RANCH RIDING
The purpose of the Ranch Riding horse should reflect the versatility, attitude, and movement of a working horse. The horse’s performance should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse. This class should show the horse’s ability to work at a forward, working speed while under control by the rider. Light contact should be rewarded and horse shall not be shown on a full drape of reins. The overall manners and responsiveness of the horse while performing the maneuver requirements and the horse’s quality of movement are the primary considerations.
The ranch riding class measures the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from one ranch task to another. The horse should be well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The horse should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and without requiring undue restraint. The horse should be responsive to the rider and make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner. The horse should be soft in the bridle and yield to contact. The ideal ranch riding horse should have a natural and level head carriage at each gate.
Class requirements:
One (1) point penalties
No specific penalties will be incurred for over/under spins but deduction may be made in maneuver score.
The purpose of the Ranch Riding horse should reflect the versatility, attitude, and movement of a working horse. The horse’s performance should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse. This class should show the horse’s ability to work at a forward, working speed while under control by the rider. Light contact should be rewarded and horse shall not be shown on a full drape of reins. The overall manners and responsiveness of the horse while performing the maneuver requirements and the horse’s quality of movement are the primary considerations.
The ranch riding class measures the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from one ranch task to another. The horse should be well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The horse should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and without requiring undue restraint. The horse should be responsive to the rider and make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner. The horse should be soft in the bridle and yield to contact. The ideal ranch riding horse should have a natural and level head carriage at each gate.
Class requirements:
- Each horse will work individually, performing both required and optional maneuvers, and scored on the basis of 0 to 100, with 70 denoting an average performance.
- The required maneuvers will include the walk, trot, and lope both directions: and the extended trot and extended lope at least one direction; as well as stops, and back.
- Three optional maneuvers may include a side pass, turns of 360 degrees or more, change of lead (simple or flying), walk, trot, or lope over a pole(s); or some reasonable combination of maneuvers that would be reasonable for a ranch horse to perform.
- The maneuvers may be arranged in various combinations with final approval by the judge.
- The overall cadence and performance of the gaits should be as those described in GAITS, with an emphasis on forward movement, free-flowing, and ground covering for all gaits. Transitions should be performed where designated, with smoothness and responsiveness.
- No time limit.
- The use of natural logs is encouraged.
- Posting at the extended trot is acceptable.
- Touching or holding the saddle horn is acceptable.
Judges expect to see horses that have been trained to respond to cues. To see these cues applied discretely and the horse responding correctly could be a credit-earning situation. . Part of the evaluation of this class is on smoothness of transitions
One (1) point penalties
- Too slow/per gait
- Over-bridled
- Out of frame
- Break of gait at walk or jog for 2 strides or less
- Break of gait at walk or jog for more than 2 strides
- Break of gait at lope
- Wrong lead or out of lead
- Draped reins
- Out of lead or cross-cantering more than two strides when changing leads
- Trotting more than three strides when making a simple lead change
- Severe disturbance of any obstacle
- Blatant disobedience (kick, bite, buck, rear, etc.) for each refusal
- Spurring in front of cinch, blatant disobedience, use of either hand to instill fear/
- praise, use of two hands per maneuver, 1st or 2nd cumulative refusal, more than one finger
- between split reins or any fingers between reins (except two rein) per maneuver. Cannot
- place above others who complete pattern correctly.
- Eliminates maneuver
- Incomplete maneuver
- Off-Pattern: Breaking pattern, leaving working area before patter is complete, repeated
- disobedience, fall of horse/rider, (run ends and credit will be given for work done).
- Major disobedience or schooling
- Lameness, abuse, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct
- Improper western attire.
No specific penalties will be incurred for over/under spins but deduction may be made in maneuver score.