SSADL 2025 Rule/Change & Amendment –

SECTION D RULE 30 D (i)

Spurs/Spur bands are not permitted in any SSADL classes, with the exception to SIDE SADDLE RIDERS, over the age of 16 years of age where either the SPUR BAND, DUMMY/BLUNT SPUR is allowed. 

 Note: Riders under 16 years of age are NOT allowed to wear any type of spurs at all.

SECTION D RULE 30B and SECTION N RULE 50,

Judges Acting as Grooms including close family members are allowed to groom. However,  any SSADL panel judge who has officiated at a show on the same day may not enter the ring as a groom in any SSADL class at that show.

 SSADL remains a home-produced series, meaning no professionals  (those earning a living from showing, training, or producing horses and ponies) may enter the ring as a competitor or a groom.

The definition of “professional” in this context is explicitly linked to earning a living from activities such as training, teaching, producing, or competing in showing. A professional, by definition, derives financial income from these activities.

Judging within SSADL is a voluntary role, and judges do not receive financial remuneration for their services. Therefore, being an SSADL panel judge does not constitute professional status under this rule. However, if an individual earns their living primarily through showing-related activities (training, producing, competing, etc.), they would be classified as a professional and, as per SSADL regulations, would not be eligible to enter the ring as a competitor or groom.

Furthermore, this rule amendment applies strictly to judges officiating on the same day at a given show. Judges who are not officiating at a show on a particular day are not prohibited from acting as a groom on a different day, provided they do not meet the criteria of a professional as defined above.