CLASSES | smhss

English Division

Turnout for Hunter and Equitation Classes:

Horses must be shown in a forward seat English saddle. Bridles may be leather or synthetic, of brown or black material, and be in good working condition. Traditional hunter bits such as eggbutt, full cheek, or D ring snaffles, pelhams, and kimberwickes are permitted. Hackamores should not be used. Martingales are allowed for the over fences classes, but must be removed for the under saddle or flat classes. Saddle pads should be clean and may be shaped or square schooling pads. Boots or wraps are permissible in the equitation and medal classes only.

Riders should be neatly attired with breeches and tall boots if over the age of 13. Riders under the age of 13 may show in either tall boots or paddock boots with/without garter straps. Traditional show shirt and dark hunt coat are encouraged, but a neat polo or any collared shirt is acceptable in warm weather.

Turnout for Jumper Classes:

Horses must be shown in a forward seat, English saddle. Bridles may be leather or synthetic of brown or black material and be in good working condition. Traditional hunter bits such as eggbutt, full cheek, or D ring snaffles, pelhams, and kimberwickes are permitted as well as jumper bits or any safe hackamore. Running or standing martingales are permitted. Saddle pads should be clean and may be shaped or square schooling pads.Boots or wraps are allowed in any jumper class.

Showmanship

Judged on the handler’s presentation and control of the horse. Handlers will be asked to perform an individual pattern before lining up collectively.

Hunter Model

Judged on the horse’s conformation and way of going on the line. May not cross enter Pony Hunter Model.

Pony Hunter Model

Judged on the pony’s conformation and way of going on the line. May not cross enter Hunter Model.

Walk Only

Intended as a fun class for riders new to showing. A handler is permitted. Riders showing in Walk Only may cross-enter Walk-Trot and Groundrail classes.

Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Canter Hunter Pleasure

Judged on the horse’s way of going and manners at the walk and trot or the walk, trot, and canter. Horses should move freely forward on a light contact. May be asked to back.

Dressage Suitability (Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Canter)

Horses will perform all gaits both ways of the ring. Gaits shall be medium walk, working trot, and working canter. Free walk on long rein with the horse stretching forward and down to be performed at least one direction. Transitions into and out of the canter will be called for through the working trot. The trot should be ridden rising. To be judged on horse’s rhythm, purity of gaits, and acceptance of the bit. Dressage tack and attire is encouraged, but Hunter tack and attire is allowed. Snaffle bits should be used whether loose ring, eggbutt, full-cheek, or D. Flash or dropped nosebands are permitted.

Dressage Seat Equitation (Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Canter)

To be conducted at the working walk, working trot, and medium canter. Trot work should be ridden in rising unless otherwise specified. To be judged on rider’s position, control,use of aids.

Groundrail Division

Courses will consist of 4 groundrails to be trotted in one direction of the ring. Under Saddle and Equitation on the Flat classes will walk and trot only. Horse/Rider combination may cross enter between Groundrails and Crossrails, but will not be allowed to show in any over fences division higher than Crossrails. If entries warrant, classes may be split into Adult/Youth/Green Horse.

Crossrail Division

Courses will be very simple and consist of 8 small crossrails (approx. 12” high). Under saddle and equitation on the flat classes will walk and trot only. Open to all horse and rider combinations. If entries warrant, classes may be split into Adult/Youth/Green Horse.

18” Division

Courses will consist of 8 fences and at least one change of direction. Fences will be verticals with flower boxes, small walls, and gates. Under saddle and equitation on the flat classes will walk, trot, and canter. Jumper classes may either be time first jump off (USEF Table II.2b) or faults converted to time (USEF Table III.1).

2’ Division

2’6”/3’ Division

Courses will consist of 8 fences and at least one change of direction. Fences will be verticals, gates, walls, and oxers. A simple combination (1 or 2 strides) may be included on course. Riders may choose to either compete over 2’6” or 3’ with the lower height going first. Under saddle and equitation on the flat classes will walk, trot, and canter. Equitation riders may be asked to perform additional tests per judge’s discretion. Jumper classes may either be time first jump off (USEF Table II.2b), faults converted to time (USEF Table III.1), or Power and Speed (USEF Table II.2c).

High Jumpers

Fences to be a minimum of 2’6” and not to exceed 3’6”. If entries warrant, separate classes at different heights may be offered and may either be time first jump off (USEF Table II.2b), faults converted to time (USEF Table III.1), or Power and Speed (USEF Table II.2c).

Gambler’s Choice

Each rider will have 60 seconds to jump any fence in any order. Fences will be assigned point values according to height and difficulty. Each fence may only be jumped twice. Heights will range from 12” to 3’6”. If the rider has gone clean after the end of 60 seconds and upon an audible signal, the rider may choose to jump the “bonus” fence which will be set at the maximum height of 3’6”. If the bonus is knocked down, refused, etc. the attempt will not penalize the existing score, but will not count toward any bonus points.

Western Division

Turnout for Western Classes:

Horses must be shown in western saddles only; no Australian or endurance saddles. Breastcollar and back cinch optional. If a back cinch is used, a connector strap must be used to the front cinch. Bridles may be either one-ear or browband design. Curb bits should be used with split reins and snaffles should be used with either split reins or continuous reins. Bosals are permitted. No mechanical hackamores or tie-downs with the exception of speed events. Tack should be clean and good repair.

Riders should be neatly attired in jeans or other long pants and boots. Show shirts are encouraged, but any collared shirt is permissible. Chaps are encouraged but not mandatory. Stock Horse HalterJudged on the Western horse’s conformation and way of going.

Showmanship

Judged on the handler’s presentation and control of the horse. Will be asked to perform an individual pattern before lining up collectively.

Walk Only

Intended as a fun class for riders new to showing. A handler is permitted. Riders showing in the walk only may cross enter the Beginner Walk/Jog and Walk/Jog classes.

Beginner Walk/ Jog Pleasure

Open to riders not showing in any classes that lope. Western tack is suggested. To be shown both ways of the ring at the walk and the jog. May be asked to back per judge’s discretion. To be judged on the horse's obedience and suitability as a pleasure mount. Riders may ride one or two-handed on any bridle.

Beginner Walk/Jog Equitation

Open to riders not showing in any classes that lope. Western tack is suggested. Riders will be asked to walk and jog both directions of the ring and may be asked to back per judge’s discretion. To be judged on the rider's position, control, and use of aids. Riders may ride one or two handed on any bridle.

Western Pleasure

Judged on the Western horse’s way of going and manners at the walk, jog, and lope. Horses may be asked to extend gaits and/or back.Stockseat EquitationJudged on the Western rider’s position, control, and use of aids at the walk, jog, and lope.

Beginner Walk/Jog Horsemanship

Open to riders not showing in any classes that lope. Riders will be asked to individually ride a simple pattern before working as a group on the rail at least one direction of the ring. To be judged on the rider’s position, control, use of aids, and prompt, precise execution of the pattern. Riders may ride one or two handed on any bridle.

Walk/Jog and Open Horsemanship

Riders will be asked to individually ride a simple test or pattern before working as a group on the rail at least one direction of the ring. To be judged on the rider's position, control, use of aids, and prompt, precise execution of the pattern. The horse and rider's overall appearance will also be taken in to consideration. Riders may cross enter between Walk/Jog and Walk/Jog/Lope Horsemanship classes.

Beginner Walk/Jog Ranch Riding

Open to riders not showing in any classes that lope. Judged on the horse’s way of going, manners, and suitability as a working Western mount. Gaits should be free-moving and forward.

Walk/Jog Ranch Riding and Ranch Riding

Judged on the horse’s way of going, manners, and suitability as a working Western mount. Gaits should be free-moving and forward. Horses may be asked to extend gaits and/or back.

Walk/Trot Trail

Horse and rider will negotiate a course of simulated obstacles encountered while trail riding at the walk and trot. Obstacles will include four of the following: walking over poles, trotting over poles, opening and closing a simulated gate, backing through a pair of poles on the ground, retrieving an object from a mailbox, halting for 5 seconds, or performing a figure 8.

Open Trail

Horse and rider will negotiate a course of simulated obstacles encountered while trail riding at the walk, trot, and canter. Obstacles will include six of the following: walking over poles, trotting over poles, cantering over poles, opening and closing a simulated gate, backing through a pair of poles on the ground, retrieving an object from a mailbox, halting for 5 seconds, performing a figure 8, demonstrate a lead change, or crossing a bridge.

Ranch Trail

Same as Open Trail but will include obstacles that demonstrate the skill of a working ranch horse. Those obstacles may include roping a dummy, sidepassing, dragging simulated brush, or loading into a trailer.

Gaited Trail

Same as Open Trail but adjusted for the gaited horse.

*Super* Trail

Intended for the more advanced horse/rider combination. Horse and rider will negotiate a course of simulated obstacles encountered while trail riding at the walk, trot, and canter. Obstacles will include eight of the following: walking over poles, trotting over poles, cantering over poles, opening and closing an actual gate, backing through a pair of poles on the ground, retrieving an object from a mailbox, halting for 5 seconds, performing a figure 8, demonstrate a lead change, crossing a bridge, negotiating a low jump, sidepassing, or dismounting and remounting.

GAITED DIVISION

Trail Pleasure

A Trail Pleasure Horse shall not be required nor expected to maintain qualities such as a high head or high front leg lift, but should be the ultimate of a trail type horse, and should show evidence of being collected in his gaits. He shall stand quietly and back readily. To be shown at the flat walk and the pleasure gait. Trail Pleasure will be offered for both English and Western horses and riders separately, unless not specified on the prizelist. If only one Trail Pleasure class is offered, both English and Western horses and riders may enter.

Country Pleasure

The Country Pleasure horse shall be shown with a light rein; both the horse and rider must be relaxed and comfortable. He shall not be required to maintain a high head, but should be alert in the bridle. He shall not be required to maintain a high front leg lift, but should exhibit a smooth stride behind. To be shown at the flat walk and the pleasure gait.

Gaited English Equitation

To be judged on the rider’s position, control, and use of aids at the walk and pleasure gait in English tack. Riders may be asked to perform a short test upon judge’s request. Tests may include riding without stirrups, performing a figure 8, backing, or any combination of the above.

Gaited Stock Seat Equitation

To be judged on the rider’s position, control, and use of aids at the walk and pleasure gait in Western tack. Riders may be asked to perform a short test upon judge’s request. Tests may include riding without stirrups, performing a figure 8, backing, or any combination of the above.

GAMING DIVISION

Barrels

Traditional cloverleaf pattern of 3 barrels will be used. Scored on time. An overturned barrel will add a 5 second penalty. Pattern may be run left-handed or right-handed, but failure to make a complete turn around a barrel or otherwise breaking pattern will result in a no time.

Poles

Horse and rider will weave through a series of poles in a line twice before stopping the clock. Scored on time. A knocked-over pole will add a 5 second penalty. Skipping a pole will add a 5 second penalty. Any other break in pattern will result in a no time.

Stake Race

Horse and rider will execute a figure eight pattern around two poles with the timer in the middle of the “8”. Scored on time-a knocked over pole will add a 5 second penalty. Failure to cross between the timing markers will result in a no time.

Potato Race

Horse and rider will cross the timer line, proceed to a barrel at the other end of the arena, pick up a “potato”, and drop it in the open barrel at the other end of the arena before crossing the timer. In the event the rider drops his/her potato, or misses the open barrel, they must go pickup another potato and try again.