WHAT IS A HORSE NAME?
Barn Name vs. Show Name and Required Documents
What is your horse's name? Most horses have barn names and show names. Horse names used for shows must be consistent, particularly for the show entry, Coggins and proof of vaccination.
Breakdown of horse names:
Barn Name: Can be anything you want to call your horse and you want others to call him/her.
USEF Licensed Show Name: Must have the same name on the following:
Schooling Show Name: You can use a barn name but you must have the same name on the following:
Why is this necessary? If you enter Mary Poppins in a show and the Coggins and proof of vaccination only have Mary on them, show management cannot verify that the Coggins and the proof of vaccination are for the horse you plan to show.
If two people are riding a horse in the same show, the same horse name should be used in both entries.
HINT: When getting a new Coggins and/or new vaccinations, ensure your veterinarian puts both the show name and the barn name on the paperwork.
For USEF licensed shows, USEF has a rule for this:
USEF SUBCHAPTER 9-C SUBMISSION, ACCEPTANCE, AND REFUSAL OF ENTRIES
GR907 Requirements
4. Misrepresentation of a horse’s identity, name, height, age, eligibility for the class, registered or recorded number or other information on an entry blank for the class in question results in the exhibitor’s forfeiture of any ribbon, trophy, cash prize or other award won by such misrepresented or substituted animal. For Dressage Competitions, any documentation such as negative EIA certification that is required for entry to a competition must list the same horse name and description as is listed on the entry blank and on the USEF horse identification or recording documents. The exhibitor is liable for further penalty as described in GR703.
Breakdown of horse names:
Barn Name: Can be anything you want to call your horse and you want others to call him/her.
USEF Licensed Show Name: Must have the same name on the following:
- Show entry
- USEF horse identification or recording name
- USDF horse identification or registered name
- Coggins - if it has only the barn name, get a letter from your vet stating that horse with barn name A is the same horse as horse with show name B
- Proof of vaccination (if required by the show) - if it has only the barn name, get a letter from your vet stating that horse with barn name A is the same horse as horse with show name B
- Horse breed registration papers, if required for the shows
Schooling Show Name: You can use a barn name but you must have the same name on the following:
- Show entry
- Coggins - if it has only the barn name but you want to enter the horse using the show name, get a letter from your vet stating that horse with barn name A is the same horse as horse with show name B
- Proof of vaccination (if required by the show) - if it has only the barn name but you want to enter the horse using the show name, get a letter from your vet stating that horse with barn name A is the same horse as horse with show name B
Why is this necessary? If you enter Mary Poppins in a show and the Coggins and proof of vaccination only have Mary on them, show management cannot verify that the Coggins and the proof of vaccination are for the horse you plan to show.
If two people are riding a horse in the same show, the same horse name should be used in both entries.
HINT: When getting a new Coggins and/or new vaccinations, ensure your veterinarian puts both the show name and the barn name on the paperwork.
For USEF licensed shows, USEF has a rule for this:
USEF SUBCHAPTER 9-C SUBMISSION, ACCEPTANCE, AND REFUSAL OF ENTRIES
GR907 Requirements
4. Misrepresentation of a horse’s identity, name, height, age, eligibility for the class, registered or recorded number or other information on an entry blank for the class in question results in the exhibitor’s forfeiture of any ribbon, trophy, cash prize or other award won by such misrepresented or substituted animal. For Dressage Competitions, any documentation such as negative EIA certification that is required for entry to a competition must list the same horse name and description as is listed on the entry blank and on the USEF horse identification or recording documents. The exhibitor is liable for further penalty as described in GR703.
WHAT SHOULD A RIDER DO?
- Determine your horse's barn name and show name.
- When you get a Coggins done, ensure both names are on the document.
- When you get flu/rhino vaccinations done, ensure both names are on the proof of vaccination document.
- If the Coggins and/or proof of vaccination do not have the name you will use for a show, get a letter from your vet stating that horse with barn name A is the same horse as horse with show name B.
- Ask your veterinarian to update their office records to include both the barn name and the show name to ensure that both names appear on all documents generated by the office.