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THE INTERNATIONAL HUNTER FUTURITY
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INFORMATION:

Nominations:

Stallions: A stallion's nominated status will attract more mare owners as mares booked to this stallion will produce foals which are eligible to compete in this lucrative program.

An added incentive is that the stallion owner will receive 15% of the representative purse monies earned by the nominated stallions progeny.

The terms of stallion nominations are as follows:

·         Eligible stallions may be of any breed.

·         Nominations are made by completion of the stallion nomination form and payment of a sum equal to the stallion s established fee, with a minimum fee of $600 (includes mandatory Challenge Series nomination).

·         A discount is provided for multiple stallion nominations.

·         Nomination deadline January 31st of each year. Each stallion must be nominated each year prior to the breeding season.

·         Eligibility is maintained by annual payment of the stallions established fee.

·         Late nominations will be accepted under the following conditions:

·         From February 1 - February 28: One stud fee & a half (example If your stud fee is $1,000. you would pay $1,500 plus $150 for the Challenge Series nomination) From March 1 - March 31st: Twice the stud fee (example: If your stud fee is $1,000, you would pay $2,000 plus $200 for the Challenge Series nomination).

Full details defining the terms of stallion eligibility and procedures for nominations are provided on the nomination forms. 

Foals: The heart of the IHF are the progeny of nominated stallions. It is the youngsters and their future that are the essence of the program. The dynamics of The Futurity depend on the mare and foal owner s complete understanding and support of the IHF program.Foals of nominated stallions become eligible for the HF through a series of nomination and eligibility fee payments. Eligible status will enhance the foal’s market value, create an attraction to buyers, and through successful competition in Futurity events, return a bonus to the foal nominator and substantial winnings to its owners.To nominate foals and maintain eligibility:

·         Foal must be by a stallion which was nominated the year the foal was conceived.

·         Completion of foal nomination form and payment of fee.

·         Foal nomination due: January 31, after year of birth.  Example: Foaling date of May 1, 2008, nomination due January 31, 2009.

·         Late nominations will be accepted under the following conditions:

·         From February 1st to March 31st the cost will be twice the original nomination fee (example: If your original cost would have been $500, you will now pay $1000).

Full eligibility specifications are listed on the foal nomination form.

Two Year Old Under Saddle Program:

At the International Competition during the Kentucky National in September, the IHF will offer a Two Year Old Under Saddle Class for any two year old which has been nominated to the IHF Three Year Old Program.

They will be judged on performance and soundness at the walk, trot, and canter both ways of the ring. They should move freely, be alert and will not be eliminated for slight errors.

A trophy, Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion ribbons will be awarded as well as ribbons through tenth places, We intend to offer substantial prize money, which will be provided through the generosity of individual sponsors.

Three Year Old Program:

Class Specifications: The International Hunter Futurity events are open to horses three years of age, which were sired by a nominated stallion and have maintained their eligibility according to IHF Special Conditions. At each location, three classes will be offered; one under saddle, one over fences, and one over fences with 25% conformation.

Under Saddle: Hunters under saddle are to be shown at a walk, trot and canter, both ways of the ring. light contact with horse s mouth is required. Horses should be obedient, alert responsive, and move freely. To be judged on performance, manners, way of moving and soundness. To compete in the under saddle, it is not necessary to compete over fences.

Over Fences: In the over fences class, horses shall demonstrate an even hunting pace. style of jumping, manners and way of moving. All horses must be serviceably sound. To be shown over a course of eight fences, no more than three feet in height.

Over Fences, 25% Conformation: In this case, performance (as defined above) shall count 75%, and conformation. substance and suitability to become a hunter shall count 25%.

Judging Method:Two or more judges, as determined by the Judges Selection Committee, will officiate at each Competition. The judges will select the top twelve horses in each class and bring them back in the order of preference. From the top ten, the judges will select a first (champion), a second (reserve champion). a third and a fourth. The remaining six horses selected will receive equal points. The points will be awarded in the following manner in each of the three classes:

1st Place/Champion

12 points

2nd Place/Reserve Champion

8 points

3rd Place

6 points

4th Place

5 points

Selected 6 Places

3 points

Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion titles shall be awarded to the horses accumulating The most points performing over fences. In addition, the horses which are in the top four places in the over fences classes will be awarded points for ribbons won in the under saddle class.

In the case of a tie for Grand Champion or Reserve, the horse with the most points over fences will be declared the winner. Horses with equal points over fences and under saddle which are tied for Grand Champion will remain tied and the monies for Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion will be added together and divided equally. In the case of a tie for Reserve Grand Champion, the horse with the most points over fences will be declared Reserve Grand Champion. Horses with equal points over fences and under saddle which are tied for Reserve Grand Champion will remain tied and the money for Reserve Grand Champion divided equally.

Courses:Three courses will be drawn and made available well in advance of the events to all owners of eligible horses. Two of the three designated courses will be used in the competition. Fence heights will be no higher than three feet, with the emphasis on simplicity.

Four Year Old Sweepstakes:

The IHF Four Year Old Sweepstakes was designed to showcase Four Year Olds which were previously eligible to compete in the IHF Three Year Old program.

The Sweepstakes competition format will be similar to that of the IHF, There will be three classes: one under saddle, one over fences, and one over fences with 25% conformation. The height of the fences will not exceed 3'.

Schooling time will be provided but there will not be schooling over the exact courses for the Sweepstakes classes.

Points will be awarded in the following manner in each of the three classes.

First Place

10 points

Second Place

6 points

Third Place

4 points

Fourth Place

2 points

Fifth Place

1 point

Sixth Place

½ point

Money and ribbons will be awarded through tenth place.

Champion and Reserve Champion titles shall be awarded to the horses accumulating the most points performing over fences In addition, the horses which are in the top four places in the over fences class will be awarded points for ribbons won in the under saddle class.

In the case of a tie for Champion or Reserve, the horse with the most points over fences will be declared the winner. Horses with equal points over fences and under saddle will remain tied.

Entries for the Sweepstakes must meet the following criteria:

  • Must have been completely nominated to The HF Three Year Old Performance program. A nominated horse did not have to compete at three
  • Entry form for Sweepstakes completed and returned to the HF office one week prior to the competition.
  • Starting fee paid ($200) and returned to the HF office along with entry form Refundable only with veterinary certificate.
  • International entry completed and returned to the horse show office prior to that shows closing date

Challenge Series:

The Challenge Series was designed to promote hunter breeding and to give hunter breeders an opportunity to showcase their young stock.  Three divisions were created to increase interest and enthusiasm in breeding and showing quality line horses as future hunters.  The divisions are for IHF nominated yearlings, two year olds and three year olds.  Classes for yearlings, two year olds, and three year olds will be divided into colts/geldings and fillies.

The Challenge Series classes are held in conjunction with the IHF regionals and International competition.  Purse money is distributed through fourth place at each show and is based on the money brought in to the Challenge Series program during the nominations each year.

The classes are judged on conformation, quality, substance, soundness, and suitability to become hunters.  All ages are asked to walk and jog.  Way of moving to be emphasized.

Entries for the IHF Challenge Series will only be considered completed when the following conditions have been met:

·         Foal fully nominated to the IHF program.

·         Foal by stallion nominated to the Challenge Series.

·         Challenge Series form completed and returned to The IHF office along with IHF nomination.

·         Entry form for Challenge Series completed and returned to The IHF office one week prior to show at which young horse is to compete.

·         Horse show entry form completed and returned to show office prior to that show closing date.

·         A $50 starting fee will be required to compete at the Regional competition, a $100 starting fee for the International competition.

Competition Entry Requirements:

IHF entry forms will be mailed to the owners of all nominated young horses each year. Entrants will be charged a starting fee of $150 for the Regional competitions and $300 for the International competition. If you wish to enter only the under saddle class, the starting fee will be $100 for the Regional competitions and $150 for the International competition. This fee must be paid to the IHF office when the entry form is returned. Refundable with veterinary certificate.

ALL ENTRANTS MUST ALSO CONTACT THE HORSE SHOW HOSTING THE IHF EVENTS AND COMPLETE THEIR ENTRY, STABLING AND DRUG FORMS PRIOR TO THAT SHOW'S CLOSING DATE.   FOR INFORMATION ON CONTACTING EACH SHOW PLEASE GO TO DATES/LOCATION

The host shows will not charge any additonal class fees for The IHF competitions, but are entitled to their regular stabling and drug testing fees.

The IHF is not responsible for entries that are returned to the horse show offices after their respective closing dates.

All entrants must comply with the host show’s regulations for drugs and medication.

Purse Structure:

Regional Competitions: Approximately 30% of the total nomination funds allocated to the competitions will be divided between the three regional competitions In regional competitions which have less than 15 horses to compete, approximately 7% will be deducted from the total purse for each horse less than 15. No extra percentage will be awarded for those competitions which have more than 15 horses to compete.

The total amount delegated to each regional competition will be divided between the Grand Champion, the Reserve Grand Champion, and the three performance classes.

International Competitions: Approximately 70% of the total nomination funds allocated to the competition will be distributed at the International Competitions

The total amount delegated to the International competition will be divided between the Grand Champion, the Reserve Grand Champion, and the three performance classes.

Distribution of the purse at each competition will be as follows:

·         Grand Champion - 25%

·         Reserve Grand Champion - 15%

·         First Place - 5%

·         Second Place -4%

·         Third Place - 3%

·         Fourth Place - 2%

·         Selected six places - 1%

In addition:

·         The stallion nominator will receive 15% of monies won by his stallion’s progeny.

·         Foal nominator will receive 5% of monies won by that horse.

·         The IHF Board reserves the right to make changes in percentages of the purse.