GENERAL

Membership
The Rider must be a League Member in order for points to count. Any horse shown by a Member Rider will earn points in the division. Rider Membership must be received in the League Office within 10 days after the completion of a League show in order for points from that show to count. Points will not be retroactive.

Annual Fee
The Annual Fee is $40 per rider, payable and mailed to Marshall & Sterling League, 319 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477. Alternatively, riders may apply online at www.HitsShows.com/marshallsterling, or at any member horse show.

Qualifying Period
The qualifying period for 2010 will include all shows starting on or after September 1, 2009 through shows starting on or before September 5, 2010.

DIVISIONS SANCTIONED

Hunters
	•	Children's Hunter (3'/horses, 2'6”/Lg Ponies, 2'/Sm/Med Ponies)
	•	Adult Amateur Hunter (3')
	•	Adequan Hunter (3'5”)
	•	Bit o' Straw Hunter Classic (2'6”)
	•	HITS Hunter (2'6”)
	•	Children's Hunter (3'/horses, 2'6”/Lg Ponies, 2'/Sm/Med Ponies)
	•	Devoucoux Hunter Derby (3'3”)

Jumpers
	•	Children's Jumper (3'6”)
	•	Adult Amateur Jumper (3'6”)
	•	Pony Jumper (3'-3'3”)
	•	Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix

Equitation
	•	M&S Junior Medal (3'6”)
	•	M&S Adult Medal (3')
	•	M&S Children's Horse Medal (3')
	•	M&S Children's Large Pony Medal (2'6”)
	•	M&S Children's Small /Medium Pony Medal (2')

National Finals
The National Finals will be held at HITS-on-the-Hudson, Saugerties, New York, September 16-19, 2010.

Pfizer $1 Million USGPL Grand Prix
The Pfizer $1 Million USGPL Grand Prix will be held in conjunction with the Hits-on-the-Hudson VIII horse show, September 8-12, 2010. See our website www.hitsshows.com for more information.

Midwest Regional Finals
The Lamplight Equestrian Center will offer year-end Finals at the Showplace Fall Classic, September 15-20, 2010 for Children's and Adult Hunters and Jumpers, as well as the M&S Junior Medal, M&S Children's Medal, and M&S Adult Medal.

RESULTS

Results must be received within 20 days of the completion of the show and must include:
	1.	Class results for each Marshall & Sterling class or classic.
	2.	Champion and Reserve results for each hunter division (or submit their entire Championship Report).
	3.	Payment of Show Dues.

Results must show Horse, Owner, Rider, Addresses, and Prize Money Won, where applicable. When classes are combined, results must indicate in which section points are to be awarded. Note: Results not received within 20 days, or without payment will not be processed.

HUNTER SPECIFICATIONS

Regular Division Requirements
In all Classes or Classics, three riders must complete the course for points to count.

Encouraged Classes / Divisions
Adequan Hunter Division: must offer at least three classes (two over fences and an under saddle) with a championship. One class must be designated as the Marshall & Sterling point class. Prize money is encouraged.

Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic: a 2'6” classic for the novice-type children's and adult rider. Must be held as a separate, two-round classic. (i.e., the first round may not be a designated class of a division). Prize money is optional.

Qualifying Criteria
Horses will qualify based on points earned in their division during the qualifying period. A horse's points will be recorded only if the rider of record is a current League Member. A horse may accrue points in any division for which it is eligible, and may accrue points in multiple divisions, with multiple riders, provided the rider of record is a current League Member.

Eligibility

Adequan Hunter
	An Adequan Hunter is a horse of any age and is not restricted by previous showing in any division.		Fences 3'5”
Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic
	Open to Junior or Amateur riders. No cross entry of horse/pony or rider into the M&S Children's or Adult Hunter Classic. No cross entry of rider into any rated hunter division.		Fences 2'6”
HITS Hunter
	Open to horses and ponies. Horses and riders may cross enter into any division for which they are eligible.		Fences 2'6”
Devoucoux Hunter Derby
	Open to horses ridden by Juniors, Amateurs and Professionals at HITS Thermal, Ocala, Saugerties and Culpeper as well as other select shows. Riders are not limited to the number of horses they may ride. Horses and riders may cross enter into any division for which they are eligible.		Fences 3'3”
Eligibility for Children's and Adult Hunters will be determined by show management.

Points
Awarded to the horse, provided the rider is a League Member.

Points will be awarded to sixth place in each division in the same manner as Hunter Championships (i.e.; 10, 6, 4, 2, 1, ½). Points will be awarded on this scale regardless of the number of entries in the class. In the case of a combined class (i.e.: Children's/Adult Hunter), points will be awarded according to the ribbon won. Bonus Points will be awarded to the Champion (10 pts.) and Reserve Champion (6 pts.) in each division (not applicable for Bit o' Straw Hunter Classic or Devoucoux Hunter Derby). Only horses shown by Member Riders will have their points recorded.

Conduct
Option A – Classic: Required for Children's and Adult Hunters, and Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic.

Criteria
A Hunter Classic must be offered for Children's Hunters, Adult Hunters, and the Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic. The Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic must be held as a separate two-round classic (i.e., the first round may not be a designated class of a division). Three riders must complete the course in order for points to count. The rider need not be a member to compete, but only horses ridden by members will have their points recorded.

Special Circumstances - Combining Classics
If there are fewer than 8 entries in either the Children's or Adult Hunter classic, the Classics may be combined at management's discretion. If there are fewer than 3 entries in either classic, the classics must be combined. When the Classics are combined under these circumstances and prize money is offered, the prize money and entry fee may be the lower of the two published in the Prize List. Points will be awarded according to the ribbon won.

Option B – Designated Class within the Division: Optional for Adequan Hunters and HITS Hunters.
The Designated Class System (Option B) will be used for the Adequan Hunters and HITS Hunters. In this case, the last class of the division, or another class in the division designated by show management will count as the Marshall & Sterling Class. The Designated Class must be indicated in the prize list and on the time schedule.

JUMPER SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifying Criteria
Horses will qualify based on points earned in their division during the qualifying period. A horse's points won will be recorded only if the rider of record is a current League Member. A horse may accrue points won in any division for which it is eligible, and may accrue points won in multiple divisions, with multiple riders, provided the rider of record is a current League Member. Eligibility will be determined by show management.

Points / Money Won

Points are awarded to the horse, provided the rider is a League Member.

For Pony, Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper: Points will be awarded to sixth place in each division in the same manner as Jumper Championships (i.e.; 10, 6, 4, 2, 1, ½). Points will be awarded on this scale regardless of the number of entries in the class. In the case of a combined class (i.e., Children's/Adult Jumper), points will be awarded according to the ribbon won. Only horses shown by Member Riders will have their points recorded. For Grand Prix (Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix): Standings will be based on Money Won.

A Classic must be offered for Children's Jumpers and Adult Jumpers. A Classic is optional for Pony Jumpers; if no classic is
offered, the last class of the division, or another class in the division designated by show management will count as the
Marshall & Sterling Class. The Designated Class must be indicated in the prize list and on the time schedule.

Criteria
Three riders must complete the course in order for points to count. The rider need not be a member to compete, but only
horses ridden by Members will have their points recorded.

Prize Money
Minimum Prize Money must be offered as follows:
Children's Jumper Adult Amateur Jumper Combined Child/Adult Jumper Pony Jumper		$1,000 $1,000 $1,500 N/A

Note: One and two-day horse shows may offer the Children's and Adult Classics separately or combined, with a total of $500 in prize money ($250 for each classic, or $500 if combined).

Note: Minimum Prize Money must be awarded as published in Prize List.

Special Circumstances
It is suggested that separate classics be offered for Children's and Adult Jumpers with minimum prize money of $1,000 in each classic. A combined Children's/Adult Jumper classic may be offered with minimum prize money of $1,500.

Combining Classes
The Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper Classics may be combined if there are less than 20 entries in either Classic and less than 30 entries combined. The Classics must be combined if there are less than three entries in either Classic. When the Classics are combined under these circumstances, the prize money and entry fee may be the lower of the two published in the Prize List. Points will be awarded according to the ribbon won.

Any discrepancy in results must be reported to the League Office within 30 days of posted results. Discrepancies in results will not be considered after August 27, 2010.

Note: Exhibitors are responsible for knowledge of the rules and regulations governing the League and are responsible for their own errors and omissions. Any conditions and/or questions that may arise, if not specifically covered herein, will be decided by the League Directors, their decision to be final.

EQUITATION SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifying Criteria
Riders will qualify to compete in the Finals based on the year-end National Standings. The rider must be a member in order for points to count toward qualifying for the Finals.

Points
Awarded to the rider, provided the rider is a league member. Points will be awarded to sixth place in the same manner as Hunter Championships (i.e.; 10, 6, 4, 2, 1, ½). Points will be awarded on this scale regardless of the number of entries in the class.

CLASS CONDITIONS

M&S Junior Medal
		Open to Junior Riders. To be shown over minimum of 8 fences at 3'6” including a combination and at least two changes of direction after the first fence. Two or more tests of the top four competitors are required. The same horse must be used in all phases. Only one rider per horse. Three riders must complete the course in order for points to count. The rider must be a member in order for points to count toward qualifying for the Finals.		Fences 3'6”
M&S Adult Medal
		Open to Adult Amateur Riders. To be shown over minimum of 8 fences at 3' including a combination and at least two changes of direction after the first fence. Two or more tests of the top four competitors are required. The same horse must be used in all phases. Only one rider per horse. Three riders must complete the course in order for points to count. The rider must be a member in order for points to count toward qualifying for the Finals.		Fences 3'
M&S Children's Medal – Horse
		Open to Junior Riders on horses that are not competing at the same show in any hunter or equitation class in which the fences exceed 3'3”. To be shown over a minimum of 8 fences the required height including a combination and at least two changes of direction after the first fence. Two or more tests of the top four competitors are required. The same horse must be used in all phases. Only one rider per horse. Three riders must complete the course in order for points to count. The rider must be a member in order for points to count toward qualifying for the Finals. No cross entry of rider into the M&S Children's Pony Medal at the same show.		Fences 3'
M&S Children's Medal – Pony
		Open to Junior Riders on ponies that are not competing at the same show in any hunter or equitation class in which the fences exceed 3'3”. To be shown over a minimum of 8 fence at the required height with at least two changes of direction after the first fence. A combination is optional, and must be adjusted according to fence heights. Two or more tests of the top four competitors are required. The same pony must be used in all phases. Only one rider per pony. (Riders may not ride in more than one height section of the class.) Three riders must complete the course in order for points to count. The rider must be a member in order for points to count toward qualifying for the Finals. No cross entry of rider into the M&S Children's Horse Medal at the same show. (Fence heights above are suggested, and should be used whenever possible. If Children's Hunter Pony specifications differ, Show management may offer fence heights according to those specifications.)		Fences 2'6" (Large) Fences 2' (Sm/Med)

Special Circumstances
M&S Children's Medal: Separate Finals for Horses and Ponies will be offered. Points will be tabulated separately. Shows are encouraged to offer separate qualifying classes, but may, at their discretion, offer a combined class if entries and scheduling warrant. If a combined class is offered, fence heights and combinations must be adjusted for ponies. Results must indicate which are horses, which are ponies and must categorize the size of the pony (i.e. Sm/Med or Large). Points will be awarded according to the ribbon won.

League Contact Information

Marshall & Sterling League Patricia Guerriero, Representative 319 Main Street  |  Saugerties, NY 12477 845-246-8833  |  Fax: 845-246-6371 Email: Patti@HitsShows.com Click here for a .pdf version of these specifications. ABOUT US | RIDERS/TRAINERS | FINALS | STANDINGS | NEWSROOM | SPONSORS | CONTACT | PHOTO CREDITS M8S HOME | HITS HOME