WDHA MATURITY PROGRAM

for Purebreds and Half-Arabians

The WDHA Maturity Program is open to any horse six years old or older registered with the Arabian Horse Registry of America, Inc.  There will be four classes (Western Pleasure, Country English Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure and Country Pleasure Driving) for Purebreds and four classes for Half-Arabians (Western Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, Saddleseat Pleasure, and Driving).   The class(es) entered must be indicated at the time of nomination.

PURPOSE:  To promote the Arabian and Half-Arabian performance horse.  Horses are nominated in the year they show.

ELIGIBILITY:

1. The nominated horse must be registered with the Arabian Horse Registry of America, Inc.  Nominated horses must be six years old or older.
2. The owner of the horse must be a member of WDHA in good standing at the time of nomination.
3. Nominations are to be made on an official nomination form and submitted with the correct payment and a copy of the nominated horse's registration papers.  Any number of horses may be nominated by the same person.
4. All nomination payments are final and nonrefundable.  Substitution of horses is prohibited.
5. All payments must he postmarked on or before the dates due to avoid late fees.  Any portion of a nomination fee not postmarked by the due dates will cause that entry to be considered a late entry.
6. Nomination fees do not include class fees, drug fees, stall fees, etc., which fees are necessary show fees.
7. Horses originally nominated by a WDHA member and subsequently sold are eligible to remain in the Maturity providing the new owner is a member of WDHA or joins prior to the next payment or before the show for the year to be shown.  Payment of any prize money will be made to the owner of the horse as designated on the show entry forms.  WDHA shall not be responsible for any disputes arising through change of ownership.

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

1. The Maturity classes for Purebreds shall include Western Pleasure, Country English Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, and Country Pleasure Driving.  Half-Arabian classes shall be Western Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, Saddleseat Pleasure, and Driving.
2. The class or classes entered must be indicated at the time of nomination.   Nomination fees are due for each class entered.  (For example, if the horse will compete in Country Pleasure and Country Pleasure Driving, two nomination fees will be required.)
3. Horses may be shown by professional handlers.  All handlers must be members of WDHA in good standing.
4. WDHA Maturity classes will be held in conjunction with the Arabian Futurity Festival at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI.
5. WDHA Maturity classes are not regional qualifying classes.  Cross entries between WDHA Maturity Country Pleasure classes and any English Pleasure classes held at the same show are NOT allowed.  Half-Arabians competing in Saddleseat Pleasure may cross enter into Country English or English Pleasure, or from Driving into Country Pleasure Driving or Pleasure Driving.
6. Maturity nominated horses entered in the WDHA High Point Program will receive points as for WDHA Futurity classes.

CLASS SPECIFICATIONS

ARABIAN AND HALF-ARABIAN WESTERN PLEASURE:  Entries will be shown and judged under the class specifications set forth in the Arabian Division of the AHSA Rule Book for Western Pleasure.

ARABIAN COUNTRY ENGLISH PLEASURE:  Entries will be shown and judged under the class specifications set forth in the Arabian Division of the AHSA Rule Book for Country English Pleasure.  Cross entries between WDHA Country English Pleasure Maturity classes and any English Pleasure classes at the same show are NOT allowed.

ARABIAN AND HALF-ARABIAN HUNTER PLEASURE:  Entries will be shown and judged under class specifications set forth the Arabian Division of the AHSA Rule Book for Hunter Pleasure.  Bridles shall be light show type, either single curb or single snaffle.  Pelham or Kimberwick bits and full cheek bits allowed.

ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE DRIVING:  Entries will be shown and judged under class specifications set forth in the Arabian Division of the AHSA Rule Book for Country Pleasure Driving.  Cross entries between WDHA Country Pleasure Driving Maturity classes and any English Pleasure Driving classes at the same show are NOT allowed.

HALF-ARABIAN SADDLESEAT PLEASURE:  Entries will be shown and judged at the walk, normal trot, strong trot, canter, and hand gallop.  To be judged on willingness, manners, performance, and quality.

HALF-ARABIAN DRIVING:  Entries are to be shown in show harness appropriate to a two-wheeled vehicle which is required.  To be judged at the walk, normal trot, and strong trot.  To stand quietly and back readily.  To be judged on willingness, manners, performance, and quality.

AWARDS:  Prize money will be paid only to the owner whose name appears on the original show entry form. An IRS W-9 form must be on file before prize money is released.  In all divisions, the available prize money will be divided according to the number of horses shown as follows:

For WDHA Maturity classes, available prize money is defined as:  nomination fees, less trophy/ribbon cost, plus any added money.

PAYMENTS:

LATE NOMINATIONS:

Nomination Form or for a Downloadable Copy of Rules

If you have questions, contact Connie Kienast.