Show

CRRC HORSE SHOW EVENT RULES

AQHA: SHW404. Horses 6 years old and older must be shown on a curb bit. 

AQHA: SHW405. Horses 5 years old and younger may be shown in either curb bit, bosal, or snaffle bit.

(*see attached document for AQHA Western Equipment)

The use of Splint boots/bell boots/combo boots allowed in: Ranch Riding and Reining classes only.

CRRC Exception Rule: Allows the use of Wither Straps in Horse Show Classes.

 Exhibitions will be run concurrently in judged classes.  Contestants must declare which horse will be used for the exhibition classes and will pay fees accordingly.  In Western Pleasure and Walk/Trot contestant will turn number around or ride without a number so judge knows they are exhibition only.

1.     Western Pleasure:  Refer to current A.Q.H.A. rulebook

2.     Western Horsemanship:  Refer to current A.Q.H.A. rulebook

3.     Western Riding:  Refer to current A.Q.H.A. rulebook

4.     Western Showmanship:  Refer to current A.Q.H.A. rulebook

5.     Ranch Riding:  Refer to current A.Q.H.A. rulebook

6.     Reining:  Approved club patterns will be given to the judge

7. Trail Class:

           WESTERN PLEASURE:  The horse has a free-flowing stride of reasonable length in keeping with his conformation. He should cover a reasonable amount of ground with little effort. Ideally, he should have a balanced, flowing motion, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. He should carry his head and neck in a relaxed, natural position.

WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP: 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 horsemanship pattern is extremely precise with the rider and horse working in complete unison, executing each maneuver with subtle aids and cues.

             WESTERN RIDING:  The horse is judged on quality of gaits, lead changes at the lope, 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 for 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.  

SHOWMANSHIP:  Is designed to evaluate the exhibitor’s ability to execute, in concert with a well-groomed and conditioned horse, a set of ground maneuvers prescribed by the judge with precision and smoothness while exhibiting poise and confidence, and maintaining a balanced, functional body position. Horse is not saddled and is show in a halter.

RANCH RIDING: The purpose of the ranch riding class is to measure the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from performing one ranch task to another. The horse should reflect the versatility, attitude and movement of a working ranch horse riding outside the confines of an arena. The horse should be well-trained, relaxed, quiet, soft, and cadenced at all gaits. The ideal ranch horse will travel with forward movement and demonstrate an obvious lengthening of stride at extended gaits. The horse can be ridden with light contact or on a relatively loose rein without requiring undue restraint, but not shown on a full drape of reins. The overall manners and responsiveness of the ranch riding horse to make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner, as well as the quality of the movement are of primary considerations. 

                 REINING: Is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse in the confines of a show arena. In reining competition, contestants are required to run one of several approved patterns. Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, rollbacks over the hocks, a series of 360-degree spins done in place, and the exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse. To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of control.