Membership Requirements
1. Membership of the Northern Ireland Working Hunter Association Ltd. (NIWHA) is open to any person seven years old or over as of 1st January in the current year.
2. Annual membership subscription will be decided annually by the Committee and payment shall become due on 1st january each year.
3. With the exception of Honorary Life Members each member 18yrs and over on 1st January in the current year shall pay an annual subscription.
4.Children (under 18yrs on 1st January in the current year) of an adult member are offered junior membership without subscription
5. The name and date of birth of all riders under 21yrs must be registered with the NIWHA and a copy of birth certificate sent to the membership secretary.
6. It is the responsibility of members to familiarise themselves with the Rules.
Horses and Ponies General Conditions
7. Horses/ponies must be 4yrs old or over and may be registered with the NIWHA from 1st January annually.
8 . Owners must use the registered name of their horse/pony in all competitions. Horses/ponies previously registered in another Register or Stud Book must always retain the name as registered in such Register or Stud Book
9.. It is recommended that all ponies taking part in shows should have a current height certificate issued by a recognised measuring body and approved by NIWHA
10. The Committee has the authority to request the inspection of any height certificate
11. An animal between the heights of 148cms and 153cms, which is eligible for either 153cms Working Hunter Pony or Horse classes, may not compete in both categories at the same show even with different riders.
12. If an animal moves into a different height category, it takes its current status into its new height section.
Insurance
13. All members and competitors shall be responsible for any loss, injury or damage arising out of or attributable to their actions.
14. Members and competitors shall indemnify all members of the Committee in the course of their duties or business on behalf of the Association, for all action damages or losses arising out of any act of negligence, omission or wilful act of any of the members of the Association and their employees
Discipline
15. All members and competitors of NIWHA are required to abide by these Rules
16. NIWHA requires all members to display good manners
17. Where the Committee has reason to believe that there has been a breach of the Rules or the terms of the Constitution, the Hon. Secretary shall write to the member or his/her parents if under 18yrs, inviting comment. Where no acceptable explanation is received the Committee shall have the right to disqualify from class, suspend or terminate membership.
18. Where membership is suspended this shall be for such period as the Committee considers appropriate
19Where membership is terminated the member shall have the right to reapply for membership in accordance with proper procedure after the lapse of one calendar year from notification of the termination.
20. Horses and ponies must not be ill treated at any time
21. Rapping is forbidden and animals must not jump any hand held obstacle
22 Members are responsible for the actions of any non member accompanying them, or acting on their behalf and any conduct by such a person shall be considered in breach of the Rules and shall be considered a breach of the rules by the member.
23. Should any dispute arise for which a specific rule is not provided, such matters in dispute shall be referred to the Committee whose decision shall be final..
Objections and Complaints
24 Members wishing to register an objection or complaint must write to the Secretary of the NIWHA. Such letters must be received within fourteen days of the date of the event giving rise to the objection or complaint, and accompanied by £10. In the event of the objection being upheld the £10 will be refunded. If the objection is overruled, the £10 may be forfeited.
25. Where a complaint is made regarding the height of any horse or pony, the Committee may require the rider to submit such evidence of height that the Committee may determine. The horse or pony shall be ineligible to compete until satisfactory evidence is furnished.

Riders
26. Riders must be 7 years old and over
27. Once a class has started there can be no change of rider, except in a Championship class when a rider finds he/she has more than one eligible exhibit. The substitute rider must be eligible for the class.
28. A competitor may ride a maximum of two animals in Phase 1 of a working hunter competition, but must declare which animal he/she intends to ride in Phase 2 before its commencement. Where a judge wishes to see the class as a whole, or in the event of Phase 2 being ridden in a separate ring, the competitor must immediately having ridden the horse/pony in a separate ring declare to the judge which animal is to be considered. Competitors riding two animals may see Phase 1 marks before making a decision
29. Once a judge has started judging a class, an animal may not be taken out of the ring without permission of the judge
30. The judge's decision is final
31. No person is permitted to walk the course until it has been announced open. No person other than the judge or the Course Builder appointed by NIWHA is permitted to alter the course.
32. Outside assistance is prohibited and may result in elimination
33. Adults may accompany junior competitors when inspecting the course
34. Competitors in Mini Stakes, Cradles Stakes, Novice Starter Stakes, and Novice Working Hunter Classes may inspect the course mounted, with the exception of Championship Shows
35. A fall of horse/pony or rider after the commencement of the class will result in elimination and the rider must leave the ring without remounting.
Hors Concours
36. Hors Concours entries may with the permission of NIWHA officials, be accepted for riders of ponies or horses ineligible for the class of entry providing the class does not precede a class in which the rider or animal is entered for competition by right.
Dress
Hats
37. Correctly secured Skull Caps/Riding Hats to comply with current British Safety Standard or equivalent MUST be worn and secured by a chin strap at all times when mounted at NIWHA shows. The Association accepts no responsibility in ensuring the suitability or otherwise of such hats which rests solely and entirely with the competitor or where appropriate, his/her parent or guardian.
38. A rider whose hat comes off, or the chin strap comes undone whilst competing must on penalty of elimination replace it and/or fasten it before continuing. He.she may dismount without penalty to recover the hat or have it passed up from the ground, or he/she may stop without penalty to fasten the strap.
39 Body protectors may be worn
40. Earrings and body studs must not be worn
Spurs
41. Spurs may be worn in horse classes
42. Spurs may not be worn in pony and mixed horse/pony classes
Whips and Crops
43. Whips and crops are not to exceed 75cms
Tack
44. In the interests of safety the stirrup irons and stirrup leathers (this also applies to safety irons) must hang feeely from the bar of the saddle and outside the flap. There must be no other restriction or attachment if any kind
45. Any suitable bridle may be worn in Working and Ridden Hunter classes
46. Martingales and any nosebands are permitted, but judges will pay attention to their effectiveness
47. Bitless bridles are not permitted.
48. No change of tack or whip is permitted between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of a working hunter competition except for boots which must be removed
49. Only protective leg boots and overreach boots may be used for Phase 1 in working hunter and performance classes. Leg bandages are not permitted

Working Hunter Classes

Performance Classes

52. Pony Grading System
Open Ponies
a. Ponies graded Open with NIWHA, BSPS and IPS
b. Ponies with 140points and above SJAI
Novice Ponies 4, 5 and 6years old
Ponies may compete as novice without upgrading and will start their 7th year (1st April) as novice
Novice Ponies 7yrs old and over:
a. Winter Season 1st October - 31st March
Ponies will become Open on winning 1st prize at any 5 NIWHA indoor working hunter classes with a minimum of 6 entries but upgrading will not be applied until 30th September when all upgraded ponies must compete in Open classes. Winter upgrades will not apply to the summer outdoor season unless the summer upgrade criteria is met.
b. Summer Season 1st April - 30th September
Ponies will become Open on winning 3 Novice or Open NIWHA working hunter pony classes with a minimum of 6 entries. Upgrading will not be applied until 30th September when such ponies must jump Open in the winter season
New Pony Registrations
A new registration where the pony (any age) has not competed in a NIWHA working hunter class may compete for one year without upgrading and start its second year as novice. Application for this concession must be made on the registration form. This will not apply to non registered ponies
Restricted Classes
Restricted classes will not be used for upgrading and therefore are open to all novice ponies and all open ponies for the first two years after upgrading

53. Working Hunter Pony Classes
Mare or gelding 4yrs old and over. Stallions by permission of the Committee
Winter League competitors shall remain in the class for which they were eligible at commencement of league
Novice Working Starter Stakes. Pony not exceeding 133cms , riders under 12yrs of age on 1st January in year if competition
Riders in Working Starter Stakes may compete in 133cms novice or 133cms Open at the same show depending on the status of the pony
Novice 133cms WHP. Not exceeding 133cms. Riders under 14yrs of age on 1st January in the year of competition
Novice 143cms WHP. Exceeding 133cms but not exceeding 143cms. Riders under 17yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Novice 153cms WHP. Exceeding 143cms but not exceeding 153cms. Riders under 21yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Restricted 133cms WHP. Not exceeding 133cms. Riders under 12yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Restricted 143cms WHP. Exceeding 133cms but not exceeding 143cms. Riders under 17yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Restricted 153cms WHP. Exceeding 143cms but not exceeding 153cms. Riders under 21yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Open Working Mini Stakes. Not exceeding 133cms. Riders under 9yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Riders in Working Mini Stakes may not compete in any other working hunter class at the same show
Open Working Cradle Stakes. Not exceeding 133cms. Riders under 10yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Riders in Working Cradle Stakes may not compete in any other working hunter class at the same show
Open Working Starter Stakes. Pony not exceeding 133cms , riders under 12yrs of age on 1st January in year if competition
Riders in Working Starter Stakes may compete in 133cms novice or 133cms Open at the same show depending on the status of the pony
Open 133cms WHP. Not exceeding 133cms. Riders under 14yrs of age on 1st January in the year of competition
Open 143cms WHP. Exceeding 133cms but not exceeding 143cms. Riders under 17yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Open 153cms WHP. Exceeding 143cms but not exceeding 153cms. Riders under 21yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Intermediate Working Hunter. Exceeding 148cms but not exceeding 158cms . Riders to have attained their 14th birthday but not their 25th birthday on 1st Jan in year of competition
Young Rider Working Hunter. 148cms and over. Riders to have attained their 14th birthday but not their 21st birthday on 1st Jan in year of competition

54. Working Hunter Horse Classes
Mare or gelding 4yrs and over. Stallions by permission of the Committee. Riders in horse classes must have attained their 14th birthday on 1st Jan in year of competition
Novice Working Hunter Horses: Less than 75 SJAI pts
Winter League competitors shall remain in the class for which they were eligible at commencement of league

Ridden Show Hunter Classes
55. Ridden Show Hunter Pony
Not having attained Open Staus with BSPS, less than 50 IPS points. Mare or gelding 4yrs old and over. Stallions by permission of Committee
Novice Starter Show Hunter Pony
Not exceeding 133cms, suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 12yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Riders in Starter Stakes may compete in 133cms Novice or Open at the same show depending on the staus of the pony
Novice 133cms Show Hunter Pony. Not exceeding 133cms suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 14yrs of age on 1st Jan in the year of competition
Novice 143cms Show Hunter Pony. Exceeding 133cms, but not exceeding 143cms suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 17yrs on 1st Jan in the year of competition
Novice 153cms Show Hunter Pony. Exceeding 143cms, but not exceeding 153cms suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 21yrs on 1st Jan in the year of competition
Open Mini Show Hunter Pony .Not exceeding 133cms suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 9yrs of age on 1st Jan in the year of competition. Riders in Mini Show Hunter may not compete in any other Ridden Show Hunter class at the same show
Open Cradle Show Hunter Pony. Not exceeding 133cms suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 10yrs of age on 1st Jan in the year of competition. Riders in Cradle Show Hunter may not compete in any other Ridden Show Hunter class at the same show
Open Starter Show Hunter Pony. Not exceeding 133cms, suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 12yrs of age on 1st Jan in year of competition
Riders in Starter Stakes may compete in 133cms Novice or Open at the same show depending on the staus of the pony
Open 133cms Show Hunter Pony. Not exceeding 133cms suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 14yrs of age on 1st Jan in the year of competition
Open 143cms Show Hunter Pony. Exceeding 133cms, but not exceeding 143cms suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 17yrs on 1st Jan in the year of competition
Open 153cms Show Hunter Pony. Exceeding 143cms, but not exceeding 153cms suitable for and to be ridden by riders under 21yrs on 1st Jan in the year of competition
Intermediate Ridden Show Hunter. Exceeding 148cms but not exceeding 158cms. Riders must have attained their 14th birthday but not their 25th birthday on 1st Jan in the year of competition

56. Ridden Show Hunter For Horses
Riders in horse classes must have attained their 14th birthday on 1st Jan in the year of competition
Mare or gelding 4 years old and over. Stallions by permission of the Committee
Small Hunter exceeding 148cms but not exceeding 158cms
Cob. Exceeding 148cms but not exceeding 155cms
Lightweight Hunter. Exceeding 148cms
Medium/Heavyweight Hunter. Exceeding 148cms

Dressage
Dressage will be run under Dressage Ireland Rules. Dressage Ireland Points will apply with restrictions on classes as per schedule. The following restrictions will apply.
Declarations:
59 On arrival at a competition all riders must declare their intention to compete to the gate steward at least 15mins before their allotted time.
Outside Assistance
60. Any outside assistance by voice, signs etc. is considered as assistance to rider or his/her horse or pony. A rider pony/horse receiving outside assistance will be eliminated.
Competitors Responsibility
61. A steward may be appointed to check that all saddlery and equipment conforms to the rules.
62. It is the ultimate responsibility of competitors to insure that they comply with the rules, and compete with the correct tack ijn the correct class.
63. If a bit in use is in question the bridle will be removed following the test, and in the event that the bit proves to be illegal, the pony/horse will be eliminated.
Equipment
Rider
64. Black/navy jacket with cream or white stock, or dark coloured tie, or tweed jacket with coloured stock or tie.
65. Skull Cap or Riding Hat to cmply with current British Safety Standard or equivqlent MUST be worn and secured by a chinstrap at all times when mounted at NIWHA shows. The Association will not accept responsibility in ensuring the suitability of such hats, which rests solely and entirely with the competitor, or where appropriate his/her parent or guardian.
66. Breeches/jodhpurs must be white, cream or beige.
67. Boots must be black or brown. Gaiters may be worn providing they are of identical leather to the boots and have no decoration of any sort. Chaps are not allowed.
68. Gloves must be worn and must not be brightly coloured
69. Body protectors may be worn
70 Spurs may only be worn in horse classes. They should be made of metal and be fitted with the shank pointing down. Rowels are not allowed
71. Earrings may not be worn
72. Whips may be of any length, may not be picked up if dropped during the tests and may be carried in either hand, but with the rein when saluting.
73. Excessive use of the whip or spurs at any time is forbidden
Horse and Pony
74. Saddles must be of English or Continental style. Competitors wishing to use a side saddle must notify the organiser at time of entry.
75. Snaffle bridles must be used.
76. It is obligatory to use a noseband. A cavesson, drop, flash or grakle is permitted
77. Bit guards are not allowed
78. Martingales, bearing, side or running reins of any sort are forbidden, as are boots, bandages and any sort of blinkers
79. Fly fringes, guauzes and ear covers may be worn when riding-in but not during the test.
Warming Up
80. When lunging, the lunge line must be attched directly to the bit or lunging cavesson only. Side reins may be used, but may not be attached to the girth between the front legs. Running or balancing reins are not permitted
81. Boots or bandages are permitted
82. While exercfising whether competing or not, only the permitted equipment is allowed.

Dressage
Dressage will be run under Dressage Ireland Rules. Dressage Ireland Points will apply with restrictions on classes as per schedule. The following restrictions will apply.
Declarations:
59 On arrival at a competition all riders must declare their intention to compete to the gate steward at least 15mins before their allotted time.
Outside Assistance
60. Any outside assistance by voice, signs etc. is considered as assistance to rider or his/her horse or pony. A rider pony/horse receiving outside assistance will be eliminated.
Competitors Responsibility
61. A steward may be appointed to check that all saddlery and equipment conforms to the rules.
62. It is the ultimate responsibility of competitors to insure that they comply with the rules, and compete with the correct tack ijn the correct class.
63. If a bit in use is in question the bridle will be removed following the test, and in the event that the bit proves to be illegal, the pony/horse will be eliminated.
Equipment
Rider
64. Black/navy jacket with cream or white stock, or dark coloured tie, or tweed jacket with coloured stock or tie.
65. Skull Cap or Riding Hat to cmply with current British Safety Standard or equivqlent MUST be worn and secured by a chinstrap at all times when mounted at NIWHA shows. The Association will not accept responsibility in ensuring the suitability of such hats, which rests solely and entirely with the competitor, or where appropriate his/her parent or guardian.
66. Breeches/jodhpurs must be white, cream or beige.
67. Boots must be black or brown. Gaiters may be worn providing they are of identical leather to the boots and have no decoration of any sort. Chaps are not allowed.
68. Gloves must be worn and must not be brightly coloured
69. Body protectors may be worn
70 Spurs may only be worn in horse classes. They should be made of metal and be fitted with the shank pointing down. Rowels are not allowed
71. Earrings may not be worn
72. Whips may be of any length, may not be picked up if dropped during the tests and may be carried in either hand, but with the rein when saluting.
73. Excessive use of the whip or spurs at any time is forbidden
Horse and Pony
74. Saddles must be of English or Continental style. Competitors wishing to use a side saddle must notify the organiser at time of entry.
75. Snaffle bridles must be used.
76. It is obligatory to use a noseband. A cavesson, drop, flash or grakle is permitted
77. Bit guards are not allowed
78. Martingales, bearing, side or running reins of any sort are forbidden, as are boots, bandages and any sort of blinkers
79. Fly fringes, guauzes and ear covers may be worn when riding-in but not during the test.
Warming Up
80. When lunging, the lunge line must be attched directly to the bit or lunging cavesson only. Side reins may be used, but may not be attached to the girth between the front legs. Running or balancing reins are not permitted
81. Boots or bandages are permitted
82. While exercising whether competing or not, only the permitted equipment is allowed.

NORTHERN IRELAND WORKING HUNTER
RULE BOOK
Membership and General Conditions
Subscriptions, Horses and Ponies General, Discipline, Compaints
General Riders and Equipment
Riders, Judging, Insurance, Dress, Tack, Hors Concours,
Working Hunter and Performance Competitions
Marking systems, Pony Grading, Classes for Horses and Ponies
Dressage
Rules and Requirements
Working Hunter Courses
Heights and spreads per class