[belle4]

Gingersnaps,

You would NEVER be asked to canter in a halter or showmanship class. In a typical halter class(judged on conformation) the handler walks the horse straight to the judge. Then the judge will step aside and watch the horse trot away from them. Some judges also like to see the horse trot around to left or right. Then the handler will set up the horse in the line up head to tail.

In showmanship, the handler is judged on how they present the horse and complete a specific pattern. The pattern can include cones, trotting, backing, walking, pivoting, and inspections. Each judge will set his/her own pattern. It can be any combination of the above maneuvers.

[arabianlvr87]

I dont see how you could even ask a horse to canter in a halter class without another aid.

[Blistering Winds]

Or another form of transportation, my horse trots me down! If I had to canter him, I'd definitly be dragged!! LMAO

[arabianlvr87]

Oh, God, that would be scary. Cat ALWAYS gets on the forhand at the canter, So leading her at the canter would be freaky.

[Sandra-A1]

The AQHA (and probably other stock breeds) now offer what is called a Longe Line Class. The Congress last year had both and English and a Western Longe Line Class.
While I am not sure of the exact class specifications in general:
The class is usually for Yearlings & 2 year olds.
They show in a show halter or regular halter with out a chain.
The handler uses a longe line and whip(but cannot touch the horse with the longe line or whip!)
Has 90 seconds (45 in each direction) to show their horse at: western: walk, jog, lope...if in Hunter tack: walk, trot and canter. How long at each gait is up to the handler.
After all exhibitors have finished working their horses on the longe in both directions the handlers then enter into the ring, and line up their horses to present it to the Judge as in a regular halter class. Regular lead lines with chains my be used on the horses during this part of the class.

[Blistering Winds]

Oh yea, I totally forgot about that class. Never seen one though, even through my judging class.

[arabianlvr87]

I've never seen a class like what Sandra's talking about, but I have seen the Tot Lead Line, they're always so cute!!

[ridegrrl]

Originally Posted by Painted_Cowgirl

i was just wondering if anybody on the forum was a judge for horse shows?
and if so what do you look for in a english pleasure class, western pleasure class, trail class, horsemanship/equation(sp?) class, and a halter class.

if anybody wants to add events just post them

Hey, mind if I jump in here late? I haven't been around much lately! I am a certified judge, so I'd love to help if I can. In all classes, the horse and rider must be well turned out, horse groomed with clean and properly fitted tack, rider wearing well fitted clothing, as stated in the rulebook.

English Pleasure: I'll assume that you are referring to your standard open show English Pleasure, and not saddleseat type. Let me know if this isn't the case. For basic English Pleasure (often called Hunter Pleasure), we're looking for a horse that is a pleasure to ride. He has a ground-covering four-beat walk, a forward-moving two-beat trot, and a rhythmic, true three-beat canter on the correct lead. If called for, the hand-gallop is a true hand gallop on the correct lead, and not just an extended canter. All gaits are to be performed straight, with impulsion and willingness, both ways of the ring. Transitions are smooth and without resistance. The manners and performance of the horse are paramount. His conformation and movement count for a small percentage (generally around 10% depending on which rulebook is followed.) Horses are to stand quietly in line and back readily.

Western Pleasure: For Western Pleasure, again we're looking for a horse that is a pleasure to ride. He has a ground-covering four-beat walk, a slow, steady, two-beat jog, and a rhythmic, slow, true three-beat lope on the correct lead. If called for, the hand-gallop is a true hand gallop on the correct lead, and not just an extended lope. All gaits are to be performed straight, with willingness and on a reasonably loose rein, both ways of the ring. Transitions are smooth and without resistance. The manners and performance of the horse are paramount. His conformation and movement count for a small percentage (generally around 10% depending on which rulebook is followed.) Horses are to stand quietly in line and back readily.

Trail: In trail, the horse is scored on his ability to safely negotiate a course, over and through obstacles (usually around 8-10 obstacles). These often include a bridge, gate, walk-overs, jog-overs, lope-overs, sidepass, back-thru, etc. See rulebook for legal obstacles. The horse should move forward with interest and expression, willingly negotiating each obstacle. He should be sure-footed and pay attention to where he puts his feet. The horse is also evaluated on his gaits when traveling from one obstacle to the next, at the walk, jog, or lope. You can be required to counter-canter (intentionally lope on the wrong lead).

Western Horsemanship: This is a Western equitation class, you're right. It is a pattern class, and you can be asked to walk, jog, lope, back, halt, pivot, perform simple lead changes, etc. depending on the rulebook used. Keep in mind that spins, flying lead changes, sliding stops, and rollbacks ARE NOT PERMITTED in this class, and will be penalized. The rider must show correct equitation, and demonstrate proper, effective use of cues (legs, hands, seat). We're looking for the horse and rider combination that can perform a simple pattern with ease and precision. Your ability to guide your horse is paramount, and he needs to be very responsive. Horses are generally required to perform railwork (like Western Pleasure) after the individual patterns are ridden. Railwork includes walk, jog, lope each way of the ring. Horses to stand quietly and back readily. Note: there is another Western equitation class, called Stock Seat or Reining Seat Equitation. It tests the rider's ability to ride a Stock / Reining horse, and calls for spins, sliding stops, rollbacks, and flying changes. Otherwise the requirements are much the same as Horsemanship.

Halter: This class is all about your horse. The judge is evaluating your horse's conformation (build) and movement. He should be structurally correct, sound, fit and in good condition, true to his breed type, and exhibit correct movement. This class is shown in a show halter for Western stock breeds, in a halter or Hunter/English snaffle bridle for Hunter/English, and some breeds show in a specialty halter (i.e. Arabians show in a very fine halter that exhibits the refined head of the horse, no matter which discipline he is ridden). The horse must be turned out and groomed to the nines.

Hope this is a little help to you!