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261. General Youth Rules

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Open to youths 6 years old and over that have not reached their 18th birthday as of January 1st of that year.

  1. Classes may be held as 6 years through 17 years or split as 6-13 and 14-17.
  2. Youth may ride or drive mules or donkeys, either female or castrated male only.
  3. Mules (or donkeys) must be gentle and be able to be controlled by youth contestants at all times.
  4. Youth contestants in the youth division shall show only one animal for year-end points. To receive year end points, animal must be registered, and both owner and youth current members.
    1. Points shall be for the youth/mule combination. If another mule is used, points will begin accumulating from the time of change.
    2. AMA will allow hardship clause; in case of injury or sickness another mule may be substituted upon approval by the AMA Executive Board.
  5. Youth contestants shall wear appropriate attire for the equipment being used. (Western attire: safety helmet, belt, western boots, long sleeve shirt with sleeves down and fastened. Shirts shall be tucked in; unless they are designed to be worn out. No bare midriffs are to show. Long pants are required. Authentic suspender pants shall be worn with suspenders with a western saddle. English attire: Exhibitors shall dress in attire suitable for the type of English equipment being used with English saddle.
    1. Hunt seat: Hunt coat, breeches, high English boots, or jodhpurs.
    2. Saddle Seat: Suit or coat.
    3. Youth are required to wear properly fastened protective headgear that meets or exceeds ASTM standards for equestrian use and carry the SEI tag whenever mounted or riding in a wagon or cart at an AMA-approved event. This is NOT limited to classes. Youth are encouraged, but not required, to wear an approved safety helmet in all non-riding or driving classes (halter, showmanship, packing).
    4. A saddle should fit the youth as well as the mule.
  6. Each contestant must have an adult waiting outside the arena so that when class is dismissed, the adult handler may help the contestant exit or, if the contestant should lose control, an adult may help to prevent accidents.
  7. Green mules (or donkeys) shown in snaffles or bosal hackamore by a youth shall be ridden with two hands.
    1. No tie-downs, martingales, cavessons, or draw reins permitted unless otherwise stated in specific division rules. Cavessons are allowed with English tack and attire.
  8. Classes shall compete at the walk, jog (trot), and lope (canter) at the judges’ discretion in the appropriate classes. Youth may be asked to back up.