. At the end of the jumping phase, the competitor will demonstrate the ability of their horse to gallop. The judge will assess each horses performance and marks will be awarded based on conformation & type, paces, way of going throughout the jumping phase and star potential. In the event of equality of marks, the potential & star quality mark will take precedence. Judges' marks out of 100 to be awarded as follows: Conformation & Type 10 marks Paces - Walk & Trot 10 marks Jumping - Scope & Technique 30 marks Way of Going 20 marks Gallop 10 marks Potential & Star Quality 20 marks Jumping Penalties (where relevant) to be deduced from judges marks as follows: First disobedience 4 Penalties Second disobedience 8 Penalties Third disobedience Elimination Knock down of obstacle 4 Penalties Fall of horse or rider Elimination Error of course Elimination Retaking of obstacle already taken Elimination Qualifiers 1. Meadows Equestrian Centre Saturday 4 March 2. Hazeldene Farm Sunday 19 March 3. Wexford Equestrian Centre Wednesday 22 March 4. Gransha Equestrian Centre Saturday 1 April 5. Lusk Equestrian Monday 10 April Qualifier Judge: Gillian Kyle 3 horse/rider combinations in each class may qualify at each qualifying venue. If any of the top 3 horses have already qualified, placings may go down the line providing a minimum mark of 55 has been obtained. Once qualified entries must be made online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk within 48 hours of qualifying. Riders can ride two horses per class in the final. A change of rider will not be permitted under any circumstances. Only the horse/rider combination that qualify will be allowed to compete at Balmoral Show. Rules · Correctly secured protective headgear conforming to the current safety standards is compulsory for all riders and must be worn at all times when mounted. · A body protector must be worn by all riders. A correctly fitted, BETA approved, and appropriately labelled Level 3 body protector manufactured in the year 2009 or after is recommended. If a rider chooses to wear an airbag style body protector, it must be worn over a recommended body protector. · Eventing colours and attire must be worn along with the required dress code of beige, fawn or cream breeches, long black/brown boots and gloves. · Any suitable snaffle bridle may be worn. Bits must be used in their manufactured condition without any addition or modification to, or on, any part and conform to the requirements of the class. The bit must never be used to reprimand the horse. Judges will take into consideration the effectiveness and severity of the bit and bridle and their decision is final. · Martingales, neckstraps and/or breastplates are permitted. · Standing martingales are not permitted. · Numnahs (if used) must conform neatly with saddle contours.? Saddle cloths or visible logos are not permitted. · Hind leg boots or bandages are not allowed. Overreach boots are permitted. · Only blunt metal spurs, or ones with rubber rowels <2.5cms facing downwards are permitted. · No item of tack excluded from competition is allowed in the practice arena. · If for any reason a competitor goes through the start with incorrect tack, the judge will have no option but to eliminate that competitor. Championship Course Designer: Adrienne Stuart