AMR CENTRAL WEST NSW

PERFORMANCE CLASSES

Click here for the performance Handbook

 

Show Rules

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

MINIATURE & SMALL HORSE

General Appearance:

The miniature horse should be a square, well balanced, scaled down version of a full sized horse. The overall impression should be of a well-bred, free moving, elegant horse in miniature.

Height:            

Miniature Horse           Not exceeding 34"

Small Horse (A)            Over 34" but not exceeding 38"

Small Horse(B)(Little Horse)Over 38" but not exceeding 42"

 

Head & Neck: The head should present a clean cut, finely chiseled outline with thin skin closely adhered to the underlying parts. The head should be free from coarse connective tissue, with wide spacious nostrils and fine mobile lips. The ears should be well set and in proportion.

A large kind eye is desirable; all eye colours are equally acceptable. The head should attach onto, not into the neck, neither too closely attached nor too loosely coupled. The neck should be long and supple with a finely modeled throat latch.

Teeth: An even bite is desired.

Body: The body should be well balanced with well-defined, elevated withers, a strong back, long, muscled hip and short loins. The coup should be the same height as the highest point of the wither, neither set too high or too low.

Legs: Straight, true and squarely set with a strong forearm and well developed knee. Cannons not overly long. A good slope to the pasterns, neither upright nor over-sloping. Strong hocks, pointing neither in nor out. Well-shaped hooves pointing straight ahead.

Coat: Fine, glossy hair. All colours, patterns and markings are equally acceptable.

Action: Natural floating action. Light and agile.

 

 

 

MINIATURE & SMALL PONY

General Appearance:

The miniature pony should be well proportioned, square and balanced whilst displaying typical pony characteristics. The impression should be of strength and hardiness without coarseness.

Height:           

Miniature Pony            Not exceeding 34"

Small Pony (A)             Over 34" but not exceeding 38"

Small Pony (B)             Over 38" but not exceeding 42"

 

Head & Neck: The head should display a wide forehead, small well-placed ears, large open nostrils, and large expressive eyes with a relatively small muzzle. All eye colours are equally acceptable. A comparatively short distance between the eye and muzzle is desirable. The head should be attached well onto the neck. Mares may have a slight crest and stallions a moderate crest. The neck should be well set and rise of well-laid shoulders.

Teeth: An even bite is desired.

Body: Well balanced with moderate wither, shoulders sloping well back, strong well sprung ribs, deep barrel, powerful loins and broad, well rounded quarters.

Legs: Straight, true and squarely set with well-muscled forearm, short cannons and a good slope to the pasterns, neither upright nor over-sloping. Strong and muscular thighs with broad, strong hocks turning neither in nor out. Well shaped, round hooves pointing straight ahead.

Coat: Thick and woolly in the winter and short and shiny in the summer. All colours, patterns and markings are equally acceptable.

Action: Free and straight not exaggerated or stilted.

The public's perception of miniature horses and ponies is all important. The credibility of miniatures and the future of the miniature industry in Australia will be determined by the public's perception. How they are represented, presented, trained and cared for will determine the public's perception. While at public venues all miniature/small horses and ponies and their handlers should be presented to their best visual advantage.

GENERAL SHOW RULES

A. All AMR* shows are open to any horses and ponies with valid registration with the AMR*. Miniature horses and ponies with valid registration with other recognized miniature organization may be shown at the AMR* shows if so stated on the entry form for that particular show.

B. To enter an AMR* show, the exhibitor must use the full name and registration number as it is shown on the horse or pony's registration paper. Substitutes or changes require permission from the AMR*. Show directors may disqualify any horse or pony that is shown with a false identity.

C. The AMR* will only accept show entries that are complete, signed and accompanied by a copy of the horse or pony's registration paper.

D. Entries must be fully paid for or they will not be accepted unless prior arangement is made with the office.

E. Horses or ponies with pending registration may be shown if the exhibitor has a signed statement from the office proving registration has been applied for.

F. Exhibitors must be aware of the AMR* show rules.

G. Foals under four months of age must have their Dam present at the show.

H. Violations of rules will be determined by the AMR* director/s and/or an appointed, independent adjudication committee.

HALTER CLASS GENERAL RULES

A. Horses and ponies to be shown in hand at both the walk and trot. Horses must also be viewed in motion from the side, and judged on the priority of:

1. Conformation

2. Movement

3. Type

4. Quality

5. Presence

B. Horses and ponies are not to be shown stretched, all four feet must be flat on the ground. Giving/stretching of the neck is acceptable. Horses and ponies may be set by hand.

C. Suitable head gear must be worn. Chains must be captured and unable to tighten on the head.

D. Horses and ponies, of all ages, may be clipped or shown in full coat. In the interest of the well being of horses and ponies, hair removal products are not acceptable. Close clipping or razoring is not encouraged. Judges will be appraised that there is no benefit in the show ring for this practice and a horse/pony with an equal or better confirmation that has not been close clipped or razored will not be placed lower in any event.

E. Manes and tails may be free flowing or plaited. False tails are permitted.

F. Horses and ponies must be sound, in good condition and preferably well groomed.

G. If two horses or ponies are judged to be equal the higher placement shall be awarded to the smaller animal.

H.Stallions/colts over 2 years of age (actual) must be shown by persons 18 years or older. No youth, 12 years of age or younger, may show/handle stallions/colts of any age. With the show organiser's approval, youths over 12 years of age may show colts up to 1 year of age. With the show organiser's approval, youths over 13 years of age may show colts up to 2 years.

JUDGES

A. No horse or pony may be shown before a judge that has been sold, leased or trained by this judge or his/her connections for a period of 12 months.

B. Judges family members and connections may not show under that judge.

C. Permission from a show director must be obtained to approach a judge regarding a decision made by that judge.

D. A judge may request an entry be excused if he/she believes they are ineligible to compete.

E. Where possible horse breed judges will be used for judging horse classes and pony breed judges will be used to judge pony classes

F. The judge may check teeth.

STEWARDS AND OFFICIALS

A. Stewards should refrain from discussions or seeming discussions with the judge regarding any exhibit or exhibitor

B. Stewards are to assist the judge not advise him/her.

C. Stewards and officials family members and connections may not show while they are officiating.

HEIGHT VERIFICATION

A. No miniature horse shall exceed 34" in height

B. No small horse A shall exceed 38" in height

C. No small/little horse shall exceed 42" in height

D. No miniature pony shall exceed 34"in height

E. No small pony A shall exceed 38" in height

F. No small pony B/Shetland shall exceed 42" in height

G. The show age of a horse is determined by actual birtdate, unless August 1st is stipulated on a program.

H. Horses and ponies heights must be verified at all AMR* Nationwide Shows on a hard level surface, in a public place by a show official and witnessed by a nominated witness. The measurer must not have horses or ponies competing at that show.

I. All horses and ponies are to be measured by an approved measuring stick and all horses and ponies at a show are to be measured by the same stick.

J. Time and place of measurement will be announced.

K. Horses and ponies must be sound at the time of measurement.

L. Miniature horse's height is to be determined by measuring the vertical distance from the base of the last hairs of the mane to the ground. The last hairs of the mane refer to the last true mane hairs and any softer body hair left as an extension to the mane should not be included as part of the mane for measuring. Miniature ponies height is to be determined by measuring the vertical distance from the highest point of the wither to the ground.

M. Both front legs of the horse or pony must be vertical and in line with and parallel to the measuring stick. The horse or ponies head and neck shall be in a natural position with the base of the muzzle raised no higher than the height of the wither. The horse must be standing squarely. No allowance will be made for excess hoof. While being measured the handler may not touch the horse or pony until the measurer removes the stick. If the handler does not accept the initial measurement, the horse or pony can be represented and will be measured four more times, twice from either side, these four measurements are to be added together and then divided by four to get an average height and this height shall be the determined height. All four measurements must take place consecutively.

RIBBONS AND AWARDS

A. Ribbons and placement up to sixth may be awarded at AMR* shows.

1st Blue

2nd Red

3rd White

4th Green

5th Yellow

6th Pink

B. Junior Champions, Senior Champions, Grand Champions and Supreme receive sashes.

DRUGS, ARTIFICIAL ENHANCEMENTS, IRRITANTS

A. It is preferred that makeup be kept to a minimum to enhance and highlight the natural beauty.

B. Any horse or pony showing signs of an irritant to produce a higher tail carriage will be disqualified.

C. The use of drugs affecting the showing or performance of a horse or pony is strictly forbidden.

D. Use of artificial manes or tails, purely cosmetic surgery, switches and high spoon cruppers are prohibited and shall result in disqualification.

E. Artificial appliances that enhance a horse's movement are forbidden.

F. Evidence of inhumane treatment, in or out of the show ring may result in disqualification and a report may be lodged with the relevant authorities.

G. Drug testing on a random basis may be required.

H. Colour enhancements on the mane, tail head, legs and body are allowed. No person shall alter, change or attempt to hide the natural colour of the body including the legs of a horse by dye, bleach or paint. Hooves may be coloured.

​

***********

Please note a rule amendment:
Horses and ponies, of all ages, may be clipped or shown in full coat. In the interest of the well being of horses and ponies, hair removal products are not acceptable. Close clipping or razoring is not encouraged. Judges will be appraised that there is no benefit in the show ring for this practice and a horse/pony with an equal or better confirmation that has not been close clipped or razored will not be placed lower in any event.

To break them down so they are easy to understand

* Body Clipping can not be shorter than a #15 blade for outdoor shows - This means it is acceptable for indoor/undercover shows but AMR prefers the #15 to be the shortest. The welfare of the horse/pony needs to be paramount & being aware of sunburn etc is to be kept in mind.

There will be a Program Rule for AMR Central West that all Stallions/Colts must be handled by a CAPABLE person over 18yrs of age. This may be amended with written application to the show organiser and with managements acceptance.

​

All Chin chains MUST be captured.

​

***********

RING PROCEDURE

A. Dress: Handlers should be correctly attired for the class. The emphasis should be on presentable, neat, clean and practical preferably with an Australian theme. Footwear must be closed in and suitable. Hats, boots and gloves are optional in halter classes. Hats, boots, gloves, shirts/blouses or jackets are required in all showmanship classes.

B. At all Nationwide shows, once a class is called and the gate opened to enter the ring, the gate will be closed after two minutes or until the last horse or pony in a continuous flow of entries enters the ring.

C. A horse or pony should be shown through an entire class by the same handler unless permission is given by the AMR* to change handlers.

D. Names of horses or ponies being exhibited will not be made know to the judge prior to the show. At Nationwide shows exhibitors will be issued with a number for each horse or pony for the duration of that show.

E. Deliberately distracting or otherwise interfering with an exhibitor's horse while being shown is forbidden offenders will be asked to leave the ring and the offender may be refused entry to further shows.

F. Unruly horse may be asked to leave the ring.

G. Cruelty or abuse of any horse or pony in the ring or on the showground will not be tolerated. Offenders may be barred from the remainder of the show and may be refused entry to further shows.

H. Protests to the judge over the placing of a horse or pony, by an exhibitor or owner will not be tolerated and the offender/s may be barred from the show and may be refused entry to further shows.

I. Halter horses and ponies eligible to show in championship classes must show unless they have been excused by the judge or show manager. If the first place horse or pony is excused the second place horse or pony will move into first place in the championship class.

J. No class will enter the ring after 12pm or enter before 8am.

K. Exhibitors may not enter a ring until directed by the steward.

L. Unsportsmanlike, abusive or threatening behaviour physical, verbal or written will not be tolerated and the offender will be barred from the remainder of the show. These offences may result in the offender being barred from further shows and/or loss of or refusal of renewal of membership.

M. Discrimination against exhibitors with physical and/or mental disabilities will not be tolerated. All exhibitors are expected to be tolerant of their fellow competitors. Discriminatory behaviour is unsportsmanlike and offences will be subject to the afore mentioned penalties and if deemed warranted by the director/s, will be referred to the independent adjudication committee for further discussion.

 

PROTESTS

A. All protests are to be made in writing to the show manager no later than one hour after the completion of the last class of the show. The protest shall be accompanied by a $50.00 deposit, which shall be returned to the protestor if the protest is sustained. If the protest is not sustained the $50.00 shall go to the profits of the show.

B. Protests shall be adjudicated by an independent protest committee of designated persons not involved in the dispute. The protest committee shall meet and adjudicate the matter and report its determination to the parties. The decision may be appealed to the AMR* director/s with an additional $50.00 and copies of all or any paperwork. The AMR* director/s decision is final.

C. A horse/pony involved in a protest shall, upon request: Be presented within an hour of notification and remain in full view of at least one official or designated person until the protest is resolved. The horse may not be trimmed, medicated, exercised or otherwise altered prior to the final resolution of the protest.

SHOW DISQUALIFICATION

A. Inheritable deformity

B. Cryptorchidism or monorchidism in stallions four years or over

C. Height

1. No miniature horse or pony shall exceed 34"

2. No Small A horse or pony shall exceed 38"

3. No Small B horse or pony shall exceed 42"

 

AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER SHOWS

 

A. The AMR* recognizes the position, rulings and directives of the Royal Agricultural Society and will follow their guidelines in matters relating to Society Shows.

B. Exhibitors must ensure they comply with the rules of the organization under whose registration papers and membership they use for entry as well as the rules of the organisation whose show they are competing at.