Overview of Additional, Optional Classes

The curriculum book states that counties may add or delete tests based on skills, preferences or resources.

  • Other classes such as Ranch Horse Halter/Conformation, Ranch Trail, Ranch Pleasure/Riding or a Versatility class may be added.
  • Classes recognized American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH) and Stock Horse of Texas (SHOT) classes may be added. These include: Pleasure, Halter, Reining, Working Cow Horse, Trail and Cutting.
  • Classes may be offered in divisions as follows:
    • Junior (Ages 10 & Under)
    • Intermediate (Ages 11-13)
    • Senior (Ages 14 & Over)
    • Novice (1st year of competing)
    • Green Horse or Colt Division (Horse aged 5 years or younger)
    • Open (open to adult or youth, 4-H membership not required)
  • The ideal stock horse must also be a cow horse and this Class demonstrates and measures the horse’s ability to do cow The working cow classes have varying requirements depending upon the division.
    • Seniors or Open Division complete a traditional working cow horse pattern consisting of boxing, taking the cow down the fence and executing at least one turn in each direction, and then circling the cow in each direction. Riders have the option of roping with a breakaway hondo instead of circling the cow. 2 minute time limit with 30 second warning
    • Intermediate Division demonstrate their ability to control a cow by boxing one end, driving the cow to the opposite end and boxing on the opposite 90 second time limit with 30 second warning whistle.
    • Junior, Colt or Novice Divisions demonstrate the ability to show control while boxing the cow on one end of arena and then to drive the cow down the fence past the halfway 45 second time limit with 15 second warning whistle.

Scoring Information

  • Each event will be scored individually. Scores will be tabulated by the office to calculate cumulative scores.
  • Judge’s decision is final. 
  • A contestant is judged from the time the contestant enters the arena until the run is finished. Horses are judged on performance only. 
  • The scoring system is designed to be positive, straightforward, and always encourage growth and improvement in both horse and rider. The scoring system is designed to give credit for the work done.

Scoring in Pleasure, Reining, Ranch Riding or Working Cow Horse, and Trail Classes

Score sheets from or modeled after American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH) and Stock Horse of Texas (SHOT) will be used. The horse/rider team is scored on the quality of each maneuver using the following scale:

  • - 1½ Extremely Poor
  • -1 Very Poor
  • -½ Poor
  • 0 Correct
  • +½ Good
  • +1 Very Good
  • +1½ Excellent

Pluses and minuses reflect the smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness, and authority of the horse/rider team when performing  the  various maneuvers. Penalties  may be accrued for incorrect maneuver execution.

Tie breaker maneuvers will be designated by the judge prior to start of judging a class. In the event of a tied score within a class the tie breaker maneuver will be used to make placing determination. 

 Remember to contact your local MSU Extension Agent to verify that your ranch horse event has the proper insurance coverage based on participants (4-H members versus non-4-H members).

 

Versatility Ranch Horse Classes and Judging Criteria

Pleasure | Reining | Ranch Riding or Working Cow Horse | Trail

Class
Judging Criteria
Ranch Horse Pleasure

The Ranch Horse Pleasure class measures the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from one ranch task to another. Competitors may be asked to ride in a rail class, or complete an individual pattern or circuit of the ring to demonstrate a variety of gaits and transitions.

  • The horse should be well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits.
  • The horse should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and without requiring undue restraint. The horse should be responsive to the rider and make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner.
  • The horse should be soft in the bridle and yield to contact. The ideal stock horse should have a natural, level head carriage at each gait and shall travel with forward movement and demonstrate obvious length of stride in all gaits.

The AQHA novice/rookie rule will be used regarding off-pattern elements. If a rider goes off-pattern (OP) or fails to execute a required element that element shall be circled to indicate it was off-pattern. On the score sheet each run must be indicated (Yes/No) in the given column to indicate if the run was executed correctly or off-pattern. Scores will be tabulated for all  runs. Any off-pattern run must be placed in the below those riders with correct runs.

 
Ranch Horse Reining

The Ranch Horse Reining class measures the ability of the horse to perform basic handling maneuvers.

  • Each pattern is a combination of maneuvers including the following: stops, spins, rollbacks, circles, back up, hesitate, lead changes and run-downs.
  • A variety of gaits may be specified.

To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of control. All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of, or temporary loss of, control and therefore a fault that must be marked down according to severity of deviation. The horse/rider team’s overall performance should be credited for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority of performing various maneuvers, while using controlled speed which raises the difficulty level and makes the horse/rider team more exciting and pleasing to watch.

 
Ranch Riding or Working Cow Horse

The ideal ranch horse must also be a cow horse. This class demonstrates and measures the horse’s ability to do cow work. The working cow classes have varying requirements depending upon the division.

Junior, Colt or Novice Divisions

  • Demonstrate the ability to show control while boxing the cow on one end of arena and then to drive the cow down the fence past the halfway.
  • 45 second time limit with 15 second warning whistle.

Intermediate Division

  • Demonstrate their ability to control a cow by boxing one end, driving the cow to the opposite end and boxing on the opposite
  • 90 second time limit with 30 second warning whistle.

Seniors or Open Division

  • Complete a traditional working cow horse pattern consisting of boxing, taking the cow down the fence and executing at least one turn in each direction, and then circling the cow in each direction.
  • Riders have the option of roping with a breakaway hondo instead of circling the cow.
  • 2 minute time limit with 30 second warning.
     

     
Ranch Horse Trail

The Ranch Horse Trail class tests the horse’s ability to cope with situations encountered in everyday riding. The horse is ridden through a pattern of obstacles that approximate those found during the course of everyday work. The horse/rider team is judged on the correctness, efficiency, and pattern accuracy with which the obstacles are negotiated, and  the attitude  and mannerisms exhibited  by the horse. Judging emphasis is on identifying the well-broke responsive, well-mannered horse which can correctly navigate and negotiate the course.

Trail Course Requirements

  • The trail class shall include at least 6 but no more than 9 obstacles.
  • Mandatory that the horse be asked to walk, trot and lope during the course as appropriate to project level. Gaits may be part of obstacle score or be scored as part of approach to obstacle. Trot must cover at least 35 feet. Lope must be lead-specific and cover at least 50 feet.
  • Care must be exercised to avoid setting up any obstacles that may be hazardous to the horse or rider. All courses and obstacles are to be constructed with safety in mind to reduce the risk of accidents.
  • The show committee should select a course that has a continuous, positive flow that can be negotiated in four minutes or less. A time limit may be set, and course may be run as timed competition with bonus score given for lowest time. 

Mandatory Trail Course Obstacles

  • Ride over obstacles on the ground: Usually natural looking logs or poles. Walk, trot, or lope may be used, but only one gait is required. Formation can be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised. There shall be no more than 5 logs in a series.
    • Walk-overs shall be spaced 24-30 inches apart.
    • Trot-overs shall be spaced 36-42 inches apart.
    • Lope overs shall be 6 – 7 feet apart.
  • Opening, passing through, and closing gate: Use a gate that will not endanger horse or rider and requires minimum side It is suggested to use a metal or wood gate with a latch. A rope gate is not recommended.
  • Ride over wooden bridge: Bridge should be sturdy, safe, natural looking and negotiated at a walk Heavy plywood lying flat on the ground is an acceptable simulation of a bridge. Suggested minimum width shall be 36 inches wide and at least 6 feet long.
  • Backing obstacle: Backing obstacles are to be spaced at a minimum of 30 inches and up to 40 inches. Back through and around at least three markers or back through a straight or shaped course (L, V, U, etc.). Obstacle border may include logs, straw bales, poles or barrels.
  • Side pass obstacle: Any object which is safe and of any length may be used to demonstrate responsiveness of the horse to leg signals. Raised side pass obstacles should not exceed 12 inches high. 

Optional Obstacles

This is a list of acceptable examples. Other obstacles may be used at the discretion of show committee. 

  • Rope drag (drag may be a from point to point or complete figure eight). Swing rope or throw rope at dummy steer head. 
  • A jump obstacle (minimum 12 inches and maximum of 24 inches high). Holding the saddle horn is permissible navigating this obstacle.
  • Carry object from one part of the arena to another. Remove and replace materials from a mailbox. Put on slicker or coat. 
  • Trot through cones spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart. Cross natural ditches or ride up embankments. Step in and out of obstacle. Stand to mount with mounting block. Walk through water obstacle or walk through brush. 
  • Open gate on foot. Pick up horse’s feet. Lead at the trot.

Prohibited Obstacles

  • Rocking or teetering bridges
  • Loose or flapping tarps
  • Obstacles in which a horse may get a foot caught  
 

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