Classes

Halter: A halter class is defined as a class where the horse is judged based upon its conformation. The ideal horse shown in halter is a horse that possess eye appeal that is the result of a harmonious blending of an attractive head; refined throat latch; well-proportioned, trim neck; long, sloping sholder; deep heart girth; short back; strong loin and coupling; long hip and croup; and well defined and muscular stifle, gaskin, forearm, and chest. These characteristics should be coupled with straight and structurally correct legs and feet that are free of blemishes. The horse should be abalanced athlete that is muscled uniformly throughout.

Showmanship:The showmanship class shall be judged strictly on the exhibitor's ability to fit and show a horse at halter. The horse is merely a prop to demonstrate the ability and preparation of the exhibitor. The ideal showmanship performance consists of a poised, confident, neatly attired exhibitor leading a well groomed and conditioned horse that quickly and efficiently performs the requested pattern with promptness, smoothness, and precision. The showmanship class is not another halter class and should not be judged as such. The competitor exhibits their ability to show and control a horse at Halter. They walk, jog and stop, showing safe techniques and allowing the judge full view of the horse at all angles.

Lead Line:Young riders under the age of 6 to be lead on horse back by an adult. Judged on horsemanship of rider. Shown only at a walk. Must be in western attire worn.

Lounge Line: The purpose of this class is to reward: Quality of Movement, Conformation, and Trainability. Horses are to be shown in a halter, regular or show type is acceptable. For the longeing demonstration, the only attachment allowed to the halter is the longe line. The Longe line may not exceed 30 feet in length with a chain or snap attached to the halter. The longe line must hang free from the halter without touching any part of the horse. It is permissible to use a longe whip. Conventional Western attire is mandatory.

Western Pleasure: A good pleasure horse has a free-flowing stride of reasonable length in keeping with his conformation. He should cover a reasonable amount of ground with little effort. Ideally, he should have a balanced, flowing motion, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. He should carry his head and neck in a relaxed, natural position, with his poll level with or slightly above the level of the withers. He should not carry his head behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance. His head should be level with his nose slightly in front of the vertical, having a bright expression with his ears alert. He should be shown on a reasonably loose rein, but with light contact and control. He should be responsive, yet smooth, in transitions when called for. When asked to extend, he should move out with the same flowing motion. Maximum credit should be given to the flowing, balanced and willing horse which gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride. The horse is judged on performance, quality and substance. Horses are shown at the walk, jog and lope. Horses will be required to backup. Individual workouts are not required.

Horsemanship: The western horsemanship class is designed to evaluate the rider's ability to execute, in concert with their horse, a set of maneuvers prescribed by the judge with precision and smoothness while exhibiting poise and confidence, and maintaining a balanced, functional, and fundamentally correct body position. The ideal horsemanship pattern is extremely precise with the rider and horse working in complete unison, executing each maneuver with subtle aids and cues. Competitors ride an individual pattern set by the judge, with finalists being required to work on the rail. This is a 'rider' class with competitors being judged on their position, ability, style and control of their horse. Credit is given for smoothness and response to the rider.

Western Riding: Western Riding is an event where the horse is judged on quality of gaits, lead changes at the lope, response to the rider, manners, and disposition. The horse should perform with reasonable speed, and be sensible, well-mannered, free and easy moving. It is an individual riding event consisting of a set pattern at specified gaits. Horses are required to change leads precisely and easily (rear and front) at the centre point between markers. Multiple flying lead changes are required. Horses are judged on riding qualities of gaits, change of leads, response to rider, manners, disposition and intelligence.

Pattern
1. Walk & jog over log
2. Transition to left lead & lope around end
3. First line change
4. Second line change
5. Third line change
6. Fourth line change lope around the end of arena
7. First crossing change
8. Second crossing change
9. Lope over log
10. Third crossing change
11. Fourth crossing change
12. Lope up the center, stop & back

Trail: This class will be judged on the performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the rider, and quality of movement. Credit will be given to horses negotiating the obstacles with style and some degree of speed, providing correctness is not satisfied. Horses should receive credit for showing attentiveness to the obstacles and the capability of picking their own way through the course when obstacles warrant it, and willingly responding to the rider's cues on more difficult obstacles. It is an individual event where horses are judged on their ability to negotiate various obstacles (gate, bridge, sidepass, backthrough).

Reining: Each contestant will perform the required pattern individually and separately. All horses will be judged immediately upon entering the arena and judging will cease after the last maneuver. Any fault incurred prior to the commencement of a pattern will be scored accordingly. To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willfully guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of control. All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of or temporary loss of control, and therefore faulted according to severity of deviation. Credit will be given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority in performing the various maneuvers while using con-trolled speed. An individual event ridden over a set pattern, mostly at speed, demonstrating circles, flying lead changes, rollbacks etc. Judged on neatness, dispatch, ease, calmness and control.

REINING PATTERN NUMBER 1
1. Run at speed to the far end of the arena past the end marker and do a left rollback - no hesitation.
2. Run to the opposite end of the arena past the end marker and do a right rollback - no hesitation.
3. Run past the center marker and do a sliding stop. Back up to center of the arena or at least ten feet (3 meters). Hesitate.
4. Complete four spins to the right.
5. Complete four and one-quarter spins to the left so that horse is facing left wall or fence. Hesitate.
6. Beginning on the left lead, complete three circles to the left: the first circle large and fast; the second circle small and slow; the third circle large and fast. Change leads at the center of the arena.
7. Complete three circles to the right: the first circle large and fast; the second circle small and slow; the third circle large and fast. Change leads at the center of the arena.
8. Begin a large fast circle to the left but do not close this circle. Run straight up the right side of the arena past the center marker and do a sliding stop at least twenty feet (6 meters) from wall or fence. Hesitate to demonstrate the completion of the pat-tern. Beginning at the center of the arena facing the left wall or fence.

REINING PATTERN NUMBER 2
1. Beginning on the right lead, complete three circles to the right: the first circle small and slow; the next two circles large and fast. Change leads at the center of the arena.
2. Complete three circles to the left: the first circle small and slow; the next two circles large and fast. Change leads at the center of the arena.
3. Continue around previous circle to the right. At the top of the circle, run down the middle to the far end of the arena past the end marker and do a right rollback - no hesitation.
4. Run up the middle to the opposite end of the arena past the end marker and do a left rollback - no hesitation.
5. Run past the center marker and do a sliding stop. Back up to the center of the arena or at least ten feet (3 meters). Hesitate.
6. Complete four spins to the right.
7. Complete four spins to the left. Hesitate to demonstrate the completion of the pattern.

REINING PATTERN NUMBER 3
1. Beginning, and staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, lope straight up the left side of the arena, circle the top end of the arena, run straight down the opposite or right side of the arena past the center marker and do a left roll-back - no hesitation.
2. Continue straight up the right side of the arena staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, circle back around the top of the arena, run straight down the left side of the arena past the center marker and do a right rollback - no hesitation.
3. Continue up the left side of the arena to the center marker. At the center marker, the horse should be on the right lead. Guide the horse to the center of the arena on the right lead and complete three circles to the right: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Change leads at the center of the arena.
4. Complete three circles to the left: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Change leads in the center of the arena.
5. Begin a large fast circle to the right but do not close this circle. Continue up the left side of the arena staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, circle the top of the arena, run straight down the opposite or right side of the arena past the center marker and do a sliding stop. Back up at least ten feet (3 meters). Hesitate.
6. Complete four spins to the right.
7. Complete four spins to the left. Hesitate to demonstrate completion of the pattern.

REINING PATTERN NUMBER 4
1. Beginning, and staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, lope straight up the left side of the arena, circle the top end of the arena, run straight down the opposite or right side of the arena past the center marker and do a left roll-back - no hesitation.
2. Continue straight up the right side of the arena staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, circle back around the top of the arena, run straight down the left side of the arena past the center marker and do a right rollback - no hesitation.
3. Continue up the left side of the arena to the center marker. At the center marker, the horse should be on the right lead. Guide the horse to the center of the arena on the right lead and complete three circles to the right: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Change leads at the center of the arena.
4. Complete three circles to the left: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Change leads in the center of the arena.
5. Begin a large fast circle to the right but do not close this circle. Continue up the left side of the arena staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, circle the top of the arena, run straight down the opposite or right side of the arena past the center marker and do a sliding stop. Back up at least ten feet (3 meters). Hesitate.
6. Complete four spins to the right.
7. Complete four spins to the left. Hesitate to demonstrate completion of the pattern.

REINING PATTERN NUMBER 5
1. Beginning, and staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, lope straight up the left side of the arena, circle the top end of the arena, run straight down the opposite or right side of the arena past the center marker and do a left roll-back - no hesitation.
2. Continue straight up the right side of the arena staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, circle back around the top of the arena, run straight down the left side of the arena past the center marker and do a right rollback - no hesitation.
3. Continue up the left side of the arena to the center marker. At the center marker, the horse should be on the right lead. Guide the horse to the center of the arena on the right lead and
complete three circles to the right: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Change leads at the center of the arena.
4. Complete three circles to the left: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Change leads in the center of the arena.
5. Begin a large fast circle to the right but do not close this circle. Continue up the left side of the arena staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, circle the top of the arena, run straight down the opposite or right side of the arena past the center marker and do a sliding stop. Back up at least ten feet (3 meters). Hesitate.
6. Complete four spins to the right.
7. Complete four spins to the left. Hesitate to demonstrate completion of the pattern.

REINING PATTERN NUMBER 6
1. Beginning, and staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, lope straight up the left side of the arena, circle the top end of the arena, run straight down the opposite or right side of the arena past the center marker and do a left roll-back - no hesitation.
2. Continue straight up the right side of the arena staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, circle back around the top of the arena, run straight down the left side of the arena past the center marker and do a right rollback - no hesitation.
3. Continue up the left side of the arena to the center marker. At the center marker, the horse should be on the right lead. Guide the horse to the center of the arena on the right lead and complete three circles to the right: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Change leads at the center of the arena.
4. Complete three circles to the left: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Change leads in the center of the arena.
5. Begin a large fast circle to the right but do not close this circle. Continue up the left side of the arena staying at least twenty feet (6 meters) from the walls or fence, circle the top of the arena, run straight down the opposite or right side of the arena past the center marker and do a sliding stop. Back up at least ten feet (3 meters). Hesitate.
6. Complete four spins to the right.
7. Complete four spins to the left. Hesitate to demonstrate completion of the pattern.

Working Cow Horse: Both the cow work portion of this event and the reined work portion are mandatory. Scoring emphasis on the cow work portion shall be based on the horse maintaining control of the cow at all times, exhibiting superior cow sense and natural cow working ability without excessive reining or spurring. Failure of an exhibitor to attempt to complete the cow work portion of the class, as well as the reined work, will result in the exhibitor not being considered an entry in the class. A horse which attempts to complete the cow work and has not been disqualified will be scored accordingly at the judge's discretion. A horse going off pattern in the reined work will receive a score of zero. A horse which attempts both the reined work and the cow work portion may be placed, even if disqualified in one portion of the class. (Example: If a horse is disqualified and receives a 0 score for the reined work, but scores a 70 for the cow work, its total score would be a 70 and the horse would be eligible for placing.) However, the fall of a horse and rider being judged shall be cause for disqualification and not eligible to be placed. For an ideal cow work, each contestant, upon receiving a cow in the arena, shall hold the cow on the prescribed end of the arena for sufficient time to demonstrate the ability of the horse to contain the cow on that end. After a reasonable amount of time, the contestant shall take the cow down the fence, making at least one turn each way on the fence. The contestant shall then take the cow to an open part of the arena and circle it at least once in each direction. A reining pattern is completed first, then a cow is introduced into the arena. Horse and rider must demonstrate control of the cow, including turning the cow in at least one complete circle in each direction. Judged on control, ability to show good 'cow sense' and natural cow working ability.

Pattern
1. Beginning at the center, facing right wall or fence, take a right lead and do two circles to the right, away from the judge, of moderate size and speed.
2. At the center of the arena, change leads and do two circles to the left both of moderate size and speed.
3. At the center of the arena, change leads.
4. Go to the end of the arena without stopping or breaking gait, and begin run down near the approximate center of the arena; run the length of the arena past marker.
5. Do a square, sliding stop, hesitate.
6. Turn left and begin a run to the opposite end of the arena; run length of arena past the marker.
7. Do a square, sliding stop, then hesitate.
8. Turn right, and begin a run down past the center marker of the arena.
9. Do a sliding stop, and back to the center of the arena or at least 10 feet (3 meters). Let horse settle in approximate area of stop.
10. Do two spins to the right.
11. Do two spins to the left.
12. Hesitate to show completion of pattern.

Cutting: Each horse is required to enter the herd sufficiently deep enough to show his ability to make a cut. A horse will be rewarded credit for his ability to enter the herd quietly with very little disturbance to the herd or to the one brought out. When an animal is cut from the herd, it is more desirable that it be taken toward the center of the arena, and credit will be rewarded for same. Additional credit will be rewarded to the horse which drives its stock sufficient distance from the herd to assure that the herd will not be disturbed by his work; thereby showing his ability to drive a cow.

Calf Roping: The calf roping horse will be judged on manners behind the barrier, scoring, speed to calf, rating calf, stopping, working the rope and its manners while the roper is returning to horse after the tie has been made.

Breakaway Roping: Horse must start from behind a barrier. A 10-second penalty will be added to the time for breaking the barrier. Calves must be used. Two loops will be permitted. One or two ropes are to be tied to the saddle horn by a heavy string, in such a manner as to allow the rope to be released from the horn when the calf reaches the end of the rope. A visible cloth or flag must be attached to the end of the rope tied to the horn to make it easier for the flagger to see it break free.

Team Penning: A team of three must cut from the herd and pen three head of cattle with the assigned (same) identity number or colored neck-band. The fastest time wins.

Barrel Racing: The contestant is allowed a running start. At a signal from the starter, the contestant will run to barrel number 1, pass to the left of it, and complete an approximately 360 degree turn around it; then go to barrel number 2, pass to the right of it, and complete a slightly more than 360 degree turn around it; then go to barrel number 3, pass to the right of it, and do another approximately 360 degree turn around it; then sprint to the finish line, passing between barrel number 1 and 2. This barrel course may also be run to the left.

Pole Bending: Each contestant will begin from a running start, and time shall begin and end as the horse's nose crosses the line. A clearly visible starting line must be provided. An electric timer or at least two watches shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric timer or the average time of the watches used by official timers to be the official time. The pole bending pattern is to be run around six poles. Each pole is 21 feet apart, and the first pole is to be 21 feet from the starting line. Poles shall be set on top of the ground, six feet in height, with no base more than 14 inches in diameter. may start for the left or righ tof the first pole.

Stake Race: The contestant is allowed a running start and may begin his run from either the left or right side of the first pole. Start by crossing the center line between the upright markers, turn around the second pole, cross over the center line again between the markers, then around the first pole and run back across the finish line.