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Spectators are welcome to come and cheer on our competitors. Teams will have the opportunity to compete in the following classes: Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Showmanship at Halter, Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Western Riding, Reining and Cutting. Please see the explanations below for further details on each class. The 8 days of clinics, seminars and practice conclude with the final show and banquet on Sunday, July, 13, 2008.
Stay tuned for a detailed show
schedule.
WESTERN
PLEASURE
One of the most popular AQHA show events is western pleasure. Contestants
compete simultaneously, traveling the perimeter of the arena, and at the
discretion of the judge, are asked to walk, jog, lope and reverse the
direction of the horse. Horses are evaluated on quality of movement while
staying quiet and calm, traveling on a loose rein.
WESTERN
HORSEMANSHIP
Designed to test the horsemanship abilities of youth and amateur riders
using western tack. Divided into two sections, riders first follow a
prescribed pattern of manoeuvres at a walk, trot or lope. Finalists
ride as a group around the perimeter of the arena. Judging focuses on
the rider’s body position, seat in the saddle and ability to control
the horse.
SHOWMANSHIP
AT HALTER
A class for youth and amateur exhibitors only, it is designed to judge
the showmanship skills of the exhibitors. Judges evaluate the grooming
and fitting of the horse, and expertise of the exhibitor in presenting
the horse. Each exhibitor is required to perform a pattern designed
by the Judge with emphasis on preciseness of pattern and degree of confidence
exhibited by the showman.
HUNT SEAT
EQUITATION
Tests an amateur or youth’s ability to ride–not the performance
of the horse. As in western horsemanship, contestants work a predetermined
pattern consisting of manoeuvres such as changing gaits; travel in a
figure-8 pattern; backing up as well as posting on correct diagonal
and counter-cantering. Top riders return to be judged as they travel
the perimeter of the arena performing gait changes at the judge’s
discretion. Emphasis is placed on ability to sit correctly, hold the
correct riding posture and control the horse on a precise pattern.
HUNTER UNDER
SADDLE
A preliminary class for English riding disciplines in which judges evaluate
a hunter-type American Quarter Horse on the flat, at a walk, trot and
canter. Emphasis is placed on smoothness of gait, free-flowing stride
and willingness to perform. Exhibitors must wear traditional English
attire.
TRAIL
The trail class tests the manoeuvrability of an American Quarter Horse
through an obstacle course. Mandatory obstacles include one in which
the rider will open, pass through and close a gate. Scoring is based
on the horse’s willingness, ease and grace in negotiating the
course. The other two mandatory obstacles are riding over at least four
logs or poles and one backing obstacle.
WESTERN
RIDING
Judges the abilities of the American Quarter Horse to change leads precisely,
easily and simultaneously, using both hind and front legs. Following
one of four patterns consisting of a log and a series of pylons,
the horse and rider must change gaits – from a walk to a jog or
a lope – throughout the course. Reward is given to the horse that
changes fluidly and precisely between the middle of the pylons within
the pattern.
REINING
Judges the horse on movements, mastery of a prescribed manoeuvre and attitude
as he is guided through one of 11 AQHA patterns. The horse is required
to perform a number of stops, spins, rollbacks, lead changes and circles
at a lope. The horse should be willing to be guided with little or no
resistance.
Puts an American Quarter Horse against a cow in a battle of wills. Horse and rider must move quietly into a herd of cattle, cut one cow from the herd, drive it to the center of the arena and “hold” it away from the herd. The horse is scored on its ability to keep the cow from returning to the herd, cow sense, attentiveness and courage. There is a 2-1/2 minute time limit.
Definitions courtesy of the AQHA. www.aqha.com
