Class description
The advanced western horsemanship class 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 advanced western horsemanship 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 body position of the rider will be evaluated according to the western horsemanship class standards in the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide. Maximum credit should be given to the horse and rider that exhibit the most unified and precise performance.
- This class will be judged on the combined performance of the horse and rider. 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.
- The horse should perform all maneuvers in the pattern willingly, briskly and readily with minimal visible or audible cueing. Severe disobedience will not result in a disqualification, but should be severely penalized, and the exhibitor should not place above an exhibitor that completes the pattern correctly. Failure to follow the prescribed pattern, knocking over cones, excessive schooling or training, or willful abuse by the exhibitor is cause for disqualification.
- The horse should track straight, freely and at the proper cadence for the prescribed gait. Transitions should be smooth and prompt in the pattern, and should be performed when called for in the pattern. The horse's head and neck should be straight and in line with their body while performing straight lines and slightly arched to the inside on curved lines or circles. Circles should be round and performed at the appropriate speed, size and location as requested in the pattern. The counter-canter should be performed smoothly with no change in cadence or stride unless specified in the pattern.
- The stop should be straight, square, prompt, smooth and responsive with the horse maintaining a straight body position throughout the maneuver. The back should be smooth and responsive.
- Turns should be smooth and continuous. When performing a turn on the haunches, the horse should pivot on the inside hind leg and step across with the front legs. When performing forehand turns, the horse should pivot on the inside front leg. Thus a right forehand turn means the horse should pivot on the right front leg with the hindquarters moving to the left. Backing during turns will be penalized severely.
- A simple change of leads should be executed precisely in the specified number of strides and/or at the designated location. A simple change of lead is performed by breaking to a walk or jog for one to three strides. Changes should be smooth and timely.
- No time limit.
- Each horse will work individually, performing all required maneuvers, and scored on the basis of 0 to 100, with 70 denoting an average performance.
- The rider should complete all required maneuvers in the order specified by each pattern.
- Failure to perform a required maneuver will result in a horse placing below all other horses that perform all maneuvers.
- The rider should execute the all gaits according to the expectations of the western horsemanship class with an emphasis on forward movement, free-flowing, and ground covering for all gaits. Transitions should be performed where designated, with smoothness and responsiveness.
- Patterns are to be chosen from the most recent edition of the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide.
- Patterns should be followed as written not as drawn.