Western Halter ClassClass Purpose: Animal judged on conformation,soundness, way of moving and general appearance.

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Can be up or down

Clothing: You will see all kinds of clothing in this

class. A sparkly "fancy" outfit is not

required to compete in this class.

Option #1 Notice the shirt is untucked and she

should wear a hat.

Option #2 Clean jeans with no rips, tucked in shirt,

belt and hat.

**see showmanship as well many wear same attire

** Exhibitor number worn on back of shirt

** Helmet does not need to be worn

Horse Tips:

Mane: Braided or Banded optional

Halter: Leather, nylon or rope halter

Option 1 (Silver is not required)

Lead: With or without a chain

Hooves: Polished

Tail: Free flowing

Ears: Trimmed

Grooming: All whiskers should be removed from

face and eye area

*Mare and foal class will be shown in same attire with

both animals being shown by 4-H members.

Option 2

**May be asked to show the teeth of a mare--you may touch the horse to do this if asked by the judge

Western Showmanship Patterned Class

Purpose: Exhibitor is judged on ability to fit, groom the animal at halter. (Animal is a merely a prop)

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Should be pulled up

Clothing: You will see all kinds of clothing in this

class. A sparkly "fancy" outfit is not

required to compete in this class.

Option #1 Notice shirt is untucked

Option #2 A simple long sleeved show shirt and

dress pants (shirt is typically

tucked in with belt)

Option 1

Horse Tips:

Mane: Typically banded

Halter: Leather, nylon or rope halter

(Silver is not a requirement)

Lead: With or without a chain

Hooves: Polished

Tail: Free flowing

Ears: Trimmed

Grooming: All whiskers should be removed from

face and eye area

Option 2

**You may not touch horse in this class

Western PleasurePurpose: Show animal is sensible, easy moving, well mannered mount that provides pleasant ride.

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Hair can be up or down

Clothing: You will see all kinds of clothing in this

class. A sparkly "fancy" outfit is not

required to compete in this class.

Option #1 Shirt should be untucked

Chaps are optional

Option #2 Long pants, long sleeved shirt tucked in

with a scarf

Horse Tips:

Option 1 Mane: Typically banded

Tail: Free Flowing

Tack: Western type saddle

Western type bridle

(Silver tack may be used but will not be

given preference)

Split Reins--ride with one hand

Tail: Free Flowing

Hooves: Polished

Ears: Trimmed

Option 2

*You may not touch the horse with free hand while showing

**Free hand extends straight down or rests on the thigh

Western Horsemanship Patterned Class

Purpose: Opportunity to display ability as a rider. (Judging combined performance of rider and animal)

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Contained in braid or bun

Clothing: You will see all kinds of clothing in this

class. A sparkly "fancy" outfit is not

required to compete in this class.

Option #1 Long pants, western type shirt and chaps

(Shirt is tucked in for this class)

Option #2 Jeans, western type shirt (want to be

form fitting so can see posture)

Option #3 Long pants, blouse with scarf and chaps

Option 1

Horse Tips:

Mane: Can be banded or not banded

Tail: Free flowing

Tack: Western Type saddle

Western Type bridle

Split reins--rode with one hand

Option 2

Option 3

*You may not touch the horse with free hand while showing

** Free hand is up as though a plat is being carried between two hands

Contesting (Barrels/Poles/Speed and Action/Flags etc.) Patterned Class

Purpose: Timed events that tests the ability of rider to safely maneuver their mount at speed around a course.

Exhibitor Tips:

Clothing: Jeans and long sleeve button up shirt

Belt

Boots with heel

Tack: Western or English type saddle

Western or English type bridle

Closed reins allowed

Optional: Protective leg wraps and boots

Protective vest/shin guards

Crops

Horse Tips:

Mane: Anything goes!

Tail: Anything goes!

Body Paint and Glitter allowed as well!

Reining Patterned Class

Purpose: Not only guide the horse but control his every move.

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Contained in ponytail, bun or braid

Clothing: Western style long pants, long sleeved shirt

with collar and western boots with heel

Option #1 Jeans, Chaps, long sleeve western type

Shirt

Option #2 Western type Pants and long sleeve

Western type shirt and belt

Option 1 Horse Tips:

Mane: Free Flowing

Tail: Free Flowing

Tack: Western Saddle

Western Style Bridle

(Silver may be used but will not be given

preference)

Split reins or romel reins must guide

with one hand

Optional: Skid boots, splint boots, protective leg

wraps

Option 2

*You should not touch animal with free hand

Western Ranch Pleasure Class Patterned Class

Purpose: Reflect versatility, attitude and movement of a working horse. (A Youth Western Pleasure horse is

not eligible to be shown in this class) Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Contained in pony tail

Clothing: Minimum requirements:

Long pants/Jeans with no holes

Long sleeved Western Type Shirt

Optional: Chaps

Horse Tips:

Mane: Should not be banded or braided

Tail: Free flowing

Tack Western type saddle

Western type bridle

Silver on bridles and saddles is discouraged

Trail Patterned Class

Purpose: Display ability of rider to navigate animal through obstacles encountered on a trail ride

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: May be up or down

Clothing: May use Western, Hunter, or Saddle Type

attire for this class

Option #1 Western attire used in trail class

Option #2 Hunter attire used in trail class

Mane Can be banded or not banded

Option 1 Tail: Free Flowing

Tack May use Western, Hunter or Saddle Type

tack but it must match attire

Split reins guided with one hand

(English two hands)

**Mini trail attire is same as above however the animal

is lead through obstacles

Option 2

Hunter over Fences/Hunter Hack Patterned Class

Purpose: Test animal and rider over a course of obstacles.

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Neat and contained in braid or hair net

Clothing: Knee -High hunt boots or jodhpur boots

Hunt breeches or jodhpurs in traditional

color (gray,buff, rust or canary)

Tie stock or choker is required

Option #1 Long sleeve shirt or blouse

Option #2 Short sleeve shirt and hunt coat

*Hunt coat is recommended but not required

should be conservative color--never red!

Horse Tips:

Mane: Brided mane and tail is optional

Tail: Free flowing

Tack: Hunter or forward seat style saddle

Bridle is to be hunter style

Hunter Type Halter and Showmanship

**see above photos for attire

Animal is to be shown in halter or a bridle. Must be plain without decoration made of leather or nylon. Lead

does not have to have chain. Chain may not be run through animals mouth.

English Performance Class/Halter

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Should be restrained in braid or bun

Clothing: Minimum requirements:

Tailored Long Pants, long sleeved shirt,

with a tie and jodhpur boots.

Coat is recommended .

Optional: Gloves (recommended)

Horse Tips:

Mane: Banded

Tail: Free Flowing

Performance Class:

Tack: Saddle must be flat English style

Bridle must be English style with plain or

decorative noseband

Dressage Patterned Class

Purpose: Skilled horsemanship foundation in communication and execution between rider and mount

Exhibitor Tips:Hair: Should be restrained in braid or bun

Clothing: Minimum requirements:

Short riding coat of conservative color

with tie, choker or stock tie.

White or light colored breeches or jodhpurs

Boots or Jodhpur boots

Shirt should be white or pale color long

sleeved without neckware

Horse Tips:

Mane: Typically Banded or Braided

Tail: Typically Banded or Braided

Tack: English type saddle with stirrups

Saddle pad optional (white in color)

Snaffle bridle

Optional: Gloves of white or conservative color

Spurs made of metal with curved or straight

Saddle SeatPurpose: Exhibit animals with plates only or with weighted shoes or pads.

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Should be restrained in braid or bun

Clothing: Minimum requirements:

Option 1: Tailored long pants, long sleeved shirt or

blouse with tie and jodhpur boots.

Coat is preferred (may wear short sleeves)

Option 2: Traditional saddle suit is preferred

Horse Tips:

Mane: Braid appropriate to breed is acceptable

Tail: Free Flowing

Tack: Saddle must be flat English Style

Bridle must be English type with plain or

decorative browband and regular cavesson

noseband

Option 1 Option 2 Reins may be pelham or single set

Pleasure DrivingPurpose: Demonstrate the reinsmanship and the animals ability to provide driver with a pleasant drive

Exhibitor Tips:

Hair: Should match attire

Clothing: Western, Hunter or Saddle Seat attire.

Should be consistant with the style of

vehicle.

Horse Tips:

Mane: Free flowing

Tail: Free flowing

Tack: Type of harness optional. Single animal

hitched to a two or four wheeled vehicle.

CostumePurpose: To Have Fun!!

Each year a costume "Theme" will be given to 4-Hers.

You are encouraged to use creativity in your costume!

General Tips Riding Class: Helmet Showmanship/Halter: Hat

Contained Hair:

Should always be neat and tightly secured

in a hair net or cover.

Hat: On a windy day always bobby pin hat in

place

Rain Gear: Come prepared we show rain or shine

and you do not want equipment/attire

to get wet!

Earrings: As a general rule should not be

dangling--it can be distracting for judge

to see movement

Numbers: Should always be easily seen by judge

Should be straight

Should be secured by pins or magnets

Each class may require different placement or multiple

numbers on rider/horse be sure to check class

requirements

Numbers may be laminated to ensure they last longer

and stay in good condition as you will use them

throughout fair week.

Riding class should have number on each side of saddle

Examples of Bits that are not to be used!

Port is greater than 3 1/2 inch Prongs on Port

Bit Converter Bit Convertor

Donut Mouthpiece Cathedral

Shank Length greater than 8 1/2 inches Bicycle Chain

SHOWTIME!!

Quick Reference Guide to Attire* Checklist for Horse Show

**THIS IS A QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE --ALWAYS CHECK YOUR HORSE AND PONY HANDBOOK FOR FULL OFFICIAL RULES OF

EACH CLASS YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN.