The judging of the western horsemanship event is based on the performance of the horse for the rider as well as the skill of the rider.
The judge, using a systematic approach, is considering the matter carefully and proceeding in a logical manner.
- evaluates the rider’s position
- tests the ability of the rider and the horse to perform a prescribed pattern
Rider’s Position
- The rider should sit in the center of the saddle, forming a straight line from the ear, through the center of the shoulder and hip, touching the back of the heel or through the ankle.
- The reins should be adjusted so that the rider has light contact with the horse’s mouth.
- At no time should the reins require more than a slight hand movement to control the horse.
- Excessively tight or loose reins will be penalized.
Procedures
- The class must work at all three gaits at least one direction of the arena.
- The ideal horsemanship pattern is extremely precise with the rider and the horse working in complete unison, executing each maneuver with subtle aids and cues. The following maneuvers are acceptable in a pattern:
- walk, jog, trot, extended trot, lope or extended lope in a straight line, curved line, serpentine, circle, or figure eight, stop, back in a straight or curved line, turn or pivot, including spins and rollbacks on the haunches and/or on the forehand, side pass, two-track, flying or simple lead change, counter canter, or ride without stirrups
- A back should be asked for at some time during the class.
Scoring
In order to score a horsemanship class, a judge must have knowledge of the rules and regulations of each association as they may vary. Different associations have different scoring systems, such as a scale of 0 to 100 or a scale of 0 to 20. Here are the instructions for both scoring systems.
? 100-Point Scoring System
In the AQHA 2014 Handbook, the scoring system ranges from 0 to 100 and provides an approximate breakdown as follows.
- 90-100: Excellent: Rider including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
- 80-89 : Very Good: Performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct horsemanship and use of aids. Excellent horseman who commits a minor fault.
- 70-79: Good: Pattern execution and average horsemanship lacking adequate style and professional presentation to merit elevating to the next scoring range. A very good rider who commits a minor fault, or an excellent rider who commits a major fault.
- 60-69 : Fair: Pattern that lacks quickness or precision, or a rider who has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevent effective horsemanship; or a good horseman who commits two minor faults in the performance of the pattern, or an excellent rider who commits a major fault.
- 50-59: One major fault or multiple minor faults in the performance. A rider who demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
- 40-49: A rider who commits a severe fault, two or more major faults, or multiple minor faults in the performance, or an exhibitor who demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
- 10-39 : A rider who commits more than one severe fault or multiple major faults in the performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.
In the year starting from 2019, there will be the introduction of new scoring recommendations for showmanship, horsemanship, and equitation.
- The scoring range will be from 0 to infinity with an average score being 70
- Manuever scores will range from +3 to -3
- Scoring range: extremely poor -3, very poor -2, poor -1, average 0, good +1, very good +2, excellent +3
- Recommended for patterns to have 6 to 10 maneuvers to score
- Rider Form and Effectiveness (F&E) will be scored on a range of 0 to +5
- Penalty range: minor penalty -3, major penalty -5, severe penalty -10
Faults
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- Break of gait at walk or jog/trot up to two strides
- Over-/under-turn up to 1/8 of turn
- Tick or hit of cone
- Obviously looking down to check leads
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- Not performing the specific gait or not stopping when called for in the pattern within 10 feet of designated area
- Incorrect lead or break of gait (except when correcting an incorrect lead) at the lope.
- Break of gait at walk, jog, or trot for more than two strides
- Exhibitor obviously looking down to check leads
- Loss of stirrup
- Head carried too low and/or clearly behind the vertical while the horse is in motion, showing the appearance of intimidation
- Bottom of boot not touching pad of stirrup at all gaits including the backup
Extremely serious or critical, resulting in a decrease of ten.
- Loss of rein
- Use of either hand to instill fear or praise while on pattern or during rail work
- Holding the saddle with either hand
- Cueing with the end of the romal
- Spurring in front of the cinch
- Severe disobedience including kicking, pawing, bucking, and rearing
Disqualifications
- Failure to display correct number
- Abuse of horse or schooling
- Fall by the horse or the rider
- Illegal equipment or illegal use of hands on reins
- Use of prohibited equipment
- Off pattern, including: knocking over cone or wrong side of cone or marker; never performing designated gait or lead; over or under turning more than 1/4 turn
20-Point Scoring System
The scoring system ranges from 0 to 20, with 0 being the lowest and 20 being the highest.
- 10 points for the overall appearance of the exhibitor and horse
- 10 points for the performance
Certain breed associations propose a range of scores from 0 to 100, with the average score being 70.
Severe Faults
- Loss of stirrup or rein
- Missing a lead for more than two strides
- Touching the horse
- Spurring in front of the shoulder
Disqualifications
- Failure by the exhibitor to wear correct number in a visible manner
- Willful abuse
- Knocking over the cone, going off pattern, or working on the wrong side of the cone
- Excessive schooling or training
- Fall by horse or rider
- Illegal use of hands on reins
- Use of prohibited equipment (martingales, draw reins, nosebands, tie-downs, wire chin straps, or any chin strap narrower than ½ inch)
- Failure to follow pattern correctly, including failure to ever execute correct lead or gait where called for
- Over-turning more than ¼ of prescribed turn
How to Win Western Horsemanship
Many of us are familiar with the phrase, and some of us may have even uttered it: “If I had enough money to purchase a $20,000 horse with such impressive movement, I could also emerge victorious!” To be completely honest, this statement may hold some truth in certain scenarios. In certain competitive settings, the horse’s exceptional movement and physical structure play a significant role in determining their championship status. In such cases, the rider’s skill and commitment may take a backseat to the superior quality of their equine companion.
According to Holly Hover, an AQHA judge, competitor, clinician, and Phoenix-based youth and amateur all-around trainer, western horsemanship differs from other disciplines. In western horsemanship, the focus is on evaluating the rider rather than the horse. This event is advantageous for individuals who are unable to afford high-end horses. It provides a platform for people to improve their skills and be recognized for their hard work in the arena. Placings in western horsemanship are earned based on the rider’s abilities.
Horsemanship
Judges of Western horsemanship evaluate the rider’s seat, hands, and feet, as well as the finesse and strength in their lines and angles. This evaluation takes place while the competitor executes a series of maneuvers within a 30- to 60-second pattern, which is determined by the judge and announced on the day of the event.
According to Holly, the pattern may consist of various maneuvers that imitate elements of western pleasure, reining, western riding, and trail classes. Some examples include walking, trotting, jogging, and loping on a straight line, as well as performing circles, arcs, turnarounds, stops, backs, spins, quarter-turns, half-turns, turn-and-a-half, turning on the haunches or forehand, and sidepassing. Another popular feature is extending the gallop or trot. Additionally, exhibitors are often required to navigate the arena in a straight line while incorporating challenging maneuvers.
The patterns in the class vary in difficulty. Novices have simpler patterns which involve walking to a marker, jogging a circle, and loping a straight line to the end of the arena. On the other hand, upper-level classes have much quicker and tougher patterns, according to Holly. These patterns consist of four or five quick maneuvers, such as jogging to a marker, spinning to the right, extending the trot, rolling back to the left, and loping an arc around to the next marker. Quick patterns that utilize a challenging variety of maneuvers are what is usually expected in these upper-level classes.
AQHA western horsemanship classes have a scoring system that ranges from 0 to 20, where 20 indicates a flawless performance. The judge assigns scores to each element and also considers the overall impression. To determine the rider’s performance, judges assess the smoothness of transitions, flow, and finesse. Any errors, including missed transitions or wrong leads, result in deductions from the rider’s score.
According to Holly, a score of 14 or 15 is typically sufficient for winning the class as a novice rider, as long as it is fault-free and without mistakes. However, at the world-class level, simply completing the pattern without mistakes will not be enough to secure a victory. It is necessary to elevate one’s performance and approach the pattern with more flair and aggression.
Laying the Groundwork
In order to participate in a competition, riders and horses should have a solid understanding of basic horsemanship, even if they are beginner riders competing in novice classes. Holly explains that riders and horses should comprehend concepts such as leads, the horse’s ability to perform arcs, maintaining a straight line, and executing upward and downward transitions. At home, the horse and rider should be able to successfully perform all the maneuvers that may be required in the show.
When choosing a horse for competition, Holly advises selecting one that is calm and forgiving. She explains that horses that are easily agitated, nervous, or anticipate training can cause trouble. Although movement and way of going are not as crucial as in a western pleasure class, they still have some impact on the ride. Holly stresses the importance of the horse being a soft mover, as a rough horse can make the rider appear weak. Ideally, they aim to find horses that are exceptional in loping, while they can compromise a bit on the quality of the jog. Holly notes that it is easier to improve the jog through training, but it is rare to enhance a poor loper.
When it comes to confirmation, Holly mentions that bigger horses often struggle with various western maneuvers like spins and lead changes, whereas smaller horses may not always give riders the desired tall and bold appearance. In her training program, Holly prefers horses that fall between 15.2 and 16.1 hands, although this preference is not necessarily based on a judge’s perspective.
According to Holly, the age range for competitive horses is extensive. Horses between the ages of 4 and 15 can be seen at the world level. However, even some horses in their 20s, which are used for little kids, are still considered to be good horses.
Holly’s training philosophy focuses on the collaboration between horse and rider. She believes that it is crucial for the rider and horse to be well-prepared as a team, rather than focusing on their individual skills. Holly believes that when the rider and horse have trained together extensively, the timing of their actions tends to be better. In contrast, when a trainer fixes the horse and the rider follows the trainer’s lead, the timing may not be as effective. Additionally, Holly believes that the winning rider is the one who truly understands and knows their horse. By being able to anticipate and correct any mistakes the horse may make, the rider demonstrates a higher chance of success compared to a rider who simply mounts a horse given to them by a trainer.
Many of Holly’s students ride at least five times a week in order to create teamwork through various exercises and drills. Holly explains that the exercises aim to strengthen the rider, including different calisthenics and balance exercises such as riding without stirrups and standing in the stirrups. These exercises improve the rider’s seat and feet strength. In addition, the team practices different maneuvers such as spinning, lead changes, and riding with or without contact in the bridle.
Holly also instructs her students on the importance of quick thinking and reactions, which becomes crucial in the showring when unexpected situations arise. She conducts drills where she directs them to ride down the center of the arena and then instructs them to perform various maneuvers. These maneuvers can include jogging in a straight line, counter-cantering, circling to the right, changing leads, continuing in a straight line, stopping, rolling back to the left, extending the jog, and circling to the right. By having her students perform maneuvers without prior knowledge, she encourages them to think and react rapidly during the pattern, which is a significant aspect.
