Youth Program Rules
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Green Country Fox Trotter Horse Association
GCFTHA
YOUTH SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
Rules:
1. All moneys or donations to YSP are to be spent on youth expenses associated with riding programs approved by GCFTHA Board of Directors.
2. Individuals providing horses or transportation (to or from shows, rides or events) will be reimbursed only to the extent of expense incurred. No profits will be solicited or paid to volunteers.
3. YSP funding will not exceed availability or incur a negative balance. When funds are depleted the program will be placed in suspend until more funds are available.
4. GCFTHA appointed Youth Director (or Youth Committee Chairman) will be required to request pre-approval from the board of directors when expenses exceeding $100 are anticipated. Expense re-imbursement is not guaranteed.
5. Scholarships may be awarded to Youth based on application, interest level, character, and need. Applications for a show season may be submitted to the Youth Director and forwarded to GCFTHA Board of Directors for consideration.
6. Youth must obtain signature of consent from parent or guardian with release of liability and authorization to provide medical care if deemed necessary.
7. Parental involvement is encouraged but not mandatory. Adult member sponsorship is mandatory. Adult sponsors are considered responsible for the welfare of youth participants in event the parent or guardian is not present.
8. Youth are required to join GCFTHA in order to qualify for year end awards, associated news letter, seminars and other club member benefits.
9. Ownership or possession of a horse is not required. Volunteer horse owners will be solicited for youth riders, however, availability of a suitable horse is not guaranteed.
10. Youth participants are required to attend a safety workshop and orientation before participating.
11. Youth are subject to MFTHBA and GCFTHA show rules. Good conduct, positive character traits, and good sportsmanship are encouraged and expected.
12. Each Youth must obtain a program sponsor who is a GCFTHA member in good standing with the recommendation of the Youth Director or Youth Committee Chairman.
13. Youth Director may revoke YSP membership for reason of recklessness, antagonistic behavior, un-safe practices, cruelty or any other reason that exhibits a bad image for horses or the GCFTHA organization.
14. YSP rules may be amended at any time at the recommendation of the Youth Director or Youth Committee Chairman and approved by GCFTHA Board of Directors.
15. YSP Program may be discontinued at any time without notice by a vote of GCFTHA Board of Directors.
Youth Achievement Program – 2015
PROGRAM GOALS:
To Familiarize, Educate, and Promote proper Horsemanship, Equine Maintenance, and Sportsmanship in the Youth Members of our Association. A subsidiary Association of the Missouri Fox Trotting Breed Association, Ava, Missouri. Also, to promote, and preserve the Fox Trotting Horse Breed, that has been selectively bred in the Ozarks, and Oklahoma. The program is designed on a total point system. It is divided into separate age categories and activities. Thus, giving each individual youth an equal opportunity to achieve their highest potential.
In addition to the rules herein, set forth, this program will be governed by all Rules and Regulations adopted by the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association, Ava, Missouri, and the By-Laws of the Green Country Fox Trotter Horse Association of Oklahoma. The Youth Program will have an Adult Youth Director, Co-Director, Committee Board, and a Youth Representative which will report to the Associations Officers, and Board of Directors.
PROGRAM SCOPE:
Youth members of the Green Country Fox Trotting Horse Association of Oklahoma. Classes will include:
11 Years of Age and under
12 Years to 14 Years of Age
15 Years to 17 Years of Age
Note:
Age determined as of January 1, of the calendar year of the show season, (entire year). [i.e., If 12 years of age on January 1, the age will remain the same through December of that calendar year.]
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY AND RULES:
1. Youth must be a member, in good standing, of the G.C.F.T.H.A., (single membership or entire family).
2. (A) Horses used must be of the Missouri Fox Trotting Breed, to be shown in Missouri Fox Trotting classes. Proper show attire is encouraged.
(b) Other horse breeds may be used in other activities.
3. Stallions are prohibited in all Youth Classes.
4. All participants must submit a “Hold Harmless Agreement” signed by official guardian for the current calendar year.
5. All participants are subject to the official rules and by-laws of the M.F.T.H.B.A., and the G.C.F.T.H.A.
6. No points will be given towards program if a Youth participates by showing in an adult class.
7. Emphasis in Youth Program is placed on participants showing, maintaining, and riding a horse they have worked with, in the calendar year.
8. Any problem, and or grievance arising from this program should be taken to the Youth Director, Co-Director, or Committee Member. After review, the Committee will make recommendation to the Officer’s and Board of Directors of the G.C.F.T.H.A.. for final ruling. All rulings will be final.
9. Each participant will receive a copy of the Youth Program guide lines, and a dated booklet to record their individual achievements throughout the calendar year. This booklet will be the sole responsibility of the participant, to be turned in by December 1, of calendar year, for point tabulation.
10. All points recorded in booklet or horse event cards must be signed off by: Judge, Trail Boss, Parade Chairman, Seminar Director, Youth Director or other responsible adult. It will be the sole responsibility of the participant to obtain the official signature required.
11. Certificates will be awarded, at the end of calendar year, for all participants who excel in each area. All awards will be granted based on recommendation, of Youth Director, Co-Director, Committee, Officer’s, and Board of Directors of the G.C.F.T.H.A. of Oklahoma.
12. A special Sportsmanship Award will be given at the end of the calendar year, voted on by all Youth Members. The award will be based on the individual who displayed the best sportsmanship, the most helpful, and friendly, in all categories.
13. A belt buckle or other award will be presented, at the end of the year, to the participant who accrues the highest total number of points, over all category’s, in the calendar year.
14. The program officially ends December 1 of the calendar year. Points accrued after this date will be applied to the following year totals.
(.i.e. Christmas Parade points, Late trail ride, etc).
15. The Youth Director’s, and the Youth Committee, reserves the right to grant or record points, based on their personal opinion of Validity and Sportsman like conduct, or impact to the M.F.T.B.A., or G.C.F.T.H.A. of Oklahoma.
16. G.C.F.T.H.A. reserves the right to modify or amend these rules and regulations at any time without notice, however, attempt will be made to inform changes to participating youth.
17. Youth Participants must compete in at least two GCFTHA events in order to qualify for year end awards.
PROGRAM AGENDA:
Possible Points Example –
SEMINARS:
Safety Seminar 25 points for attendance
Safety Exam 25 points
Horsemanship Seminar 25 points for attendance
Horsemanship Exam 25 points Demonstration
Equestrianship Seminar 25 points
Equestrianship Exam 25 points Demonstration ———————-
Total 150 points
Note: The number and types of Seminars may vary from year to year as will the total number of possible points available.
SHOWS:
Point tabulation –
5 Points for each qualified class showed in plus 1 point for every horse placed over (in the respective age category).
An example of Points awarded may be as follows:
Class 1: You showed in a class and took 4th place. There were 12 horses in your class. Since you placed 4th in a group of 12 (12-4=8). Therefore your score would be 8 + 5 = 13. The 1st place horse in this example would score (12-1=11),
Thus, 11 + 5 = 16.
Please note: Items in Italics are for Officials to make their signatures and recordings. Do not write in these areas.
Some show classes may need to be combined, meaning that a 12 year old may have to show against a 17 year old. If this happens, your age category will be considered and points awarded separately, as if you were in your own class. One reason this may happen would be if there are not enough entries in a designated age group to warrant two separate classes.
TRAIL RIDES:
Example: Two Day Ride
1st Day 20 miles = 20 Points
2nd Day 12 miles = 12 Points
–
Total 32 Points
Note: Trail Boss must sign card with miles and dates noted.
PARADES:
Each parade will count as 25 points. The Parade coordinator (for the group you ride) must sign in the Official’s Name field on your event card.
Phone number field is for verification purposes.
HORSE MAINTENANCE & CARE:
Two and one half points may be awarded per week if youth participate in Daily chores including: Feeding, Cleaning Stalls, Barn maintenance, Etc.. A maximum of 90 points per season with parent or other responsible adult to sign off points.
BE SURE TO WRITE THIS IN YOUR CALENDER AND HAVE YOUR PARENTS INITIAL AT LEAST WEELY!
SPECIAL PROJECTS:
Public Speaking
Barn/Pasture Improvement Projects
School Reports
Other.
Examples: Sportsmanship, Equestrianship, Horsemanship, Safety Projects, or helping to make your stable a safer place for your horse and other animals. (Repair or install fencing, barns or stalls, etc.)
Note: All Special Projects will be reviewed by the Youth Director’s and Youth Committee for point value.
(Before and after Pictures may be helpful).
Your horse’s health is very important. Records of shots worming and vaccinations will be important as the year goes by. Make sure you have this information available for points awarded in one of the seminar exams to be announced.
Note: All Events will be reviewed by the Youth Director and/or Youth Committee for point value assignments.
