1. The manager should know the ApHC rules and have a rulebook with him/her at all times for reference. 
2. The management should be courteous and polite to the exhibitors at all times, under all circumstances. Management should, above all, be fair in making decisions. At no time should favoritism be exhibited by management. 
3. The manager should make sure that all needed supplies will be available at show time. The manager is responsible for making sure all committees have carried out all tasks assigned and that everything runs smoothly. 
4. The manager should appoint a capable ring steward and secure a well spoken announcer for the show. Also, be sure to have on hand an adequate public address system. You may find that some announcers furnish their own. By working together, your announcer, ring steward, and judges can keep the show running smoothly. 
5. The management should consider two attended gates, one for entering and one for exiting. This will provide a more efficient operation of the show. 
6. Proper breaks in between classes should be provided so that exhibitors have an adequate amount of time to change clothes and tack and have a chance to warm-up in the arena being used for competition. It is suggested that at least one break at lunch be provided for these reasons and to also allow time for the judge to take a break. 
7. Promptness, accuracy, courtesy, fairness in making decisions, and knowledge of ApHC rules are the five basic guidelines. If diligently applied, there is no reason your show should not be a success. 

1. The show secretary should develop a premium list that contains all of the pertinent information concerning entry fees, classes, starting time, judge’s names, location of show, etc. This should be mailed to prospective exhibitors at least thirty days before the entry deadline for the show. · Premium lists and entry forms should be printed in order to ensure uniformity. All shows must abide by the entry fees advertised in the premium list. 
· The premium list shall contain a list of show officials, exact location, time and date or dates to be held along with the closing date of entries. The height of fences in over fence classes should also be listed. 
· All rules and policies pertaining to the show should be published in this premium list. 
· Entry fees and any premium money awarded must be included on the class list. After publication, no changes to entry fees or premium money can be made. 
· If money prizes are offered, the fixed amount of added monies shall be stated in the premium list. Special prizes do not have to appear on the premium list, but it is recommended. 
2. The secretary should be prepared in advance for the first day of the show. If entries are to be taken the day of the show he/she should have all entry forms ready for the exhibitors to complete prior to the starting time of the show. The secretary should be present at the show well in advance of the starting time to start taking entries, checking in exhibitors, and issuing back numbers that are legible to the judge at all times. 
3. Secretaries are responsible for being sure that all horses and exhibitors are eligible for competition ( i.e. horses have the proper registration papers, exhibitors and owners are current members of the ApHC, there is a relationship between exhibitor and owner in Youth and Non-Pro Classes (excluding Leadline). 
4. All persons participating in an ApHC approved show or event, must have a current ApHC membership card or proof of payment. No membership verification forms will be allowed. If an exhibitor cannot produce a membership card or proof of payment, they must purchase another membership at your show. All membership requirements must be met before points will be awarded. A date of birth and a signature are required for youth (annually) and non-pro applicants (first time only). The exhibitor or owner will be reimbursed for any overpayment of membership fees, less $5 for office charges by the ApHC. If memberships are sold, please provide the customer with a receipt stating their name, name of show where purchased, date, and a signature from show management. This receipt can then be used at future shows until the physical membership card is received. Please make sure all membership applications are filled out in their entirety and sent to the ApHC the first working day after the show is completed. Please do not wait to send these in with the show results. This will allow the ApHC to process the membership applications before the show results are sent to our office. By doing this your show results will be processed faster and with less error. 
5. The secretary should have all judges’ cards ready for the judges with class stickers affixed to them . 6. Print class entry sheets for the ring steward and gateperson so that they know the number of entries for each class and are ready for each class to be checked in at the required time. 
7. It is very important to get entries taken and the show started on time. This will enable you to get the show started smoothly. Every effort should be made to keep it running in a timely manner. A show planned well in advance will enable you to conduct your show in a prompt and courteous manner. 

1. All approved shows must use a judge from the ApHC Official Approved Judges list. Shows may use a judge with a ApHC Specialty Judge’s permit in English performance classes, Suitability for Dressage, Cutting, Reining, and snaffle bit pleasure (English and western). 2. The judge’s name shall be published in all printed matter and information pertaining to the show. 3. No judge shall be required to judge longer than 6 hours in any one day without a reasonable break of at least one-half hour. Shows which fail to comply will be fined for each hour of violation and/or otherwise disciplined. 
4. A judge shall not appear on the show or contest grounds prior to 30 minutes before judging. 
5. Treatment of your judge while he/she is in your care becomes a matter of paramount importance to you. Do not place the judge in a position where he/she must fraternize with exhibitors prior to or during the show. For example, when two motels are available, put your judge in the one where most exhibitors will not be staying, keep a member of the show management, particularly the ring steward, with the judge at all times so that he/she may be escorted around the grounds, etc. Provide a quiet and relaxed area for your judge to take his/her breaks. This area should be separate from your exhibitors. 
6. During the show, see that your judge is provided occasionally with a drink. For classes where the judge must sit for long periods of time, try to provide a platform so that they can be seated above the exhibitors for easier viewing of the class. 

(click here for current judges list)

1. Each organization shall provide one ring steward or assistant for every two judges. 
2. The ring steward makes the work of the judge much easier by relieving the judge of unnecessary details. By assembling the classes promptly, he/she will be able to keep the judging program on schedule and eliminate long delays in between classes. 
3. It is the responsibility of the ring steward to notify the judge when all entries are present for each class as well as make sure that the judge’s card is properly filled out and signed and is turned into the announcer for placing. 4. Ring stewards shall not take part, or seem to take part, in any of the judging including advising the judge. When he/she is not actively engaged in his/her duties, the ring steward should place themselves in a position so as not to interfere with the judging and the view of the spectators. He/she must not allow the exhibitors to crowd up in the arena and should at all times endeavor to keep the possibilities of an accident to a minimum. 
5. The ring steward should act as a liaison between the judge and exhibitor and should be prepared to move and place the horses as the judge advises. 

1. The announcer should not announce horse’s names, owners, and/or exhibitors prior to the completion of judging of a class. All entries shall be referred to by back number. 2. All class results must be announced by judge name. 
3. When an exhibitor competes in a timed event, each qualifying time shall be announced over the public address system by the show announcer immediately following his/her qualifying run(s). Any exhibitor receiving no time due to disqualification shall also be announced. 

1. The ApHC will publish the name of your show, the dates held, show location, judges, a list of classes offered and who to contact for more information in the Appaloosa Journal Calendar of Events. You will need to have your premium list completed early so that customers may reach the contact person to obtain a copy. 
2. All shows approved by the ApHC for the awarding of points must be named, called, advertised, listed and otherwise referred to as an Approved ApHC Show. 
3. Various forms of advertising can be utilized to promote your show. (i.e. radio, Appaloosa Journal, newspapers, flyers, and posters. 
4. One of the most successful ways to increase revenue for your show (and your community) is to sell advertising space in your official show program. These programs can then be sent to prospective exhibitors around the country. 
5. Class/show sponsorships are an easy and effective method of helping to finance horse show costs. 

1. The arena needs to be approximately 200 ft. in length and 80 to 100 ft. wide. The width can vary from 80 ft. wide at one end and angle to 120 ft. wide at the other - the narrow end should be the one you use for cattle classes and other such events. 
2. The consistency of the soil would ideally be a sandy loam cut to approximately 4 inches to 6 inches in depth. 
3. If cattle classes are anticipated, your fence needs to be strong enough to contain the cattle and at least 5 feet high. Shows without cattle classes can get by with a one-rail arena 3 1/2 feet in height. 
4. Lighting is necessary if you anticipate your show will run into the late evening hours. If you have a choice of what type of lights to use, the modern day quartz lighting has a tendency to change colors and is not as desirable as other incandescent lighting, however, almost any lighting will do. If your cutting classes are at the end of the show, your lighting needs to be in the portion of the arena that will be used for that event. 
5. It is suggested that show management provide a warm-up area for contestants who are preparing to enter a class. The warm-up area must be multi-purpose and large enough to accommodate the needs of various exhibitors warming-up at the same time 
(i.e. jumpers and pleasure horses). 
6. A holding area outside of the main arena should be provided for horses waiting to enter the arena. This holding area should be close to the main arena. 
7. Separate animals from people whenever possible, especially spectators at arena entrances and exits. This should help eliminate overcrowding of exhibitors and animals in one place. 
8. Facilities should be maintained in good repair to avoid injury to exhibitors and animals. 
9. Proper facilities for loading, unloading, parking, storage of equipment and feed, good overnight stabling and bedding greatly enhances operation and goodwill of the show. Effort should be made to plan for these aspects to the best of available resources. 

1. It is recommended that all horses be properly immunized under supervision of a veterinarian before coming to the shows, particularly for tetanus and sleeping sickness. Health certificates and current proof of negative Coggins should be required. 
2. Horse show management should provide adequate disposal of litter, manure, and bedding on the show grounds to help maintain a clean and well-kept facility. 
3. Prior to the show, the grounds committee should make certain the facilities are in good repair; all wire, trash, etc. has been removed from the stabling areas, and all the facilities are cleaned to prevent possible injury to stock. 

1. The show management should be acutely aware of the necessity for adequate coverage for any liability arising from accidents that could occur at your show. Familiarize yourself with insurance coverage affecting your show. 
2. Each show should obtain blanket liability insurance to cover suits, claims, or judgments for bodily injury or property damage sustained by spectators, participants, or others, arising out of the use of the show grounds or operations necessary or incidental to the show. 
3. Accidental medical reimbursement insurance should be provided for all persons participating in the show, including exhibitors, show officials, committee members, judges, ring stewards, and announcers. 
4. In addition to the actual coverage for the show itself, the show committee should require that all independent contractors, including concessionaires, be required to provide evidence that they have workmen’s compensation insurance and public liability in force for the duration of the show.

1. The management is requested to give detailed consideration to all safety precautions for an ApHC Approved Event. Particular attention should be given to classes where very young exhibitors are competing. The following suggestions are offered to call attention to situations to avoid accidents. The safety and well-being of youth competitors is a serious responsibility of the show management. 
2. Any exhibitor not having his/her horse under sufficient control shall be dismissed from the ring and shall be disqualified from the class. 
3. Exhibitors are responsible for having their equipment in good repair. 
4. In any games event, all arena gates should be closed as contestants compete. Contestants should not be allowed to enter or leave the arena moving at full speed. 
5. There should be adult supervision in the arena at all times while youth are competing. 
6. A horse or exhibitor that becomes unruly will be excused from the ring and all entry fees shall be forfeited. 
7. Provisions for first aid should be provided at all times. 
8. Riders are to wear “headgear” at all times in jumping. In games classes, a rider must wear either a western hat or ASTM/SEI approved protective headgear. If a rider decides not to wear protective headgear, he/she or a parent or guardian for exhibitors 18 and under will be required to execute a release form. 9. Jumps and trail class obstacles should be sensible and suitable to the abilities of the contestants. 
10. No exhibitor shall be allowed to be tied, buckled, or fastened in the saddle in any manner including leadline classes. Stirrups shall not be tied to one another or to the saddle in any manner. 
11. In the games classes, care should be taken to see that the ground surrounding barrels and poles is safe and free from holes. 
12. Horses should not be tied to arena fences or rails or any place that would constitute a hazard. 
13. It is recommended that plastic or rubber cone shaped markers be used as markers in pattern classes. Barrels or chairs are not recommended for markers due to the danger of falling on them. 
14. Spectators should not be allowed to have hats, coats, arms, or any other objects hanging over the arena fence or rail. 
15. If it is necessary to use steel posts for fences in cutting classes, trail classes or for any other purpose, these posts should be adequately padded on the tops to protect any sharp or blunt surfaces. 
16. Management should stipulate that any animals (dogs particularly) should be on a leash and restrained at all times.