General Rules & Etiquette

The goal is to have a lot of fun, see old friends, make new ones, show off your beautiful models, hopefully win some stuff, and then get all of those models home safe and sound. The following general rules and etiquette are here to help achieve those goals.

Show Hall

No Alcoholic Beverages
No Smoking (inc. vaping, e-cigarettes, etc)
No Pets
Service Animals are allowed
Be courteous and kind
Badgering, being aggressive, intimidating, or otherwise making a negative scene is grounds for immediate expulsion from the show without a refund for you and your guests.
We want the kiddos to come but they are solely your responsibility. It is expected that you find somewhere else for them to be if they are disrupting showers or endangering their models.
This is a private event in a public setting. Anyone entering the show arena must be invited. We will have a cordoned off section for spectators.
Showers and Guests must wear their wristband (or get a hand stamp) to enter the show arena. (you will receive your wristband on your first day)
We will talk at the event about security and options of leaving your models overnight should you wish to.
Signed Liability waiver must be on file with us in order to enter the show arena. The waiver has space to include your guests' signatures.

The Show

The classes move fast - it is up to you to keep up.
Only pick up someone else's models if you have their permission
If a model is damaged, it is between the parties involved to find a resolution. Note: do keep in mind that you come to the show knowing that it is possible for a model to get damaged. The onus and risk falls on the owner more than anyone else in most cases.

Judges Table

It is recommended that you lay tippy horses down for judging- doing so gives implied consent to the judges to handle them.
Classes move very quickly. Time will be based on the amount of setup required. Once it has been announced as “closed” models will not be accepted.
Classes will not be held or delayed.
Models that are not removed promptly after classes are "pinned" may be moved to the Pony Pound by a judge or volunteer. Leaving it on the table gives implied consent.
Not a rule but a good idea - designate someone as your helper if you have several models that will need to be moved at the same time.
Please do most of your model dusting at your table. Only minor dusting should be considered at the judges table - and please do so without putting the dust on someone else's model.

Judges

Judges may split, merge, or cancel any class they deem appropriate.
For an entry that a judge does not feel is in the appropriate class they may decide to do any one of 3 things:
- judge the model anyway,
- give you the opportunity to put it into a more appropriate class,
- disqualify the model, in which case it is not eligible for another class,
Judges may not judge their own models, their family's models, models they have owned in the last 6 months, models from someone they co own models with, or a model they have customized.
Judges may utilize any resources available in order to make their decisions. This includes but is not limited to: Other judges, showers, books, internet, etc.
Judges decision is final.
Do not get confrontational with a judge. That is grounds for expulsion without a refund
You may ask questions between judging for the purpose of education or clarification only.
If you believe that you are being discriminated against by a judge please bring it to the host's attention.

Proxy

We are not offering Proxy showing for the 2025 event. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope that you will consider just coming out to the show.

Breed Cards & Documentation

Breed cards should be a 3"x5" index card or similar
EVERY ENTRY MUST be accompanied by a completed Breed Card on the judge's table.
Breed Cards MUST include:
- Front side: Class #, Breed, Gender, and Model's name (in that order please)
- Back side: Shower's ID # (given to you when you register), Day (Fri, Sat, Sun)
- You may also include simple documentation notes on the front in lieu of separate paperwork. i.e. Fantasy class info (Pegasus), or for Workmanship (color)
ALL COLLECTABILITY ENTRIES MUST also include documentation explaining what makes your entry collectable. Include proof of rarity, age, and other defining details where possible.
Documentation is recommended for any model details that may not be obvious or common. i.e.. genetic coloring, unusual or mix breed, etc.
Simple documentation notes may be included on the front of your Breed Card.
Documentation is limited to a sheet of paper no larger than 8.5"x11". Books, phones, and tablets may not be used.
Champion and Reserve Champion Cards
- Bring a Show Card up with your winners - It only needs to have your model's name on the front and your ID # on the back.
- The judge will have a card to be signed by the winners. There will be a place to Print your name and your model's name.
For ALL Cards and Documentation - Please make sure it is complete and legible. We have around 1000 entries to input for Namhsa and another 2300 to fill in the top six.

Other General Showing Rules and Guidelines

You many enter 3 models in any given class (with a few exceptions on Friday - See specific rules below). Any over that limit is $1 buy in each.
Performance, Collectability and Workmanship entries are eligible to show in their Breed Divisions and vice versa. However, classes will not be held up to accommodate this.
All Nan division entries are eligible to show in the Friday non-nan divisions.
No Props, riders, or tack (except sculpted on) for Breed and Workmanship Divisions.
A "Pony" is a horse that is generally accepted as being a maximum of 14.2 hands at maturity.
A "Foal" is considered 2 years old and under

Judging Criteria

Performance - All Models will be judged on a combination of
- accuracy, conformation, biomechanics, breed suitability, and condition
- Tack fit and suitability
- Props are appropriate for the scene and scaled correctly
- Documentation is accurate
- Overall setup is cohesive and right for the class it is entered into.
- Judge’s overall impressions
- **whether the judge will take into consideration number of pins is still being decided. This will be updated soon.
Halter Breed - All Models will be judged on a combination of
- correctness,
- conformation,
- biomechanics,
- breed suitability (including color),
- Overall appearance and condition
- Judge’s professional judgement of outstanding achievement and effort.
Collectability - All Models will be judged on a combination of
- Rarity
- Age
- Desirability within the hobby
- Overall appearance and condition
- Documentation is accurate
- Judge’s overall impressions
Workmanship -All Models will be judged on a combination of
- Artistry
- Quality of the work
- Quality of the prep
- Correct Color theory
- Overall Appearance & Condition
- Judge’s overall impressions

Awards

Each Class has several awards
- top 6 receive OTEL ribbons
- top 2 receive NAN cards
- top 3 receive WCMHS cards
Each Section has a Section Champion and Reserve
- All 1st and 2nd place winners in a section compete for Section titles - except Performance where only the 1st place winners compete.
Each Division has a Division Champion and Reserve
- Only Section Champions compete for Division titles
Each Day has a Best in Show Champion
- All Division Champions compete for this title
- This is a show hall vote - everyone participates in choosing the best model.

*see below for specific division details

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minor changes to any of the information on this page may occur if any errors, omissions, or need for clarification are discovered. Announcement will be posted to the Facebook page if this happens.

Breed Card Example

Specific Division Details

The rules and guidelines below are in addition to the information above. Please read both areas for a clear picture of what is expected.

For the NAMHSA breed list click here. This is just a guide you are welcome to use other resources in making your breed determination.

Documentation:

On your Breed Card include Event Type on the front - Required.
Documentation Not Required for Western and English Performance or Saddle Seat
Documentation Required for the rest of the classes.
No references to the artist, tack maker, prop maker, or owner
Describe what the horse is required to do and details about the scene itself. E.G. type of tack or specific gait/maneuver (if not obvious)

General Rules/Guidelines:

only list ONE horse even if there are multiples in your setup
Size limitations - (following Nan rules)
18” x 30” maximum area for most setups
24” x 30” maximum for Over Fences and Stock Work classes
More than 2 horse hitches can exceed the size restrictions without penalty
Photo backdrops are not allowed

Specific Class Instructions:

In-hand setups will go into Other Performance (105)
Western Pleasure (109) - No Setups - meaning no footing or props of any kind. The model should consist only the model, tack, and rider (optional)
All other classes - setups are allowed.

Set up Time:

There will be 10 minutes of setup time for each class unless it becomes clear there are no entries. The timer starts when the class is called.

Documentation:

Not required, however a good story does get factored into the judging in this division.

General Rules/Guidelines:

Models shown in the “Just for Fun” division can show in multiple classes within this division - even within the sections of this division.

Specific Class Instructions:

Fun for Customs: This is Custom models only. All mediums and sizes are welcomed.
- Drastic Realism (201): this is for more than your general mane and tail swap or slight head turn. We want to see some crazy resculpts here. (these are the horses that look nothing like the original mold but it MUST contain at least a body part from an original mold).
- Drastic Fantasy (202): same as above but for our fantasy creations
- Artistry By Owner (203): owner must also be the shower. This can be a repaint, a resin, a resculpt - but you have to be the one that did the work. (no proxy showing here)
- All About the Base (204): Bring your best bases, stands, and landscapes (horses and other animals optional)
- Finish Work (205): Show off your best finished model. This could be etched, airbrushed, oil painted, glittered, etc.
Fun for All: These can be OF or Custom. All mediums and sizes are welcomed.
- Favorite Model (206): CLASS LIMIT IS 1. You cannot buy in for more. We just want to see your very favorite. Choosing just one might not be “fun” for you but it is for us because we know how challenging this usually is. This would be a great class to include a story about why this is your favorite model (keep it to the allowable document size and print large enough to read)
- Farm/Ranch Life (207): Put your creativity to work here and recreate your favorite farm or ranch scene. Bring in the Animals, the trees, the mud...Let's celebrate this way of life.
- Family Affair (208): We’ve seen mare/foal combos but we would like to see the whole family. And let's be honest… It takes a stud to make those beautiful babies. This family does not have to be a typical grouping. You put together the family you want to show.
- Conga Line (209): CLASS MINIMUM IS 3 THE MAX IS HOW MANY YOU WANT TO DISPLAY ON YOUR SHOW TABLE. Form your conga line people. This judge will be coming around to the show tables to judge this class. Most Conga classes have a specific cut off… we wanted to be a little different. So, if you want to bring ‘em please do. A conga is a group of the same mold. They can be OF and Custom finish work. They can even have resculpting done. As long as the original body was the same mold as the others in your group. The whole Conga only needs one "Breed Card". This card is a little different. On the front it should include the Class #, Mold Name, and total # in your conga. the back is the same as the rest.
- Best Name Contest (210): it is what it sounds like. Bring up the model you want the MC to give a shout out to. Judging criteria for this one is whatever names the judge likes best.
Fun by Sponsors: This section is dedicated to celebrating our fabulous sponsor studios. Only the sponsor studios’ work can be shown in these classes. CLASS LIMIT IS UNLIMITED and you can enter into more than 1 class in this section. Include the Studio Sponsor name on the front of your Breed Card.
- Resins (211): only resins sculpted by a sponsor studio. No Medallions. They have their own class.
- Medallions (212): only medallions sculpted by a sponsor studio. These include any with one flat side.
- Resculpts (213): only resculpt work done by a sponsor studio. This can be mane or tail changes all the way to drastics.
- Finish Work (214): only finish work done by a sponsor studio. This can be any medium and method of paint (acrylics, oil; airbrush, sponge, etchies, etc)
- Other Sponsors' Work (215): This would include repair work, cast work, tack, stickers, other swag, etc. Must be hobby related.

Documentation:

For lesser known animals consider including documentation. It’s better to inform the judges then test them.
All Collectability Animals need documentation

General Rules/Guidelines:

Animal entries may also be shown in the Fun Division and used as props in the Performance Division on Friday.
No props, riders, or tack (except sculpted on tack) in this Division
All mediums - i.e. plastics, resins, chinas, etc.
They must be no larger than 1/9th scale

Specific Class Instructions:

Custom Workmanship (418) - if you want your custom model judged on workmanship this is the class. All breeds and colors.

Documentation:

No special instructions here

General Rules/Guidelines:

PLEASE review the NAN 2015 Breed Reference List when deciding which class to enter
For models that don’t fit the breed, the judge may either
1) judge the horse anyway,
2) ask you to put the horse in the appropriate class, if that class has not yet been judged,
3) disqualify your horse if the appropriate class has already been judged
it is the judge's discretion and the judge's decision is final!

Specific Class Instructions:

No special instructions here

Documentation:

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
Models without documentation will be disqualified.
Information should include what makes your entry collectable and shows it to be in the correct class. Include proof of rarity, age, and other defining details where possible.
Documentation notes may be put on the front side of the Breed Card for short explanations as long as it doesn't crowd the other information. i.e. for Fantasy - "Pegasus". You would then not need a separate sheet.

General Rules/Guidelines:

Make sure your entries go into the correct class. If you have questions, ask the judge beforehand.

Specific Class Instructions:

Fantasy - only show - Equine Unicorns, Pegasus, Hippocampus, Hippogriff, Thestral, Zombie Horse, Skeletal Horse, or other fantasy equines that depict a creature that is at least 50% equine in form and does not contain human anatomy. Any other mythical/fantasy creatures should be shown on Friday in the Fun or Animal Divisions.

Documentation:

Not required but suggested for uncommon breeds or colors

General Rules/Guidelines:

Workmanship is judged with like colors not breeds
For models that don’t fit the color, the judge may either
1) judge the horse anyway,
2) ask you to put the horse in the appropriate class, if that class has not yet been judged,
3) disqualify your horse if the appropriate class has already been judged
it is the judge's discretion and the judge's decision is final!.

Medallion Workmanship Instructions:

If there is more than one equid on the medallion - choose one of them as the model entry and put it in the appropriate color class.
A medallion depicting an equid + another animal (E.G. The Drama Club by Rayvin Maddock) is permissible. The focus of the judging will be on the equid and it should be entered into the class appropriate for the equid’s coloring.
A medallion can only be shown in one medallion workmanship class even if it has more than one equid.
All medallions, regardless of the amount of equid depicted will show according to color (e.g. - so there might be full bodies, heads, and an eye only all in the same class because they are all bay)

New to Showing?

Click the button for more information

More info

If you are new to showing, WELCOME. We have worked hard to create an inviting space for new showers. It can seem really scary to enter an open show, especially one of this size but we are here for you. Our judges are fantastic, and all have the same desire to see this hobby thrive and grow. Beyond that we have a group of volunteers that will be on hand to help you at every step. All you need to do is let us know.

The "More info" button above will lead you to a document with some helpful tips.