[sunsetacres]

Originally Posted by belle4

Halter classes at open show are usually seperated by stock type and pleasure type. Stock type being QH, paints, apps etc. and pleasure type being morgans, arabs, TWH etc. It is further broke down according to age and gender. You will be asked to lead your horse straight to the judge. As you approach the judge, he/she will step out of your way and then your are to trot by the judge. Usually the judge will want to see you round a corner at the trot on your way to the line up. In halter the horses are placed head to tail and depending on how many horses are in the class, there may be more than one line. The ring steward will direct you on where to stand you horse. During inspecton, the judge will walk up and down the rows of horses and look them over on both sides, front and back. You should have your horse set up according to your breed standards. I hope this helps.

Excellent explanation Belle! that's exactly right. the important part of this missive? "You should have your horse set up according to your breed standards" arabians DO NOT stand square. There pose is square in front then off set in back and neck stretched.

[sunsetacres]

Here's an example of the arabian pose (his left rear foot should be on the ground and back from the right, he's cheating hehehehe)

[arabianlvr87]

Ok, sunset! I was a little worried about standing square. (they wont do it) I can get them both to stand like that. *phew*

[sunsetacres]

[quote=Sandra-A1]In Filly/Mare Breeding Classes...AKA halter..

Emphasis is placed in the following order of importance:
Type
Conformation
Suitability as a breeding animal
Quality
Movement
Substance
Manners
and Presence

[quote]

The rules posted with the ecception of the walking into the ring (they used to trot in) are the same as always. and they may be placed like this at your shows but at least up until last year that I know of, they were placed more like this:
What handler
pretty face and neck
what handler
movement (must be enghlish style with a lot of motion)
pretty face and neck
who's acting the most "firey"
what handler

[arabianlvr87]

He! He! He!

[Sandra-A1]

I have never had a problem with the Judging and I have always found it fair. If the Pros win it is because they do have the best horse in the ring.
They have access to high quality horses and work long and hard to get their horses trained and ready for the show ring. I have beat the Pros before and they were the first to come and shake my hand and congratulate me while my other fellow exhibitors simply walked out the gate with out saying a word!

Since manners is next to last on the list then it really doesn't matter if the horse jumps around or not.
Face & neck is a important part of Arabian TYPE which is first on the list!
Horses that are naturally working off their hindquarters and trotting in a nice collected manner will have a lot of lift and elevation in their way of going.

This is after all an Horse SHOW and the horse's that are showing the best will attract the Judge's eye quicker and longer than one that has little if any show attitude as well as animation.

There is a lot more to the judging of these Halter classes than meets the eye. If you belong to your local Arabian Association then you should attend any meetings they have where Judges are the speaker and also attend any Halter training clinics where you can talk with the Professional Trainer and see that there is a lot more to showing in and Judging a halter class than one might think from simply sitting ringside and watching.

[DesertBred]

Arabianlvr87, Sandra-A1 is right, what I meant by head high was not to enter the ring looking lazy. Halter horses are trained to show Halter. They dont just come out of the pasture and walk in the ring, they learn to stand correctly etc. I am showing my horse at the Regional Championship show in TX right now and I watched a few halter classes yesterday. The horses were very showy, not crazy, but they definitely had presence. Manners are important too just as Sandra-A1 said. Every horse I saw in the ring was streched. I am not 100% up to speed on the rule book as I dont show halter, but I have seen quite a few and been to seminars discussing Arabian conformation and what is desirable in the show ring. Better take Sandra-A1's advice.

[arabianlvr87]

Oh, I know. Sandra's a little know it all.

[Sandra-A1]

Desertbred...manners are NOT all that important from the Judge's point of view.
While it does help to have your horse well trained and responsive to your cues...if it acts up it will not count all that much against you because manners along with presense is next to last on the "Emphasis List."
Granted, at a tuff Class A show as well as at Regionals and Nationals if you can have the "total package" good manners and a lot of presense could mean the difference between a top placing and getting the gate!

[DesertBred]

Totally agree Sandra-A1! I think we are trying to say the same thing, I just cant verbalize it as well as you.