How to Host A Show

Please use this page for information on how to host a TCHA horse show. Hosting a show takes a lot of planning, and a group of dedicated people, but is a wonderful, fun, and rewarding experience! Below you will find a list of jobs that need to be filled and rules. If you still cannot find an answer you are looking for, please never hesitate to ask!

Fees

Fees are subject to change. • Sanctioned fee $150. Must be paid by April 1st. $175.00 after April 1st. • Clubs or groups pay for their own judge, judge’s hotel, and lunch. • Ribbons • Fair Board Fees

Judge(s)

• Judges must carry a judge’s card and will need to be approved by the April meeting by the TCHA board. The judge(s) should be presented to the board at a meeting prior to April. • Remember your club will be responsible for paying the judge(s), their hotel room, and lunch(es)

Ribbons

• Ribbons must be purchased for Saturday and Sunday classes 1st-6th place. Ribbons should not be less than a double flat. • Remember to have a 1st place ribbon or equal prizes for speed and performance lead-liners. All lead-liners get 1st place!

Arenas

• The group or club is responsible for having the arenas watered and dragged for speed events on Saturday, and performance events on Sunday. *Must be done before 8:00 am.* This can be done the night before after the arena is cleared.

Jobs/Helpers:

• Tractor driver(s) o *Must be at least 18 years old* o *Must be approved by the Fair Board by March* o Tractor drivers are needed for both Saturday and Sunday. Good idea to have a couple of approved drivers to alternate. o Arena must be dragged in between age groups for the speed show on Saturday • Announcer(s) o It is your group/club’s responsibility to hire your announcer for both Saturday and Sunday. (Consider having a couple people to alternate) o Must be a Responsible adult to operate timing system, announcing equipment, and any other equipment that may be present in the announcer’s booth. • Gate keeper(s) o Must be at least 18 years old (Horses can be unpredictable, even the most well- trained, well-behaved horses have bad days) o Consider having multiple people to switch off with as it can get hot o There must always be someone operating the gate during the show, as he/she helps keep the show moving. • Ribbon distributor o A person or people to hand out ribbons as placings are announced. Could also be your gate keeper(s) • Ring Steward o Some judges bring their own stewards o Need for the performance show on Sunday. o Consider having two people to alternate • Arena water equipment operator o Person to water arenas using equipment provided. o There will be a work bee before the first show going over the details to operate the equipment. o Remember arenas must be watered and dragged before 8:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday. • Equipment setup helpers o Each group/club should have multiple people to help set up equipment o Your group/club is responsible for properly setting up the timer, scoreboard, poles, barrels, etc. on Saturdays. o On Sundays, your group/club must set up the jumping and trail patterns, along with making sure cones are out for judge to use for other pattern classes. o Ask your judge which jumping and trail pattern they choose prior to the performance show for preparation on Sunday • Registration o Minimum of 2 people to run the registration in the morning during shows o Responsible for posting patterns for performance show as soon as they become available o Get there early to set up • Food Booth o Generally your group/club’s responsibility to run the food booth or hire a vendor. However, in recent years the Fair Board has been operating the food booth.

Registration

• Registration should be open at 8:00 AM CST • All TCHA shows should start at 9:00 AM CST • Your group/club will need to provide Purina numbers for non-members. (Purina numbers may be purchased from Ray’s Feed Mill) • Include safety pins • All forms are provided by TCHA, which should be set up outside with pens • Remember a minimum of 2 people are needed to run registration • You will provide your own petty cash (Approximately $200) • An original negative coggins needs to be checked and a copy left with your group/club. The copy must be kept for one year. • Out of state horses need an original health certificate to show at registration. • On Sunday, all patterns should be posted on the outside of the building as soon as they become available or no later than 8:30 AM CST. • The $2.00 office fee (per every horse/rider combination) goes to TCHA • After the show, the judge’s cards, and placing sheets must go to the Points Secretary.

Grounds

• Your club/group is responsible for cleaning up any/all manure on the grounds after each show is completed. • Have your announcer give reminders throughout the day for participants to clean up around their trailers before they leave.

Rules

• Groups/clubs must attend at least one TCHA meeting before your show. • The groups/clubs must also attend the Work Bee, which is typically held before the very 1st show of the season. The Work Bee will show your helpers how to operate the watering system, the tractor, timing system, as well as check any and all equipment for proper functionality.

Hints, Tips, and Tricks

• Set up the jumps Saturday night. • Move trail equipment to the outside of the outdoor arena, closer to where it will be placed. • Use a pickup truck Saturday night to move the bridge. Helpful to use the truck again to move into the arena as it is very heavily built. • Remember, Purina numbers may be purchased at Ray’s Feed Mill • Familiarize yourselves with the rules, especially for registration. • The more meetings you attend, the more you are in the loop, and the easier it is to host a show. Always a great place to ask questions and learn more about hosting a show. • Ask questions to someone who has hosted a show previously. • Have a lot of helpers! The more hands you have, the lighter the workload. • Find a judge here: https://www.wisconsinhorescouncil.org/docum ents/judges/Judge%20Directory%209-11-17.pdf