General Notes
- Hair should be neat – pulled back, no stray hairs, no bangs. Bun is preferred for all except Ranch. Neat ponytail is acceptable for Western classes, but creates movement and should never interfere with Judge view of number.
- Jeans should be long enough to cover boot heel while on the horse. Some “stack” is preferred. NO skinny jeans or boot tucked into jeans unless under chaps. No bling on pockets – will scratch your saddle!
- Belts should be plain – no blingy belts. This causes the appearance of body movement.
Showmanship
Judged on: Correct pattern, confidence, poise, grooming of horse, appearance of exhibitor
Exhibitor Dress:
- Good – jeans, boots, hat, belt, long sleeve button down shirt – tucked in
- Better – Horsemanship shirt (tucked in or untucked) or vest, show slacks, boots, hat, coordinating jewelry
- Best – Showmanship suit – matching jacket and pants, matching boots, hat, coordinating jewelry or scarf
Horse: Bathed, clipped, show halter and lead (with chain) or regular halter and lead, NO bronc halters, NO rope halter Class Routine: Pattern only – Know it well!
Helpful Hints: Runway model “attitude”, never touch your horse, know your quarter system, always keep your eye on the judge, eye contact with judge, practice for 5 minutes at the end of every ride!
Halter
Judged on: Conformation of the horse only
Exhibitor and Horse dress: Same as Showmanship
Class routine: Walk to judge, trot by, trot to line and square up. Judge will do individual inspections and mares are usually required to show their teeth.
Helpful hints: Not as much “attitude” as Showmanship – you are here to show off your horse to the judge. Use half system instead of quarter system. No pattern.
English Horsemanship (aka Hunt Seat Equitation)
Judged on: Rider – seat, hands, legs, heels. Horse – correct diagonals and leads, responsiveness to rider. Head carried level with withers
Exhibitor Dress: Helmet with chin strap, English shirt with collar, English jacket, breeches, belt, clean black boots. Tall boots, or paddock boots with half-chaps (black).
Optional – conservative jewelry, spurs.
Horse: Clean English saddle and pad, English bridle. Optional – mane and tail braided, breast collar
Prohibited: any leg wraps or boots, tie-downs or martingales, nosebands, illegal bits (see 4-H rulebook)
Class routine: Rail work both directions, usually a pattern is required. May be pattern only.
Helpful Hints: Should be a straight line between your ear, shoulder, hip, and heel.
English Pleasure (aka Hunter Under Saddle)
Judged on: Horse. Responsiveness of horse to rider. Head carried level with or just above withers, Correct diagonals and leads, rate of speed – not too fast, but faster than western. Flowing, reaching trot, rider maintaining light contact on reins.
Exhibitor Dress: Same as English Horsemanship
Horse: Same as English Horsemanship
Class Routine: Rail work only. Walk, trot and canter in both directions. Back
Helpful hints: Same as English Horsemanship
English Control
Judged on: Correct pattern, extension of trot, same as English Horsemanship
Exhibitor Dress: Same as English Horsemanship
Horse: Same as English Horsemanship
Class Routine: Pattern only – no rail work. See rule book
Helpful Hints: Be exact in your pattern. Must be at least Level 1 to enter this class.
Show Hack
Judged on: Advanced rail class judged on rider and obedience of the horse. Quality of extended and collected gaits.
Exhibitor Dress: Same as English Horsemanship
Horse: Same as English Horsemanship
Class Routine: Rail work only. All gaits – normal, collected and extended
Helpful Hints: Show differences in each speed/gait. Must be at least Level 2 to enter this class.
Western Horsemanship (aka Western Equitation)
Judged on: Rider – seat, hands, legs, heels. Only one hand is allowed on the reins. Horse – Correct leads, responsiveness to rider. Head carried level with withers. Speed should be slower than English.
Exhibitor Dress:
- Good – jeans, boots, hat, belt, long sleeve button down shirt – tucked in
- Better – Horsemanship shirt – tucked in or may be out, boots, hat, coordinating jewelry. Chaps and spurs are optional.
Horse: Clean western saddle. Silver is not counted over a good working saddle, but it does help with “eye appeal”. Western bridle and shanked bit (can use snaffle and two hands for a horse 5 and under) – same rule for silver.
Optional – Breast Collar
Prohibited: Illegal bits (see rule book), any training tack, any leg wraps or boots, nosebands or tie-downs
Class Routine: Rail work both directions, usually a pattern is required
Helpful Hints: Same as English Horsemanship, do not allow horse to 4-beat. Horse must exhibit a true three-beat lope. Slow speed is good but should not be excessive.
Western Pleasure
Judged on: Horse – Correct leads, responsiveness to rider. Head carried level with withers. Speed should be slower than English. Rider in control of horse at all times.
Exhibitor Dress: Same as Western Horsemanship
Horse: Same as Western Horsemanship
Class Routine: Rail work only
Helpful Hints: Same as Western Horsemanship
Western Riding
Judged on: Correct pattern, lead changes, control of horse at all times.
Exhibitor Dress: Same as Western Horsemanship
Horse: Same as Western Horsemanship
Class Routine: Pattern only – containing many lead changes.
Helpful Hints: Depending on the level of the rider in 4-H, simple lead changes or flying lead changes are required. Where there is no requirement, good flying lead changes count over good simple lead changes. Pattern must be exact! Judged on a penalty system. Must be at least Level 1 to enter this class.
Reining
Judged on: Correct pattern, lead changes, control of horse at all times.
Exhibitor Dress: Same as Western Horsemanship. Plain button-down shirt and scarf is popular.
Horse: Same as Western Horsemanship
Class Routine: Pattern only
Helpful Hints: depending on the level of the rider in 4-H, simple lead changes or flying lead changes are required. Pattern must be exact! Judged on a penalty system. Must be at least Level 1 to enter this class.
Trail
Judged on: Performance of horse over obstacles, manners, responsiveness, movement
Exhibitor Dress: Same as Western Horsemanship or Reining
Horse: Same as Western Horsemanship
Class Routine: Pattern only
Helpful Hints: Know your pattern! 3 refusals per obstacle. If your horse refuses one obstacle, keep going! Credit given for calmness and quietness. This is not a race. Must be at least Level 1 to enter this class.
Ranch Classes
Judged on: Horse and rider’s ability to perform ranch tasks- gaits, obstacles, roping, working cattle.
Exhibitor Dress: Western clothing that is work-like in appearance. No bling. May wear chaps or chinks.
Horse: Saddle- western roping type with a double rigging (back cinch), plain working bridle, breast collar encouraged, may use snaffle or curb bit on any age horse. Rope required for rope work.
Class Routine: Different classes = different requirements. See rule book for individual classes.
Helpful Hints: Horses should move more freely than Western Pleasure/Horsemanship. Extended gaits are called for. Horse’s head should be carried in a natural position. Should work on a relatively loose rein, but not as loose as HMS. Must be at least Level 1 to enter this class.
