Riders With Disabilities

NSBA World Championship Show

Riders With Disabilities Class Guidelines

NSBA offers five World Championship classes for Riders With Disabilities.  These include:

Walk Trot Western Pleasure-Independent Rider

Walk Trot Western Pleasure-Supported Rider

Walk Trot Trail-Independent Rider

Walk Trot Trail-Supported Rider

Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle-Independent Rider

The NSBA Riders With Disabilities Guidelines are adapted from AQHA Equestrians with Disabilities and Special Olympics Summer Sports Rules-Equestrian.

• Exhibitors are encouraged, but not required to be members of the National Snaffle Bit Association. Exhibitors must be an NSBA member in order to earn NSBA points and qualify for the NSBA Show Perks program and NSBA Year End High Point awards.

• Riders or their families do not have to own the horse. The horse, however, must be registered with one of the Alliance breeds, ABRA,AQHA, APHA, ApHC, IBHA, PHBA, PtHA, and POA. Only Geldings or mares may be shown. No stallions are allowed. A horse may be shown only once in each class.

• Each participant in the NSBA Independent and Supported classes must be at least 8 years of age and have a diagnosed mental or physical condition as listed below and attested to by a licensed medical physician on the NSBA or breed association Special Diagnosis Form (www.nsba.com) which must be submitted with the entry form.

• Eligible conditions for participation in the NSBA Independent and Supported classes include: amputation, Arthrogryposis, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, Batten’s Disease, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), cerebella ataxia, Cerebral Palsy, Coffin Lowry Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome**must have negative cervical x-ray for Atlantoaxial Instability, dwarfism, Fragile X Syndrome, Freidrick’s Ataxia, Guillan Barre Syndrome, hearing impairment, Hunter’s Syndrome , Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, cognitive disabilities, Microcephaly, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Post Polio Syndrome, Prader Willie Syndrome, Rhett Syndrome, Spina Bifida, spinal cord injury, Tourette’s Syndrome, traumatic brain injury, trisomy abnormalities and visual impairments.

• Participants in the Independent and Supported rider classes must present a Special Adaptive Equipment form available from the National Snaffle Bit website (www.nsba.com) which must be completed by a PATH certified Instructor, certified Special Olympic Coach or certified therapeutic riding instructor, indicating the adaptive equipment required for the participant. This must be submitted with the entry form.

• Each exhibitor in an independent class must have a spotter in the arena. Spotters will not have contact with the horse or rider unless needed to assure safety or directed by a judge or ring steward. The spotter must be 16 years or older. A halter must be on each horse either over or under the bridle for use by the spotter if needed. The spotter must have a suitable lead in case of need. The lead may not be fastened to the bit. A lead line must be attached to the halter and not to the bridle. Chains may not be used over or under the nose but may be looped through the bottom halter ring.

• The exhibitor in a supported class will have the presence of a leader. Leaders will have contact with the horse using a loose lead attached without a chain to a halter in a manner that does not interfere with reining of the horse. A lead line must be attached to the halter and not to the bridle. Chains may not be used over or under the nose but may be looped through the bottom halter ring. The supported rider may need the support of one or two side walkers.

• All supported riders must be able to hold reins.

• A five minute warm up is provided for each RWD class during which coaches may instruct their riders in the show arena.

• Classes will be split at 10 horses unless waived by participants.

• Once the class has started, unauthorized assistance from horse leaders, spotters and side walkers will result in penalties. Side walkers may not give verbal commands or extra physical prompting, except in case of emergency.

• A rider may not show in any other youth, amateur or open categories while showing in the Riders with Disabilities classes.  A rider may show in only one of the Riders with Disabilities categories, Independent or Supported. If a rider’s condition deteriorates so that the rider can no longer ride as an independent rider, but now needs support, this must be documented by the physician and, if participating in a therapeutic riding program,  the certified PATH instructor.

Attire and Equipment

• Exhibitors will be responsible for providing their own mounting systems.

• Equipment should conform to the needs of the competitor and be suitable for the horse. Adaptive equipment will be allowed as listed on the Special Adaptive Equipment Form which must be submitted with the entry form. Riders may use adaptive equipment without penalty. (Note: Riders may in no way be attached to the horse or saddle.)

• Acceptable adaptive equipment includes: audio communications, bareback pads, boot adaptations, dowel reins, hand holds (flexible and/or rigid), helmets, laces to tie stirrups or leathers to girth or cinch, ladder reins, loop reins, rein handles, rein handle tethers, rubber bands, saddle blocks, wedges, cushions, safety stirrups, seat savers, surcingles, whips (one or two). Other equipment will be considered upon request. Cue cards may be used for hearing impaired athletes. In order for the cues to be universal, they should be designated as follows: 1=Walk, 2=Sitting Trot/Jog, 3=Posting Trot, 4=Canter/Lope, 0=Reverse, Universal Stop Sign=Halt

• English classes - riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened ASTM® approved protective helmet with harness. No equipment is allowed that would in any way affix the rider to the horse or saddle with the exception of light rubber bands. Safety stirrups (Peacock, S-shaped irons or Devonshire) are required if rider is unable to wear boots with a heel. Peacock irons are recommended in all cases. Proper English attire is required as set forth in the NSBA Official Handbook.

• Western classes - riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened ASTM® approved protective helmet with harness. A Western hat may be affixed over the helmet. No equipment is allowed that would in any way affix the rider to the horse or saddle with the exception of light rubber bands. Safety stirrups (covered or other approved safety stirrups) are required if rider is unable to wear boots with a heel. Proper Western attire is required as set forth in the NSBA Official Handbook.

• Bridles must be appropriate to the class entered and meet the requirements listed in the NSBA Official Handbook.

• Halters are required for all Independent and Supported classes. The halter may be over or under the bridle as long as it doesn't interfere with the use of the bit or the reins.

• A lead line must be attached to the halter and not to the bridle. Chains may not be used over or under the nose but may be looped through the bottom halter ring.

Fees

Riders may apply for a grant through the NSBA Foundation to fund NSBA World Championship Show RWD class entry fees and stalls.

Riders with Disabilities Forms

Financial Assistance Request			117.33 KB
Riders With Disabilities Disclaimer			200.44 KB
Special Diagnosis Form			106.32 KB
Special Equipment Form			108.2 KB

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