19.1 Categories
Available in Walk/Jog, Novice Rider, Amateur, Open and all Youth divisions and all Horse divisions.
19.2 Cross Entries
In WES classes cross entries are allowed (i.e. Working Western Rail and Western Pleasure).
19.3 Prohibited Equipment
- Wire curbs regardless of how padded or covered.
- Any chin/curb strap narrower than 1/2".
- Mechanical hackamores.
- Martingales, nosebands and tie-downs.
- Draw reins.
- Crop or quirts.
- Protective boots, leg wraps or bandages.
19.4 Apparel and Equipment
- Hoof polish or hoof black is allowed.
- No braided or banded manes/tails or tail extensions. Trimming inside ears is discouraged.
- Trimming bridle path is allowed, also trimming of fetlocks.
- Equipment with silver should not count over a good working outfit. Excessive silver on bridles and saddles is discouraged.
- It is suggested competitors use a breast collar and a rear cinch.
- When exhibiting in a snaffle bit or hackamore, an exhibitor may switch between two hands and one hand on the reins at any time.
19.5 Optional Equipment
Rope or riata. If used, the rope or riata must be coiled and attached to the saddle.
19.6 The Working Western Rail class measures the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride and should reflect the versatility, attitude and movement of a working horse.
19.7 The horse should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and without requiring undue restraint while being responsive to the rider and making timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner.
19.8 Class Requirements
- All exhibitors will work as a group. Individuals working off the rail will not be penalised, and passing is permissible.
- Horses must work both ways of the ring at the walk, trot and lope. Horses must work at least one way of the ring at the extended trot and extended lope. At the option of the judge, horses may be asked to extend their stride at the walk.
- The overall cadence and performance of the gaits should have an emphasis on forward, free-flowing, and ground-covering movement.
- Walk - the walk is a natural, flat footed, four-beat gait. The gait is rhythmic and ground-covering. As in all gaits, the horse should display a level, or slightly above level topline with a bright, attentive expression.
- Extended Walk - the extended walk is an obvious lengthening of stride that will naturally increase the pace. The horse should move in a natural manner (not a running walk) as if it were moving across an open pasture.
- Trot - the trot is a natural two-beat gait demonstrating more forward motion than the western jog.
- Extended Trot - the extended trot is an obvious lengthening of the stride with a definite increase in pace. The horse should be moving in a manner as if it were covering a large area on a ranch with an above level topline.
- Lope - the lope is a three-beat gait. The lope should be relaxed and smooth with a natural, forward moving stride.
- Extended Lope - the extended lope is not a run or a race but should be an obvious lengthening of the stride, demonstrating a forward, working speed. The horse should display an above level topline with a bright, attentive expression.
- At the extended trot and lope, the exhibitor may post or stand in the stirrups.
- Touching or holding the saddle horn during any extended gait is acceptable.
- Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail). They may be required to reverse at the walk or trot at the discretion of the judge but shall not be asked to reverse at the lope.
- Horses are required to back easily and stand quietly. Horses may be brought to the centre or backed on the rail.
- The rider shall not be required to dismount except in the event the judge wishes to check equipment.
19.9 The horse should be well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The movement of the working western rail horse should simulate a horse needing to cover long distances, softly and quietly. The overall manners and responsiveness of the horse and the horse's quality of movement are the primary considerations. Maximum credit should be given to the horse that has a natural flowing stride and consistent, ground covering gaits. Transitions should be performed when requested, with smoothness and responsiveness. The ideal working western rail horse should have a natural head carriage at each gait. The horse should be soft in the bridle, yield to contact and shall not be shown on a full drape of rein. Riders are encouraged to use adequate space given the extension of gaits required. This class should show the horse's ability to work at a forward, working pace while under control by the rider. The horse shall be balanced and appear willing and a pleasure to ride in a group situation.
19.10 FAULTS:
A. To be scored according to severity.
- Too slow (any gait); excessive speed (any gait); over-bridled (nose behind the vertical); head carried too low such that the poll is below the withers; out of frame; head carried too high; break of gait; wrong lead or out of lead; failure to take the appropriate gait when called; opening mouth excessively; draped reins; use of spurs forward of the cinch; canted at the lope; blatant disobedience (kick, bite, buck, rear, etc.).
B. To be cause for disqualification.
- Use of two hands (except junior horses shown in a snaffle bit/hackamore), more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins.
- 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.