Mounted Native Costume

MOUNTED NATIVE COSTUME

Prepared By the

Education/Evaluation Commission and Judges & Stewards Commissioner 10805 East Bethany Drive Aurora, Colorado 80014 (303) 696-4539

Table of Contents DESCRIPTION ...... 2 CONDUCT ...... 2 GAITS ...... 2 TACK ...... 3 ATTIRE ...... 3 CLASS SPECIFICATIONS ...... 3 CONCLUSION ...... 3

DESCRIPTION  The Arabian Mounted Native Costume class is a unique exhibition of the Arabian breed. For the spectator, the Costume CONDUCT Class is the most eye-catching and  Competitors enter the ring in a spectacular class of the Arabian Division. counterclockwise direction at the canter. This class is unique to the breed and a  Rider must have complete control of favorite of most of the spectators horse at all times.  It is obvious that in our costume classes  It is suggested that horses line up head- very little of the horse is visible, other than to-tail the length of ring, in one or two the head, neck, and the tail. rows, depending on the number of  These visible portions of the horse must be entries. capable of conveying the “Bedouin  Horses shall stand quietly and back charging over the desert sands’ effect. For readily. this purpose, a high, arching neck and a high tail carriage are requisite. GAITS  Crowd-pleasing animation and alert eagerness are very important in the  Walk, a four-beat gait: Brisk, true and flat- costume horse. footed with good reach.  But, he must also be under perfect control  Canter, a three-beat gait: Smooth, at all times. unhurried, with moderate collection,  The overall picture should be one of correct and straight on both leads. spirited enthusiasm on the part of both  Hand Gallop: The hand gallop is horse and rider. performed with long, free, ground  AT ALL TIMES REMEMBER PERFORMANCE covering stride under control. The IS PARAMOUNT! IT, ALONG WITH amount of ground covered may vary MANNERS, COUNTS 75% OF THE TOTAL – between horses due to the difference in THE COSTUME ONLY COUNTS 25%. natural length of stride. The hand gallop is not a fast collected canter but a true lengthening of stride, correct and straight on both leads. There shall be a distinct difference between the canter and the hand gallop.  Extreme or reckless speed to be penalized.

Mounted Native Costume, effective 12/1/19 2 TACK CLASS SPECIFICATIONS  Bridle may consist of bit, hackamore or Mounted Native Costume classes will be other suitable headstall. Safety is of the judged by the below specifications in this utmost importance in tack and attire. order: Decorations in keeping with colorful desert regalia shall be added to OPEN, AMATEUR, LADIES, GENTLEMEN. To be equipment. shown at a walk, canter and hand gallop;  No martingales or tie downs permitted. extreme or reckless speed to be penalized.  NOTE: a mechanical hackamore is allowed Horses shall stand quietly and back readily. To be judged 75% on performance and manners; ATTIRE 25% on appointments.

 Attire shall consist of native (Bedouin) CONCLUSION type costume including flowing cape or coat, pantaloons (trousers), head  Judging is not an absolute. It is matter of dress (kuffieyah; head cord is ighal), observation and evaluation. scarf or sash.  Judging is based on certain established  No object may be carried in either or criteria and rules. However, in judging both hands other than reins, a portion performance everything is relative. of an aba (flowing cape), and/or a  Each horse must be judged against the riding crop or whip. performance of the others in the class.  Spurs, whip or crop optional, at the  Other criteria, such as manners, attitude exhibitor’s discretion. and quality, must also be considered.  Women often wear a veil as part of the  All of the faults should be considered costume. according to their severity and the depth of competition.  Good judging depends upon correct observation of the finer points and the selection of the best horses for the purpose of the class.  The best horse, performing the most correctly as established by the class criteria and specifications, should be the winner.

Mounted Native Costume, effective 12/1/19 3