WHAT IS RANCH?
Ranch events are judged on the ability to work
a horse at a forward moving pace, in a natural
frame, whilst testing the skill and versatility of
horse & rider. In Ranch Riding, Ranch Reining,
Ranch Pleasure & Ranch Trail (collectively known
as the pattern classes), a horse’s abilities and
manners are put to the test through a series of
transitions and manoeuvres. A horse’s gaits,
movement and ability to ride confidently amongst
other horses is showcased in Ranch Rail Pleasure.
A horse’s conformation and suitability for ranch
work is also judged in Ranch Conformation,
a halter class.
A ranch horse should be attentive to its
surroundings, display forward moving in working
gaits and be ridden with a light contact.
Once you give ranch a try,
it's very easy to become hooked!
RANCH RAIL PLEASURE
Riders enter the arena at a trot.
Gaits to be called by the announcer:
Grass roots - walk, trot, back-up.
Amateur - walk, trot, lope, back up.
Open - walk, trot, extended trot, lope and
extended lope. At least one extended
gait should be called for each direction of
the arena at the judge’s discretion.
Horses are required to back either while still on
the rail at any point during the class
or can be brought into the lineup. Halting
during the class is not required but can
be requested by the judge at any point.
Each gait will be judges in both directions.
RANCH RIDING
Ranch Riding is a pattern class , where the riding
style is smooth and efficient as if the horse and
rider are working on a ranch. Ranch Riding consists
of 15 standard patterns. Horses are to work the
pattern individually.
Maneuvers may include a side pass, turns of
360 degrees or more, change of lead
(simple or flying), walk, trot, or lope over pole(s);
or some reasonable combination of maneuvers that
would be reasonable for ranch horse to perform.
The overall cadence and performance of the gaits
should be comfortable for the rider with an emphasis
on forward movement, free flowing, and ground
covering for all gaits. Transitions should be performed
where designated, with smoothness and responsiveness.
RANCH TRAIL
The Ranch Trail class is a pattern class designed to exhibit a horse's versatility and willingness to perform tasks that may be encountered on a ranch. Natural appearing obstacles are preferred. Riders may be asked to open/close a gate, drag a log, dismount &mount, cross a bridge, side-pass a log, lope or trot over a log, move items, etc as well as perform all gaits, pivot and back.
RANCHMANSHIP
The purpose of this class is to bring forth the
versatility in both the ranch horse and rider, in the
task of performing the designated pattern constructed
of both Ranch Trail obstacles and Ranch Riding
maneuvers.
Obstacles and maneuvers are to be
judged to the standards written in Ranch Trail and
Ranch Riding in each part of the patterns that
pertains to these classes.
Ranchmanship consists of 8 standard patterns.
RANCH HORSE CONFORMATION
Ranch Conformation is also sometimes referred to
as Ranch Halter. The purpose of this class is to
preserve the Ranch Horse type by selecting
well-mannered horses in the order of their
resemblance to their breed ideal. Judges look for a
combination of balance combined with function,
structural correctness, and movement with
appropriate breed/sex characteristics and
adequate muscling.
Horses will be entered into either “Quarter Horse” or
“Other Breed” classes.
Registered Paint and Registered Quarter Horse
Apendix horses will be entered in the “Quarter Horse”
classes.
RANCH REINING
The ranch reining class measures the ability of the
ranch horse to perform basic handling manoeuvres
with a natural head carriage in a forward looking
manner.
The ideal ranch reining horse should have a
natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in
each manoeuvre.
Manoeuvers will include fast and slow circles, spins,
lead changes, stops and rollback.
