SAFETY RULES:

1. All riders ride at their own risk.
2. All tack and equipment must be in good operating condition.
3. No dogs are allowed unless on a leash.
4. All riders must respect spectators when riding and give them the right of way.
5. To prevent accidents, riders should stay away from the highway area.
6. Each rider is responsible for his/her horse.
7. Horses are not allowed in spectators fenced off areas.
8. Gates should be closed on arena when possible.
9. Running your horse on the Balkan Community Center grounds is prohibited unless in a designated area.
10.  Safety helmets must be worn for all gmes by PeeWee's (aged 10 and under).
11.  Do not try to outride your ability.
12.  Members who ride their horse to the Community Center along the highway should ride their horse in the ditch.

SPORTSMANSHIP RULES

1. In the arena the decision of the judge is final.
2. Listen to and respect your ringmaster.
3. Foul language by a rider will be grounds for disqualification from that class.
4. Continual use of foul language by a rider will be grounds for expulsion from the entire show that day.
5. Members of the audience who continue to use foul language after being warned of the problem will be asked to leave the Balkan Community Center grounds.
6. Good competition between members is fun, but respect for fellow riders is far more important. 

   (SPORTSMANSHIP COMES FIRST)

DRESS CODE RULES

 

1. For performance classes, a rider must wear a western shirt, hat, and boots.
2. All English riders must wear appropriate English clothes and boots.
3. It is suggested that western hats be worn by riders, but baseball hats or no hat at all will be acceptable for al game events.
4. Riders may wear a short sleeve shirt with a collar, but no T-Shirts.  All riders must wear western riding boots or an approved western style tennis shoe with a heel for games.

ENTRY RULES FOR PLAYDAYS

 

An EVENT is the name of the general term used in defining the procedure (ex, poles, barrels, etc.)  A CLASS is the age grouping of each event (ex, pole weaving 10 & under, barrels 18 & over, etc.)

1. Each rider must pay an entry fee for every horse he/she rides.
2. Entries are closed at the start of the class prior to the class called.
3. Age as of January 1st of the current year will determine age group.
4. Age groupings include: 10 and under class, 11 to 13 class, 14 to 17 class, 18 to 34 class, and 25 and over class.  Groups can be combined if there are less than 3 registered in a class, at the discretion of the president.
5. A stallion can be shown only in the 18 and over class.
6. No horse can be run more than once in a class.
7. Entry fee for the entire playday will be $5.00 (per horse) for members, and $10.00 (per horse) for non-members.
8. All participants in club events must sign a liability disclaimer.  Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them.

GENERAL RULES FOR PLAYDAYS

1. Horses or foals musst not be left to wander unattended.
2. Keep horses away from the concession stand.
3. All persons should stay out of the concession stand or judges stand unless you are working there.
4. Riders please be ready when called
5. All horses and riders should stay away from the run-out-chute.
6. All riders should stay off the grass with their horses.
7. Please don't litter (pick up your own trash).
8. Don't stand on arena cables.
9. Stay out of arena area unless you are a designated helper.
10.  Don't swing on gates.
11.  Shut all gates when the arena is not in use.
12.  Excessive punshment of a horse is forbidden.
13.  No drinking of alcoholic beverages is allowed on the Balkan Community Center grounds, unless special permission has been obtained through the township offfice.
14.  Spurs may be used.
15.  The cllub president or designated official has the right to expel any rider or spectator from the Balkan Community Center Grounds if there is a consistent breakage of above rules.
16.  On matters not covered in these rules, the decision of the club president or designated official is final.

 

PERFORMANCE CLASS RULES

 

17. No mechanical bits, hackamores, or facsimile are to be used in any judged event.
18. Tie downs and running martingales are not allowed.
19. Twisted curb chains are prohbited.

GAME CLASS RULES

1. Flat bats or open hand only may be used behind the cinch (no slappng with the reins).
2. Hitting the horse in front of the cinch means immediate disqualification for that ride. 
3. No re-rides because of breakage or faulty equipment.
4. A re-ride will be given only when there is trouble with the timer or to break a tie.
5. Any barrel or pole tipped over or held up by the rider's hand or foot means disqualification.
6. In rescue: for each entry fee a rider can (ride once and be rescued once) or (be rescued twice).
7. Tie downs and running martingales are allowed.
8. Twisted curb chains are prohibitied.

ARENA RULES

1. The Balkan Horse Arena willbe open to any Balkan resident for practice during daylight hours.  Exceptions are scheduled outside events that may endanger or disrupt the participants of an activity taking place.  EXAMPLES: Weddings, Family Reunions, Picnics, Balkan Summer Recreation, etc.
2. All riders ride at their own risk, and assume responsibility for damage done by their horse.
3. Any organization wishing to use the arena must be approved through the Balkan Township Office.
4. At the discretion of the Town Board, a fee may be charged for the use of the horse arena.
5. Clubs or organizations outside of Balkan must provide verification of insurance coverage when applying for approval at the Township Office.
6. Alcoholic beverages are FORBIDDEN on the Balkan Horse Arena premises or contiguous or adjacent property without proper supervision of the Balkan Constables.
7. No over-night parkig will be allowed.
8. No horses or horse trailers will be allowed on the grass or Bocce Ball Courts.
9. Any club or rganization using the HORSE ARENA is responsible for keeping the grounds and consession stand clean.
10.  Gates must be closed when the horse arena is not in use.

JUDGES DUTIES

1. The Judge shall:

               a. Judge each class tothe best of his/her ability without bias or prejudice.

               b. Try to keep all classes moving without delays.

               c. Stop a class temporarily for safety reasons.

               d. Disqualify a rider because of swearing or unsportsmanlike conduct.

               e.  Ask a rider to leave the arena because of unsafe tack or equipment.

               f.  Ask a rider to leave the arena because ther horse is creating an unsafe enviornment to the         

                    rider and other participants.

          2. The Judge shall use his/her Ring Steward wsely. (Check Ring Steward Duties) 

          3. We enocurage all Judges to help our riders improve their riding ability.

          4. Please feel free to use our cordless microphone at any time.

RING STEWARD DUTIES

1. The ring steward should try t make the work f the Judge much easier by:

               a. Assembling the class promptly and eliminating long delays between classes.

               b. Trying to keep the judging progrm on schedule.

          2.  The ring steward:

                a. Will ntify the Judge when all horses are present for each class and call his attention to those 

                    horses which are absent.

                b. Will explain to each rider as they come into the ring what pattern is expected of them by the

                     Judge.

                c. Shall not take part in the judging of the class.

                d. Shall stand in a position as to not interfere with the judging of the class.

                e. Shall not allow the exhibitors to crowd up in the ring.

                f.  Shall keep the possibilities of an accident at a minimum.

          3.  The Judge can request the Ring Steward to move and place horses as he advises.

          4.  The Ring Steward:

               a. Has the authority to ask an exhibitor to remove their horse from the ring for safety reasons.

               b. Has the authority to remove unsportsmanlike exhibitors from the arena.

               c. Shall Make sure tha the arena gate is closed during all judged classes.

               d. Has the right to stop the judging of a class temporarily to eliminate any safety problems.

               e. Has the right not to allow a rider to ride in a class because of unsafe tack or equipment.

               f. Shall notify the announcer of the class placings.

          5.  No prejudices shall be shown by the Ring Steward.

ANNOUNCER DUTIES

1. It will be the duty of the Announcer to:

              a. Announce all numbers and names of the riders entered in a class, previous to that class for the

                  sake of grouping said riders for a quick and orderly class change.  

              b. Announce all placings for each class.

              c. Transfer to the riders instructions from the Judge.

              d. Announce after each timed ride the rider's exact time.

              e. Keep a record of placings in each class (record on entry sheet).

              f.  Keep the show moving by always announcing in advance which rider or riders will be riding       

                  next in the class.

          2. The Announcer has the right to temporarily stop the class because of sfety reasons.

          3. The Announcer should have an assistant to help with record keeping.

          4. The Announcer has the right to expel anyone from the announcing stand.

          5. The Announcer has the right to give a no-time to any rider in a timed event for a broken pattern 

               or for breakage of a club rule.