16.1 Categories
Available in Novice Rider, Amateur, Open and all Youth divisions and all horse classes.
16.2 Western Riding is an event where 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.
16.3 Credit shall be given for the 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 centre point between markers. The horse should have a relaxed head carriage showing response to the rider's hands, with a moderate flexion at the poll. He should not carry his head behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance. 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.
16.4 The judge will select from patterns 1 to 9 (smaller arenas may use Novice Rider patterns 4 & 5) for any class except for the novice rider class where Novice Rider patterns 1 to 4 can be used.
16.5 On the pattern:
- The small circles represent markers (cones recommended). These should be separated by a uniform measured distance of not less than 30 feet (9m) nor more than 50 feet (15m) on the side with five markers. It is recommended that markers be set to a minimum of 15 feet (4.5m) from the fence and with 50 (15m) to 80 foot (24m) width in the pattern, as the arena permits.
- The rectangle represents a solid pole, a minimum of eight feet in length.
- The long serpentine line indicates the direction of travel and the gaits at which the horse is to move. The recommended lead changing point is equal to 1/2 stride length before or after the centre point between the markers. The dotted line indicates walk, the dash line jog, and the solid line lope.
- A cone shall be placed along the wall or rail of the arena to designate where the exhibitor should initiate the walk on patterns 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, N1 & N4. The cone should be placed at a minimum of 15ft before the first pylon. On patterns 2, 4, 7, 9, N2 & N3 the cone should be placed even with the first pylon. The next exhibitor should not go to the start cone until the contestant on pattern has cleared the working area by the start cone for the final time.
16.6 Scoring will be on a basis of 0 to 100 with 70 denoting an average performance. Points will be added or subtracted from the manoeuvres on the following basis, ranging from +1½ to -1½: +1½ excellent; +1 very good; +½ good; 0 average; -½ poor; -1 very poor; -1½ extremely poor. Manoeuvre scores are to be determined independently of penalty points.
A contestant shall be penalised each time the following occurs:
16.7 Five points:
- Out of lead beyond the next designated change area (note: failure to change, including cross-cantering; two consecutive failures to change would result in two five-point penalties).
- Blatant disobedience including kicking out, biting, bucking, and rearing.
- Holding saddle or touching horse with either hand.
- Use of either hand to install fear or praise.
16.8 Three points:
- Not performing the specific gait (jog or lope) or stopping when called for in the pattern, within 10 feet (3m) of the designated area.
- Incorrect change of lead.
- Out of lead at or before the marker prior 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 lead change or incorrect lead).
- In patterns 1, 3 & 8 failure to start the lope within 30 feet (9m) after crossing the log at the jog.
- Break of gait at walk or jog for two or more strides.
- Break of gait at the lope.
16.9 One point:
- Hitting or rolling log.
- Out of lead more than one stride either side of the centre point and between the markers.
- Splitting the log (log between the two front or two hind feet) at the lope.
- Hind legs skipping or coming together during lead change.
- Break of gait at the walk or jog up to two strides.
- Non-simultaneous lead change (front to hind or hind to front).
16.10 Half a point:
- Tick or light touch of log.
16.11 Disqualification (zero score):
- Fall to ground by horse or rider (see para 6.21); illegal equipment; wilful abuse; off course; knocking over markers; completely missing log; major refusal - stop and back 2 strides or 4 steps with front legs; major disobedience - rearing, schooling; failure to start lope prior to end cone in patterns 1 and 5; kicking at other horses, exhibitors or officials; four incorrect changes of lead or failing to change leads four times within the run; overturn of more than 1/4 turn.
16.12 Faults scored according to severity, which will be cause for disqualification, except in Novice classes:
- Head carried too low and/or clearly behind the vertical excessively and consistently while the horse is in motion or otherwise showing the appearance of intimidation.
16.13 Credits:
- Changes of leads, hind and front simultaneously.
- Changes at designated point.
- Accurate and smooth pattern.
- Even pace throughout.
- Easy to guide and control with rein and leg.
- Manners and disposition.
- Conformation and fitness.
16.14 The following characteristics are considered faults and should be judged accordingly in manoeuvre scores:
- Opening mouth excessively; anticipating signals or early lead changes; stumbling; bad head carriage (too high; too low; over-flexing so nose is behind vertical; nosed out).
16.14 Patterns See the Patterns and Arena Diagrams page for all Western Riding pattern step-by-step instructions (Patterns 1-9 and Novice Rider Patterns 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9).