2008 Largo Race Rules

[paintedhorizon]

Here are the final rules folks.


2008 PFHA
LARGO RACE RULES!!


The Largo Race shall be offered at the National Show as Entertainment. There is no eligibility requirement for the race and no show points will be awarded.

If there are 8 entries or less, then the heat races will be eliminated and there will only be the final Largo Race. The deadline for entries will be the same as entries for the Grand National show. The Largo Race will be held no matter as long as there are at least 4 entries. The 16 entries are on a first come, first serve basis. Once the first 16 entries are received, a waiting list shall be established in the show office. If there is a scratch in the initial heats, the next available entry will be inserted into the scratched slot. It is exhibitor’s responsibility to be available should a slot open up. If an entry is not ready to go at heat time, the heat shall be run at the established time with the eligible entries which are present and ready to race.

Largo Race Rules shall be as follows:

(1) Each participant shall be introduced by exhibitor name and horse name during heats and the final class. Prize money shall be awarded to the 4 winners qualifiers for the Final Race in the order of their finish*.

(2) Appointments (tack and attire) shall be the same as in the Paso Pleasure class.

(3) All horse entrants must be registered PFHA horses. All contestants must be pre-entered in accordance with the Grand National Show Prize List which states by September ___, 2008.

(4) Heats will be held on Thursday, September ___, 2008 immediately following Class #__ There will be 4 (four) heats with a total of 4 (four participants) per heat. The first place winner of each heat will continue on to race in the final heat on Saturday, leaving a total of 4 (four) competitors on Saturday. Heats will be adjusted as necessary.

(5) It is the responsibility of all riders to be at the warm-up arena at the conclusion of Class #___ to receive heat designations, and specific rule announcements. Failure to appear on time may result in disqualification from the heats.

(6) The race shall be conducted at a "largo" four beat gait, without any break of gait. Horses breaking gait will be held for five seconds either at the inside of the ring or outside of the ring, whichever they are closer to.

(7) At a minimum, one judge shall monitor all horses in their section of the arena, if four judges, each judge will monitor one side of the arena. Each rider will wear a number, an arm band, or some other easily identifiable item. Specific method will be briefed to all heats immediately after Class#___.

(8) When a judge determines a horse has broken gait, the exhibitor will be identified either through an announcement system, whistle or other appropriate means. Specific method will be briefed to all heats immediately after Class # ___.

(9) No horse shall cut in front of another so as to cause the other to break gait or create a hazardous situation. If one horse breaks this rule more than twice, this horse will be eliminated from the race.

(10) No horse shall cut across the arena or the inside track formed or marked for the race. If any horse does cut across the arena or the inside track, they will be held for five seconds at the spot they cut across.

(11) The distance to be run shall be the equivalent of 1 mile (8 laps of the Perry, GA arena).

(12) A rotating trophy donated by the Sunshine Paso Fino Horse Association will have the winners name engraved on said trophy which is displayed at the PFHA National office. The winner will receive a National Champion Show trophy and National Champion ribbon.

(13) The total amount due from each entry is $200 with the breakdown as follows:

a. $100 for prize money (100% pay back)
b. $100 to cover stall
c. Initial bedding for the horse. Any additional bedding can be purchased at the show office for the same rate as other exhibitors on the grounds.

(15) Horses already entered in the National show and with all entry fees paid, including the $200 stall fee, will only be required to pay the $100 entry fee.

(16) The 100% payback system is as follows:

• First place: 50%
• Second Place : 30%
• Third Place: 15%
• Fourth Place: 5%

*In the event that a qualifier is unable to compete in the final race, prize money will be awarded as stated above for the remaining competitors. Any unpaid prize money will be retained by the show.

[SandyMM]

There will be 4 (four) heats with a total of 4 (four participants) per heat. The first place winner of each heat will continue on to race in the final heat on Saturday, leaving a total of 4 (four) competitors on Saturday.As I said before - this absolutely does not guarantee the 4 best horses make it to the finals.... and who makes it to the finals will be strongly influenced by which horses are assigned to which heats.... It is _entirely_ conceivable, albeit a worst case scenario, that the 1st, 5th, 9th, and 13th fastest horses will represent the 'best of the best' in the largo race.... What if the 4 fastest horses are tossed together in the same heat? Horses 2, 3, and 4 are eliminated from the finals and replaced by horses who are slower and/or less accurately gaited....

Whoever agreed on this rule does _not_ understand heat racing.....

Since horses are not 'seeded', it's a guarantee that some faster, better gaited horses will be combined in same heats and will be knocked out of contention by less deserving horses.

Very poor rule..... said it before and still believe it.

Just curious - do you know where last year's 1st place heat winners finished? (Not a slam on those horses... just making a point.) The overall winner last year was 3rd in his heat race and was probably the only one who didn't break and yet - would be excluded from the finals based on his heat race placement last year.

No champion is worthy of the title if s/he hasn't faced the best of the best....

Very, very poor rule....

[GregM]

The last draft rules I saw were for 3 heats of 6 advancing the top 2 to make 6 in the final, what happened to that? I strongly feel only 4 horses in the ring at a time will greatly detract from the popularity of the event. Four horses will spread out very quickly and make for much less of a show. It's supposed to be a RACE, not a parade. That is a big part of the crowd appeal.

[SandyMM]

Who approved this latest set of rules?

[Fuego]

Relax folks.... the first statement says the Largo race is offered as ENTERTAINMENT. In other words, the Largo Race, Greased Pig Contest, Jugglers and Clowns, etc.... it all means the same to the PFHA.

If you're that unhappy about the rules, maybe you should have taken it upon yourselves to write up the rules and get them approved. But instead you knowingly left the endeavor in the hands of someone that doesn't even own a Paso Fino ( so HOW impotantant is the largo Race to you?)

No slam on you PH, you are to be commended for your efforts and results. Likely wouldn't even be a Largo race at Nat'ls but for your efforts. No one else stepped up to the plate.

Good job and well done PH

[SandyMM]

If you're that unhappy about the rules, maybe you should have taken it upon yourselves to write up the rules and get them approved. But instead you knowingly left the endeavor in the hands of someone that doesn't even own a Paso Fino ( so HOW impotantant is the largo Race to you?)
Did you read the 'input wanted' thread Fuego? If you did, you saw that the previous 'final' and the current 'final' are not the same. Were you involved in the 'hashing out' and have you ever participated in any largo races?

Motorgypsies, the 'unknown competitor', stella, pasoperson38, Greg, and I - among others - have raced at Nationals - so I think we do have some experience with this and are active supporters. We may not agree on all points, but at least we've been at the starting line.

I think PH will tell you we have thanked her for her efforts on mutiple occasions. Nobody said _she_ made any changes. Those of us who have to deal with PFHA on a fairly regular basis know how things get changed somewhere up the line sometimes and no one takes responsibility. I'd rather hammer out the details _before_ I'm sitting on the starting line.

This year's show director is excellent and PH did great work, now I'd just like to know who changed what was generally agreed upon....

[paintedhorizon]

Remember, I do NOT have the final sayso in these negotiations.

What are you wanting Sandy? 16 horses to race together? No matter how you do it, 4, 6, 8, you could still have the same scenario. What if the 6 fastest horses race together and the top 3 were pulled? Then you have the 6 slowest horses. Change the number all you want, it doesn't help.

As far as the 4, that makes it easier on the judges and the lap counter too.

As far as the 4 or 6, that may have been an oversight and can probably easily be changed.

Please tell me, exactly WHAT do you suggest? Remember, yes, this is entertainment, and, IMO, the more heats that are run, the more entertainment there is. I know that not everyone will be happy but the goal of reducing the number of horses per heat was to not only help the judges but to try and keep things as safe as possible for all riders and horses.

Fuego, I may not own a paso and may not be a paying member, but I still feel as if I am a member of the paso fino "society" so to speak. And thank you.

[SandyMM]

http://www.americanpasofinos.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif
Remember, I do NOT have the final sayso in these negotiations.
Who does...

What are you wanting Sandy? 16 horses to race together? No matter how you do it, 4, 6, 8, you could still have the same scenario. What if the 6 fastest horses race together and the top 3 were pulled? Then you have the 6 slowest horses. Change the number all you want, it doesn't help.
I want the last version of the rules posted in input thread so that it is more likely that the best of the best compete. No, the rules aren't perfect with 3 heats of 6 (ideally the final competitors would be chosen by head to head preliminary competition), but they're better than what's posted here. If the judges can watch _35_ horses in a class and 50+ can be in the arena at night training, the judges can surely watch 6 or 8 horses in a race and those racers can maneuver in a virtually empty arena.... where the _only_ criteria is breaking gait...

I said it before and I'll say it yet again, PH, you have done a lot of work on these rules and it is appreciated.

[paintedhorizon]

I have already emailed Gwen and showed her the last one which I had accidently left out. So yes, that should be changed.

I'm not sure who has the final sayso. I would guess the Board of Directors of PFHA or the Show Committee. I am just the first step, you guys are second, Gwen is third, etc.

[paintedhorizon]

Oh, and I'd also appreciate it if anybody has questions or complaints, please PM or email ME about it first, not Gwen. What is the use of me even trying to help with these rules if I'm just going to be stepped over anyway? Why bother?

If we bother them too much, you never know, they may just cancel the race altogether because it's too much hassle.

[GregM]

The last version I saw from the other thread (3 heats of 6, advancing 2 from each, and 6 in the finals) was OK I thought. I still don't see why 8 is so out of the question when multiple pleasure classes can have as many as 32. Are they not watching ALL the horses in those classes? We had 4 judges I believe for the race and only 3 for most classes.

Thanks again for your help PH.

[paintedhorizon]

Greg, I think the complaint was because they would all be moving so fast, and side by side pretty much, not on the edge of the ring like in a regular class, but more towards the middle.

Gwen said it has not gone to print yet so can be adjusted. She and I are working out the logistics of how to say what. But probably look like this.

If there are 6 entries or less, then the heat races will be eliminated and there will only be the final Largo Race. The deadline for entries will be the same as entries for the Grand National show. The Largo Race will be held no matter as long as there are at least 4 entries.

There will be 3 (three) heats with a total of 6 (six) participants per heat. The first and second place winner of each heat will continue on to race in the final heat on Saturday, leaving a total of 6 (six) competitors on Saturday. Heats will be adjusted as necessary.

[GregM]

That looks like what we had before, I think it will work. Thanks.