Western Riding

Western Riding is an event where the horse is judged on quality of gaits, flying lead changes, response to the rider, manners and disposition. The horse should perform with reasonable speed, and be sensible, well-mannered, free and easy moving.

Credit shall be given and emphasis placed on smoothness, even cadence of gaits (i.e., starting and finishing pattern with the same cadence), and the horse's ability to change leads precisely, easily and simultaneously both hind and front at the center point between markers. In order to have balance, with quality lead changes, the horse's head and neck should be in a relaxed, natural position, with their poll level with or slightly above the level of the withers. They should not carry their head behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance. The horse should have a relaxed head carriage showing response to the rider's hands, with a moderate flexion at the poll. Horses may be ridden with light contact or on a reasonably loose rein. The horse should cross the log both at the jog and the lope without breaking gait or radically changing stride.

Tack and Attire

1. Refer to Western tack and attire on pages 17-26.
2. The 4-H armband is required.
3. If closed reins (rommel) are used, hobbles are optional.

Optional: Skid boots, splint boots, rain slicker.

Prohibited: Mechanical hackamore, hackamore bits, whips, bats or quirts, running or standing martingale, tiedowns, choke rope, draw reins, bosal or cavesson-type noseband, tapaderos. The wrapping or bandaging of legs will not be permitted.

General Information

This class is designed to show characteristics of control and skills used in equitation, reining and trail classes. Further, it combines the maneuvers needed for a handy working horse and rider.

Class Conditions and Rules

Each rider will enter the ring to perform the prescribed pattern individually. Each horse shall rein and handle easily, fluently, effortlessly and with reasonable speed throughout the pattern.

Considerations for Judging

1. Change of leads
   1. Flying changes of leads to be used throughout the class.
   2. Preference shall be given to flying changes of leads midway between the markers throughout the entire class. A simple lead change will not be cause for disqualification but will be scored lower.
   3. Lead changes should be done in a collected, controlled manner.
2. Smoothness of performance.
3. Steadiness of gaits and response to the rider.
4. Abusive use of the mouth of the horse shall be scored accordingly.
5. The use of a gate shall be optional by decision of the judge.

The markers/cones should be separated by a uniform distance of not less than 30 feet nor more than 50 feet. The distance may be altered if local arena conditions are too small for the above distances. In pattern one, the three markers on the opposite side should be set adjacent to the appropriate markers. It is recommended that markers be set a minimum of 15 feet from the fence with 50 to 80 foot width in the pattern, as arena permits. The crisscross rectangle represents an obstacle (one small log recommended) just high enough to break the animal's stride in going over. The solid log or pole should be a minimum of 8 feet in length.

A cone shall be placed along the wall or rail of the arena to designate where the exhibitor should initiate the walk. On pattern 1, the cone should be placed a minimum of 15 feet before the first pylon. On patterns # 2, 3, 4, and 5, the cone should be placed even with the first pylon. The on-deck exhibitor should not go to the start-cone until the exhibitor on pattern has cleared the working area by the start-cone for the final time.

The judge may require an exhibitor to repeat or reverse any part of the routine. This is a judged event, not a timed event.

Individual Pattern Scoring

Scoring will be on a basis of 0-100 with 70 denoting an average performance.

Scoring guidelines: points will be added or subtracted from the maneuvers on the following basis, ranging from +1 ½ to – 1 ½: -1 ½ Extremely Poor, -1 Very Poor, -1/2 Poor, 0 Average, +1/2 Good, +1 Very Good, +1 ½ Excellent. Maneuver scores are to be determined independently of penalty points. Maneuver evaluations and penalty applications are to be determined independently. The following penalties will be applied to each occurrence and be deducted from the final score.

5 Point Penalties

• Out of lead beyond the next designated change area. (Note: Failures to change, including cross cantering; two consecutive failures to change would result in two five (5) point penalties)
• Blatant disobedience including kicking out, biting, bucking and rearing.
• Holding saddle with either hand.
• Use of either hand to instill fear or praise.

3 Point Penalties

• Not performing the specific gait (jog or lope) or not stopping when called for in the pattern within 10 feet (3 meters) of the designated area
• Simple change of leads
• Out of lead at or before the marker point to the designated change area or out of lead at or after the marker after the designated change area
• Additional lead changes anywhere in pattern (except when correcting an extra change or incorrect lead)
• In pattern one and three, failure to start the lope within 30 feet (9 meters) after crossing the log at the jog
• Break of gait at walk or jog for more than two strides
• Break of gait at the lope

1 Point Penalties

• Hitting or rolling log
• Out of lead more than one stride either side of the center point and between the markers
• Splitting the log (log between the two front or two hind feet) at the lope
• Break of gait at the walk or jog up to 2 strides
• Non-simultaneous lead change (including front to hind, hind to front, front or hind legs coming together during the change)

1/2 Point Penalties

• Tick or light touch of log

0 Score

• Illegal equipment
• Willful abuse
• Off course
• Knocking over markers
• Completely missing logs
• Major disobedience or schooling
• Major refusal – stop and back more than 2 strides or 4 steps with from legs.
• Failure to start lope prior to end cone in patterns #1 and #3
• Four or more simple lead changes and/or failures to change leads
• Overturn of more than 1/4 turn
• Head carried too low (tip of ear below withers consistently)
• Over flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently.

Credits

• Changes of leads, hind and front simultaneously
• Change of lead near the center point of the lead change area
• Accurate and smooth pattern
• Even pace throughout
• Easy to guide and control with rein and leg
• Manners and disposition
• Conformation and fitness

Faults (should be judged accordingly in maneuver scores)

• Opening mouth excessively
• Anticipating signals
• Stumbling
• Head carried too high
• Head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers)
• Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
• Excessive nosing out