Beginner Classes: These classes are open to riders of any age, adult or youth, who have minimal riding experience and are not ready to execute a canter or lope. A beginner rider may not cross over to another class requiring a canter or lope, THIS INCLUDES THE SPEED CLASSES, but will be allowed to enter the GAYP Jackpot classes at a trot/jog only. A beginner is a rider in their first or second year of showing.

 

Green Horse Classes: Any horse in its first or second year of showing; horse can be any age. This is a walk/trot or walk/jog division. May cross over to other divisions; this is available as Over Fences, English, and Western divisions.

 

15/50+ Classes: English and Western classes open to any horse 15 years or older, and/or any adult rider 50 years or older. This is a walk/trot or walk/jog division. 15/50+ riders may cross into other divisions.

 

English and Western "Casual" Showmanship: This class is required for Division All Around Year End Awards! The purpose of the DRHSC's Casual Showmanship is to introduce exhibitors to the in hand class without the intimidation of requiring a finely polished horse. Exhibitors should still attempt to show a clean horse, but the use of bands/braids, hoof polish, and show halters is not required. Exhibitors showing in the English classes in the morning should not fret over sweat marks should the horse not have time to fully dry. The ideal showmanship performance consists of a poised, confident neatly attired exhibitor leading a well-conditioned and groomed horse that performs the requested pattern with smoothness, willingness and precision. The pattern will be posted in the pattern book. Advanced Lead Line participants may show in Beginner/Novice Showmanship. While both English and Western disciplines will show in a combined class, the exhibitor should show in attire of his/her discipline:

*English Showmanship - Exhibitors must wear traditional English attire. Horses/ponies may be shown in a bridle or plain halter with lead, with or without chain.

*Western Showmanship - Exhibitors must wear traditional Western attire. Horses/ponies may be shown in a halter with lead, with or without chain.

 

Hunter Pleasure Go As You Please (GAYP) Jackpot: This class will be judged on the performance, manners, and condition of the horse. Class will be judged on the rider's gait of choice, but the judge may call for additional maneuvers such as extending the gait, back, or two point/jumping position. A rider showing in a beginner walk/trot division may not canter. There must be at least 5 entries to run the Jackpot Class. **Cash Prizes only will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings. Minimum prizes will be $50.00 for 1st place, $25.00 for 2nd place and $10.00 for 3rd place. Prize earnings for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will increase based upon the number of entries exceeding 5**

 

Hunter Pleasure Classes: These classes will be judged on the performance, manners, and condition of the horse. All horses will be judged at the walk, trot, canter & back as well as on all transitions, except the green horse, beginner, and 15/50+ classes which are walk/trot divisions.

 

Hunter Equitation Rail Classes: These classes are judged on the rider and his/her effect on the horse, emphasis on correct position and execution of the required gaits. Judge may call for maneuvers such as sitting or posting trot, two point, turn on the forehand or hindquarters, or drop stirrups.

 

Hunter Equitation Pattern Classes: These classes are 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, confidence, and maintaining a balanced, functional and fundamentally correct body position. These classes are pattern only.

 

Leadline (Walk Only): Age 8 and under, will be judged, and receive points child will be led by adult around ring at a walk to show willingness and capabilities of young riders. **RIDER MAY NOT CROSS INTO ANOTHER DIVISION OTHER THAN BEGINNER SHOWMANSHIP**

 

Advanced Leadline (Walk and Trot/Jog): Age 10 and under, will be judged, and receive points child will be led by adult around ring at a walk and trot/jog to show willingness and capabilities of young riders. For young riders who are in their first or second year of showing who are not quite ready to perform rail work on their own. **RIDER MAY NOT CROSS INTO ANOTHER DIVISION OTHER THAN BEGINNER SHOWMANSHIP OR PEEWEE SPEED WITH AN ADULT LEADER**

 

Trail: Summarized from the AQHA Handbook: 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. A minimum of six obstacles will be used, three of which must come from a mandatory list. The three mandatory obstacles are operating a gate, riding over four or more logs/poles, and a backing obstacle. Optional obstacles include but not limited to a bridge (3'x6' min walk only), sidepass, and 6'x6' square. After 3 refusals rider must move to next obstacle. Spacing for logs/poles: Walkovers- 20” to 24”, Trotovers- 3’ to 3’3”, Lopeovers- 6’ to 6’6", Backing obstacles minimum of 28” wide. Walk/Jog Trail is intended for exhibitors and horses that show in Beginner, Green, or 15/50+ classes. A horse/rider combo showing in Walk/Jog Trail MAY NOT show in Open or Ranch Open Trail.

 

Western Pleasure Go As You Please (GAYP) Jackpot: This class will be judged on the performance, manners, and condition of the horse. Class will be judged on the rider's gait of choice, but the judge may call for additional maneuvers such as extending the gait, back, or a pivot. A rider showing in a beginner walk/jog division may not lope. There must be at least 5 entries to run the Jackpot Class. **Cash Prizes only will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings. Minimum prizes will be $50.00 for 1st place, $25.00 for 2nd place and $10.00 for 3rd place. Prize earnings for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will increase based upon the number of entries exceeding 5**

 

Western Pleasure Classes: These classes will be judged on the performance, manners, and condition of the horse. All horses will be judged at the walk, jog, lope, and back as well as on all transitions; except the green horse, beginner, and 15/50+ that are walk/jog only divisions.

 

Western Horsemanship Rail Classes: These classes are judged on the rider and his/her effect on the horse, emphasis on correct position and execution of the required gaits. Judge may also call for maneuvers such as extended gaits, turn on the hindquarters, turn on the forehand, and drop stirrups.

 

Western Horsemanship Pattern Classes: These classes are to evaluate the rider’s ability to execute, in concert with their horse, a set of maneuvers prescribed by the judge with precision & smoothness while exhibiting poise, confidence, & maintaining a balanced, functional & fundamentally correct body position. These classes are pattern only.

 

Ranch Riding Open Classes: Open to riders of all ages. 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. The ideal ranch riding horse should have a natural head carriage at each gait. Posting the extended trot and touching or holding the saddle horn are acceptable. This division includes a rail, pattern, and trail class. The trail pattern will be the same pattern as the Open Trail class, and the pattern class will be one of the fifteen ranch riding patterns in the most current AQHA Official Handbook.

Apparel and Equipment: No hoof polish, No braided or banded manes or tail extensions, Trimming inside ears is discouraged, Trimming bridle path is allowed, also trimming of fetlocks or excessive (long) facial hair, Equipment with silver should not count over a good working outfit. Silver on bridles and saddles is discouraged.

 

Ranch Riding Walk/Trot Classes: Open to riders of all ages, but rider/horse pairs MAY NOT cross into any lope classes. This division includes a rail, pattern, and trail class. It will follow all the guidelines listed above in the Ranch Riding Open Classes.

 

Speed: Patterns and their measurements are listed in the pattern book. To qualify for year-end awards all speed riders are required to participate in all events at 3 or more shows for the division awards. There will be NO running in the gate for the speed classes. If you do so it will result in a no time score. You may be lead in by an adult if your horse will not walk in but it is not the club’s responsibility to walk you in. The rider must find someone to lead them in and it must be an adult.

 

Peewee Division: only available for participants age 12 and under and is a JOG ONLY class and participants may be on or off lead line with handler. **Participants in this division MAY NOT cross into any other division that requires a canter/lope**

 

Barrels: Three barrels are set in a cloverleaf pattern. Exhibitor may begin to the right or the left. Barrels/poles knocked over will be a 5 second penalty for each one knocked over. Incomplete pattern will disqualify rider.

 

Jackpot Barrels: This class will be solely on speed. There must be at least 5 entries to run the Jackpot Class. **Cash Prizes only will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings. Minimum prizes will be $50.00 for 1st place, $25.00 for 2nd place and $10.00 for 3rd place. Prize earnings for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will increase based upon the number of entries exceeding 5**

 

Flag: Three barrels are set in a cloverleaf pattern with a bucket with sand and flag placed at the first and third barrels. Exhibitor must pick up a flag from either barrel and run to the opposite by way of the second barrel. Failure to get the flag in the bucket before crossing the timer line will result in a no time.

 

Poles: Six poles are set in a line 21' apart and 21' from the timer line. Exhibitor must run to the end pole, weave towards the timer line (without crossing it), weave back, run straight back to cross the timer line. Exhibitor may begin from the right or the left. Poles knocked over will result in a 5 second penalty for each one knocked over.

 

Keyhole: Keyhole is set between 40' and 100' away from the timer line. A circle 20' in diameter will be drawn with a 4' wide and 10' long opening. Exhibitor must run into the keyhole, turn around, and run back to cross the timer line.

 

Speed ties will be decided by a timed ride-off, Champion and Reserve points resulting in a tie will have times from all classes added up, rider with the lowest combined time will break tie.