There are four different divisions for showing Gaited Divisions in TWH's. Show Horses, Show Pleasure, Park Pleaure and Flat Shod Pleasure. The primary difference is the shoeing and the artifical devices allowed. Show Horses are what most people think of as TWH's or the Big Lick horses, that are shown padded with action devices and set tails. Show Pleasure horses are shown padded with action devices but with natural tails. Park Pleasure horses are padded but may not wear action devices or have set tails. Flat Shod Pleasure is futher subdivided by into Plantation Walker and Lite-Shod depending upon the weight of the shoe.
Riders
In all the different divisons the Riders are to wear English riding habit, spur are optional as are gloves. Hair must be neat and may not obsure the back number. Solid colored suits or conservation pinstripes in shades of black, gray, navy, brown or beige are customary, some women's suits may show a little more color. Men's style shirts with a tie and vest are customary, shirts are typically white or pastel colored. Men also wear a snap brim hat while the women wear a homburg or saddle derby. Some women may ride without a hat.
Tack
In all the different divisions English saddle and natural walking horse show bridle and bit are required. Horses must be cleaned, nearly trimmed and braided.
Show Horses
Three gaits are performed the flat walk, the running walk and the canter. The flat walk is a bold, four cornered and the head nods with each stride. The hind legs remain close to the ground and overstride the front tracks. The running walk is an accelerated version of the flat walk with more pronounced nod and overstride. The canter is performed with a rolling rocking chair motion. In all gaits the horse should be flexed from the poll and the muzzle slightly tucked. The horse should perform gaits smoothly and rhythmically without stiffness or without tendency towards racking or pacing. Standing horses are "parked-out". Championship classes may have the horse stripped for conformation inspection.
Required
Pads must not exceed 50% of the length of the natural hoof and can be made of leather, plastic or other pliant material. A rubber foundation may be used instead of a shoe. Metal hoof bands may be used to anchor the pads and shoes so long as they are placed at least one half inch below the coronet band. Action devices may be woren on the front pasterns only. Permissable devices are boots, collars, chains or rollers. Chains must be single links fastened by a strap of soft leather, nylon or cotton. Double links or twister chains not allowed. Rollers may be of hardwood, stell or aluminum and must have no corrosion or rough edges. There may not be used any combination of action devices. Braces for the tail, caps and switches are allowed. Forbidden equiptment are severe bits, any dangling length to the action devices, blinders, names of horses, stables, trainers or exhibitors on the equipment are prohibited within the show ring. Whips may be no longer than four feet, including the snapper. Although not required it would be unheard to use anything other than a cutback saddle. Breast collars are usually used. A standard Walking Horse bridle with a single rein and a S-shaped bit is used. Tack is nearly always black or dark brown and girths are most often white. Colored browbands are common and colored cavesson fronts and breastbands less so but still occasionally seen. Braids are usually straight plaits, the butterfly braid is considered dated back to 1970'2. Boots are also outdated and it is usual to see action devices other than chains.
Show Pleasure
The basic description is the same as the Show horse classes desribed above with the exception of the tail set. An added emphasis is placed on manners. These horses perform the same exaggerated gaits of a big lick and must show on a light rein. Pads and action devices as outlined above may be used. No use of braces or humane tail sets. Rhinestone or sequined browbands and cavesson fronts are prohibited along with the same restriction as the Show Horse Division listed above.
Park Pleasure
The basic description is very similar to the Show Horse classes described above with the exception of the action devices and the tail set. There is added emphasis on manners and there is less animation of the gaits. There are no use of braces or humane tail sets or use of any action device. Rhinestone and sequined browbands and cavessons are also not allowed. Horses to be ridden with alight rein in all gaits.
Flat Shod Pleasure
These are the natural Walking Horses and are shown without pads, action devices and set tails. They perform the same three gaits listed above. They are however asked to back. This division is split into
Plantation Pleasure and Lite-Shod Pleasure. Plantation Walkers may be shown with a thicker shoe (up to 1 and 1/8" including the shoe and the caulk) and display more ring presence. Lite-Shod Pleasure has a lighter shoe (up to 7/8" thick including the caulk) and perform and more reflaxed fashion. Lite-Shod Horses are asked to stand quietly and to back on command.
Pads and action devices are prohibited. The ends of the show must not extend past the bulb of the horse's heel and the use of hoof bands are prohibited. Gag bits without shanks are not allowed as well as severe bits. No bit with shanks exceeding 9 and 1/2" allowed. Australian stock saddles not allowed. Colored browbands and cavesson fronts are perhaps seen more in this division as well as breastplates.
Pads and action devices tend to produce a way of going that produces a more animation to that of the unpadded horse. In the world horse world a model a TWH model that is performing a big lick movement but is flat shod should be considered unrealistic and inappropriate for these classes.
TWH Versatility Classes
In all classes pads, hoof bands and welded clips are prohibited. Horses must be plain shod and no action devices shall be used on a plantation pleasure horse on the show grounds.
Braids shall be worn in English and halter classes, but are prohibited in Western classes.
Snaffle bits with hunt style bridle is used in all English classes such as hunter saddle, jumping and gymkhana classes.
In western classes A bosal may be used in Poles, Barrels, Trail or Reining classes. Any standard western bit may also be used. An S bit may also be used if the horse performs better with it.
Martingales and tie downs are prohibited. (Exception: TWH over Fences, Barrels and Pole Bending classes.)
Approved “leg protection” devices such as splint boots, skid boots, polo wrap or non weighted rubber bell boots are accepted as proper leg protection in TWH over Fences, Barrels, Poles, Reining, Obstacle Trail and Western Riding classes.
Equipment approved for either English or Western class is approved for Obstacle Trail classes, but not a combination thereof. Australian stock saddles are not approved equipment in flat shod pleasure or versatility classes.
Some of the recognized gymkhana classes seen in approved TWH Versatility Shows are:
Egg & Spoon – Riders perform various gaits and movements while balance egg in spoon. The last rider to be carrying the egg is the winner.
Musical Sacks – Like musical chairs only rider must dismount and stand on “sack” when music stops, each time music stops, there is one less “Sack”.
Ride-A-Buck – Rider rides bareback with a dollar bill placed under the leg of the rider by the show official. When rider loses dollar bill, they are out. The last rider to still have the dollar bill tucked under their leg is the winner and also gets to keep all of the dollar bills lost by the other riders.
Resources:
TWHBEA Versatility Rulebook
NHSC Rulebook
USEA Rulebook
NAMSHA Rulebook
Photo Credit:
Lewie Prima, TWH Stallion, owned by Traci Durrll Khalife and tack by Traci.