Welcome to the Kentucky Paso Fino Horse Association -- 2010 PFHA Grand National Judging System

Approved PFHA Judging System to be used at the 2010 Grand National Championship

Warm-up Stage: Horses will enter the show ring to the right (counterclockwise) on the rail and follow the requirements of the class they are participating in as described in the PFHA rules. Horses must work both sides of the ring by reversing and repeating the requirements. Any rider that requests to be excused before performing the procedures both directions of the arena and reaching the line-up, will be disqualified and not eligible to compete in the championship. All horses will be given the opportunity to go once over the sounding board at either the Paso Corto or Classic Fino, depending on their class requirements. Judges may not confer and all selections will be made individually electronically. Judges will excuse horses not performing the required gait. Those horses who are unruly or lame and those not meeting the attire and appointment requirements will be disqualified. In case there are seven or less entries in the class, the Judges will go directly to the Second Stage of the system.

Second Stage: Judges will select the finalists of the class. Independently with no consultation whatsoever, Judges will select a minimum of seven entries for consideration of the next stage. Entries must be on at least two of the three Judges’ cards or on three of the five Judges’ cards, depending on the system used. In case there are less than seven horses, the ringmaster will contact the Judges to ascertain that entries are on two of three cards or on three of five cards, as the case may be, until a minimum of seven entries is obtained. If the Judges have selected their finalists and no further work is necessary, they may place the class. If at least one Judge is not ready for the final placing, Judges will proceed to the

Final Stage: Electronically, Judges may order those tests accepted in the rulebook for the work off. Two out of three or three out of five Judges must agree for an entry to be worked off and must indicate for which places the work off is being held.

High-Low Olympic Scoring System: Five Judges working independently of each other will place each class. Judge number one will be the Call Judge. Points will be assigned to the placings on a one to ten basis with first place receiving ten points, second place receiving nine points, third place receiving eight points and so forth on down to one point for tenth place. The highest placing and the lowest placing are eliminated for each entry. The remaining three placings are totaled and the entry receiving the most points wins the class. In case of an identical tie, a work off is mandatory. If still tied, then the first or Call Judge’s card will break the tie. If a horse receives four or less placings, the top score is eliminated.