Penalties
Penalties covered in Trail Obstacle as applicable are addressed in section 19.4.1 in addition to the following:
The exhibitor will be penalized utilizing the obstacle scoring guidelines for the following:
• Blatant disobedience of the horse to include kicking, bucking, rearing, circling the exhibitor
• Changing hands except when necessary to side pass to the right.
• Dragging the horse
• Holding the horse tightly and/ or by the chain on the lead rope
• Excessive verbal and/or physical praise or correction
• Touching the horse
• Failure to demonstrate correct gait
• Horse gets loose from exhibitor
• Leading from the wrong side
1.3 Division of Classes
Limitations
The following limitations may be used for Versatility classes only, except Novice which is addressed in section
5.3 for classes other than Versatility. Limitations may be applied to either horse or rider or a combination of
both. Eligibility is established as of the closing date of entries. Maiden, Novice and Limit classes are open to
horses/riders which have not won one/ three/six first place ribbons respectively, at affiliated or sanctioned
NWHA competitions, in the particular versatility event or level in which they are shown. Single horse classes
do not affect reckoning. Exception: Dressage limitations use scoring instead of ribbons won, reference sec-
tion 1.3 B.
• Maiden has not won one (1) blue ribbon
• Novice has not won three (3) blue ribbons
• Limit has not won six (6) blue ribbons
1.3 B. Dressage Limitations
Maiden, Novice and Limit classes or divisions are open to horse/rider combinations which have not attained
one/ three/six scores of 60% or higher, respectively, in Dressage classes at affiliated or sanctioned NWHA
competitions in the particular level in which they are shown.
Scores attained at a lower dressage level do not count in the reckoning of Maiden, Novice, or Limit status at a
higher level, however, the same horse/rider combination cannot compete in Maiden, Novice or Limit classes
or divisions if they have previously competed at a higher dressage level in an affiliated or sanctioned NWHA
competition.
Green - horse or rider in their first or second year of showing in Jumping classes only
NWHA NATIONAL NEWS │ MARCH ISSUE 45