Future Baby Green Eligibility for the Young Horse

[tatertots]

The prize list states “Open to horses & ponies in their first year of showing and horses & ponies 4 years of age and younger (after October 1st of the previous year).”
I know first year of showing & 4 years and under cannot be mutually dependent, because I know plenty of 5,6,7 year olds showing in the Baby Greens for their first year of showing. But what about a horse getting an earlier start? If the horse was 3 y/o as of Oct 1, 2018 (for 2019 show season), but would be 4 y/o as of Oct 2019; would said horse be eligible for Baby Green division in 2020 if it was technically the 2nd year of showing?

I researched the many previous COTH topics that mention eligibility, but since the Baby Green division is not rated, guidelines can vary depending on how the horse show management defines eligibility.

I’ve reached out to the specific show management for clarification, but I’m curious if anyone has similar young horse experience

[Janet]

You need to check with show management, but I would interpret it to mean that a 4 year old in its SECOND year of showing WOULD be eligible.

[PNWjumper]

Making an assumption here, but I would guess that not many people are doing at or above the baby green height with their 3yos (per USEF age requirements, which means late 2yos to early 3yos). I would not hesitate to put my 4yo (again, USEF age, so meaning late 3 - early 4) in the Baby Greens even if it had shown sooner. And yes, I’ve seen many 5/6/7 yos who are not strictly in their “first year or showing” in that division.

But yes, always best to check with show management for that show.

[tatertots]

@PNWjumper

Making an assumption here, but I would guess that not many people are doing at or above the baby green height with their 3yos (per USEF age requirements, which means late 2yos to early 3yos). I would not hesitate to put my 4yo (again, USEF age, so meaning late 3 - early 4) in the Baby Greens even if it had shown sooner. And yes, I’ve seen many 5/6/7 yos who are not strictly in their “first year or showing” in that division.

But yes, always best to check with show management for that show.

Very much agree! For this particular horse, she was a late 3y/o as of October, and has not been campaigned at all this season. I was just second guessing myself and overthinking the future eligibility rules, since she is a resale project!