RULES Please note that individual race meets may have their own set of rules.  The following rules apply to the NAPPA Championship and to race meets that refer to the NAPPA rules.  In instances where these rules do not apply, the National Steeplechase Association Rules will be used.

 Field Master’s Chase Rules
•    The Jr Field Master’s Chase is open to young riders who have not reached their 16th birthday as of the first of the current year.
•    Any mount over 14.2 hands will be considered a horse.  Prizes will be awarded to the first small, medium, and large pony across the finish line, as well as the first thoroughbred and first non-TB across the finish line.  Pending sufficient entries, categories will break into horse and pony (ponies will be split into size divisions pending sufficient entries).  
•    No mount shall have won a sanctioned timber race in the last 3 years and no rider may have won a sanctioned race in the last 5 years.  Riders are not eligable for any other race on the day besides flat or relay races.
•    The Jr Field Master’s Chase will be no longer than 2 miles with no more than 12 jumps.
•    Whips are not allowed in Junior races, rounded end spurs of reasonable size are allowed.  Stewards may ask riders to remove spurs if they are to long or not smooth.
•    No BLINKERS allowed.
•    Field Master should lead the field at a good hunting pace over the course.  The pace should be doable for the field’s level of riding.
•    The Start- Riders will circle and line up like a regular race.  The Field Master will start before the field and then the starter can signal the field to start after the Field Master is about 30+ feet ahead of the field.
•    All riders must JUMP all of the fences that the Field Master jumps unless otherwise noted (ie. Jumps may change/be omitted due to bad ground, but otherwise this should remain a jumping race)
•    Riders are allowed to circle twice, but will be deemed out of control and DQed if they circle a 3rd time. 
•    If an entry refuses, the rider should return to the back of the field before they retry the jump.  The rider should not interfere with the field when reproaching a jump.  A rider may attempt a jump 3 times, but will then be DQed if they can not clear the jump by the 3rd try.
•    Outriders and the Field Master may also DQ riders if they think they are a hazard to the field or if they are out of control.
•    Riders should stay BEHIND the Field Master and Field Master may deem an entry DQ if they are out of control or dangerous to the rest of the field.If a rider passes the Field Master at any point without being released, they will be DQed.  It is considered passing the Field Master when the horse’s nose goes past the Field Masters knee.  The Field Master should warn the rider if they feel like they are endanger of passing. 
•    The Field Master will not wait for stragglers, outriders will help them.  Although the Field Master may stop the race if they feel that the safety of the field is in jeopardy at any time. 
•    All riders have the right to protest the results of the race.  If a rider has a protest, they should report to the stewards immediately after the race.  Interference in the stretch will be taken seriously.
•    Field Master will signal the field to race to the finish at a predetermined point after the last fence, which should be made know to the “Field” ahead of time.  This will be done “on the fly” without slowing down.  The Field Master’s pace should remain steady right up until the release.  It is suggested that the field has a minimum of 1/16 of a mile to race to the finish but 1/8+ mile is preferred.  The field should NOT be pulled up or lined up before the release.

GENERAL RULES & Suggested Requirements

1.    All entries must be checked in with the race day secretary at least 1 hour prior to post time of the entered race.  All entries failing to check in after the said time may be automatically scratched.
2.    Entries that are not in the paddock at least 10 minutes prior to post time will automatically be scratched.
3.    All entries are to be saddled in the paddock unless otherwise granted permission by the Paddock Judge.
4.    Horses/ponies may only run in one race per meet.
5.    All horses /ponies must present proof of a current negative coggins test on the day of the race. 
6.    Proper documentation, all dues, and entry fees must be paid before an entry will be given a number cloth.
7.    Riders must wear either hunting attire or racing attire and silks, unless otherwise specified.  Protective vests and SEI/ASTM/NSA approved helmets are required.  Overgirths are required for racing tack and may be made mandatory for all races.  Check with each meet for requirements. 
8.    Racing (light) tack is permitted unless otherwise noted.  Overgirths are mandatory with the use of racing tack.
9.    The use of whips is strictly prohibited in all junior races.
10.    All entered horses and riders are to have fairly hunted unless otherwise noted.  Entries must present a validation of hunting certificate signed by the MFH of a hunt.  Every horse and rider entered must have proof of having hunted a minimum of 2 times during the last calendar year (see condition book for certification form).  A horse must be out with hounds for a minimum of 2 hours to count as a hunting day. 
11.    Ponies may be measured the day of their first start.  Ponies must remain in the category determined at their first start for the duration of the racing calendar year.  AHSA measurement cards are acceptable.
12.    No race condition shall be changed without the approval of the Stewards of that race meeting.
13.    Races may be run over fair hunting country, which may include water and road crossings.
14.    Those wishing to obtain points for the NAPPA Series entries must be current members of the NAPPA.
15.    No entry with outstanding debts with a NAPPA race meet may participate in the Championship until those accounts are settled.
16.    All horses and riders must be acceptable to the Hunt they represent, the Race Committees, the Stewards, and the North American Point to Point Association.  Individual meetings reserve the right to refuse any entry.
17.    The Race Committees reserve the right to split, combine, change the order of, add, or cancel any race. 
18.    Races are to be combined or split upon adequate number of entries.  No field may exceed 16 entries.
19.    NAPPA, Race Committees, all Officials, and the Owners of the properties on which races are held assume no responsibility for injury or loss incurred by either participants or spectators and entries are accepted only under the conditions that the participants release them from any and all liability.
20.    All owners, trainers, and riders agree to hold harmless NAPPA, each respective Committee, all officials, and all landowners for any injuries, accidents and mishaps that might occur prior, during, and following the races.
21.    Workmen’s Compensation or personal health insurance of all riders is strongly encouraged and is required by most meets.
22.    Stewards:  Three stewards are to be present at each race meet. 
23.    In any situation that NAPPA rules do not cover, the National Steeplechase Association rules may be used as a guideline by the Stewards to resolve any claim of foul or dispute.
24.    Any rider who falls will not be allowed to ride again that day until he or she is examined and cleared by the official physician who will advise the presiding NAPPA Steward.  This Steward is responsible for granting, or denying, permission to ride after a rider has fallen.
25.    All Adult Riders must have reached their 16th birthday as of the first of the current year.  Junior Riders are defined as riders who have not reached their 16th birthday as of the 1st of the current calendar year.
26.    Horses must be entered and run under their registered names if they have one.
27.    All allowances must be claimed at time of entry.  Correct weights are the responsibility of the person making the entry.
28.    Riders are responsible for their own lead pads, weights, overgirths, and other tack.
29.    The NSA does not sanction point-to-points; therefore, results will have no effect on a horse’s eligibility in sanctioned races.
30.    The official veterinarian may recommend to the Stewards that an entry be scratched.
31.    All riders’ wishing to qualify for the NAPPA Championship Series must ride in the name of a hunt as recognized by the MFHA.  All riders must be either a member of a MFHA hunt or approved by the MFHA Master under which hunt they will compete.
32.    There will be a 5-pound mare allowance.
33.    All horses/ponies are permitted to run in only 1 race per race meet.
34.    Blinkers are prohibited in all Field Master Chases, Junior Races, and Relay Races.
35.    If an individual falls off during a race, they will be disqualified and may not finish the race.
36.    If a Field Master falls off, the Field must wait for him/her to remount, before the race resumes.  If the Field Master is unable to continue, the Field Master or an official may allow the Field to continue the race at a hunting pace and then race to the finish after the final fence.