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Specialty Classes
Arabian Native Costume One of the most beautiful classes to watch is the Arabian mounted native costume class. This class is intended to present the Arabian breed in its native costume he/she would have worn in the desert. Do to the amount of cantering and galloping, sometimes things can get reckless and for that reason this class is judged on 75% manners and 25% costume. A rider must have his/her horse under control at all times. The costume class displays a lot of excitement at the beginning of the class because all of the riders enter at a canter. This class ends by lining up head to tail instead of side by side like other classes. All the riders have to individually back. The way they line the contestants up, it makes it harder to back. Many times this weighs heavy on the judges score. The gates called for this class are the canter, hand gallop, and walk, to give the judges time to tally up their scores. The fast pace makes this class very exciting. All most any type of equipment is
allowed. Most classes require boots but in this class you
should wear the type of shoe that match your outfit. This
may mean wearing sandals. You are not allowed to use a
tie down, martingale, or anything of the type. Spurs and
whips are optional. You are allowed almost any type of
saddle.
Trail Trail horses are required to work over and through obstacles. No horse may enter the trail course area until the course and the judge are ready. Riders will be permitted to inspect the course on foot during the Judge's instructions prior to the start of the class. Tests which may be required are negotiating a gate, carrying objects from one part of arena to another, riding through water, over logs or simulated brush, riding down into and up out of ditch without lunging or jumping, crossing a bridge, backing through obstacles, sidepassing, mounting and dismounting from either side, and performing over any reasonable conditions encountered along the trail. However, unnatural obstacles, such as fire extinguishers, perforated plywood in waterboxes, exotic animals or unsafe elements such as hay bales, should be avoided. Courses are to include a minimum of six obstacles. To include a jog-trot, and lope of suitable duration to determine the way of going; management is encouraged to design obstacle courses that can be negotiated in 90 seconds. Rider's hands shall be clear of horse to avoid cueing. Horses to be penalized for any unnecessary delay while approaching obstacle. Judges are encouraged to advance on to the next obstacle any horse taking excessive time at an obstacle. After enough horses have completed the course for the ribbons being awarded, any horse with a major fault may be eliminated at the judge's discretion. Entry will be evaluated on responsiveness, willingness and general attitude. Two or more horses may be entered by the same exhibitor and the same rider may elect to show more than one horse. Obvious unsoundness must be disqualified with no prize awarded. Rail work shall not be required. Off Course Defined
Western Riding This is a challenging arena event which is judged on the abilities of the horse to be a western riding horse. The rider enters the ring and follows the pattern given to them for that class. Some of the obstacles are, a swinging gate which is optional, a log, and pylons (or cones) which must be precise in the distance apart from each of the other pylons. These are used for the lead changes. The horse must perform a jog, lope, and lead changes throughout the course. The judge looks for a horse that will respond to the riders aids, is well mannered, display’s a good disposition and a graceful performance. A typical pattern is pictured below.
Reining Reining is a western-style class that highlights the agility and willingness of horses to be guided by their riders, demonstrating difficult movements necessary in working cattle. The quick spins, straight sliding stops and lead changes, all controlled by the rider, are assessed by the judges maneuver by maneuver. All exhibitors start with a base score of 70. Then, credits or penalties are added or subtracted for each of seven or eight maneuvers as horse and rider go through the pattern. Judging is based on smoothness, finesse, quickness, attitude and authority.
Ladies Side Saddle At one time the only way a lady was to be seen on horse back was by riding side saddle. With woman’s liberation side saddle lost popularity, but is making a come back. Side saddle riding has become popular again, and today there are many different types of side saddle riding. Side saddle is just as safe as all the other seats, for it has a secure seat. It also is an elegant way of riding. You can ride saddle seat, hunter pleasure, jumping, western pleasure, barrel racing, and trail. In the horse shows in the U.S. they mostly ride side saddle in the show ring in English, western, or saddle seat attire.
DressageDressage is a type of riding that teaches the horse and rider to listen to each other. Dressage has many levels and to go into higher levels you must pass tests at shows. The tests have only one competitor in the ring at a time that have a pattern to follow with many different movements. The horse and rider are scored on a scale from one to ten. One is the least, ten is perfect and they are extremely rare. The tack for Dressage includes either a dressage or hunt type saddle, and usually in lower levels you use a Snaffle or in higher levels a Weymouth bridle.
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