Below is a list of frequently asked questions that will be added to regularly as questions come in and as new changes are made and planned for the coming 2020 season.
If you have a question not on this list, please contact us and we are happy to answer your questions - thank you!
If you have a question not on this list, please contact us and we are happy to answer your questions - thank you!
Association Questions:
1. Why did you change the name from Bay Area Fox Trotter Association to North Coast Horse Association?
BAFTA (Bay Area Fox Trotter Association) was founded in 2012 and was originally a Fox Trotter club that invited other gaited breeds to our events. Over the years since then, our participation grew to non gaited horses as well and with a name that signified a specific breed for the association, many people were confused and/or felt unwelcome with their non gaited horses. Also, our goal is to educate about, encourage and support all types and skill levels of horses and riders so we felt that a new name that was more inclusive was the way to go.
BAFTA (Bay Area Fox Trotter Association) was founded in 2012 and was originally a Fox Trotter club that invited other gaited breeds to our events. Over the years since then, our participation grew to non gaited horses as well and with a name that signified a specific breed for the association, many people were confused and/or felt unwelcome with their non gaited horses. Also, our goal is to educate about, encourage and support all types and skill levels of horses and riders so we felt that a new name that was more inclusive was the way to go.
Edition Series Horse Show Questions:
1. I wanted to sign up for the show but I do not see a link for entries or class lists under the appropriate show tab - where is the entry information?:
We have started posting our class list and entry forms 30-40 days prior to the show on the website. In the past we posted our entry forms and class lists earlier and when changes needed to be made, there were several versions of our class lists floating around which made for confusion, missed classes and frustration. Our show dates are always posted WAY in advance so we ask that you kindly save the dates for our shows, make sure you follow our facebook page and are on our E mail mailing list and then you will know right away when entries open.
2. I heard that at least one show would be a two day event, but this year all of the shows have been one day - what gives?
The intention for 2019 was to have one show, the Autumn Edition Show, become a one and a half day event. A lot of planning went into creating that plan, which we do hope to facilitate in the coming season, but this year we simply did not quite have the right amount of funding. The only way to make a two day show happen this 2019 season would have been to significantly raise everyone's prices and that is not what North Coast Horse Association is about. Remaining an affordable yet growing show is our main goal so we will try for a two day event in 2020 and see if we can get enough sponsor and show participation to make this happen. We do have ideas of adding a ranch horse division to help accommodate a second day (see below question about Ranch Horse Classes).
3. Why are changes/ division adds not made throughout the year?
We work very hard to create a schedule that flows well with so many breeds and disciplines of riding and to offer something for everyone. At the end of the year, we look at what classes did well with entries and what classes did not and we work on fine tuning the schedule each year. Since several of our sponsors sponsor a class for the entirety of the year, and because many of our participants are working towards a year en high point, we feel it is only fair to make big adjustments at the end of the season for the following year.
4. What's happening with high point awards this year?
Last year we tried to make our high points ultra customized and well, it backfired. There were major delays and mistakes from more than one outsourced company which resulted in our high point awards taking WAY to long to award (we actually still have some left in the show office!). This year, and future years, we will be pre-purchasing high point awards for our participants and they will be available right after the show - we hope to tally points during the show this year so to award them at the Autumn Edition Show - there is a chance we will have to mail them out that week, but we will do our best to do this all at the same time as the show.
5. Do you have any future plans for Ranch Horse Classes?
Yes. We just need to find the proper person to help with adding this division. The division would need to be run in the same area of the trail course, before or after trail, so there is a lot of planning involved but we are working on this. We will NOT however, at this time, be accommodating cattle as it is a great expense that we can not take on without gaining more financial support and sponsors from the trail and ranch divisions.
6. Do you have any changes planned for your trail obstacle challenge?
Yes. Now that our trail obstacle challenge is growing and been consistent with attendance, we will be completely re-vamping our trail challenge for 2020 while still maintaining a lighter, welcoming environment. Remember, the ONLY we way can keep these events going forward and fine tuning divisions is to have sponsors and participants - PLEASE SPONSOR, even if you can not make the show - the future of the show depends on it!