There are rules regarding individuals entered into ADS approved competitions who have been instructed by an official at the competition. The rule states that you can not have had lesson with an official at the competition with in 30 days prior to the competition. The rule is intended to avoid conflict of interest situations between the judge and the competitors. It also seeks to keep the playing field even.

There is a provision in the rule that allows for group clinics under the instruction of a licensed official up to the day of the competition. The clinic has to open to all competitors, and advertised as such in the ADS Omnibus, or other ADS publication at least 45 days before the competition. However, the clinician/official can not school or drive any of the entered horses or ponies.

As you decide your clinic and competition schedule, please keep this rule in mind. It would be a shame to enter an event, only to find yourself disqualified for a recent clinic with an official. If there is a case where you want to go to both a clinic, then compete with in 30 days of your clinic, you would probably be allowed to enter 'HC' which means you will not be competing for placement, but you will be scored. It is generally at the discretion of the organizer to allow that arrangement. I think you find most organizers willing to accommodate that, unless they are over subscribed.

Dates that Andy will be an official will be posted on the calendar of events.

ARTICLE 135 REGULATION GOVERNING JUDGES

6. A judge shall not adjudicate at any event in which a member of his immediate family, a person living under the same roof, a person with whom the judge has a financial relationship, clients or trainers are competing.

8. A horse may not be shown before a judge that is owned by or sold by said judge within a period of three months prior to an event, or currently leased from said judge.

9. No one may show before a judge who boards or trains (for show purposes) any horse under said person’s ownership or lease.

10. No one may show before a judge who has been instructed by said judge within a period of 30 days prior to an event. Group clinics under the instruction of an official involved in the conduct of a competition shall be allowed up to the time of the competition provided that:
a. the clinic is open to all competitors entered.
b. the clinic is advertised in the Omnibus or other ADS publication at least 45 days prior to the date the clinic is scheduled.
c. the clinician does not himself school or drive a competitor's horse or pony.