North American League
2010 Rules and Regulations

Rider Membership
Annual membership is $35.  Membership entitles riders to earn points in the rankings on one or more horses.  Membership (application and fee) must be received at the League Office within 10 days of the completion of an event for points from that event to count.  Riders may join at a show; however, riders are strongly encouraged to mail the application themselves.  Riders may contact Ryegate Show Services, 1298 Royal Rd, Annville, PA  17003; 717-867-5643; nal@ryegate.com to obtain an application.  Applications may be downloaded from the website, www.ryegate.com.

Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members will accrue points towards the year-end finals.

Qualifying Period
Classes held at shows starting on or after September 1^st through shows starting on or before August 31^st.

Year-end Finals
Finals for all sections will be held during the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, during the month of October.  Horse/rider combinations will be accepted to the finals in the following manner:  Exhibitors must have entered the Pennsylvania National Horse Show by the closing date of entries and have paid all necessary fees to the show.  From those entered, the top combinations will be accepted.

Awarding of Points
Points will be accrued by current members, in horse/rider rankings, as follows:

Children’s and Adult Hunter:  Points in Classics will be awarded 30, 22, 13, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2 multiplied by the number of riders participating in the first round. If first round is part of a section, the number used should be the number of riders that have entered the classic.
Points won in a single class within the respective sections will be awarded 10, 6, 4, 2, 1, ½ multiplied by the number of riders participating.  Results submitted for that class must be the same as those used in determining the section championship.

Children’s and Adult Jumper:  Points will be awarded 25, 15, 13, 12, 10, 9, 8, 8 multiplied by the number of riders participating in the first round.  If more than 8 places receive prize money, eighth place points will also be awarded for those exhibitors.

Low Junior/AO Jumper:  Points will be awarded 25, 15, 13, 12, 10, 9, 8, 8 multiplied by the number of riders participating in the first round.  If more than 8 places receive prize money, eighth place points will also be awarded for those exhibitors.

Pony Jumper:  Points will be awarded in a pony/rider ranking as follows:  10, 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/2 multiplied by the number of exhibitors in the first round.

Open Jumper:  Points will be awarded in a rider only ranking as follows:  each dollar or fraction thereof of prize money won will equal one point. Riders will earn points for best-placed horse.

HORSE SHOW INFORMATION
Open to all USEF and Equine Canada recognized shows who apply to the North American League, c/o Ryegate Show Services, for recognition.  Shows must apply at least 30 days prior to the start of the show, on the official form, in order to offer one or more League classes.

Results must be postmarked within 10 days of the completion of the show, along with payment of $5.00 per competitor for each class.  Shows that fail to file results in a timely manner will not be awarded future dates.

Prize List Requirements:  Show must include a NAL membership page in their prize list.  Camera Ready copy is sent to all shows.  Additional sizes may be obtained by contacting Ryegate Show Services.

Prize Money:  Minimum prize money as required by the League must be awarded, as published in the prize list.  Each division has specific requirements for combining classes.

Nominating Fee:  An entry competing only in a North American League qualifying class may not be charged a nominating fee, nor may a separate nominating fee (Low Jr/AO Jumper Exempt) be charged for the North American League qualifying class.

Combining of classes:
Hunter:  If there are fewer than six entries in either the Adult or Children’s Hunter Classics one hour prior to the start of the first of these classes they must be combined.  Exemption will be given for those shows that have classics on different days.  For year-end points, the League office will place each section separately with points awarded as if separate classes were held.  Show must include original class sheets for split classes with results so that year-end points may be awarded in the correct section.

Jumper:  Shows may offer a combined class in their prize list using the adult prize money and entry fee requirements.  Shows offering separate classes may combine if there are fewer than 20 entries in both the Children’s and Adult Jumper Classics one hour prior to the start of the first of these classes. Prize Money and Entry fee will be as stated in the prize list for the North American League Adult Classic. For year-end points, the League office will place each section separately with points awarded as if separate classes were held. Show must include original class sheets for split classes with results so that year-end points may be awarded in the correct section.

Class Specifications
Hunter – only one option may be offered per show.
Prize money is optional in all hunter events.

Option A:  Open to any USEF or Equine Canada recognized horse show.
The last class in the section may be designated a North American League (NAL) point class.  This point class must be held as a separate class. It may not be held “back-to-back” with another class. Other classes in the section may be back-to-back.  Results submitted for that class must be the same as those used in determining the section championship.  Minimum of 6 ribbons must be offered.  Prize List to state: “Qualifying class for the NAL Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.”

Option B:  Open to USEF “A” and “AA” rated shows only
Management may choose to hold a two round Classic.  Judge(s) will give each horse a numerical score.  The top 12 from the first round will return for the second round.  Minimum of 8 ribbons must be offered.  Proper Attire required.  Horses must have completed the course in at least two classes in the same section in accordance with USEF HU136.  Shows are encouraged to pin and submit results through 12 places.

NAL Children’s Hunter:  Open to junior riders. A rider need not be a member of the North American League to compete, but only current members will accrue points toward year-end finals to be held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. To be conducted in accordance with USEF HU 136 and current Zone specifications.  Prize money is optional.

Both horses and ponies are eligible to show in the Children’s Hunter Classes or Classics; however, riders should be aware that the finals are offered at only one height, 3’.

NAL Adult Hunter:  Open to adult amateur riders. A rider need not be a member of the North American League to compete, but only current members will accrue points toward year-end finals to be held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. To be conducted in accordance with USEF HU136 and current Zone specifications.  Prize money is optional.

Jumper

NAL Children’s Jumper Classic:  Minimum prize money $500.00
Open to junior riders. A rider need not be a member of the North American League to compete, but only current members will accrue points toward year-end finals to be held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. To be conducted and scored under Table II, Section 2(a) - Time First Jumpoff. Class specifications as stated in current Zone specifications. Proper Attire Required.
Prize Money:  Minimum of 8 prizes and ribbons must be offered. 
Suggested distribution:  25%, 15%, 13%, 12%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 8%, and 8 ribbons.

Finals to be held at 1.15m.

NAL Adult Jumper Classic:  Minimum prize money $1,500.00
Open to Adult Amateur riders. A rider need not be a member of the North American League to compete, but only current members will accrue points toward year-end finals to be held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. To be conducted and scored under Table II, Section 2(a) - Time First Jumpoff. Class specifications as stated in current Zone specifications. Proper Attire Required.
Prize Money:  Minimum of 8 prizes and ribbons must be offered. 
Suggested distribution:  25%, 15%, 13%, 12%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 8%, and 8 ribbons.

Finals to be held at 1.15m.

NAL Pony Jumper:  No minimum prize money.
Open to junior riders on ponies, 14.2 hands and under, current USEF Measurement cards must be presented. A rider need not be a member of the North American League to compete, but only current members will accrue points toward year-end finals to be held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. To be conducted and scored under any Table II or Table IV spec, except for Table II (Clear Round).  Fences from .95m( 3’) to 1.15m(3’9”).  Proper Attire Required.  USEF specifications must be followed.

Shows must designate the highest prize money pony jumper class offered as the North American League Qualifying Class.  If prize money is not offered, the last class in the pony jumper section shall be the qualifying class.

Finals to be held at 1.05m.

NAL Low Jr/AO Jumper Classic:  Minimum prize money $1,500.00
Open to Junior or Amateur riders. A rider need not be a member of the North American League to compete, but only current members will accrue points toward year-end finals to be held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. To be conducted and scored under Table II, Section 2(a) - Time First Jumpoff. Fences to be set at a minimum of 1.15m (3’9”) and no greater than 1.30m (4’3”).  Class specifications as stated in current USEF specifications. Proper Attire Required.  A Nominating Fee may be charged.
Prize Money:  Minimum of 8 prizes and ribbons must be offered. 
Suggested distribution:  25%, 15%, 13%, 12%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 8%, and 8 ribbons.

Finals to be held at 1.30m.

as of 8/28/09

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