• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

EQUITATION and WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP Prepared By the Education/Evaluation Commission and Judges & Stewards Commissioner 10805 East Bethany Drive Aurora, Colorado 80014 (303) 696-4539 © 2019 Arabian Horse Association Equitation and Western Horsemanship effective 12/1/19 1 EQUITATION Showmanship, technical correctness, style and ring generalship are all points to consider. Table of Contents A good rider should show smoothness, accuracy and must always be in total DESCRIPTION ............................................. 2 command of the horse between hands and MATTERS TO CONSIDER ............................. 2 legs, showing absolute balance and BASIC BODY POSITION ............................... 4 control. JUDGING EQUITATION ............................... 8 The best riders take advantage of ring ERRORS OR FAULTS .................................. 10 position, demonstrating the utmost of SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION ...................... 11 their riding ability and their horse’s ability HUNTER/JUMPING SEAT EQUITATION ..... 12 by asking the maximum rather than HUNTER SEAT EQUITATION, NOT TO JUMP passively doing only what is asked. .................................................................. 13 HUNTER SEAT EQUITATION OVER The best riders are able to make the OBSTACLES ............................................... 15 performance happen. WESTERN DRESSAGE SEAT EQUITATION . 16 WESTERN SEAT/REINING SEAT EQUITATION MATTERS TO CONSIDER AND WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP .............. 16 1. Rules governing Equitation classes, RIDER POSITION ....................................... 17 including riders’ attire and appointments, are found in the USEF Rule Book, DESCRIPTION Equitation Division, for Saddle Seat, Western Seat/Reining Seat and Hunter Equitation is the art of riding which is Seat. Rules for AHA Medal Classes, developed through knowledge, Horsemanship and Showmanship are understanding of the horse and correct found in the USEF Arabian Division. Check riding position. the current USEF Rule Book for allowed Good equitation is the acquired ability to tests. These tests are the only tests to be produce the maximum performance of the used when developing a pattern or horse through perfect form, position and individual workout. (Canadian Equitation control by the rider. classes are governed by EC rules). Correct riding position allows the rider to 2. Class procedures for AHA Medal classes, control the horse by use of legs, seat, Regional Equitation, and National hands and body in coordination and Equitation classes are located in the equilibrium. Arabian Chapter of the USEF Rule Book. The rider’s body alignment and use of aids 3. In conducting equitation classes, engage in are basic for all styles of riding. a proactive methodology and know your General balance, interaction and scoring plan before the gate opens. coordination of the leg, seat, upper body Prepare your card prior to the class to and hands are fundamental in all reflect the proper percentages of disciplines of riding. pattern/rail work. In Western The best riders are securely positioned, Horsemanship and Showmanship prepare balanced, coordinated, sensitive to the your card to reflect the maneuvers in the horse, and disciplined in their attitude pattern. toward their performance. 4. All AHA Medal classes, Western A good rider is a thinking rider, able to Horsemanship, Showmanship, Regional anticipate, communicate with and control Championship Equitation and National the actions of the horse and not merely Equitation Championship classes require a react to the horse’s actions. pattern. The Call Judge shall prepare in Equitation and Western Horsemanship effective 12/1/19 2 writing and have a pattern posted at least control the horse at different gaits on 24 hours prior to the first section of the lines, circles, and transitions. Use patterns Eliminations for Regional and National which are suited to your riders’ skills. competitions. Subsequent patterns are to Make your riders look good so you can be available immediately following the last judge their ability, horsemanship and working section of each phase. showmanship. A pattern which none of 5. Patterns for AHA Medal classes and any the riders can accomplish makes no one other equitation/showmanship patterns look good. used at a regular (non-regional/national) 11. Before posting your pattern, ask about competition must be posted at least one ring size, location of judge’s box, hour prior to the class. The judge shall centerpiece and location of the entrance prepare in writing and either read or have and exit gates. Judges should keep several the pattern announced over the public different patterns on hand to fit different address system before the first rider arena situations and riders’ abilities. begins the workout. Any questions and 12. Write patterns as clearly as possible, subsequent answers must be announced addressing any questionable areas on the over the public address system. pattern. Indicate how your exhibitors are 6. If possible, choose tests or patterns after to get to the start of the pattern and how you see the quality of riders. Show they are to exit the pattern area. management may assist you in 13. Know your pattern inside and out. Keep a determining the quality and quantity of copy in front of you on your judging pad riders if pattern work is to be requested in for reference. the first Equitation class judged. 14. Judges shall not confer with riders 7. Reference the AHA Equitation Manual individually. The judge should answer found on the AHA website for questions, but address answers to the recommended equitation, showmanship, entire class or all of the riders who are to and horsemanship patterns. Always perform the pattern. Use the public double check the patterns against current address system, if accessible. rules in case a change in a rule has not yet 15. Markers shall not be used in Saddle Seat been reflected in the pattern. Be sure to Equitation, or Western Dressage check the appropriate age group as it is Equitation as reference points in the indicative of the tests eligible for that pattern. specific age group. 16. Markers may be used in Western 8. Patterns in the AHA Equitation Manual are Horsemanship, Western Seat Equitation written such that the written directions and Hunter Seat Equitation Not to Jump take precedence over the drawings. The and must be used for a reining pattern in drawings are a guide. In addition, the Reining Seat Equitation. patterns are written to call for either 17. In Regional and National Championship correct/incorrect diagonals and leads or Equitation, Showmanship, Western right/left diagonals and leads. In the Horsemanship and AHA Medal classes all patterns written utilizing right/left exhibitors are required to perform the diagonals and leads, the word “right” has pattern. Individual work is not required in no inference as to whether the non-medal equitation classes for Saddle diagonal/lead is correct. Seat, Hunter Seat and Western Seat 9. Patterns are not permitted in walk/trot or Equitation, but calling for tests is optional walk/jog Equitation classes. at the judge’s discretion. 10. Do not try to choose or make patterns so 18. Western Horsemanship riders are always difficult as to lose your riders. A good required to perform the pattern at all pattern should test the rider’s ability to shows. Equitation and Western Horsemanship effective 12/1/19 3 19. Saddle Seat Equitation, Hunter Seat BASIC BODY POSITION – see each equitation Equitation, Not to Jump, Western seat for additional references Dressage Equitation and Western Horsemanship are judged 50% on the rail A RIDER’S BODY IS DIVIDED INTO work and 50% on the pattern; therefore, FOUR PRINCIPAL PARTS “off pattern” does not necessarily eliminate a rider. Base of support – hips, thigh and seat 20. All Hunter Seat Equitation Over Obstacles riders are required to ride the course. Off Legs, from the knee down, and feet course is elimination and may not receive a ribbon. Two or more additional tests of Upper body and head the top four riders are required in AHA Medal, Regional and National classes. An Arms and hands off pattern during additional testing does not constitute elimination. 21. Reminder: In Hunter Seat Equitation, Balance, body alignment and use of aids riders cannot be required by the tests to are fundamental to all Equitation seats. A enter or exit the arena at a trot or canter. rider must be balanced in the center of the The riders must enter and exit the arena at horse. a walk, Eyes should be up; the back and shoulders 22. In an AHA Reining Seat Medal, Regional or straight, never rounded, and directly over National Championship Reining Seat the hips. Equitation class, a rider who is off pattern Hands are held in an easy position above is eliminated and may not receive a medal and slightly in front of the withers, or ribbon. showing sympathy, adaptability and 23. AHA Reining Seat Equitation classes control. The height of the hands is consist of an NRHA reining pattern only, no determined by where the horse carries its rail work. head and neck. There should be a straight 24. Decide, time permitting, if the class is to line from the horse’s mouth to the rider’s remain in the line-up or leave the arena elbow. and return individually for pattern work. Legs should be positioned just behind the Consider the position of your line-up with girth, directly under the rider’s body, regard to your pattern. Horses often don’t knees slightly bent allowing the heel to be want to leave the line-up and the pattern lower than the toe and the heels directly may slow down or drift, especially with the under the rider’s hip. younger rider age-group, if the line-up is The rider’s knee should remain close to the too close to the pattern. saddle at all times, acting in conjunction 25. Three riders are required to award an AHA with the rider’s calf and thigh to create a Medal class in the class. If an AHA Medal secure and effective leg. class does not fill, it must be held as a The ball of the foot should be on the regular equitation class with a pattern.

Load more

  24

Copy Link