Eye On WESTERN
Showmanship – Judged strictly on the exhibitors’ ability to show a horse at halter. The exhibitors are scored ½ for overall appearance of the exhibitor and horse (poise, confidence, position of the exhibitor and overall appearance of the horse) and ½ towards performance (accurately, smoothly and with a reasonable amount of speed without sacrificing accuracy and precision). The exhibitor should continuing showing the horse until the class has been placed, excused or otherwise instructed by the judge.
Western Pleasure – Judges the horses’ quality of movement, consistency of gaits, condition and conformation. He should be relaxed and natural, flowing and willing giving the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride. The horse is worked in both directions at all three gaits. Exhibitors may also be asked to extend the walk and/or jog and reverse away from the rail at either the walk or the jog (not the lope). The lope must always be with forward motion. All work is completed on a reasonably loose rein (but with light contact and control) with the horse’s head carriage in a relaxed, natural position; poll level with or slightly above the level of his withers and his nose slightly in front of the vertical.
Western Horsemanship - Tests the riders’ ability to work in complete unison with their horse through precise maneuvers. The exhibitors are scored ½ for overall appearance of the rider and horse (balanced, functional and correct position through all maneuvers, condition, health and fitness of the horse,) and ½ towards performance of the pattern. Maneuvers may include walk, jog, extended jog, trot, extended trot, lope or extended lope or combination of those in a straight or curved line, serpentine, circle or figure 8. Additionally; stop, back in a straight or curved line; turn, pivot, spins and/or rollbacks on the haunches and/or forehand; sidepass; two-track or leg-yield; flying or simple lead change; counter-canter; or any other maneuver including riding without stirrups. There is no mounting or dismounting. Railwork, in at least one direction including all three gaits, is required.
Western Riding – Judges the horses’ quality of gates, responsiveness to the rider and lead changes at the lope. The horse should start and finish the pattern with the same cadence and change leads (both front and hind) precisely, easily and simultaneously at the center point between the markers. The horse should cross over the log, at both the jog or lope, without breaking gait or radically changing stride. The horse’s head carriage in a relaxed, natural position; poll level with or slightly above the level of his withers and his nose slightly in front of the vertical and ridden with light contact or on a reasonably loose rein.
Trail – Judges the performance of the horse over obstacles based on manners, responsiveness and quality of movement. Horses should show attentiveness to the obstacles and be able to pick their own way through the course when warranted. They should willingly respond to the rider’s cues on more difficult obstacles. There is no rail work in this class however all three gates (walk, jog, lope) are required at some point as part of the work.
Stock Horse English (Hunter Under Saddle) – Judges the horses’ quality of movement (low, long strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness with relaxed, free-flowing movement) and consistency of gaits. Shown on the rail at the walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring reversing away from the rail. A hand-gallop may also be requested at the option of the judge. The poll should be level with or slightly above the level of the withers to allow proper impulsion behind with the head position slightly in front of or on the vertical.
C:\Data\a737162\MYDOCS\Western.doc