An immediate change has been made in the HPA Section and Divisions and Class Rules and Requirements Section of the SHOW Rule Book. These changes will be put into implementation beginning July 3, 2019...

The changes are below and if a violation is found, a penalty of 1 year will be applied to the trainer of record and/or any person SHOW deems responsible for the improper conduct. Penalty for a second and subsequent violation will be determined by SHOW.

HPA Section:

E.  DQP INSPECTION GUIDELINES

2. Technical Requirements. 
All action devices, pads, and other equipment shall be observed and examined to assure that they are in compliance with USDA Regulations and SHOW Rules. All such equipment on horses examined post show, and on horses examined pre-show that is not clearly in compliance shall be weighed and/or measured. The USDA Regulations and SHOW Rules also prohibit exhibitors from shoeing or trimming a horse’s hoof in a way that would be reasonably likely to cause the horse to suffer pain or distress, inflammation or lameness when it moves. If a DQP suspects such a shoeing technique, or suspects that there is a tack, screw, nail or other device or substance (other than acceptable hoof packing) under the horse’s shoes or pads, the DQP is authorized to direct the horse’s custodian, the show farrier or the farrier of the horse's custodian's preference to remove the shoes or pads, or both, to allow further examination of the hoof. SHOW rules prohibit the use of any impression material, including blue and pink impression material, live rubber, or any substance that can be hardened to form an impression.  Allowable hoof packing includes pine tar, oakum, silicone in its original form and clear in color with no manipulation and commercial hoof packing used to maintain adequate frog pressure or sole consistency.  In addition, SHOW DQPs may at random have horses selected to be checked for compliance with proper hoof packing materials by removing the shoes of those entries at a designated area by either a show farrier or the farrier of choice of the custodian.  SHOW reserves the right to further ban any product found to be used in any way that causes any concern.


Divisions and Class Rules and Requirements Section:

D. General Requirements and Equipment for Horses

(17) Insertion of Material between the Pad and the Hoof. Any object or material inserted between the pad and the hoof is not permitted, except for acceptable hoof packing. SHOW rules prohibit the use of any impression material, including blue and pink impression material, live rubber or any substance that can be hardened to form an impression.  Allowable hoof packing includes pine tar, oakum, silicone in its original form and clear in color with no manipulation and commercial hoof packing used to maintain adequate frog pressure or sole consistency.