CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

BEGINNER CLASSES: Rider must be in their 1st or 2nd year of showing regardless of discipline. (3rd year upon appeal to show committee). Open riders in any discipline may not enter any Beginner classes.

BEGINNER HUNTER CROSSRAILS AND BEGINNER CROSSRAILS EQUITATION: Rider must be in their 1st or 2nd year of O/F classes only.

SMALL FRY DIVISION: These classes are for children 10 years old & under who are not ready for the Beginner Division classes. The only other class they may enter is Leadline. Rider must walk only, unassisted, in both directions of the ring. Walk-trot 1 @ time does require a trot. Approved helmets required for all riders. Parents and trainers are not allowed in ring during the class.

LEADLINE & SMALL FRY CLASSES: All riders are required to wear an approved helmet.

EQUITATION AND HORSEMANSHIP CLASSES: These classes will be pattern only. Only exception to this rule is for Small Fry Equitation/Horsemanship class. That class will remain rail work only.

GAITED PLEASURE: This class is for flat shod gaited horses. Exhibitors will be asked to show at the walk and appropriate gait for their breed. Horse & rider should exhibit a smooth natural gait fitting to their breed.

GAITED EQUITATION/HORSEMANSHIP: This class is for flat shod gaited horses where the rider is judged on their riding ability. It will consist of rail work only.

JACK BENNY 29 & OVER W-TROT/JOG/GAIT CLASS: This is a W-T class for riders 29 years & over in all disciplines (western, huntseat or gaited).

CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSES: All riders are allowed to show in the Championship classes. There are no year-end awards for Championship classes.

OPEN RANCH HORSE PLEASURE: Horses will show at the walk, jog/trot, and lope/canter on the rail. They will be expected to reverse away from the rail, to halt and to back. An extended walk or jog/trot is at the discretion of the judge. The extension of the jog/trot may be ridden sitting in the saddle, posting, or standing in the stirrups. The horse should move naturally in a free-flowing and cadenced stride and should appear to be relaxed, willing and a pleasure to ride. The horse should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and without requiring undue restraint.

ALL TRAIL CLASSES: These classes will all be held outside of the arena. There will be a separate judge for the trail classes. Year end points go with horse & rider combinations. Trail classes will be run between 10 AM & 3 PM

BEGINNER TRAIL CLASS: Exhibitor in 1st or 2nd year of showing in trail. Rider may NOT enter Open Trail Class. Beginners MAY enter In-Hand and Communication Challenge Trail classes.

(OVER)

OPEN TRAIL CLASSES: Rider who has shown in trail classes for more than 2 years. Rider may NOT enter Beginner Trail Class.

IN-HAND TRAIL: This class is run just like the regular trail classes except the exhibitor is not mounted. The horse is led through the obstacles of a posted pattern and is judged in the same manner. Horse may be in full tack and bridle, or shown in a halter. Exhibitor should be in show attire.

COMMUNICATION CHALLENGE TRAIL CLASS: The Communication Challenge is designed to test how well the Handler can communicate with their horse by successfully completing a task, or obstacle using only a 12’ line and a communication wand.

The Handler will have three (3) minutes to obtain as many points as possible by successfully completing a selection of six (6) tasks/obstacles from the course posted.

If time allows, one or all tasks/obstacles may be repeated one time AFTER ALL of the selected (6) tasks/obstacles have been attempted.

Judges will have a maximum point value for each task/obstacle posted, and may award points up to that maximum at their discretion.

The horse should perform the task WILLINGLY and with DIGNITY. Points should be deducted for the use of force or coercion. Subtlety and finesse should be rewarded.

The Handler with the highest number of points wins the class.

In case of a tie, the Handler with the highest number of points in the more difficult “challenge” obstacle will win.

Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of both the horse and the Handler will be beneficial in determining strategy for this class.

EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE TASKS/OBSTACLES ARE:

---Send your horse over a bridge from a set position

---Toss rope/string over horse’s back, front and rear legs (both sides).

---Back your horse through cones using pressure on face/chest.

---Yield your horse’s hindquarters with a slack rope and without touching.

---Send your horse to stop on a bridge for 7 seconds from a set point.

---Weave your horse through cones from outside a barrier.

---Have your horse put one foot inside a hoop while spraying with (WATER to simulate fly spray) spray.