Performance Horse Show Classes
Showmanship At Halter Class: Participation in showmanship is mandatory and points earned in this class will be added to the points earned in the following performance classes.
Ranch Riding Class: Ranch Riding serves to measure the ability of the horse to be functional and a pleasure to ride at a working speed while being used as a means of conveyance from one western stock horse task to another. The horse’s performance should simulate a horse riding outside of the arena and that of a working ranch horse. This horse should be well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft, and cadenced at all gaits. The horse should be responsive to the rider, yield to contact, and make all required transitions smoothly, timely, and correctly. The horse should perform with reasonable speed, and be obedient, well-mannered, free, and easy moving.
Horsemanship Class: Riders will be asked to perform individual patterns. The patterns will consist of a combination of maneuvers that will test the equitation/horsemanship skills of the rider. All individuals or finalists may be asked to enter the ring and work on the rail.
Pleasure Class: Horses will be shown at three gaits walk, trot/jog/natural gait, and lope/canter/third gait in each direction of the arena. Horses must back easily and stand quietly. The judge has the option to ask the exhibitor to extend any gait or request any additional work.
Trail Class: Attire and Tack must be acceptable for use in Pleasure classes. No tie-downs, martingales, or mechanical hackamores. The trail course will be closed until the start of the class (no practice on the obstacles). The period in which the obstacle course will be open and contestant order of go will be posted and announced. Riders must take obstacles in order. Missing an obstacle or taking an obstacle out of order is a disqualification. Failure to complete an obstacle once attempted does not constitute a disqualification but should be scored accordingly. A maximum of 3 refusals or 1 minute after the first refusal will be allowed on any 1 obstacle. Beginner Walk-Trot may participate in this class as an exhibition only and No points will be awarded.
Speed Horse Show Classes
Ground Handling Class: Participation in ground handling is mandatory and points earned in this class will be added to the points earned in the following timed event classes.
Cloverleaf Barrels is to be run around 3 barrels set in a clover pattern. Size of course will be determined by available space. The first and second barrels should be at least 20 feet from the fence. Each barrel knocked equals a 5-second penalty.
Flag Race: Two 2-gallon buckets filled with sand are placed on top of barrels 1 and 3, with a flag in one of these buckets. Pick up the flag from barrel 1 and deposit it on barrel 3. The contestant is disqualified for failure to pick up or place the flag, dropping the flag, hitting the horse with the flag, knocking over the barrel or bucket, place the flag side down, running off course, falling of horse or rider.
Texas Barrels is an event in which the contestant weaves through 3 barrels set up in a straight line and turn the 3rd barrel. The contestant can choose to weave starting at the left or the right. Breaking the pattern will result in disqualification/no time. Each barrel knocked results in a 5 second penalty.
Pole Bending is a bending pattern run around 6 poles. Each Pole knocked equals a 5-second penalty.
