A very small club unaffiliated with any national organization approves various local schooling shows under the rules of their group. Their rules are typical schooling show rules, including a more relaxed attire.
A rider competes in a few shows with an uncollared shirt which is against the rules. Nothing was said to this rider.
Weeks go by and after reviewing all show photos, the club wishes to disqualify said rider from these already completed shows and strip the points achieved.
I think this is nuts. Can anyone direct me to a USEF rule where disqualification is not permitted for a violation of this type?
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Not sure about an attire rule violation, but if a complaint was filed by another exhibitor I could see it happening. That’s a guess on my part, @Janet would know if it could happen (or not) under USEF rules.
Exhibitors are stripped of awards and points weeks and/or months after the fact, for violations of the amateur rules, drug rules and for showing a horse that is found not to be eligible for the class.
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So this is a very tiny group unaffiliated with the USEF or any larger body. So no USEF rules apply. The folks that run this can make up whatever rules they want, and there’s no one to enforce anything. If they are bsc enough they will drive away competitors and the tiny schooling show series will die a natural death (as so many do when run by incompetent people).
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I knew somebody who ended up champion at the National Horse Show about two years later when the original winner flunked the drug test and then dragged out the hearing process.
She didn’t get to have the win photo in the ring, but at least she had the personal satisfaction, even if it was delayed.
Regarding the USEF rules on hunter attire:
HU 107.4. Inappropriate attire. When management permits Hunter or Hunter Seat Equitation riders to ride without jackets, riders must wear traditional, short, or long-sleeved riding shirts with chokers or ties. Polo shirts and full chaps are not permitted except in unjudged warm-up classes. Management or Judge may eliminate an exhibitor who is inappropriately attired.
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- I am more familiar with USEF Eventing rules than USEF Hunter rules
- If this show is not USEF recognized, and does not claim to follow USEF Hunter Attire rules, they can do whatever they want. It doesn’t matter what the USEF rules say.
WRT the USEF rules,
3) HU107.2 says " Judges shall not eliminate a rider for inappropriate attire except for safety (see GR801). Shirts must have a choker, similar collar or tie"
but
HU107.4 says that, when jackets are waived “riders must wear traditional, short, or long-sleeved riding shirts with chokers or ties. … Management or Judge may eliminate an exhibitor who is inappropriately attired.”
(YAY for the consistency of USEF rules!)
wrt to disqualification after the fact
- GR117.3 refers to a competitor being disqualified “following the completion of a class”. In fact, this frequently happens with drug violations.
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OP, it looks as if there are no USEF rules that prevent an exhibitor from being disqualified after a class.
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Most definitely not.
Otherwise the whole drug testing system would go out the window.
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They do have language that they follow usef rules for equipment but generally have their own schooling show appropriate rules.
But there is no one to appeal to except the people who made the decision. No one has authority over them. If they break their own rules no repercussions. Which is why governing bodies were created
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It seems like a strange thing to do a retroactive disqualification for.
It is the type of rule that if they do not see it at the time, then it is their fault.
It is not like a drug rule or such.
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Kind of thing that makes me wonder if they are playing favorites and someone else gets the award.
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My guess is that some “Karen” complained after realizing they would be the winner if the other person got disqualified.
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Disqualifying after the fact for an apparel violation (other than one involving safety) seems like the ultimate in petty. What was the offending wardrobe error? Just a lack of collar? Or was it also something like a tank top or tee shirt that looked really sloppy?
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(Bolding mine)
During my long life, I have participated in, and in a few cases helped organize, schooling shows for similar small clubs. I think it’s important to note that this club had a list of rules, which included the requirement of collared shirts for competition. So the rule was indeed broken.
However, the prickly part is twofold:
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While most of these types of clubs and shows don’t have a steward, it seems like there would have been someone around who could’ve pointed out the rule to this exhibitor. If the rule isn’t worth pointing out to a wayward soul, then why have it?
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Since no one mentioned the non-conforming shirt at the time, and it only became apparent “after reviewing show photos” there’s a wee implication of sour grapes on someone’s part. If that’s correct, such bitterness can create ill feelings that ultimately threaten the survival of the club. Fewer exhibitors = less entries = no more shows.
So. What would I do if I were on that club’s committee? I’d let it slide this time. But I’d personally contact the exhibitor and let them know what occurred. Then I’d clearly post the rule regarding attire on the class list, on the website (if there is one), at the entry booth and also have the announcer make a statement at the next show. And from then on, the rule would be strictly enforced.
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Sounds as if there was no time limit on when a rule could be enforced. So really the placings are never safe.
If the club wanted to stop future pettiness of this type, they can make a rule that rule objections/complaints/whatever-it-is-called must be file by the end of the show, other than drug offenses (and maybe some other serious rules). You can even limit it to 30 minutes after the class is pinned. Something like that.
Maybe they could even slide something in there that all such infractions previous to the new rules are now blocked from being invoked.
And things like drug violations can be made exempt from limitations like this.
Basically, whoever complained lost the class on the merits. They are elevating themselves on a technicality that had nothing to do with the performance.
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Can you share the specific organization rule book rule that states uncollared shirts are illegal?
I mean, yes - this is petty, but if it is a written organization rule, schooling show or not - and the rule is broken, then sadly it could be enforced. If they don’t follow USEF rules, then it is a moot point what USEF says.
Sorry for this rider but sounds like technically a rule was indeed broken and if there’s no limitation on enforcement, they are SOL 
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A white pull over shirt with no collar.
This is an excellent point. A suggestion was made to send a warning to the rider but the whole slate of officers/board opposed. Seems petty for a small club that has struggled to grow, fill shows, attract volunteers, etc.
I figured the collective wisdom here would offer some great points!
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It is difficult if not impossible to make an exception for one person, if the rule is available for all members to access.
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Did anyone else show without a collar in a hunter class at the show? Were other competitors casually dressed?
I was just curious as to how much this rider stuck out.
What were the organization’s written rules, since this wasn’t USEF?
