ENGLISH GAITS
The Walk
Poor Walk - This horse may have an uneven pace that lacks a four beat cadence or have a stop and start or robotic appearance that resembles a march. He may appear nervous and on the muscle or intimidated and fearful of going forward. He may anticipate or try to jog or break or he may appear dull, bored and listless dragging his legs and losing rhythm and flow.
Average Walk - The horse will walk with a four beat gait, a balanced top line and a relaxed appearance. He may slow down some but still maintains forward motion. He keeps his body straight and has cadence and rhythm. All of this done correctly and with manners is average.
Good Walk - This horse has a four beat gait, a balanced and comfortable top line, relaxed demeanor and appears bright and attentive. He maintains rhythm, flow and cadence and travels straight with light contact from the reins. He reaches from his shoulder and tracks up from behind with his reaching legs staying close to the ground. His feet enter the ground softly and maintain the same pace coming out of the ground as he has going into it.
The Trot
Extremely Poor Trot - This is a horse that cannot seem to do a two beat gait and appears very uncomfortable in his attempt to accomplish it. He does not have any flow or balance in his motion and appears uncomfortable to ride. He may be weak and sloppy in his hocks causing a loss of forward motion or use his hocks loosely or too far back causing a loss of cadence and rhythm. This also could be a horse that is misbehaving and is unwilling to perform the gait properly and therefore is not exhibiting acceptable motion.
Very Poor Trot - This is a horse that may have an uneven cadence or be unwilling to go forward. He may not keep an even and balanced motion with a level top line. This horse may appear quick legged or seem to move in an up and down fashion or may be on the muscle looking nervous and tense or he may be on a loose and sloppy rein causing a lack of collection or to travel heavy on the forehand. He may cover the ground by taking more frequent steps instead of correctly increasing the length of the strides.
Poor Trot - This is a horse with an average motion, exhibiting negative characteristics in their performance. For example, this horse may have an average trot gait but have a dull, unhappy or resentful expression.
Correct or Average Trot - This horse has a two beat diagonal gait in which the left front and right hind foot touch the ground simultaneously and the right front and left hind do so also. This is the standard trot and a horse MUST have a true two beat gait to be “average” or any of the levels higher than “average”. He has a level top line, with a relaxed appearance and pleasant expression, is shown on light contact and appears to go in a forward, obedient manner.
Good Trot - This is a horse with an average motion, exhibiting positive characteristics in their performance. For example this horse may have an average trot gait but have excellent manners and expression with ears forward and appearing bright but relaxed and calm.
Very Good Trot - This is a horse that appears very comfortable to ride, always has a consistent rhythmic cadenced two beat gait, is guiding well and has a relaxed and level top line. He has a good forward stride with balance and impulsion. Compared to the excellent horse he may not have as much stride as he may not have the degree of drive off the hindquarters or as much reach with his shoulders. He may bend his knees or flex his pasterns a little but he is still obviously soft, smooth and relaxed. He has an attentive and calm appearance with a pleasant expression and maintains light bit contact.
Excellent Trot - This horse’s motions seem effortless and efficient. He utilizes his top line by rounding his back and driving evenly off his hind legs creating impulsion and suspension while still remaining soft and controlled. He takes long ground covering steps with deliberate full strides and stays close to the ground. He reaches from his shoulder and is flat with his knee and extends his leg forward and seems to enter the ground toe first, even though it actually lands flat. His drive from his hocks allows his hind leg to step into or in front of where his front foot left the ground using full extension of the stride. This horse is balanced, has a level top line and has an even rhythm and cadence. He has excellent manners and great expression appearing relaxed and happy, soft in his poll, jaw and mouth and is shown on light contact.
The Extended Trot
Poor Extended Trot - This horse never appears to lengthen his stride but
just trots faster. He may also appear to be jarring and rough to ride.
Average Extended Trot - Is a horse who when asked to extend, moves up in his pace and still appears smooth to post on.
Good Extended Trot - Is a horse who when asked to extend has an obvious lengthening in his stride with a slight increase in his pace making him more versatile. This horse is still smooth but appears to have more length with less effort being exerted.
The Canter
Extremely Poor Canter - This is a horse that does not have a true three beat gait. He has no cadence, no rhythm, and no balance, appears out of sync and obviously is not comfortable to ride. This may also be a horse that is misbehaving and unwilling to perform the gait properly and therefore is not exhibiting acceptable motion.
Very Poor Canter - This is a horse that may appear to have a three beat gait but lacks self carriage. He may be flat in that he has either not rounded his back, or failed to engage his hindquarters and therefore lacks drive, impulsion and suspension. He may be weak hocked causing him to pull himself forward with his front end or he may not be balancing off his hindquarters causing him to be heavy on his forehand. This horse may lack forward motion, smoothness of gait, or consistency of speed. He may not use his shoulders properly causing excessive knee action. He may be showing on loose reins and be strung out and lacking collection or be nervous and on the muscle causing a shortening or quickening of stride.
Poor Canter - This is a horse with an average motion, exhibiting negative characteristics in his performance. For example, this horse may have an average canter but be lacking in expression or lack consistency in his top line.
Correct Or Average Canter - This horse has a true three beat gait with a level top line, and a comfortable motion. This is the standard canter and a horse MUST have a true three beat gait to be considered “average” or any of the levels higher than “average”. He is shown on light contact and is responsive to his rider and has a relaxed appearance with a pleasant expression.
Good Canter - This is a horse with an average motion, exhibiting positive characteristics in his performance. For example, this may be a horse with an average canter gait but has great expression, consistency and lovely manners.
Very Good Canter - This is a horse that has more style, drive, impulsion and suspension than the average horse. He has a strong but smooth drive from behind. He may bend his knee a little or not have quite the length of stride of the excellent horse, yet he still has a level top line and relaxed appearance, is correct and appears to be comfortable to ride. He has a pleasant expression and is responsive to his rider and shown with light bit contact.
Excellent Canter - This is a horse that utilizes his top line by rounding his back, engaging his hindquarters to drive his hind legs deep underneath him creating impulsion and suspension in his motion. He has a strong, deep, forward stride behind and an equally forward, flat-kneed reach with his front legs. He appears effortless and totally in control of his motion with great self carriage. He creates energy yet stays soft and responsive to his rider. His weight is distributed properly onto his hindquarters and he moves with long, slow strides. He gives the appearance that, if asked, he could easily lengthen his stride and correctly perform a hand gallop. This horse has a great degree of suspension, impulsion and elasticity to his movement. He has great expression with ears forward and is consistent, relaxed and confident with light bit contact.
Hand Gallop - should be a definite lengthening of stride with noticeable difference in speed. Horses should be under control at all times and be able to pull-up (not a sliding stop). If asked to pull-up, after the halt, riders must relax the reins and the horse must stand quietly.
Poor Walk - This horse may have an uneven pace that lacks a four beat cadence or have a stop and start or robotic appearance that resembles a march. He may appear nervous and on the muscle or intimidated and fearful of going forward. He may anticipate or try to jog or break or he may appear dull, bored and listless dragging his legs and losing rhythm and flow.
Average Walk - The horse will walk with a four beat gait, a balanced top line and a relaxed appearance. He may slow down some but still maintains forward motion. He keeps his body straight and has cadence and rhythm. All of this done correctly and with manners is average.
Good Walk - This horse has a four beat gait, a balanced and comfortable top line, relaxed demeanor and appears bright and attentive. He maintains rhythm, flow and cadence and travels straight with light contact from the reins. He reaches from his shoulder and tracks up from behind with his reaching legs staying close to the ground. His feet enter the ground softly and maintain the same pace coming out of the ground as he has going into it.
The Trot
Extremely Poor Trot - This is a horse that cannot seem to do a two beat gait and appears very uncomfortable in his attempt to accomplish it. He does not have any flow or balance in his motion and appears uncomfortable to ride. He may be weak and sloppy in his hocks causing a loss of forward motion or use his hocks loosely or too far back causing a loss of cadence and rhythm. This also could be a horse that is misbehaving and is unwilling to perform the gait properly and therefore is not exhibiting acceptable motion.
Very Poor Trot - This is a horse that may have an uneven cadence or be unwilling to go forward. He may not keep an even and balanced motion with a level top line. This horse may appear quick legged or seem to move in an up and down fashion or may be on the muscle looking nervous and tense or he may be on a loose and sloppy rein causing a lack of collection or to travel heavy on the forehand. He may cover the ground by taking more frequent steps instead of correctly increasing the length of the strides.
Poor Trot - This is a horse with an average motion, exhibiting negative characteristics in their performance. For example, this horse may have an average trot gait but have a dull, unhappy or resentful expression.
Correct or Average Trot - This horse has a two beat diagonal gait in which the left front and right hind foot touch the ground simultaneously and the right front and left hind do so also. This is the standard trot and a horse MUST have a true two beat gait to be “average” or any of the levels higher than “average”. He has a level top line, with a relaxed appearance and pleasant expression, is shown on light contact and appears to go in a forward, obedient manner.
Good Trot - This is a horse with an average motion, exhibiting positive characteristics in their performance. For example this horse may have an average trot gait but have excellent manners and expression with ears forward and appearing bright but relaxed and calm.
Very Good Trot - This is a horse that appears very comfortable to ride, always has a consistent rhythmic cadenced two beat gait, is guiding well and has a relaxed and level top line. He has a good forward stride with balance and impulsion. Compared to the excellent horse he may not have as much stride as he may not have the degree of drive off the hindquarters or as much reach with his shoulders. He may bend his knees or flex his pasterns a little but he is still obviously soft, smooth and relaxed. He has an attentive and calm appearance with a pleasant expression and maintains light bit contact.
Excellent Trot - This horse’s motions seem effortless and efficient. He utilizes his top line by rounding his back and driving evenly off his hind legs creating impulsion and suspension while still remaining soft and controlled. He takes long ground covering steps with deliberate full strides and stays close to the ground. He reaches from his shoulder and is flat with his knee and extends his leg forward and seems to enter the ground toe first, even though it actually lands flat. His drive from his hocks allows his hind leg to step into or in front of where his front foot left the ground using full extension of the stride. This horse is balanced, has a level top line and has an even rhythm and cadence. He has excellent manners and great expression appearing relaxed and happy, soft in his poll, jaw and mouth and is shown on light contact.
The Extended Trot
Poor Extended Trot - This horse never appears to lengthen his stride but
just trots faster. He may also appear to be jarring and rough to ride.
Average Extended Trot - Is a horse who when asked to extend, moves up in his pace and still appears smooth to post on.
Good Extended Trot - Is a horse who when asked to extend has an obvious lengthening in his stride with a slight increase in his pace making him more versatile. This horse is still smooth but appears to have more length with less effort being exerted.
The Canter
Extremely Poor Canter - This is a horse that does not have a true three beat gait. He has no cadence, no rhythm, and no balance, appears out of sync and obviously is not comfortable to ride. This may also be a horse that is misbehaving and unwilling to perform the gait properly and therefore is not exhibiting acceptable motion.
Very Poor Canter - This is a horse that may appear to have a three beat gait but lacks self carriage. He may be flat in that he has either not rounded his back, or failed to engage his hindquarters and therefore lacks drive, impulsion and suspension. He may be weak hocked causing him to pull himself forward with his front end or he may not be balancing off his hindquarters causing him to be heavy on his forehand. This horse may lack forward motion, smoothness of gait, or consistency of speed. He may not use his shoulders properly causing excessive knee action. He may be showing on loose reins and be strung out and lacking collection or be nervous and on the muscle causing a shortening or quickening of stride.
Poor Canter - This is a horse with an average motion, exhibiting negative characteristics in his performance. For example, this horse may have an average canter but be lacking in expression or lack consistency in his top line.
Correct Or Average Canter - This horse has a true three beat gait with a level top line, and a comfortable motion. This is the standard canter and a horse MUST have a true three beat gait to be considered “average” or any of the levels higher than “average”. He is shown on light contact and is responsive to his rider and has a relaxed appearance with a pleasant expression.
Good Canter - This is a horse with an average motion, exhibiting positive characteristics in his performance. For example, this may be a horse with an average canter gait but has great expression, consistency and lovely manners.
Very Good Canter - This is a horse that has more style, drive, impulsion and suspension than the average horse. He has a strong but smooth drive from behind. He may bend his knee a little or not have quite the length of stride of the excellent horse, yet he still has a level top line and relaxed appearance, is correct and appears to be comfortable to ride. He has a pleasant expression and is responsive to his rider and shown with light bit contact.
Excellent Canter - This is a horse that utilizes his top line by rounding his back, engaging his hindquarters to drive his hind legs deep underneath him creating impulsion and suspension in his motion. He has a strong, deep, forward stride behind and an equally forward, flat-kneed reach with his front legs. He appears effortless and totally in control of his motion with great self carriage. He creates energy yet stays soft and responsive to his rider. His weight is distributed properly onto his hindquarters and he moves with long, slow strides. He gives the appearance that, if asked, he could easily lengthen his stride and correctly perform a hand gallop. This horse has a great degree of suspension, impulsion and elasticity to his movement. He has great expression with ears forward and is consistent, relaxed and confident with light bit contact.
Hand Gallop - should be a definite lengthening of stride with noticeable difference in speed. Horses should be under control at all times and be able to pull-up (not a sliding stop). If asked to pull-up, after the halt, riders must relax the reins and the horse must stand quietly.
ENGLISH CLASSES
ENGLISH PLEASURE
To be shown on the rail as a group and to walk, trot and canter both directions of the ring on light contact. May be asked to back. Horses should back straight and easily and stand quietly
Pleasure horses will have gaits that are extremely comfortable to ride, will carry the head at a natural level with the nose slightly in front of the vertical, and will be easy to guide. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is of major consideration. The horse shall be in a frame, lightly collected with bend throughout the body and flexion at the pole
Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Horses should be responsive and smooth in transitions, performing transitions immediately when asked. Horses will move from the walk to the canter with no trot or “shuffling” steps and will perform transitions downward in the same manner.
To be judged on performance, quality of gaits, manners and conformation.
The following will be penalized according to severity.
* Quick, short or vertical strides
* Being on the wrong lead and/or wrong diagonal
* Breaking gait
* Excessive speed at any gait
* Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum
* Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for
* Head carried too high
* Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers)
* Over flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
* Excessive nosing out
* Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s mouth
* Stumbling
* Consistently showing too far off the rail
* Head carried too low so that poll is below the withers consistently
ENGLISH EQUITATION
To enter the ring as a group and to work at least one direction walk, trot and canter. The judge MAY ask for specific maneuvers such as collect/extended gaits, work without stirrups etc on the rail. The Judge MAY ask for a pattern off the line up to be executed individually or a pattern MAY be posted.
An Equitation Pattern 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 Equitation pattern is extremely precise with the rider and horse working in complete unison, executing each maneuver with subtle aids and cues. The horse’s head and neck should be carried in a relaxed, natural position, with the poll level with or slightly above the withers. The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance.
The exhibitor’s overall poise, confidence, appearance and position throughout the class as well as the physical appearance of the horse will be evaluated.
The exhibitor should perform the work accurately, precisely, smoothly, and with a reasonable amount of promptness. Increasing speed of the maneuvers performed increases the degree of difficulty; however, accuracy and precision should not be sacrificed for speed. Exhibitors that perform the pattern sluggishly and allow their horse to move without adequate impulsion, collection or cadence will be penalized.
To be shown on the rail as a group and to walk, trot and canter both directions of the ring on light contact. May be asked to back. Horses should back straight and easily and stand quietly
Pleasure horses will have gaits that are extremely comfortable to ride, will carry the head at a natural level with the nose slightly in front of the vertical, and will be easy to guide. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is of major consideration. The horse shall be in a frame, lightly collected with bend throughout the body and flexion at the pole
Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Horses should be responsive and smooth in transitions, performing transitions immediately when asked. Horses will move from the walk to the canter with no trot or “shuffling” steps and will perform transitions downward in the same manner.
To be judged on performance, quality of gaits, manners and conformation.
The following will be penalized according to severity.
* Quick, short or vertical strides
* Being on the wrong lead and/or wrong diagonal
* Breaking gait
* Excessive speed at any gait
* Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum
* Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for
* Head carried too high
* Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers)
* Over flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
* Excessive nosing out
* Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s mouth
* Stumbling
* Consistently showing too far off the rail
* Head carried too low so that poll is below the withers consistently
ENGLISH EQUITATION
To enter the ring as a group and to work at least one direction walk, trot and canter. The judge MAY ask for specific maneuvers such as collect/extended gaits, work without stirrups etc on the rail. The Judge MAY ask for a pattern off the line up to be executed individually or a pattern MAY be posted.
An Equitation Pattern 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 Equitation pattern is extremely precise with the rider and horse working in complete unison, executing each maneuver with subtle aids and cues. The horse’s head and neck should be carried in a relaxed, natural position, with the poll level with or slightly above the withers. The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance.
The exhibitor’s overall poise, confidence, appearance and position throughout the class as well as the physical appearance of the horse will be evaluated.
The exhibitor should perform the work accurately, precisely, smoothly, and with a reasonable amount of promptness. Increasing speed of the maneuvers performed increases the degree of difficulty; however, accuracy and precision should not be sacrificed for speed. Exhibitors that perform the pattern sluggishly and allow their horse to move without adequate impulsion, collection or cadence will be penalized.
HUNTER UNDER SADDLE
Horses to be shown under saddle, not to jump. Shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring and may be asked for a hand gallop. Horses should back straight and easily and stand quietly. Horses will be asked to change to canter from the flat-footed walk or trot, and will perform these transition immediately with no shuffling steps.
Hunters under saddle should be suitable to purpose. Hunters should move with long, low strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness, be able to lengthen stride and cover ground with relaxed, free-flowing movement, 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. Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Horses should be responsive and smooth in transition. When asked to hand gallop they should move out with the same flowing motion and there should be an obvious difference in gait. The poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical. The horse should travel in a "long and low" frame with the horse lightly collected with flexion at the poll and a rounded/lifted back. The horse shall not travel on the forehand.
This class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, balanced, willing horse.
Faults to be scored according to severity:
* Quick, short or vertical strides
* Being on the wrong lead and/or wrong diagonal.
* Breaking gait * Excessive speed at any gait
* Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum
* Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for
* Head carried too high
* Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers)
* Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
* Excessive nosing out
* Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s mouth
* Stumbling
* Consistently showing too far off the rail
* Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers consistently)
* Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently
ROAD HACK
Type and Characteristics: Head well shaped, attractive and proportionate; mane may be roached; natural (not set) tail; strong, well- shaped neck with good length of rein; good strong sloping shoulders; medium high withers the same height as the croup; chest indicative of strength; moderately muscled forearm; back well-proportioned with height; powerful across the loin; good depth of girth; well- shaped proportionate quarters showing strength; sloping pasterns of good length; feet of proportionate size. The horse and pony must present an appearance of overall substance with refinement. The Road Hack horse should be able to travel long distances in a short period of time. Endurance is of major consideration as well as the horse moving in a manner that will expend the least amount of energy as possible. The head will be at a natural height and nose will be in front of the vertical. There will be no excessive knee action and no trailing behind of hocks which will use unnecessary energy. Soundness is required and blemishes may be penalized. Braiding of mane and tail is optional.
The walk: straight, four beat and flat-footed with medium contact.
The trot: straight and true; may be required as follows: normal on light to medium contact -
Strong trot
The canter: normal on light to medium contact:
Hand gallop
To be judged on performance, substance, conformation, and manners.
SHOW HACK
Type and Characteristics: Head neat, finely drawn and elegant. Mane must not be roached and may be braided; neck of sufficient length with a trim throat-latch; neck to blend into shoulders which are medium width and not too heavily muscled; medium high and well defined withers the same height as croup; chest well developed but in proportion; forearm not too heavily muscled; back moderately short but well proportioned with height; moderately deep girth and well-shaped proportionate quarters; sloping pasterns of good length; feet of proportionate size. Show hacks must have vitality, animation, presence, balance and clean fine limbs showing supreme quality and will be shown on light to medium contact with a round, collected frame. Soundness is required and blemishes may be penalized. Braiding of mane and tail is optional.
The walk: straight, four beat and flat-footed
The trot: free, light and crisp, may be required as follows - Collected with rider sitting – Extended on contact - medium speed with legs moving forward with impulsion and the rider posting or sitting.
The canter may be required as follows; Collected - Normal - Extended
Hand gallop under control.
To be judged on performance, quality, conformation and manners
HUNTER PLEASURE
A horse who is suitable for the hunt field and is also a pleasure to ride. Horses will enter the ring as a group on the rail and will walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. May be asked to back up and should back straight and easily and will stand quietly.
See specific class descriptions.
SUITABLE FOR DRESSAGE
To be shown both directions of the ring as a group. Horses will be asked to walk, trot and canter and will be asked to perform movements specific to a Dressage horse test such as a leg yield, collected or extended gaits, a square halt, etc. Horses will be judged on movement, quality of gaits, conformation and their suitability to continue training as a Dressage horse. Should be lightly in frame with lift in the front and working off the hind. Degree of frame or collection suitable for the amount of training of the horse.
Horses to be shown under saddle, not to jump. Shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring and may be asked for a hand gallop. Horses should back straight and easily and stand quietly. Horses will be asked to change to canter from the flat-footed walk or trot, and will perform these transition immediately with no shuffling steps.
Hunters under saddle should be suitable to purpose. Hunters should move with long, low strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness, be able to lengthen stride and cover ground with relaxed, free-flowing movement, 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. Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Horses should be responsive and smooth in transition. When asked to hand gallop they should move out with the same flowing motion and there should be an obvious difference in gait. The poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical. The horse should travel in a "long and low" frame with the horse lightly collected with flexion at the poll and a rounded/lifted back. The horse shall not travel on the forehand.
This class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, balanced, willing horse.
Faults to be scored according to severity:
* Quick, short or vertical strides
* Being on the wrong lead and/or wrong diagonal.
* Breaking gait * Excessive speed at any gait
* Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum
* Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for
* Head carried too high
* Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers)
* Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
* Excessive nosing out
* Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s mouth
* Stumbling
* Consistently showing too far off the rail
* Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers consistently)
* Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently
ROAD HACK
Type and Characteristics: Head well shaped, attractive and proportionate; mane may be roached; natural (not set) tail; strong, well- shaped neck with good length of rein; good strong sloping shoulders; medium high withers the same height as the croup; chest indicative of strength; moderately muscled forearm; back well-proportioned with height; powerful across the loin; good depth of girth; well- shaped proportionate quarters showing strength; sloping pasterns of good length; feet of proportionate size. The horse and pony must present an appearance of overall substance with refinement. The Road Hack horse should be able to travel long distances in a short period of time. Endurance is of major consideration as well as the horse moving in a manner that will expend the least amount of energy as possible. The head will be at a natural height and nose will be in front of the vertical. There will be no excessive knee action and no trailing behind of hocks which will use unnecessary energy. Soundness is required and blemishes may be penalized. Braiding of mane and tail is optional.
The walk: straight, four beat and flat-footed with medium contact.
The trot: straight and true; may be required as follows: normal on light to medium contact -
Strong trot
The canter: normal on light to medium contact:
Hand gallop
To be judged on performance, substance, conformation, and manners.
SHOW HACK
Type and Characteristics: Head neat, finely drawn and elegant. Mane must not be roached and may be braided; neck of sufficient length with a trim throat-latch; neck to blend into shoulders which are medium width and not too heavily muscled; medium high and well defined withers the same height as croup; chest well developed but in proportion; forearm not too heavily muscled; back moderately short but well proportioned with height; moderately deep girth and well-shaped proportionate quarters; sloping pasterns of good length; feet of proportionate size. Show hacks must have vitality, animation, presence, balance and clean fine limbs showing supreme quality and will be shown on light to medium contact with a round, collected frame. Soundness is required and blemishes may be penalized. Braiding of mane and tail is optional.
The walk: straight, four beat and flat-footed
The trot: free, light and crisp, may be required as follows - Collected with rider sitting – Extended on contact - medium speed with legs moving forward with impulsion and the rider posting or sitting.
The canter may be required as follows; Collected - Normal - Extended
Hand gallop under control.
To be judged on performance, quality, conformation and manners
HUNTER PLEASURE
A horse who is suitable for the hunt field and is also a pleasure to ride. Horses will enter the ring as a group on the rail and will walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. May be asked to back up and should back straight and easily and will stand quietly.
See specific class descriptions.
SUITABLE FOR DRESSAGE
To be shown both directions of the ring as a group. Horses will be asked to walk, trot and canter and will be asked to perform movements specific to a Dressage horse test such as a leg yield, collected or extended gaits, a square halt, etc. Horses will be judged on movement, quality of gaits, conformation and their suitability to continue training as a Dressage horse. Should be lightly in frame with lift in the front and working off the hind. Degree of frame or collection suitable for the amount of training of the horse.