Riverina Reining Horse Association

2012 Australian Continental Affiliate Championships
And Australian Affiliate Circuit Series
(For NRHA Affiliates in Australia)

This program is designed for NRHA affiliates in Australia and gives them the freedom necessary to structure a circuit responsive to the needs of its members and location. This program provides a format by which the local champions can compete against their peers and offering the opportunity to advance to a National level to compete for a NRHA Morrison Bronze or a NRHA Pewter Trophy. It is the aim of the NRHA and this program to increase the emphasis on “grass roots” reining and continue to promote our sport at all levels.

CIRCUIT SERIES CONDITIONS

1. Individual circuits may begin October 1st 2011 and must end 30 days prior to our National show, 2012.

2. Each affiliate circuit show must be sponsored by a current 2011/2012 NRHA and Reining Australia recognized affiliate or a combination of current NRHA/Reining Australia affiliates.

3. Circuits will only be approved for affiliates that have paid their current year NRHA affiliate dues. 2012 NRHA affiliate dues must be paid prior to December 1, 2011.

4. The circuit affiliate club is required to hold a minimum of four (4) shows. Affiliates can share shows with other affiliate clubs. A rider must participate in a minimum of three (3) of those shows, two of which must be with their affiliate club. All affiliate circuit shows must be NRHA approved and meet the requirements as stipulated for approved Australian shows for 2011/2012.

5. All NRHA Approved shows held by an Affiliate will count as a qualifying circuit show. All approved circuit shows will be published on the NRHA Website. /

6. Each Affiliate Finals will offer the following classes: Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Rookie Professional, Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Prime Time Non Pro, Novice Horse Open II, Novice Horse Non Pro II, Youth 13 & Under, Youth 14-18, and Rookie II.

7. For an affiliate to qualify a rider for a class, that specific class must be offered in at least three (3) circuit shows.

8. Each Affiliate will be responsible for providing the NRHA office and Reining Australia with a complete list of all placings, including zeros and no scores, in each class in each circuit show within 10 days.

9. The rider must be a member of their local affiliate and Reining Australia at the time of competing for points to count towards the Australian Continental Championship qualifications to qualify for year end awards. Circuits may not charge any additional fees for participants in the circuit qualifying classes. An example of fees charged improperly would be a registration fee for the horse in that particular affiliate or any additional fees to be eligible to qualify for circuit finals.

10. Qualification to the Australian Continental Championships will be tracked by Reining Australia.

11. Each Affiliate will qualify ten (10) riders to the Australian Continental Championships in each of the approved listed Continental Championship classes.

12. Reining Australia will provide pewter trophies to Australian Continental champions and plaques to its reserve champions at the Reining Australia Continental Championships.

AUSTRALIAN CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
RIDER QUALIFICATION

1. The minimum number of shows that a rider must attend is three (3) but there is no maximum number of shows that a rider must attend.

2. A rider must attend and show in the class or classes in which they wish to qualify.

3. A rider must designate which affiliate they will be representing at the Australian Continental Championships. If a rider belongs to more than one affiliate, then he or she must choose which affiliate they will represent for the finals. This declaration must be filed with Reining Australia with their nominations to the Continental Affiliate Championships at the closing date set by Reining Australia.

4. The rider must be a member of a local affiliate and Reining Australia where applicable at the time of competition for points to count toward finals’ qualifications.

5. Points will be awarded based on the number of horses actually competing in the class, i.e. if fifteen (15) horses compete, first place will be awarded 15 points, 2nd – 14 points, etc. Points will be calculated on horses actually competing, excluding the horses entered but scratched. Zeros and no scores will not be awarded points.

6. The top ten (10) horse and rider combinations plus ties from each class in each Affiliate will qualify for the Australian Continental Championships. There will be no alternates, nor will substitutions be allowed.

7. The Reining Australia office will post the standings of each affiliate on the Reining Australia web site.

8. Those qualifying for the Affiliate finals may only enter the championship classes for which they qualify.

9. A rider may show more than three horses per class.

AFFILIATE FINALS CONDITIONS

1. The Australian Continental Championships will be held in conjunction with the 2012 Reining Australia National Show.

2. The top ten (10) horse and rider combinations plus ties from each affiliate will advance to the Australian Continental Championships.

3. There will be no substitutions allowed

4. Championship classes will run concurrent with ancillary classes

5. All Championship class will be run according to Reining Australia eligibility

6. It is the responsibility of the rider to know his or her Reining Australia eligibility. Eligibility will be recognized for what an individual is eligible for at the beginning of the qualification period. Example: If a rider is eligible for Rookie II at the beginning of the qualifications in 2011 and earns out of Rookie II by the beginning of 2012 but maintains a top ten placing in the affiliate then he or she is eligible to ride in the Rookie II class at Australian Continental Championships.

7. A rider may show more than three (3) horses per class

8. The first two placings of each class will be named the Australian Continental Affiliate Champion and Australian Continental Affiliate Reserve Champion

9. Any misrepresented entry (this pertains to the eligibility of both rider and horse) will be subjected to disciplinary action per the NRHA Handbook.

10. In the event a corporate sponsor is procured, the Affiliate Show Committee must agree to abide by contract stipulations between the NRHA/Reining Australia and said sponsors.

11. The NRHA International Affiliate Committee reserves the right to amend these rules at any time with immediate notice of any such changes to the affiliates.

AUSTRALIAN AFFILIATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

1. The Australian Continental Championships will offer an Affiliate Team Competition among recognized approved NRHA/Reining Australia affiliates.

2. Any affiliate sending riders to the Australian Continental Championships is eligible to participate.

3. Points will be awarded using the NRHA 10 point affiliate championship qualifying scale.

4. The top three point earners per class for each affiliate will be used to determine each team’s total points per class.

5. The affiliate with the highest placing team will be awarded $500 USD.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

1. The top ten (10) horse and rider combinations plus ties from each respective Affiliate in the Rookie II category are eligible to compete for the coveted Rookie of the Year title and trophy at the Australian Continental Championships in a separate and special class presentation. There will be no alternates.

2. Rookie of the Year rider will be named from the Rookie II category.

3. The competition will be a clean slate final with the class winner receiving the Rookie of the Year title.

4. No entry fee will be charged.

5. There will be no substitutions.

RRHA urges all members to think about qualifying and attending Nationals. Tamworth is a wonderful experience and it is a great atmosphere. We are only a small club but we always put on a good showing at Nationals. If you are not sure or would like to know some more about how it all works, just ask our Committee or any of the members that have been and we would love to fill you in on the details - be warned though, we will do our best to get you to come this year!