This class will be judged on the performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the rider and quality of movement
Credit will be given to horses negotiating the obstacles with style and some degree of speed, providing correctness is not sacrificed. Horses should receive credit for showing attentiveness to the obstacles and the capability of picking their own way through the course when obstacles warrant it, and willingly responding to the rider’s cues on more difficult obstacles. Horses shall be penalized for any unnecessary delay while approaching or negotiating the obstacles. Horses with artificial appearance over obstacles should be penalized.
Horses must not be required to work on the rail. The course must be designed, however, to require each horse to show the three gaits (walk, jog, lope) somewhere between obstacles as a part of its work, and quality of movement and cadence should be considered as part of the maneuver score. While on the line of travel between obstacles, the horse shall be balanced, carrying his head and neck in a relaxed, natural position, with the poll level with or slightly above the withers. The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance. Gait between obstacles shall be at the discretion of the judge.
The course to be used must be posted at least one hour before scheduled starting time of the class.
Scoring will be on the basis of 0-infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. Each obstacle will receive an obstacle score that should be added or subtracted from 70 and is subject to a penalty that should be subtracted. Each obstacle will be scored on the following basis, ranging from plus 1 1/2 to minus 1 1/2: -1 1/2 extremely poor, -1 very poor, -1/2 poor, 0 correct, +1/2 good, +1 very good, +1 1/2 excellent.
Obstacle scores are to be determined and assessed independently of penalty points. Penalties should be assessed per occurrence as follows:
- Use of more than one finger between reins
- Use of two hands (except in snaffle bit or hackamore classes designated for two hands) or changing hands on reins; except for junior horses shown with hackamore or snaffle bit, only one hand may be used on the reins, except that it is permissible to change hands to work an obstacle.
- Use of romal other than as outlined in 443(e)
- Performing the obstacles incorrectly or other than in specified order
- No attempt to perform an obstacle
- Equipment failure that delays completion of pattern
- Excessively or repeatedly touching the horse on the neck to lower the head
- Fall to the ground by horse or rider
- Failure to enter, exit or work obstacle from correct side or direction, including overturns of more than 1/4 turn
- Failure to work an obstacle in any manner other than how it’s described by the course
- Riding outside designated boundary marker of the arena or course area
- Third refusal
- Failure to demonstrate correct lead or gait, if designated
- Faults that occur on the line of travel between obstacles, which will be cause for disqualification, except in novice amateur or novice youth classes, which shall be faults scored according to severity:
- head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers consistently)
- over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the noseis carried behind the vertical consistently.
- Each tick of log, pole, cone or obstacle
- Each hit of or stepping on a log, pole, cone or obstacle
- Incorrect gait at walk or jog for two strides or less
- Both front or hind feet in a single-stride slot or space
- Skipping over or failing to step into required space
- Split pole in lope-over
- Failure to meet the correct strides on trot over and lope over log obstacles
- Break of gait at walk or jog for more than 2 strides
- Out of lead or break of gait at lope (except when correcting an incorrect lead)
- Knocking down an elevated pole, cone, barrel, plant obstacle, or severely disturbing an obstacle.
- -Stepping outside the confines of, falling, or jumping off or out of an obstacle with one foot
- Failure to follow the correct line of travel within or between obstacles
- -Dropping slicker or object required to be carried on course
- First refusal, balk, or attempting to evade an obstacle by shying or backing more than 2 strides away
- Letting go of gate or dropping rope gate
- Use of either hand to instill fear or praise
- Stepping outside the confines of, falling, or jumping off or out of an obstacle with more than one foot
- Blatant disobedience (kicking out, bucking, rearing, striking)
- Failure to complete obstacle
- Faults, which occur on the line of travel between obstacles, scored according to severity:
- head carried too high
- head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers)
- over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
- excessive nosing out
- opening mouth excessively
