Fitting and Showing is a required class, each member must ride in an
equitation class before riding in any other class.
For more detailed information on these classes please refer to the Ak.
4-H Horse Show Rule Book

CLASS DESCRIPTION and JUDGING CRITERIA

FITTING AND SHOWING
Walk (engilsh trot)into ring leading horse, circle ring, line up, and square
horse up as instructed. Use quartering system to show horse while
judge works ring.  Follow judges directions for individual performance
which will include walking , trotting, running and posing your horse.
This is not a halter class as conformation of the horse is not considered.
Judge may consider members are properly attired, are cool and poised,
are courteous and alert.  The horse is in good condition, tack fits
properly, and proper grooming has been done.  The ability to show horse
is given the most merit.

STOCKSEAT EQUITATION
A Western class judged on riders seat, hands, performance of horse and
appointments of horse and rider.  The performance of the horse is not
more important than the riders ability.  Ride into arena at a walk, jog,
lope on correct lead  and line up according to instruction.  Follow judges
instruction for individual performance.   Quiet hands and legs and
neatness of rider are important.  Beginners may be asked to walk, jog,
and lope both directions of the arena. Back, lope and collected stop,
and/or figure eight at the jog. Intermediate riders may be asked to do
the above plus demonstrate simple lead changes, ride without stirrups
and/or dismount and mount.  Advanced riders may be asked the above
plus demonstrate flying lead changes, collected lope at the hand gallop,
extend the jog maintaining seat, ride a serpentine with flying lead
changes, 360 turn on the haunches ,
Roll back, individual changes of pace at judge's command.

WESTERN BAREBACK EQUITATION-  Same as for stockseat without
saddle

HUNTSEAT EQUITATION
light and supple conveying the impression of complete control should any
emergency arise.  The performance of the horse is not more important
than the riders ability.  Ride into the arena at a posting trot. Walk, trot
and canter both ways of the arena as requested.  Line up for individual
performance.  Beginners may be asked to back, canter and halt, work
collectively, and/or figure eight at trot demonstrating change of
diagonals.  Intermediate riders may be asked the above plus hand gallop
and halt, demonstrate simple change of leads, dismount and mount
and/or ride without stirrups.  Advanced riders may be asked the above
plus execute serpentine demonstrating changes of diagonal,  demonstrate
flying changes of leads, canter on counter lead, half turn on haunches,
demonstration ride of approximately on minute, and/or individual
changes of pace at judges command

SADDLESEAT EQUITATION
 An English Class judged on rider.  Tack, attire and style of riding differ
from Huntseat.  (See Ak. State 4-H Rulebook)
Riders should convey the impression of effective and easy control
Similar to Huntseat criteria

ENGLISH BAREBACK EQUITATION
 Same as Huntseat or Saddleseat (depending on the riders tack and
attire) without a saddle

PLEASURE HORSE (WESTERN, HUNTER TYPE OR SADDLESEAT TYPE)
 Class routine, tack and attire are the same as for the corresponding
equitation class.  In Pleasure classes, judging is based primarily on the
performance of the horse instead of the rider.  It is imperative that the
horse give the distinct appearance of being a pleasure to ride. Soundness
of horse I a must. Horses will be judged on manners, performance,
quality and conformation.

MATCHED PAIRS
Riders enter the arena in their correct gait( Western walk, English trot)
as a team (side by side)  May be asked to walk, trot/jog, canter/lope,
reverse or halt.
Judged on similarity of horses, tack, rider's appearance and how well
the horses work together, catch paces, etc.
THIS IS NOT A COSTUME CLASS

TRAIL
May be ridden either English or Western, but tack and attire must be
consistent.   This class has a course to follow which will be posted at
least one hour before class begins.  Obstacles will be consistent with
those you might encounter on a trail.
Points will be taken off for no curiosity of obstacle,shying, excessive
movement of obstacle, refusals, bolting, not following directions, etc.  A
perfect score is "0".  (See Ak. 4-H Horse show rule book for more
detailed information)

MEDALS
A Senior Rider who has received 3 blue (purple) ribbons in any
advancedStockseat, Huntseat or Saddleseat Equitation Class is must ride
in the Medals division if medals classes are offered.  If no Medals class
is offered at the show, the rider may ride in the advanced Senior class.
There are separate patterns for the bronze, silver, gold and supreme
medals.
Judged as other equitation classes.  Medals will be awarded to those who
execute a perfect (or near perfect) performance.  (See Medals
qualifications information in this packet)

WESTERN REINING
This is an individual performance.  Rider will enter the arena and
execute the posted pattern
also included in this packet.
Possible points for rider - 70
Possible points for horse - 20
Possible points for pattern - 10

MUSICAL RIDE
Make up your own pattern and routine and ride to the music of your
choice.

COSTUME CLASS
Dress up you and/or your horse.   This is a fun class.
 

                                         TIMED EVENTS'

NOTE: ALL TIMED EVENTS MAY BE RIDDEN EITHER WESTERN OR ENGLISH,
BUT MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE RULE BOOK.  ALL HORSES USED IN
TIMED EVENTS MUST HAVE BEEN SHOWN IN AN EQUITATION CLASS
(RIENING AND RIDING DO QUALIFY).

BARREL  RACING
 Barrels are set up in a triangular shape with the first barrel placed 30'
from starting lime, with a minimum 20' between each barrel and the
fence.  At signal from starter, rider runs to either of the first barrels
;and makes an approximate 360 degree turn around it, goes to the
second barrel and circles it, goes to the third barrel and circles it , then
sprints to the finish line, passing between barrel 1 and 2
 Penalties: 5 sec. Added to time for each barrel knocked over
Disqualifications: Failure to follow the course, leaving course, refusal,
horse crossing starting line, taking more than 60 seconds to cross the
staring line after being given the course.  The judge, at their discretion,
may disqualify a rider for excessive use of bat, crop, whip or rope in
front of the cinch.  Rider must demonstrate that horse is under control
at beginning and end of ride.
Rerides:After last rider in event for failure of timing device or
obstruction of course.

POLE BEND ING
     Six poles are set up in straight line starting 21' from the starting
line, with 21' between each pole, and with a minimum of 15' between the
last pole and the fence.  Rider may start by running down the left or
right side of the poles, turn around the pole, weave through the poles,
turn the first pole, weave back through the poles, turn the end pole and
sprint home on the opposite side of the poles that you started on.
Penalties: 5 seconds added to time for each pole knocked over.
Disqualifications: Same as for barrels
Rerides: same as for barrels

KEYHOLE RACE
 Keyhole pattern is a 20' diameter circle with a neck that is 5' wide and
10' long.  The beginning of the neck of the keyhole is 80' from the
starting line.  The pattern is laid out with a white line or poles.  The
rider rides through the neck of the keyhole, into the circle, turns in the
circle, rides out the neck of the keyhole and sprints to the finish line.
Penalties and Rerides:same as for barrels
Disqualifications: Stepping on or outside of the designated "keyhole"

ARENA RACE
One barrel is set at the end of the arena, at least 20-30 ft. from the
fence.  Rider crosses starting line, runs to barrel,  turns around barrel
and sprints back over the finish line.
Penalties, Rerides and disqualifications:same as for barrels

HUNTSEAT EQUITATION OVER FENCES
The performance of the horse is NOT more important  than the riders
ability.  Riders should have a least one year experience riding huntseat.
Beginners should be  able to jump 2' 6", intermediates 2' 9" and advanced
3'. Beginner junior riders on ponies no more than 2'.  Judged on
hands(light), seat, legs and performance of  horse.  Faults do not count
unless they are the result of   Riders ability.
Beginners will jump a course of 6 jumps with one change of direction.
Intermediates 6-8 jumps
With 1-2 changes of direction. Advanced 8 jumps with 2  Changes of
direction.  Rider may circle ONCE Before beginning course.  More than
one qualifies as As a refusal.  Three refusals eliminates rider( Rider
Should immediately leave the arena ).

HUNTER HACK
Shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the arena. Horses are
required to jump 2 fences not to exceed 2 ft. horse, 36 ft. apart. Judged
on an even pace, manners, jumping style of horse, soundness and way of
going.

NOTE: IN HUNTER CLASSES, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE HORSE IS AS
IMPORTANT AS THE RIDERS ABILITY

HUNTER  WARMUP
Class routine is the same as for Huntseat Equitation Over fences.  Jumps
for Either Class may include  post and rail, wall, gate, brush, coop,
planks, picket  Fences, hogsback (Depending on level), etc. Judged on an
even pace, horses form over fences  correct leads and general
willingness to jump.

LOW  JUMPER
Tack, attire, class routine and fence heights are the same as for
Huntseat over fences and Hunter
 Warmup.  This class differs from other jumping classes because what
matters to the judge is a clean ride with no faults.

WESTERN  AND ENGLISH RIDING
This is an Equitation class.  Tack and attire may be western, hunt or
saddleseat type, but must be consistent.A pattern will be posted at least
one hour before the class begins.  (see Ak. 4-H Horse show rule book for
pattern)  Judged the same as for equitation. Riders will be disqualified
for not following pattern.

VERSATILITY
Riders enter  the arena in western tack and with western  clothes over
english clothes.  A groom stands outside the  Arena with english
equipmnet. Walk, jog and lope as instructed.   Groom brings in items,
rider changes tack, remounts then   Walk, trots and canters as
instructed. Judged as Stockseat, Huntseat or Saddle seat