Classic Series Six-Horse Hitch

History

The six-horse hitch carries forward a proud tradition rooted in the days when draft horses provided the power behind farms, businesses, and communities across North America. As mechanization changed that way of life, the six-horse hitch evolved from a demonstration of working power into a celebrated showcase of draft horse breeding, horsemanship, teamwork, and presentation. In 1987, Dr. John Weber of Live Oak Plantation helped give this tradition a new competitive home by creating the Six-Horse Hitch Classic Series, bringing exhibitors together from across North America. What began as an avenue to promote the draft horse and provide greater opportunities for exhibitors grew into an organized circuit of competition that celebrates the strength, beauty, and heritage of the six-horse hitch. Today, the tradition continues not only through competition, but through education, introducing spectators and future generations to the unique history and qualities of the draft horse breeds, while creating opportunities to encourage, educate, and support youth as they become the next generation of draft horse enthusiasts and exhibitors.

About

A six-horse hitch class is judged on the overall quality, condition, presentation, and performance of the hitch as a complete unit, including the horses and driver. The judges consider how well the horses match in conformation, size, color, and movement, along with the appearance of the wagon, harness and overall turnout. The hitch should move smoothly and willingly, respond to the driver, and demonstrate balance, and control. Ultimately, the goal is to present a powerful, well-matched, beautifully conditioned hitch that works together effortlessly and makes a strong overall impression in the ring.

Membership

Membership in the North American Six-Horse Hitch Classic Series may be held by any individual, firm, or partnership, who is interested in the promotion of the draft horse and the competitive showing of draft horses.

1. Annual dues of one hundred dollars ($100.00), in addition to the General Membership dues, are required to compete in the Six-Horse Hitch Division of the NASHHCS.
2. Said dues must be paid prior to competing in any Six-Horse Hitch class.
3. Members of the Six-Horse Hitch Division are the only members entitled to nominate and vote on the Six-Horse Hitch and Classic Cart judges for the Classic Series Finals.

Rules

1. All exhibitors in a Six-Horse Hitch class must have a Six-Horse Hitch membership prior to competing in the class.
2. A single member number allows the member to accumulate points from only one Six-Horse Hitch.
3. Additional Six-Horse Hitch entries require an additional General Membership as well as a Six-Horse Hitch membership.
4. Any variation from this will require a separate membership number. Any question or concern about what constitutes a hitch will be resolved by the Board of Directors.
5. Only one set of points will be awarded to each Six-Horse Hitch.
6. Points will be awarded only if all members participating in the class are, at a minimum, hitched to a wagon and the hitches are in motion during the class.
7. No points will be awarded as the result of a random draw.
8. All six (6) horses competing under a single member number in a Six-Horse Hitch class must be the same breed.
9. Spotted Drafts will have their points included in the Clydesdale/Shire Division.
10. The Six-Horse Hitch will run concurrently with the NASHHCS points year beginning the day after Labor Day and concluding on Labor Day of the following year.

Show Rules

1. The show must register with the NASHHCS and follow the Qualifying Show guidelines.
2. Any hitch showing in a Six-Horse Hitch class must be a paid member of NASHHCS. It is the responsibility of the respective shows to verify said membership.
3. Any show hosting a single (1) Six-Horse Hitch class is required to register the class and pay a minimum premium of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). This single class cannot be breed or gender specific.
4. Shows that host multiple Six-Horse Hitch classes:
   • A show offering any breed-specific (Belgian, Percheron, or Clydesdale/Shire/Spotted Draft) or gender-specific (mare or gelding) Six-Horse Hitch class is required to register the class and pay a minimum premium of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).
   • A combined Six-Horse Hitch class (open to any or all breeds and sexes) must be registered and pay out a minimum premium of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for each Six-Horse Hitch class offered.
5. The full minimum premium money must be paid completely regardless of how many hitches are in the class.
6. The entire Six-Horse Hitch class must be placed from top to bottom.
7. Each NASHHCS member participating in the class must, at a minimum, be hitched to a wagon, and the hitches must be in motion for the class to qualify as a points class.
8. Only one set of points will be awarded to each Six-Horse Hitch class
9. No points will be awarded as the result of a random draw.
10. At the completion of the show, the show must submit the results online through the NASHHCS website, listing the placing of every hitch in the class by its hitch, farm, or membership name or number and the premium money paid to each hitch in the class.
11. Submit results within 10 days of the conclusion of the show.
12. Any show with a NASHHCS class or classes that do not meet all the requirements listed above may be suspended for a period to be determined by the Board of Directors.
13. A Six-Horse Hitch show does not have to offer a Classic Cart, Classic Halter, Classic Riding or Youth Cart in conjunction with the Six-Horse Hitch class.
14. The Six-Horse Hitch will follow the same competition season as all other divisions of NASHHCS, ending Labor Day.

World Finals Participation

Requirement to compete at the Classic Series Finals:

1. Must be a current paid member in good standing of the NASHHCS.
2. Only one (1) hitch per membership will be allowed to participate in the Classic Series Finals.
3. Must be one of the top five (5) of his/her breed for total points in the year of competition.
4. A hitch must either accept or decline the Classic Series Finals invitation within 72 hours of direct contact by the Board of Directors. In the event a qualified hitch declines to attend, the next highest point earner of that breed will be invited, and so on, with the goal of having fifteen (15) hitches compete in the Classic Series Finals: five (5) from each breed (Belgian, Percheron, and Clydesdale/Shire/Spotted Draft).
5. In the event a qualifying hitch withdraws from the Classic Series Finals after acceptance and the Board of Directors determines, by majority vote, that said withdrawal was without just cause, the Board may, by majority vote, impose a penalty not to exceed two (2) years, barring the hitch from competing in the NASHHCS Finals and forfeiting NASHHCS benefits.
6. In the event of a tie for the Classic Series Finals, a three-tier tiebreaker will be used. First, the hitches' head-to-head competition will be compared. If they did not compete head-to-head, the hitch that competed in the fewest qualifying classes to earn its points will win the tiebreaker. If the tie is not resolved, the Board of Directors will make the final determination.
7. The owner of a qualifying hitch for the Finals must own at least four (4) of the horses hitched for the Classic Series Finals class or classes