The origin of this class is to identify horses that are a pleasure to ride, when in the past they were the main form of transport and needed to travel from place to place often over long periods of time and distance. The slow, smooth paces should demonstrate the horses’ ability to move in a way that is comfortable and energy efficient for both horse and rider. In past years this way of going has become extremely exaggerated to the detriment of the class but it is making a recovery due to changes in judging and is seeing a return of naturally free moving horses to the event.

“A good western pleasure 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, with his poll level with or slightly above the level of the withers. He should not carry his head behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance. His head should be level, with his nose slightly in front of the vertical, having a bright expression with his ears alert. He should be shown on a reasonably loose rein. He should be responsive, yet smooth, in transitions when called for. When asked to extend, he should move out with the same flowing motion. Maximum credit should be given to the flowing, balanced and willing horse that gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride. This class will be judged on the performance, condition and conformation of the horse.”

All entries are exhibited together in the ring at the same time, horses are shown on the rail in both directions. All gaits are called for in a random order by the judge, including extensions and a back-up (reverse meaning a change of direction) and each horse should take the relevant pace when called for without excessive delay. It is permissible to pass another competitor if the need arises but should return to the rail when possible.

This is one of the newest classes to be introduced to the AQHA in response to the forming of many ‘types’ of Quarter Horse within the showing industry due to specialising in specific events. The aim is to encourage true working horses into the showring and demonstrate the traditional ‘type’ of ranch horse which form a majority of the breed registry. The class requires the manoeuvrability, movement and self-carriage needed in a ranch situation.

“The purpose of the Ranch Riding horse should reflect the versatility, attitude, and movement of a working horse. The horse’s performance should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse. This class should show the horse’s ability to work at a forward, working speed while under control by the rider. Light contact should be rewarded and horse shall not be shown on a full drape of reins. The overall manners and responsiveness of the horse while performing the manoeuvre requirements and the horse’s quality of movement are the primary considerations.”

Each competitor individually completes a pattern either from those set in the Handbook or randomly set by the judge. The pattern must show all gaits in both directions, along with an extension, stops and a back-up and may also contain other manoeuvres such as trail obstacles or turns. Paces should be much more forward and head carriage slightly higher than in a majority of other western disciplines but still soft and willing. There are various restrictions upon attire and turnout in order to portray a good working outfit and equipment unlike in other classes. This is a scored event where each exhibitor begins with a total of 70 and then each manoeuvre within the pattern receives 2 marks, a manoeuvre score and a penalty score which are subtracted or added to give a final total. The manoeuvre score ranges from -1½ to +1½ and is based upon the overall performance of the individual manoeuvre. Penalties are deducted from this score for specific errors incurred such as too slow paces, drape in reins or course deviations.

The aim of this class is to show the skill and ‘horsemanship’ of a rider to complete a precise pattern with correct position in partnership with their horse. A horsemanship class is comparable to a dressage test within English riding competition, where accuracy and correctness from both horse and rider are extremely important.

“Available only in the amateur and youth divisions, western horsemanship is designed to evaluate the rider’s ability to execute, in concert with their horse, a set of manoeuvres 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 manoeuvre 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.”

Competitors individually complete a pattern set by the judge, usually with cones or markers to give spatial guidance and allowing accuracy to be demonstrated, followed by all exhibitors returning to work together on the rail similar to a pleasure class. Patterns must include all regular gaits in at least one direction on any line curved or straight and may also ask for manoeuvres such as extensions, turns and dropping stirrups. The performances of both horse and exhibitor are equally important. Scoring is from 50-100 with 70 denoting an average performance, with credit or faults given for each manoeuvre within the pattern.

This class is designed to simulate a horse travelling out on the trail and having to negotiate the natural terrain and the obstacles that may occur whilst out in the wilderness. The horse should be responsive to wherever the rider needs to put him but also utilise his own spatial awareness to keep the rider safe when necessary.

“This class will be judged on the performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the rider and quality of movement. Credit will be given to horses negotiating the obstacles with style and some degree of speed, providing correctness is not sacrificed. Horses should receive credit for showing attentiveness to the obstacles and the capability of picking their own way through the course when obstacles warrant it, and willingly responding to the rider’s cues on more difficult obstacles. Horses shall be penalized for any unnecessary delay while approaching or negotiating the obstacles. Horses with artificial appearance over obstacles should be penalized. Horses must not be required to work on the rail. The course must be designed, however, to require each horse to show the three gaits (walk, jog, lope) somewhere between obstacles as a part of its work, and quality of movement and cadence should be considered as part of the manoeuvre score. While on the line of travel between obstacles, the horse shall be balanced, carrying his head and neck 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.”

Entries show individually over a course made up mainly of poles but also including other obstacles such as a gate and bridge. This is a scored event where each exhibitor begins with a total of 70 and then each obstacle within the course receives 2 marks, a manoeuvre score and a penalty score which are subtracted or added to give a final total. The manoeuvre score ranges from -1½ to +1½ and is based upon the overall performance of the individual obstacle. Penalties are deducted from this score for specific errors incurred such as hitting poles, breaks of gait or course deviations.

The manoeuvres contained within a reining pattern simulate those required from a horse whilst working a cow. They demonstrate the athleticism and responsiveness combined with speed and attentiveness needed to work with unpredictable cattle but in a safer scenario for competition.

“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. Any one of the 15 AQHA-approved reining patterns may be used and is to be selected by the judge of the class and used by all contestants in the class. Each contestant will perform the required pattern individually and separately. All horses will be judged immediately upon entering the arena. Any fault incurred prior to the commencement of a pattern will be scored accordingly. All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of or temporary loss of control, and therefore faulted according to severity of deviation. Credit will be given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority in performing the various manoeuvres while using controlled speed.”

Each competitor performs the same set pattern individually. This is a scored event where each exhibitor begins with a total of 70 and then each manoeuvre within the pattern receives 2 marks, a manoeuvre score and a penalty score which are subtracted or added to give a final total. The manoeuvre score ranges from -1½ to +1½ and is based upon the overall performance of the individual manoeuvre. Penalties are deducted from this score for specific errors incurred such as overspins, breaks of gait or delayed manoeuvres.