The purpose of the East Coast Ranch Riding Association shall be to promote education for western horse enthusiasts to ride and train a versatile western horse, to teach rider knowledge and to maximize horsemanship skills, performance and safety, to offer affordable, fun, and standardized versatile western horse educational programs and competitions, to perpetuate and preserve the western tradition and heritage of working western and ranch type horses, to encourage the use of standard rules for conducting and judging contests for the western all-around horse, to define, promote and improve the quality of the versatile western horse, and to encourage honesty, integrity, respect, sportsmanship and family values. All shows and competitions run or approved by the ECRRA are designed with classes and divisions for entry level competitors. All shows will offer Ranch Horse In Hand ( to be shown in a halter ), Ranch Pleasure ( judged as a group on the rail. or individually following the guidelines and patterns of the Stock Horse of Texas program SHOT ), Ranch Riding ( 1 of 5 patterns as per AQHA Rule Book ), Ranch Trail ( negotiating a series of obstacles found on a farm or ranch ) and Ranch Round Up ( timed not judged ) with D

iMembership Fees will be an annual fee ( January 1 to December 31 ). $ 20.00 / person

Horse Enrollment Fees. A onetime fee of $ 20.00. Once the horse has been enrolled the enroller will receive a Certificate Of Enrollment with a permanent ECRRA reference number through email or postal service. ( This is not an exhibitor number ) Please note: You do not need to be a member or have your horse enrolled to show at an ECRRA approved show. Non members will be entitled to day of show awards only.

 Lifetime Recognition Awards (LRA) There are two ways for a member to be eligible for the Lifetime Recognition Awards and Annual Division Awards # 1.East Coast Ranch Riding Approved Shows: All points earned at any ECRRA approved event will be accumulative from year to year as long as an exhibitor renews their membership annually. # 2 Class Approval Program ( CAP ) : Any member that shows an enrolled horse at any other competition that has been ECRRA Class Approved ( Open, 4H, breed shows, special events etc. ) that offers any of the ECRRA classes of any division may receive LRA points for those classes .All CAP participating shows will be listed on our website. RIDER ELIGIBILITY ALL riders may ride 2 handed in any legal western bit except Open Division Open Division Eligibility : The Open Division is open to any professional or nonprofessional regardless of age or rider eligibility, regardless of past winnings .Must ride one handed in curb bits Non Pro Division Eligibility : The rider has not received payment directly or indirectly for riding, training, assisting in training, or showing horse(s) at anytime during the past five years . The rider has not received payment directly or indirectly for instructing another person or conducting a seminar in riding, training or showing a horse any time during the past five years. No age requirement. Premium money won is not considered remuneration. Novice Division Eligibility and Restrictions: The Novice Division is reserved for individuals with limited riding and showing experience who wish to learn more about showing in ECRRA at a beginner’s pace. The rider must meet all Non Pro eligibility requirements listed above. The rider has not won any champion titles at any show or cumulative #1 year-end award in ECSHA, ECRRA, SVRA, ASHA, or any State 4-H finals; more than 10 points in any breed or national association (AQHA, APHA,etc.) ; or any money in a national organization (NCHA, NRCHA, NRHA, RHAA, etc.) in any western performance discipline (western pleasure, working cow horse, reining, cutting, trail, etc.). No age requirement . Stallions are prohibited in this division. Youth Division Eligibility : Exhibitors in the youth division must be aged 8 through 18 as of January 1 of the current year. Stallions are prohibited in this division Primetime Division Eligibility and Restrictions : Exhibitors in the Primetime Division must be 50 years of age or older as of January 1 of the current year. The rider must meet all Non Pro eligibility requirements listed above . Point Tabulation for Champions, Day End , Year End, Lifetime : To be eligible for a Division Champion an exhibitor must show in 4 of the 5 classes offered in each Division. A rider will receive points by their placings and number of entries in a class. ( Example : 10 horses in a class, 1st place receives 10 points, 2nd place 9 points, 3rd place 8 points etc. ). I Ranch Horse in Hand and Ranch Pleasure, the top 10 horses will be placed. Eleventh place and lower will receive points by taking the total number of points left and divided by the number of horses out of the placings then each of those horses receive that number of points. ( Example : 15 horses in the class 1st 15 points, 2nd 14 points, 3rd 13 pts, 4th 12 pts, 5th 11pts, 6th 10 pts, 7th 9pts, 8th 8 pts, 9th 7 pts,10th 6pts 11th thru 15th place 3 points each ) All Day End and Year End Division Champions are horse rider combination.

 LIFETIME RECOGNITION AWARDS Rookie Of The Year : Awarded to the Novice and/or Novice Youth Exhibitor ( walk trot or walk trot lope ) earning the highest number of ECRRA points in a year. A novice or youth rider may only win this award one time. Award Of Recognition ( AOR ) : Any horse /rider comb. earning 100 points in any class. Points are accumulative from division to division. ( Example: horse & rider may earn points in Non Pro Trail and Prime Time Trail and all points will go towards a Trail AOR ) Award Of Achievement ( AOA ) : Any horse /rider comb. earning 300 points in any class. Points are accumulative from division to division. ( Example: horse & rider may earn points in Non Pro Trail and Prime Time Trail and all points will go towards a Trail AOA ) ECRR Champion Buckle Award : Any horse /rider comb. earning 60 points (AOR) in Ranch Horse In Hand and 100 vision for different levels of riding.

ECRR Champion Buckle Award : Any horse /rider comb. earning 60 points (AOR) in Ranch Horse In Hand and 100 points in Ranch Pleasure or Ranch Riding and 100 points in Ranch Trail or Ranch Round Up. Supreme Champion Buckle Award : Any horse/rider comb. earning 3 AOR’s in any 3 classes and 2 AOA’s in 2 other classes. Superior Champion Buckle Award : Any horse/rider comb. earning 5 AOA ‘s in 5 different classes Year End All Around Division Champions: A member must show in 4 of the 5 classes offered in each Division All LRA and Annual Division Awards will be awarded in Walk Trot and in Walk Trot Lope classes. Point Tabulation for Champions, Day End , Year End, Lifetime :. A rider will receive points by their placings and number of entries in a class. ( Example: 10 horses in a class, 1st place receives 10 points, 2nd place 9 points, 3rd place 8 points etc. ). In Ranch Horse in Hand and Ranch Pleasure, the top 10 horses will be placed. Eleventh place and lower will receive points by taking the total number of points left and divided by the number of horses out of the placings then each of those horses receive that number of points. ( Example : 15 horses in the class 1st 15 points, 2nd 14 points, 3rd 13 pts, 4th 12 pts, 5th 11pts, 6th 10 pts, 7th 9pts, 8th 8 pts, 9th 7 pts,10th 6pts 11th thru 15th place 3 points each ) All Day End, Year End Division and Lifetime Recognition Award Champions are horse rider combination

 EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE Equipment and Apparel Horses shall be shown in a western stock saddle. Silver equipment will not count over good clean, working equipment. Horses of all ages may be shown in a snaffle, bosal, or curb bit. Split reins or romal reins shall be used with all curb bits. Split reins may be used with snaffle bits. When a bit is used, the mouth piece must be at least 5/16â€� and not more than 3/4â€� in diameter measured one inch from the cheek and must be smooth; no twisted wire mouthpieces. Nothing may protrude below the mouthpiece such as prongs. Curb straps are required for curb bits and the curb chains or straps must be at least ½ inch in width and must lie flat against the horse’s chin. No wire curbs are permitted, regardless of the amount of padding or tape. Prohibited Equipment Tie downs, cavessons, gag bits, twisted-wire mouth pieces, mechanical hackamores and running martingales are prohibited. A judge may prohibit the use of any equipment deemed to be inhumane. Trimming horses is optional Attire: Riders shall wear protective headgear or western hats, long-sleeved shirts and western boots. Western boots shall include typical cowboy boots or lace-up ropers. All other footwear is prohibited. The use of spurs and chaps shall be optional. Clothing should be neat and clean.

 SCORING SYSTEM All classes will be judged by the following scoring system. This system has been designed to score all maneuvers and gaits within each individual pattern classes and to be used as a learning tool so each exhibitor may see their score. All entries with a score other than zero will place. (Ranch Horse in Hand and Ranch Pleasure do not need to be scored ) Scores: 0.5 –1 = Poor Refuses obstacle / maneuver / major disobedience 1.5 – 2 = Below Excessive schooling, and noticeable resistance from horse. Failure to Average gait within 3 seconds of walk, trot / jog or lope request, incorrect lead, 2.5 – 3 = Average Maneuvers are performed with much coaxing from handler & with some reluctance. Horse shows respect to handler, slight deviation to pattern 3.5 – 4 = Good Performs maneuvers with little coaxing from handler, performs maneuvers w/o deviation to pattern 4.5 – 5 = Excellent Performs tasks sharply, briskly, without hesitation, no deviation to pattern, exhibits obvious relationship between horse and handler. 0 Score = Failure to attempt any maneuver or obstacle called for in a class. These horses .may not place above a horse that has performed or has attempted all of the maneuvers.or obstacles regardless of their score Disqualification Fall of horse and or rider, failure to enter the arena when called PLEASE NOTE: AMMENDMANT to SCORING SYSTEM ( revised January 1, 2018 ) ECRRA will be closely following the AQHA and The Stock Horse Of Texas current scoring system in all Ranch Riding ( pattern class ) and all Trail classes. The new revision is posted at the end of the rule book. We ask that all judges read the guidelines and try and use this system in the prescribed classes. A judge may use the former ECRRA scoring system if unfamiliar or uncomfortable with this system. RANCH HORSE IN HAND To be shown in a halter. SILVER SHOW HALTERS are discouraged. Classes will be divided MARES all ages, GELDINGS / STALLIONS all ages. All entries will be judged at a walk, trot & extended trot. Entries will line up at the judges direction. To be judged 60% on correctness, balance and conformation suitable for a working ranch type horse and 40% on manners & disposition. Show committees may ask for these classes to be combined depending on entries. RANCH HORSE PLEASURE CLASS The Ranch Horse Pleasure Class measures the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from one ranch task to another while riding with a group of horses or individually. The horse should be well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft, and cadenced at all gaits. The horse should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and without requiring undue restraint. The horse should be responsive to the rider and make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner. The horse should be soft in the bridle and yield to contact. The ideal stock horse should have a natural, level headed carriage at each gait. GAITS Required : • Ordinary Walk– The ranch horse ordinary walk is straight, square, flat footed, relaxed. The horse moves freely with no anticipation to move to the next gait. • Trot– The ranch horse trot is a square two beat diagonal trot and is steady, soft, and slow enough for riding long distances. The rider is seated at this gait. • Extended Trot– The ranch horse extended trot shows lengthening of stride from the regular trot with the same cadence that will cause an increase in speed. This gait is level, flat, and steady with the appearance that the horse would hold this gait for long distances. The rider may be seated, posting, or standing. • Lope – The ranch horse lope is a 3-beat gait that is cadenced, straight and steady and is comfortable to ride over long distances. OPTIONAL GATES & MANUVERS • Extended Walk– The ranch horse extended walk is straight, square, and flat -footed, relaxed, and moves out freely with the horse looking ahead. The extended walk shows more length of stride than the ordinary walk with no anticipation to move to the next gait. •Extended Lope– The ranch horse extended lope shows lengthening of stride from the regular lope with the same cadence that will cause an increase in speed. The horse holds the steady gait and increased speed while being under control. • Stop– From both the lope and the trot, the horse should be in the correct stopping position (i.e., both hocks engaged and stopping on the hindquarters). All four feet stop moving before the next maneuver is attempted. • 180 degree Reverse – From the stop horse turns briskly and flat with front feet on the ground and holding an inside rear pivot foot. The reverse to be performed to the inside. • Reverse at a trot – To be performed to the inside Horses shall be shown in a group on the rail. All horses must be ask to walk, trot, extended trot, lope. Judges must ask for at least one of the optional gates or maneuvers in the class. All horses must be ask to back individually RANCH RIDING The purpose of the ranch riding class is to measure the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from performing one ranch task to another. The horse should reflect the versatility, attitude and movement of a working ranch horse riding outside the confines of an arena. The horse should be well-trained, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The ideal ranch horse will travel with forward movement and demonstrate an obviouslengthening of stride at extended gaits. The horse can be ridden with light contact or on a relatively loose rein without requiring undue restraint, but not shown on a full drape of reins. The overall manners and responsiveness of the ranch riding horse to make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner, as well as the quality of the movement are of primary considerations. The ideal ranch riding horse should have a natural head carriage at each gait. Class requirements: Each horse will work individually, performing the required gait maneuvers and minimum of three optional maneuvers. Using one of five AQHA Ranch Riding patterns. ( AQHA Rule Book Pg. 133 to pg. 137 ). The required gait maneuvers will include the walk, trot and lope both directions: and the extended trot and extended lope at least one direction; as well as stops, and back. The optional maneuvers may include a side pass, turns of 360 degrees or more, change of lead (simple or flying), walk, trot or lope over a log(s); or some reasonable combination of maneuvers that would be reasonable for a horse to perform or encounter during ranch work. The overall cadence and performance of the gaits should be as those described in GAITS, with an emphasis on forward movement, free-flowing, and ground covering for all gaits. Transitions should be performed where designated, with smoothness and responsiveness. Posting at the extended trot is acceptable. Touching or holding the saddle horn is acceptable  Minor Faults : Too slow/per gait, Over-bridled, Out of frame Break of gait at walk or trot for 2 strides or less. Major Faults : Break of gait at walk or trot for more than 2 strides, Break of gait at lope, Wrong lead or out of lead, Draped reins (per maneuver), Out of lead or cross-cantering more than two strides when changing leads, Trotting more than three strides when making a simple lead change, Severe disturbance of any obstacle, Blatant disobedience (kick, bite, buck, rear, etc.) for each refusal Placed below horses performing all maneuvers: Eliminates maneuver, Incomplete maneuver Zero (0) score : Illegal equipment , Willful abuse, Major disobedience or schooling

 RANCH TRAIL The Ranch Trail Class, as the name implies, tests the horse’s ability to cope with situations encountered in everyday riding. The horse is ridden through a pattern of obstacles which should nearly approximate those found during the course of everyday work. The horse/rider team is judged on the correctness, efficiency, and pattern accuracy with which the obstacles are negotiated and the attitude and mannerisms exhibited by the horse. Judging emphasis is on identifying the well-broke, responsive, well-mannered horse which can correctly navigate and negotiate the course The trail course will include no less than six obstacles. Care must be exercised to avoid setting up any obstacles that may be hazardous to the horse or rider. When setting courses, management will be mindful that the idea is not to trap a horse/rider team or eliminate it by making an obstacle too difficult. All courses and obstacles are to be constructed with safety in mind so as to reduce the risk for accidents. Show committees have the option of setting up the trail course to best fit the arena conditions. The show committee, either through a pilot run or estimation, shall select a course that has a continuous, positive flow that can be negotiated in four minutes or less The course must be designed using the ECRRA acceptable obstacles and maneuvers Walk-overs (26-30 in.), Trot–overs (36–42 in.), Lope-overs (6 to 7 feet) no more than five logs or poles no more than 10 inches high The formation can also be straight, curved, zigzagged, or raised. Opening, passing through, and closing gate: Use a gate that will not endanger horse or rider and requires minimum side passing .Rope gates are acceptable Ride over wooden bridge: Bridge should be sturdy, safe and negotiated at a walk only. Heavy plywood lying flat on the ground is an acceptable simulation of a bridge. Suggested minimum width shall be 36 inches wide and at least 6 feet long. Backing obstacles: Backing obstacles are to be spaced at a minimum of 34 inches. Back through and around at least three markers. Back through L, V, U, straight or similarly shaped. Side pass obstacle: Any object which is safe and of any length may be used to demonstrate responsiveness of the horse to leg signals. Raised side pass obstacles should not exceed 12 inches. Rope drag: To be used for Open & Non Pro ONLY. Carry object from one part of the arena to another Remove and replace materials from mailbox. Trot through cones spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart. Step in and out of obstacle. Put on slicker or coat. Stand to mount with mounting block. Pick up feet. Walk through brush. Ground tie Prohibited obstacles: Tarps, water obstacles with slick bottoms, PVC pipe used as a jump or walk over, tires, rocking or moving bridges, logs or poles elevated in a manner that permits such to roll in a dangerous manner.

RANCH ROUND UP This is a timed event. This class is to prove the agility, versatility and the quickness of a ranch horse when called upon Exhibitors will perform a specific pattern ( I of 3 patterns ) designed by ECRRA . The pattern must be run correctly the fastest time wins. Penalties : Knock down of each obstacle will be a 5 second penalty added to the time, Performing the pattern incorrectlyPenalties : Knock down of each obstacle will be a 5 second penalty added to the time, Performing the pattern incorrectly will result in a no time and will not place. Walk Trot entries, loping more then 3 strides in a pattern will result in a NO TIME and will not place. ( Any rules not covered in the ECRRA rule book will refer to AQHA or SHOT rules )

Forms will be at the main website  www.ecrrassociation.com