§ A negative coggins and rabies certificate within the past 12 months is required to enter the premises. Papers will be checked. A copy can be kept on record by request.
§ Approved helmets are required for riders under the age of 18. Use of helmets for those 18 and over are encouraged but not required.
§ No bareback riding or riding double is allowed. Saddles and riding boots or shoes with heels are required. No sneakers, flat-soled shoes.
§ Riders ride at their own risk and are responsible for any damage done by them or their horses.
§ There will be NO reruns for defective equipment. CHECK YOUR TACK AHEAD OF TIME!
§ Any unsportsmanlike behavior (including excessive profanity) or abusive treatment to an animal will not be tolerated. Any offender will be dismissed from the fairgrounds and all entry fees forfeited. The director of the CVG will be the authority in such cases.
§ The Connecticut Valley Fair prohibits alcohol on the fairgrounds.
§ Final decisions are made by the ring judge. If there is no judge, the CVG committee will be queried for a final decision. All disagreements MUST be addressed before the next event begins.
§ Any object knocked over or any pattern run incorrectly will result in a disqualification.
§ All riders are expected to be ready when their number is called. Three levels will be called…who is up, who is on deck, and who is in the hole. If you are not in the ring within 1 minute after your number is called (when you are up), you will automatically be disqualified for that game.
§ It is the responsibility of the rider to make sure the ring is ready and the ring crew is out of the ring before they enter the ring.
§ There will be no congregating around the entry gate. This area needs to be free and clear for safety reasons. Anyone asked to move more than twice (at the recommendation of the gatekeeper) will be asked to leave the fairgrounds and will forfeit all entry fees.
§ The Connecticut Valley Fair Association’s insurance does not allow dogs on the fairgrounds, unless the dog is a service dog. Please adhere to this rule or you will be asked to leave.
§ A rider can enter with multiple horses as long as entry fees are paid for each horse/rider combination. Horses can be shared between riders as long as entry fees are paid for each horse/rider combination.
§ To be eligible for day-end and/or season-end awards, you must compete as the same horse/rider combination unless you have a written note from your vet stating that the horse is no longer able to compete.
§ Riders may NOT intentionally use any body part to right a falling obstacle within the game (poles, barrels, etc.). Doing so will result in a disqualification.
§ All fees must be paid by the exhibitor before that exhibitor will be allowed to compete. There will be a returned check fee of $30.00. The exhibitor will not be allowed to compete again until the returned check fee is paid in cash. The CVG reserves the right to demand cash payment from individuals who have issued a check returned for insufficient funds.
§ Grounds for disqualification:
Fall of a horse and/or rider while maneuvering through a course. A fall is considered a full body fall with the rider being unseated. You will NOT be disqualified if you fall after crossing the timer at the end of your run.
Excessive spurring or striking a horse in any manner whatsoever.
Intentionally righting a barrel, pole, or and other part of a course with any body part of the rider.
Tripping the timer, because of lack of forward motion, while trying to maneuver through the course.
§ THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS GIVEN. Once you scratch from a game(s), you forfeit your entry fee. If you decide to re-enter, you MUST pay the entry fee again. NO EXCEPTIONS! If, in the event that the gymkhana is cancelled due to inclement weather before the event starts, pre-entry fees can be held by the CVG and used for the next event.
§ If you receive season-end