Western Rail & Trail Division

Western Pleasure

The rider is not judged but is important of course for posture, cueing and steering. The class is judged on manners and performance of the horse. The Western pleasure horse reguardless of breed performs with a lower head than a natural one, relaxed gaits, slow jog, slow lope and smooth loose or light rein. The head and neck should be carried appropriately for a relaxed performance in accordance to the horses's breed type and conformation. A National Show Horse for example would carry it's muzzle above the point of it's shoulder, while a Morgan will be lower and an Arabian lower still but with it's poll well above the withers. Stock breeds carry a flat or level neck and in all cases the horse's face is vertical or near vertical. Over bridling and over extension of any horse (nose before the vertical) is undersirable. Non stock horses will tend to demonstrate greater contact on the bit, in keeping with a more elevated head set. Morgans are ridden western in a "California" style, which better suits an upheaded horse. The California style horse is more on the bit and on a fairly loose rein but not the slack rein seen in the stock breeds. Gaits are a true four beat walk, straight and relazed; a slow easy jog, and a relaxed easy lope. Some divisions call for a hand gallop. Gaited horses such as Tennessee Walkers, Missouri Fox Trotters, Rocky Mountain Horses, etc perform their gait instead of the jog. The degree of action in either the trot or whatever pacing gait of the breed, should be consistant with a relaxed performance and the horse's individual conformation.

Photo Credit: Yukkon Jack owned by Cynthia Jameson showing higher flexion at poll and wearing split reins.

Photo Credit: Carringal DA Muhammed shown by Rosemary Simeon and using split reins (which are legal in Arabian Rules). Not higher flexion at the poll but horse is still on the bit. Meaning nose is not sticking straight outward but down on the bit.

Required Tack:
A western stock saddle without tapaderos. The saddle can have either squared or rounded skirts with the current style leaning toward squared. In most breeds the current style also is to omit the rear cinch, sometimes adding "tabs" to occupy the rear girth slots; however, if a rear cinch is used, it must have a connecter strap to the front cinch. Breastplates are optional. Silver should not be counted over a good working outfit. A saddle pad resting under all pressure points is recommended but not required equipment. A western style bridle (browband, one ear, two ear, with or without throatlatch) with a curb bit including a curb strap or curb chain. Standard snaffle bit and bosal hackamores are permitted on horses 4 and under (5 and under for Arabians and Appaloosas) Reins and romal and split reins are both legal; romal and reins usually seen on Arabians, Morgans, NSH and in the Western division of AHSA shows. Missouri Fox Trotters usually wear a noseband and current style includes older buckstitched saddle. MFT current style saddle pads are white with white ribbon in mane and forelock.

Prohibited:
Nosebands or cavessons (except: Missouri Fox Trotter and National Spotted Saddlebred/Walking Horse). any type of martingale or tiedown, tadaderos, roping reins, any kind of boots or bandages, crops or whips, mechanical hackamores are also prohibited. Split reins may not be knotted or attached to each other (stickwax is of course permitted in model horses) Rider may not have more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between the reins of a rein and romal.

Photo Credit: Lucresha McEvail shown by Cynthia Jameson. A spotted walking horse and using a single rein that snaps back to the bit. One or two hands may be used on the reins.

Rider:
Attire is jeans over western boots, long sleeved skirts, (vest, tie and jacket are also permitted) shotgun chaps, belt through loop, and western hat. The doll rider's posture must be addressed because if you can't get it correctly then don't use it. Doll must sit down in the saddle, the back should be straight with the knee and toe of boot in a straight line, knees and feet turned straight along the side of the horse and heel of boot pointed down. The rein arm elbow is bent and tucked into the side of the rider, free arm in held free and straight down with palm flat and lightly touching the leg. Rein hand wrist is turned slightly inward. Head looking straight forward as if rider is looking through the horse's ears.

Extra Credit:
If split reins are used, the rein should fall on the same side as the rein hand; if a romal rein is used; romal should fall on the opposite side from the rein hand (romal is usually held in the rider's other hand.

Western Equitation:

Riders to be judged on hands, seat and legs and on their ability to ride and control a horse properly. Results as shown by the performance of the horse is not to be considered more important than the methods used by the exhibitor in obtaining them. Good hands are paramount. Riders to alway have their horses on the correct lead. Gaits are the same as western pleasure but riders are sometimes given a pattern of individual work to perform either before or after the rail work.

Required Tack:
Same as western pleasure class.

Rider Attire:
Same as western pleasure class.

Description of Rider's Seat:
Arms to to be a straight line with the body, with the rein hand holding the reins and bent at the elbow. Only one hand is to be used for reining and hands shall not be changed. Hand to be held around the reins (one finger between reins is permissable), above the horn and as near to it as possible. The postion of the rider's free hand is optional but it should be kept free of the horse and equipment and held in a relaxed manner with the rider's body straight at all times. Rider may hold romal to keep it from swinging and to adjust the postion of the reins, provided it is held at least 16" from the reining hand. Bracing against the horn will be penalized. The rider should sit in the saddle in a balanced, relaxed manner, with the back straight and shoulders even, arms close to the body. The stirrup should be adjusted just short enough to allow the heels to be lower than the toes. Knees should be slightly bent and weight be directly over the balls of the feet. Body should always appear comfortable, relaxed and flexible. Feet should be placed in the stirrups with weight on the ball of the foot. Consideration, however should be given to the width of the stirrups which vary on western saddles. The legs must maintain contact with the horse, to give aids to the horse. Postion in Motion: Rider should sit to the jog and extended jog and not post. At the lope, he should be close to the saddle. All movements of the horse should be governed by the use of imperceptible aids, and the shifting of rider's weight is not desirable. A rider is penalized for losing a stirrup, two hands on the reins (unless a snaffle of hackamore bosal) changing rein hands, touches any part of the saddle with the free hand.
Individual work may be comprised of:

Back
Walk, jog, lope, in a straight line, curve or circle, or any of the combination of these gaits and patterns such as figure 8's, etc.

Stop
Turn on the hauches or forehand
Sidepass
Simple Lead Change
Flying Lead Change
Counter Canter
Mount and Dismount
Ride Without Stirrups
Extended Gaits

Extra Credit:
Any written description of equitation pattern including the movement the horse and rider are demonstrating.

Mr Teton Tips customed BHR Western Pleasure Horse by owner Debbie Herzman. Doll and tack made by Debbie Herzman and photo taken by Debbie Herzman. This model is a multi NAN carded and photo show champion. Tippy is being shown in a hackamore bosal with two hands on the reins. This model has been customized to look like Debbie's real horse, a multi champion Appaloosa.

Arena Trail
A horse should demostrate a willing walk and calmly work over and through all obstacle, showing agility, in control of the rider and on the bit, balance, and ready responsiveness. Horses that shy, pace, above the bridle or otherwise demostrating excitement or lack of control are not suitable for arena trail. A trail horse should, however, not be a dead head but should show interest in the obstacles. A trail obtacle represents a test and the horse is judged on how well it is meeting that test. The obstacle may test clamness, agility or control. All obstacles test willingness and obedience. Gaits are halt, walk, jog, lope and back.

Required tack:
Western: Saddle and bridle the same as Western Pleasure. Hackamores and snaffle bits may be used on 4 and younger horses (5 years for Arabian and Appaloosa) Sidesaddles are permitted. MFT bridles may include a noseband.

Prohibited:
Same as Western Pleasure Classes.

Rider Attire:
Same as western or English Pleasure Classes.

Photo Credit: Mom's Mink Coat, shown by Cynthia Jameson and using romal reins.

Obstacles:
Many associations severly limit the obstacles allowed; especially AQHA, ApHA and APHC. However these restricted obstacles are allowed in USAE so unless the entry specifically states the horse is being shown in the restricted breed association approved show then a lentient standard should take precedence. Unless the obstacle is balantly unsafe. USAE rules state unsafe obstacles are the following: fire extingushers, perforated plywood in water boxes, exotic wild animals (lions, tigers and bears staked out) or unsafe elements such as hay bales (height too high and horse can stab and foot down into the bale and be unable to pull its foot free.) Not that these items should be banned, but not recommended. A setup with these items should not be eliminated but may be penalized at the judge's discretion.

Recommended obstacles are as follows:

BACK THROUGH
On ground minimum width 28"
Elevated minimum width 30"
Barrels minimum width 32"

WALK-OVER
Single step over maximum height 16"
Multiples maximum height 12", minimum width between 20-24" No rolling poles allowed!

JOG-OVER
Maximum height 16"
Multiples maximum height 8", minimum width between 3'-3'6" No rolling poles allowed!

LOPE-OVER
Maximum height 16"
Multiples maximum height 10", minimum width between 6' to 7' No rolling poles allowed!

SIDE PASS
Single poll maximum 24" high
Slots minimum 24" space between the poles.

TIRES
NOTE: APHC, AQHA & ApHC do not allow tired to be used in trail. USAE Rules require space between tires if any should be equal to outside diameter of tire

SERPENTINES (JOG)
Pylons 6' or more base to base, guardrails minimum 3' to side of pylon
Pylons 3 to 6' base to base guardrails minimum 6 to 8'
Tall standards dimensions should be looser

GATE
Minimum 60" high with latch available at that height

BRIDGE
Minimum width shall be 36½ wide and at least six feet long. Bridge should be sturdy, safe and negotiated at a walk only.

APHC, AQHA & ApHC Prohibits the following Obstacles:
1. Tires
2. Animals
3. Hides
4. PVC Pipe
5. Dismounting
6. Jumps
7. Rocking, moving or railed bridges
8. Water box with floating or moving parts
9. Flames, dry ice, fire extinguishers, etc
10. Logs or poles elevated in a manner that permits such to roll
11. Ground ties

EXTRA CREDIT:
Working the gate "tight"; opening the gate the minimum amount necessary to allow the horse and rider to pass while preventing imaginary stock from escaping. Any imagination in obstacle designed.

Photo Credit: Southern Comfort shown by Dolly Cook

Natural Trail

Natural trail classes are judged under the same rules and with the same requirements as Arena Trail but are held outside of the arena using natural obstacles such as creeks, ponds, uphill and downhills slopes, ditches fallen trees, bushes, pasture gates, etc.

Trail Scenes or Natural Trail
Trail riding scenes or natural trail class should be judged on realism, imagination, and the horse's apparent ability to provide a safe and pleasureable ride. Any tack and any attire permitted; curb bits should include straps, saddles should have girths. Unsafe equipment may be penalized at the judge's decision. Any misbehavior should be penalized, including but not limite to shying, bucking, rearing, fighting the bridle, being above the bit, jumping or leaping away of the obstacle.

Competitive Trail Riding * Endurance Riding
An endurance ride or competitive trail riding is a competition to test the speed and endurance capacity of the horse. It should demostrate the competitior's knowledge of pace and the use of his horse going across country. The horse's performance over various types of ground and over natural hazards is significent to determine the horsemanship of the competitior and the ability of the horse. Judged the same as above Natural Trail but rider's attire generally is relaxed with entry number vest tied over the rider's top. Saddles are generally very light weight and can even be stripped down, Austrailan saddles, old McClellans, regular Endurance Saddles. Must have stirrups and a girth. Mechancial hackamore are seen often.

Extra Credit:
Rules and any documentation provided subject to Endurance Riding etc. including a vet check. Sweat on neck, chest and wear breastcollar or saddle sets.

Sources:
The American Horse Show Association
Judge's Handbook For North American Nationals
Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association
The American Morgan Horse Association
International Arabian Horse Association
American Horse Council
Appaloosa Horse Club, Inc
American Quarter Horse Asociation

IMEHA Judge's Guide