Riata: Hunter Association

Official Rulebook

Looking to show? Well, here are the official rules!

  1. All horses and ponies must be registered in the Riata Equine Database in order to compete in any RHA sanctioned competition.
  2. Horses must be at least three years old to compete in under saddle classes.
  3. Horses must be at least four years old to compete in classes that require them to jump a course of jumps.
  4. Horses must be at least five years old to jump higher than 3'6".
  5. Each season runs for 6 months and begins January and July.
  6. Horses that showed more than four times in one year in the following divisions must move up for the next year of showing:
    • Baby Green Hunter
    • Pre-Green Hunter
    • First & Second Year Green Hunter
    • Green Pony Hunter
  7. For the purposes of the RHA, horses will age on the first of January. If your horse was born anytime in 2002, then it will be considered a three year old for all of 2005, regardless of when it was born in 2002.
  8. Horses and ponies may show in as many divisions as they are physically able to do. Excessive overshowing will result in disqualification from the entire show.
  9. Hunter Championships are to be awarded to the horse accumulating the most points in a division. In the case of a tie, the horse with the most points over fences will receive the ribbon and title. In the case of a tie of over fences points, there will be a hack off.
  10. Height Requirements:
    • Small ponies are not to exceed 12.2hh
    • Medium ponies are from 12.3hh to 13.2hh
    • Large ponies are from 13.3hh to 14.2hh
    • Small Junior Hunter horses are from 14.3hh to 15.3hh
    • Large Junior Hunter horses are 16hh and above
  11. Age Requirements:
    • Small Pony riders must be below 13 years of age
    • Medium Pony riders must be below 15 years of age
    • Large Pony riders must be below 18 years of age
    • Junior riders must be below 18 years of age
    • Amateurs are 18 years of age or older who don't earn money for training/giving lessons. Juniors are considered to be amateurs. If you earn money by training/giving lessons and are 18 years of age or older, you are considered to be a professional rider.