In Hand Prize List

Click here to download a copy of the In Hand Prize List

Welcome

NAVHS competitions provide individuals and programs the opportunity to virtually compete and earn points toward show and year-end high-point awards.

Our competitions are open to the following:

Individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities
Hippotherapy Participants
Veterans
Neurotypical Individuals who participate in adaptive programs on academy horses.

Beyond fostering a sense of accomplishment, we aim to create a rewarding experience that celebrates participants’ goals, determination, and perseverance.

Our competitions support and empower adaptive programs with opportunities to provide participants competitive shared experiences, foster unity, encourage engagement along with rewards directly for programs.

Who is eligible to compete in our In-Hand Series

In order to participate, a competitor must

Adaptive Status. Have a medically diagnosed condition that causes a permanent impairment that can be measured objectively.

Veteran status. Be or have been a member of our National Forces,
Academy statusBe a participant of an Adaptive riding program, taking lessons on a horse who is a lesson horse.

Classes, Divisions and Sections

Competitors are responsible for choosing their eligibility status and division.
Competitors are responsible for entering their correct class(s)
Competitors are only permitted to participant in one division and discipline per show
Classes and Divisions are based on Eligibility Status
Sections are based upon Age and/or Discipline
Each competitor is eligible to compete in 3 classes but it is not required.

Eligibility Status

Individual, instructor, trainer or program is responsible for choosing the eligibility status.
Competitors can only participate under 1 status during a show year.

Veteran Academy Adaptive

Sections

Age

Competition show age is determined what a competitors age is on Jan1 of the current competition year.
A competitor will compete at that age for the entire show year. .
No changing age sections during the show year

Nuggets 3 - 6

Younglings 7 - 13

Juniors 14 -21

Adults 22 - 45

Primers 46 and 69

Silver Stirrups 70 and over

Disciplines

The traditional tack, attire and manner of communication with the horse which falls under one of the following categories:

English Western

Divisions

Supported

Maiden Walk Only

An Assistant Handler is required and zero to two side-walkers permitted. The assistant handler will maintain control of the horse at all times.

Maiden Walk/Trot

An Assistant Handler is required and zero to two side-walkers are permitted. The assistant handler will maintain control of the horse at all times.

Novice Walk/Trot

An Assistant Handler is required and zero to two side-walkers are permitted. The assistant handler will maintain control of the horse at all times.

Limited Support

Intermediate Walk Only

A spotter is required, which will remain at the horse’s head, and zero to two side-walkers are permitted. The horse will be handled by only the competitor. Any assistance from the support team will be penalized, except in a safety first situation. Judges discretion

Advanced Intermediate Walk

A spotter is required, which will remain within approximately 10 feet from the horse’s head and no side-walkers are permitted. The horse will be handled by only the competitor. Any assistance from the spotter will be penalized, except in a safety first situation. Judges discretion

Intermediate Walk/Trot

A spotter is required, which will remain at the horse’s head and zero to two side-walkers are permitted. The horse will be handled by only the competitor. Any assistance from the support team will be penalized, except in a safety first situation. Judges discretion

Advanced Intermediate Walk/Trot

A spotter is required, which will remain within approximately 10 feet from the horse’s head and no side-walkers are permitted. The horse will be handled only by the competitor. Any assistance from the spotter will be penalized. Except in a safety first situation. Judges discretion

Independent (No Support)

Advanced Walk

Handlers will present independently at the walk. Handlers must have a spotter who, at their discretion, will remain in the center of the ring or just outside of the course area. Any outside assistance will be penalized, except in a safety first situation. Judges discretion

Advanced Walk/Trot

Handlers will present independently at the walk and trot. Handlers must have a spotter who, at their discretion, will remain in the center of the ring or just outside of the course area. Any assistance from the spotter will be penalized, except in a safety first situation. Judges discretion

In Hand Classes

In-Hand Obstacles

Competitors are judged on successfully completing each obstacle, the competitor’s ability to communicate with the horse, and the proper use of aids. The competitor’s attempt to complete an obstacle properly will be considered more important than the horse’s performance.

Showmanship Pattern Only

Competitors will be judged on the competitor’s showmanship, ability to communicate with the horse and proper use of aids while executing the pattern. Results as shown by the performance of the horse are not to be considered more important than showmanship of the competitor.

Obstacle Showmanship

Competitors are judged on successfully completing each obstacle, their showmanship, ability to communicate with the horse and proper use of aids. The competitor’s attempt to properly complete the course correctly will be considered more important than the horse’s performance.

At Liberty Obstacle

Competitors are judged on horsemanship skills by successfully completing each obstacle without a lead rope or touching the horse.

NOTE: This is only open to independent competitors

Division and Class Specifications

Supported

Maiden Walk

301. Maiden Walk Only In-hand Obstacles- Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt.

311. Maiden Walk Only Showmanship - Pattern will consist of walk - halt transitions, simple turns and straight lines

321. Maiden Walk Only Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - halt transition, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

Maiden Walk Trot or Jog

302. Maiden Walk/Trot or Jog In-Hand Obstacles - Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt.

312. Maiden Walk/Trot or Jog Showmanship - Pattern will consist of walk - trot or Jog transitions, simple turns, a halt, in straight lines.

322. Maiden Walk/Trot or Jog Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - trot transitions, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

Novice Walk/Trot or Jog

303. Novice Walk/Trot or Jog In-Hand Obstacles - Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt

313. Novice Walk/Trot or Jog Showmanship - Pattern will consist of a walk - trot or Jog transitions, simple turns, a halt, in straight lines.

323. Novice Walk/Trot or Jog Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - trot transitions, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

Limited Support

Intermediate Walk Only

304. Intermediate Walk Only In-hand Obstacles- Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt.

314. Intermediate Walk Only Showmanship - Pattern will consist of walk - halt transitions, simple turns in straight lines.

324. Intermediate Walk Only Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - halt transitions, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

Advanced Intermediate Walk Only

305. Intermediate Walk Only In-hand Obstacles- Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt.

315. Intermediate Walk Only Showmanship - Pattern will consist of walk - halt transitions, simple turns in straight lines.

325. Intermediate Walk Only Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - halt transitions, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

Intermediate Walk/Trot or Jog

306. Intermediate Walk/Trot or Jog In-Hand Obstacles - Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt

316. Intermediate Walk/Trot or Jog Showmanship - Pattern will consist of a walk - trot or Jog transitions, simple turns, a halt, in straight lines.

326. Intermediate Walk/Trot or Jog Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - trot transitions, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

Advanced Intermediate Walk/Trot or Jog

307. Advanced Intermediate Walk/Trot or Jog In-Hand Obstacles - Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt

317. Advanced Intermediate Walk/Trot or Jog Showmanship - Pattern will consist of a walk - trot or Jog transitions, simple turns, a halt, in straight lines.

327. Advanced Intermediate Walk/Trot or Jog Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - trot transitions, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

Independent (No Support)

Advanced Walk

308. Independent Walk Only In-hand Obstacles- Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt.

318. Independent Walk Only Showmanship - Pattern will consist of walk - halt transitions, simple turns in straight lines.

328. Advanced Walk Only Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - halt transitions, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

330. Independent Walk Only Liberty - Course will consist of a minimum of three obstacles and a halt

Advanced Walk/Trot or Jog

309. Advanced Walk/Trot or Jog In-Hand Obstacles - Course will consist of a minimum of four obstacles and a halt

319. Advanced Walk/Trot or Jog Showmanship - Pattern will consist of a walk - trot or jog transitions, simple turns, a halt, in straight lines.

329. Advanced Walk/Trot or Jog Obstacle Showmanship - Course will consist of a walk - trot transitions, a minimum of 3 obstacles and a halt.

331. Independent Walk/Trot/Jog Liberty - Course will consist of a minimum of three obstacles, including a trot/jog and a halt.

General Information

Any questions/concerns can be forwarded to show management. Show management and/or the appropriate jury will clarify any questions concerning tack, equipment, attire or soundness.

Attire

It is recommended that all competitors wear a protective ASTM/SEI approved helmet, english or western, with full chin harness fastened at all times while handling the horse. A western hat may be affixed over the helmet in western events.
English and western attire will follow traditional practices with the exception of acceptable adaptation equipment.

Traditional discipline appropriate clothing is requested to participate in a class.
Appropriate and suitable footwear required
Tall boots and chaps are not required.

Tack and Equipment

Competitors may use appropriate and acceptable adaptive equipment without penalty
Halters are required for all classes. NO BRIDLES
English and western equipment will follow traditional practices with the exception of acceptable adaptation equipment.
Chains on leads are permitted if under the chin. Not permitted to be over the horse’s nose.

Horses/Ponies

Horses/Ponies must be serviceable sound
Horses/Ponies should be suitable

Assistance

Any assistance from a competitors support team will be penalized at the judges discretion except in a safety situation.

All in hand and liberty class calls must be announced to the competitor while recording.The videographer or an assistant may announce the directions.Only the provided directions may be announced to the competitor, if necessary the call may be repeated once.No other assistance is permitted besides safety assistance.
Outside assistance will be penalized at the judge’s discretion.

Arena

The arena should measure approximately 60’ wide by 120’long, or as close as possible depending on your facility.
Obstacles and patterns are built around these dimensions.
The arena must be defined.
Obstacles and patterns should be designed as closely as possible to the provided directionsand course maps

Video Submission Information

No special equipment needed. A mobile phone will work

Videographer Placement: The videographer needs to stand and record from the following locations, (based on dressage letter placement

Obstacle Course- Outside of the course behind letter “I”

Showmanship - Outside of the pattern at approximately letter “X”

Obstacle Showmanship - Outside of the course behind letter “I”

Liberty - Outside of the course behind letter “I”

The phone/camera should be held horizontally
For best results try not to be facing into the sun. Do your best
An indoor/covered arena is acceptable if the lighting is good.
The better the lighting conditions, the better the video will look.
The sound must be turned ON.Videos without sound will not be judged
Enable the DO NOT DISTURB feature while videoing
Videos can not stop and start.They need to be unedited and continuou

The video

Competitor should be in the start position to begin
Video must be continuous from start to finish.
Begin video with the videographer videoing another device displaying the date and time.
Without stopping the recording, show a document, whiteboard or paper, showing the rider’s name, class number and class name you are recording.DO NOT STOP RECORDING
Focus the camera on the competitor and horse.
Videographer or assistant should now Announce “you are now being judged”.
Do not physically move, stay in the required ‘letter’ location.
Zoom in and out to have a clear view of entire competitor and horse at all times
When the class is finished, zoom in on the competitor and horse and continue videoing for approximately 3 seconds.
Absolutely no editing, no stopping and starting of video while completing the class.
Please attempt to keep all videos between 3- 5 minutes.No longer would be appreciated.

Year End Awards

To be eligible for year end awards competitors and programs must declare and pay the fee by the closing date for registration of the competition in order for points to count.

A minimum of entry into 2 shows required for competitions and programs towards year end awards.

See Handbook for additional information on divisions offered, requirements etc.