VHSA Associate Program

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Rule Change to the Associate Hunter Short Stirrup Division for 2012 

The VHSA Associate Program Guidelines for the Associate Hunter Short Stirrup has changed slightly.  Short Stirrup riders, ponies and horses may now cross enter into the VHSA Junior Equitation on the Flat Class as well as the Pleasure Pony or Pleasure Horse at any show in which they exhibit in the Short Stirrup Hunter Division.  The full division specifications are as follows:

(k) Hunter Short Stirrup. Open to horses and ponies ridden by children 12 years and under, however, shows may specify a lower age limit, i.e., 10 years and under. The division will consist of three (3) classes, two over fence classes and a walk, trot, canter under saddle class. Short Stirrup riders, ponies and horses may not cross enter into any other VHSA Associate Division or a VHSA Associate rated Equitation Class with the exception of the VHSA Associate Junior Equitation On The Flat and Pleasure Pony or Pleasure Horse at any show in which they exhibit in the Short Stirrup Division. Short Stirrup riders will be limited to no more than two (2) entries in the Short Stirrup Division at any one horse show. The jump height for this division shall be decided by individual horse shows, but should be no lower than 18" and no higher than 2" with a minimum of four (4) jumps. The Short Stirrup division cannot be combined with any other VHSA Associate High Score Award Division. At the year-end Championship show Short Stirrup riders may only cross enter into the Pleasure Horse or Pleasure Pony Division. At the year-end Championship show Short Stirrup ponies and horses may only cross enter into the Pleasure Horse, Pleasure Pony and any non-point division, i.e., Special Hunters. At the VHSA Associate Championship Horse Show the Short Stirrup Division will be split nine (9) years and under and ten to twelve (10-12) years old (show age). At the VHSA Associate Championship show the jump height will be approximately 18" and may include changes of direction.

The 2012 Associate Program Guidelines
The VHSA Associate Program Guidelines (pdf format) can be downloaded with the following link:   2012 Associate Program Guidelines
The VHSA Associate Program will recognize the Equitation on the Flat beginning with the 2012 Show Year.  The Equitation on the Flat can be split in three different
age groups:

VHSA Junior Equitation on the Flat 15-17
VHSA Junior Equitation on teh Flat 14 & Under
VHSA Adult Amateur Equitation on the Flat

The Class specifications are listed in the 2012 Associate Program Guidelines (see link above)

The 2011 Associate Championship Horse Show
The Special Award Winners from the 2011 Associate Championship Horse Show were:

The Barbara Meegan Youth Award - Camille deStanley

Best Amateur Rider - Brooke Cole

Best Child Rider on a Pony - Kelsey Gulden

Best Child Rider on a Horse - Annie Diehl

Sportsmanship Award -  Carla Francis

Congratulations to the above winners on their awards!

The photographers at the show were:      Teresa Ramsay Photography - www.teresaramsayphotography.com
                                                                       David Bell - www.rideonspors.photoreflect.com     

The 2011 Ten Best Associate Horse Shows

The 2011 top ten best Associate Horse Shows for the 2011 show season as nominated by the exhibitors, owners and trainers are (in alphabetical order):

Associate Summer Horse Show
Thank you to all of the exhibitors who participated in the 2011 VHSA Associate Summer Horse Show.   

The photographer was David Bell - www.rideonsports.photoreflect.com   

The videographer was PJ Podyman Co. - www.multi-mediaproduction.com   


The 2012 Associate Summer Horse Show will be held the weekend of June 30th.  The location of the show has been changed to the Deep Run Hunt Club Show Grounds in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia.


POINTS SYSTEM FOR THE ASSOCIATE PROGRAM

Associate Program (Schooling Shows):

Associate Championship Horse Show:

The 2011 Ten Best Associate Horse Shows

ATTENTION ASSOCIATE SHOW MANAGERS (effective immediately)
As a service to our Associate sanctioned horse shows, any VHSA member who has an outstanding horse show debt with one of our recognized horse shows will be ineligible, as well as the horses recorded in their name, to compete in the VHSA ASSOCIATE CHAMPIONSHIP HORSE SHOW. Once the VHSA has received written confirmation from the horse show that the debt has been cleared, that individual and horses recorded in their name will again be in good standing and eligible to compete at the VHSA ASSOCIATE CHAMPIONSHIP HORSE SHOW.

In order to utilize this service the debt must be at least thirty days in arrears and the member horse show must notify the VHSA office in writing with the horse show name, date, horse show contact person with telephone number/e-mail address, debtors name, amount owed and for what reason. The exception to this is any debt occurred within thirty days of the Championship Horse Show can be expedited by providing the VHSA office with the afore mentioned information.  The fee for this service is $10 to cover the postage and administrative expenses.

The Barbara Meegan Young Rider Award
In recognition of Barbara's support of the Associate Program and her many years of being involved with young riders the Barbara Meegan Young Rider Award was established and will be awarded each year to a deserving person in her honor.  The following is the criteria for this prestigious award:

1.   The rider must be in their first year of competition in the VHSA Associate Program and have competed in Hunter or Equitation Divisions.

2.   The rider must have exhibited primarily in the Associate Program, but may have competed in divisions at USEF rated shows, with the exclusion of Regular Hunter,
       Working Hunter, Junior Hunters, Amateur Owner and Confirmation Hunter Classes.  (Limited showing to divisions such as:  Short Stirrup, Maiden Equitation, Local
       Classes- mostly Unrated Divisions)

3.   Riders are to be nominated by their trainers.

4.   The recipient will be selected at the year-end VHSA Associate Championship Show.

5.   Points of consideration will be as follows:
      a)  Points accumulated in the VHSA Associate Program
      b)  Performance at the Year End Show
      c)  Conduct and sportsmanship at the Associate Championship Show

6.   The recipient will receive a ribbon at the show and the trophy at the VHSA Banquet.