Video Procedures

2025 Procedures for Videoing NCHA Approved Events (NCHA Rule Book)

1.        All NCHA approved classes must be video recorded.

2.        The Videographer must have the understanding that their first responsibility is to make quality videos for NCHA reviewing purposes. Only NCHA certified videographers can be used. All videographers, including replacement or fill-in videographers must be certified and a current NCHA member .There will be a $150 fee to apply and or recertify.

3.        www.nchavst.com . After passing the on-line NCHA videographer test you will enter a probational period.  All applicant videographers will be required to send a copy of their first video footage of the year with two classes (ex. Open and Non-Pro) to Video West Productions (see #21 this section) for review and approval to become a NCHA Videographer.

4.        All NCHA videographers are required to recertify every (2) two years. All NCHA videographers will be required to send a copy of their last video footage of the expiring year, with two classes (ex. Open and Non-Pro) to Video West Productions (see #21 this section) for review and approval to remain a NCHA videographer. Show producers must ensure the videographer has the proper certification and are aware of and complying with the requirements prior to the start of the show.

5.        While videoing classes, videographers must not talk on a cell phone, or talk to contestants, and have only limited communication with the judges. It is very important that the judge or monitor reviewing the video hear all the arena sounds and should not be distracted by ongoing conversations on the video.

6.        NCHA will only accept DVD-Rs, SD cards, thumb drives, or USB 3.0 external hard drives.

a.    The Videographer will turn in a Weekend Field Monitor’s Report along with all the video runs and judges’ sheets to the judge(s) at the immediate conclusion of the show.

b.    All video media should be labeled with the name of the show, date, classes, and judge name. Retrieving a specific horse and rider video is important throughout the show and after the show. Each set, class and day needs to be easily identified to assure that information retrieval is guaranteed. All videos stored on DVDs, USB external hard drive, SD cards or thumb drives need to be organized, so that a specific horse, rider, set, class, and day of the show can easily be identified for review purposes at any time.

7.        Videographers may be requested to forward additional videos to the Director of Judges for review.

8.        Camera should be positioned as near the center of the arena as possible and should be at approximately the same height as the judge’s stand.

9.        Do not leave the camera stationary.

10.      Take all precautions to ensure the lighting is proper.

11.      Videos must have horse, rider, and cow in the picture always. Do not zoom in on rider too closely to prevent getting the overall action.

12.      Allow lead-in footage before horse begins to work and after buzzer sounds, the horse leaves the arena and is no longer in the judge’s sight. Be sure the horn or buzzer sound is heard on recording as well as the announced score.

13.      If camera is not capable of producing titles, it should be left on long enough to obtain names of horses and or riders.

14.      Whether using DVD, SD card, USB or thumb drive media for storage purposes, individual video/movie files of each horse and rider must be produced. Each horse and rider exhibitor video file within a set, class and day of a show must be distinguished from the next horse and rider video within that same set in the order in which the set was shot. Do not omit any horses in any class. No extended stream of video containing multiple competitors is acceptable. Identifying the horse and rider/exhibitor at the beginning of each run is required. Begin recording early enough to record the announcer’s introduction of each horse and rider. If it becomes necessary for the videographer to supply the introduction at the start of each run, please do not say the names of the horses or the exhibitors unless you are the official show announcer. As each horse approaches the herd, the videographer should speak into the microphone of the camera. For example, they should say: “This is the Non-Pro Class, third horse.”

15.      If the secretary receives numerous complaints regarding a judge’s performance, the secretary may submit the video along with the judge’s score card to the Director of Judges for review. This will not replace a formal protest.

16.      Under the Self Adjusted Monitor System (SAMS), please have adequate equipment available. A judge is required to review the video in a place where they are completely separated from the contestants and away from the video stand. All events using the Self Adjusted Monitor System (SAMS) must provide an isolated location to review the runs in question. The room is to include a large TV (preferably with at least a 30-inch screen), one station with monitor and media player (i.e., recorders or computers) with 1/16 slow motion and play back capability is required for the judge. Under no condition is a judge to review any runs in the arena or in the presence of contestants, owners, or other judges. At all monitored events, two stations with monitors and media players (i.e., recorders or computers) with 1/16 slow motion and play back capability are required for the NCHA monitor.

17.      When a video is received at the NCHA office that is of poor quality, the NCHA Judges Department will:

a.    Notify the event’s producer and show secretary and fine the videographer $50.

b.    Additional footage may be requested and sent to the NCHA Video Support Team (VST) to be evaluated. The videographer will contact the VST to seek assistance in resolving the issue.

c.     Upon receiving a second inferior quality recording from the videographer, the videographer may be fined $200, which must be paid prior to the videographer’s next event and verified by the show management that the videographer has been cleared to video any upcoming show for them. It is the videographer’s responsibility to contact the VST to discuss the video quality notification.

d.    Upon receiving a third inferior quality recording, the videographer may be fined a minimum $500 fine or revocation of videoing privileges, or both.  All disciplinary actions listed in these rules are guidelines only and may be increased or decreased by the Director of Judges, in his sole discretion, based on the severity of the violation in question.

18.    The Field Monitor system requires that each show reproduce and provide video copies for the NCHA Judge at the end of each show. The judge will have three days to mail the copies of their judges’ sheets and a copy of their videos of the approved NCHA classes that they judge.

a.    All classes, including Limited Age Event classes, will be included in the Field Monitor Program.

19.    At shows with multiple judges (Championship and non-monitored Limited Age Events), each judge is required to mail a copy of their judge's score sheets and video to their assigned field Monitor within3 days of the end of the event.

20.      All United States, Canadian and European judges will report to an assigned Weekend Monitor.

21.      Show Management should make sure that their Video Contractors are aware of and are complying with all NCHA requirements PRIOR to the show. See Guidelines for Weekend Monitor Program for Judges and Regulations for Limited Age Events. Contact for video training:

Video West Production Ted Petit,

1739 Marion Street, Georgetown, SC. 29440

Cell: 661-492-2621

Web site:  www.nchavst.com

 Email: ted.petit@yahoo.com