PHHT Rules & Policies

PHHT will be following the USEF and Pony Club rules banning the use of Peacock safety stirrups.
All riders must wear their own fully completed Medical ID armbands when jumping (XC, show jumping, jumping warm-up). Medical ID forms are available at the Show Secretary tent.
Riders must wear their assigned number when mounted.
Riders must sign a release form (online or paper).
Dogs must be leashed at all times on the show grounds.
No dogs are allowed on the Cross Country course.
No Smoking at any time on the show grounds.
All manure, hay, and shavings must be picked up from the parking lot and show grounds.
PHHT follows MA General Law regarding the use of helmets for equine riders along with USEA rules for eventing.

Entries open 1 month before the show date.
Entries close 11:59PM the Wednesday before the show date.
Entry lists are updated in real time and are available on the Entries page.
Ride times will be posted on the Ride Times page on the Friday before the show date.
Event results will be posted on the Results page 1-2 days after the show date.

Event Fees

Entry costs and credit card processing fees are detailed on the entry form.

Late Entries and Fees

Entries submitted after the closing date are subject to a $20 late fee and are accepted at the discretion of the Event Secretary and availability of division time slots.
Please contact the Event Secretary at [email protected] for entry options after the closing date.

Scratch Policy

If you need to scratch for any reason, please contact the Event Secretary at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Please refer to the Refund Policy for details regarding refunds for scratches.

Refund Policies

Weather Cancellations
- In the event of a weather-related cancellation, each registered rider will receive a credit for 50% of the entry fee (excluding the processing fee). This credit may be applied to a future event for the rider or family member.
Scratches
- Scratches received before the closing date are eligible for a full refund (excluding the processing fee).
- Scratches received after the closing date but more than 48 hours before the event will receive a credit towards a future event.
- Scratches made within 48 hours of the event are not eligible for refunds or credits unless there is a wait list. Sorry, no exceptions.

Weather Cancellation

The decision to cancel due to weather will be made within 24hr prior to the show.
All weather-related cancellations will be posted on Facebook and on the WNRDC calendar.

Discounts

A $10 discount is available to individuals who have volunteered at any WNRDC event. To receive this discount, please include a description of your volunteer work when completing your entry form (date, event, and number of hours volunteered). You do not need to be a WNRDC member to qualify.
Save by volunteering at any WNRDC activity – help out and ride for less!
Click here to learn more about how to get involved with volunteering.

Fall Rules

If a rider’s first fall on XC ends with them landing on their feet and remaining standing, they may remount only with TD approval. If approval is granted, they may continue on course with a penalty of 65 points.
If a competitor appears injured or concussed after a fall, they must be assessed by designated medical staff before continuing or competing again.
These rules align with the USEA guidelines. For safety reasons, PHHT has decided to require Technical Delegate approval before remounting after a Cross Country fall.

MA General Laws require horseback riders wear protective headgear that meets or exceeds ASTM F1163 when mounted. Per USEA, the headgear must be properly fitting and securely fastened.
A body protecting vest must be worn during the XC warm-up and test. The vest should meet or exceed ASTM F1937 or be certified by SEI.
Inflatable vests are only permitted when worn over a body protecting vest.
A body protecting vest with or without an inflatable vest may be worn for the stadium test.
Completed Medical ID armbands MUST be worn whenever jumping.

Pre-Elementary, Elementary, or Advanced Elementary horses may be ridden by up to two riders in the Horse Trial and/or Combined Test.
For Beginner Novice or Modified Novice horses:
- July Event: A horse may only be entered once.
- October Event: A horse may be ridden by up to two riders in the Horse Trial or Combined Test.
Horses competing in Dressage Only may be ridden by up to two riders and may compete in a maximum of four tests in total.

Only the registered rider may mount their horse on the show grounds. You will be disqualified if your trainer or any other person mounts your horse on the show grounds.
Unauthorized assistance by anyone (friends, family, trainer) will result in your disqualification. This includes:
- Pointing the way on the course.
- Talking to you during any of your tests.
Before you ride, remind your family, friends and trainer NOT to talk to you during your tests.
You get the disqualification if a family member or trainer breaks the rules!

Whips not exceeding 43″ in length (including lash) are permitted during the dressage phase.
Crops are permitted for the cross-country and show jumping phases.
The Myler Combination bit is now permitted in the cross-country and show jumping phases.

Schooling is permitted at the event. A $25 fee is charged for schooling registration.
Schooling horses must register for the event, check in with the Show Secretary, and wear the identifying number issued.
Contact the Event Secretary at [email protected] to discuss schooling registration and details.
Schooling is allowed in designated areas only.