ENGLISH
Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation,
Hunter Hack, Working Hunter, Jumper,
148 General English Rules
A. English Attire: In all English classes, exhibitors and judges should bear in mind that at all times entries are being judged on ability rather than on personal attire. However, riders should wear hunt coats of traditional hunt seat style and conservative color, breeches or jodhpurs of traditional shades of buff, gray, khaki, canary or rust and high English boots or jodhpur shoes. Black, navy blue or brown hunting cap is mandatory. Youth exhibiters showing over fences or in any youth English class are required to wear a safety helmet with attached chin strap or harness... A tie or choker is required. Spurs of the un-rowelled type, crops or bats are optional. Hair must be neat and contained (as in net or braid). Judges must penalize contestants who do not conform. Judges, at their discretion, may authorize adjustments to attire due to weather related conditions.
1. English Type Halter Attire: Attire of the handler should permit free movement. Color may be chosen to compliment the animal, but should be conservative. Suitable recommended attire would be a collared polo shirt preferably white, vest, tie and gloves optional. Trousers should be loose enough to run in, jeans are forbidden. Running shoes or paddock boots required. English coat, breeches and boots are acceptable.
B. English Bits: In all English classes, an English snaffle, (no shank), Kimberwick, Pelham and/or full bridle (two reins), all with cavasson nose bands and plain leather brow bands, must be used. In jumping classes only, mechanical hackam-ores may be used.
C. English Saddles and Equipment Saddles must be black and/or brown colors and be of the hunting or forward seat type and may have an insert on the skirt. Saddle pads should fit size and shape of the saddle, except when necessary to accommodate numbers on both sides
D. Optional English Equipment:
1. Spurs of the un-rowelled type (except in dressage classes)
2. Crops or bats
3. Gloves
4. English breast plate
5. Braiding of mane and/or tail in hunt style
6. Standing or running martingales in working hunter and jumping only.
7. Boots or leg wraps in jumping only
E. Prohibited English Equipment
1. Draw reins
2. Rowelled spurs except in dressage
3. Leg wraps, figure 8 or flash cavasson except in jumping.
F. ENGLISH TERMINOLOGY & Gaits: The following terminology shall apply in all English classes whenever a specific gait is called for.
1. WALKis a natural, flat foot, four-beat gait. The mule must move straight and true at the walk. The walk must be alert, with a stride of reasonable length in keeping with the size of the mule. Loss of forward rhythmic motion shall be penalized.
2. TROT is a two-beat gait comprised of long, low, ground-covering, cadenced and balanced strides. Smoothness is more essential than speed. The knees should remain relatively flat, exhibiting minimal flexion. Excessive knee action will be penalized. Short quick strides and/or extreme speed will be penalized. When asked to extend the trot, there should be a definite lengthening of the stride.
3. CANTER is a three-beat gait; smooth, free moving, relaxed and straight on both leads. The stride should be long, low and ground covering. Over-collected four beat canter will be penalized. Excessive speed and slowness will be penalized.
4. HAND GALLOP should be a definite lengthening of the stride with a noticeable difference in speed. The mule should be under control at all times, and be able to halt in a smooth, balanced manner.
English Pleasure
A. This class is open to astride riders in either Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat tack or attire. (See tack and attire requirements in both English and Gaited sections). It is open to both gaited and non-gaited animals.
B. Class Routine: The mules will be asked to demonstrate gaits both ways in the arena. Standard English gaits of Walk, Trot, Canter and Gallop will be asked for. If there are entries which are gaited, they will be asked for a favorite gait instead of a trot.
C. Judging Considerations: It is imperative that the mule give the distinct impression of being a pleasure to ride. To this end, all gaits must be performed with willingness and obvious ease, cadence, balance and smoothness. The mule should demonstrate style, presence and suitable conformation; prompt comfortable gaits. Easy ground covering action is desired. Manners and suitability as a Pleasure mount are paramount.
D. Gaited mules shown in English Pleasure must be flat shod with no artificial appliances.
Hunter Under Saddle – No Jumping
A. Class Routine: Hunters Under Saddle will be shown at the walk, trot and canter both ways in the arena to demonstrate their ability with both leads and transitions. At the option of the judge, animals may be asked to extend the walk, trot or hand gallop one or both ways of the arena. The judge may ask all or just the finalists to extend the walk or trot however, never more than eight. Animals may be asked to hand gallop at one time. At the hand gallop the judge may ask for the animals to halt and stand quietly on a loose rein. Animals are required to back easily and stand quietly either on the rail or in the line up. The reverse may be asked for at the walk or trot only and animals should be reversed to the inside of the arena.
B. Judging Considerations: Hunters Under Saddle should be suitable to purpose: they should move with long, low strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness, be able to lengthen stride and cover ground with relaxed, free flowing movement. Mules should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Mules should be responsive and smooth in transition. When asked to extend the trot or hand gallop, they should move out with the same flowing motion. The poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical. This class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, willing mule that shows quality movement while appearing to be fit, well trained and a pleasure to ride.
C. Faults to be scored according to severity:
1. Quick, short, or vertical strides
2. Being on the wrong lead
3. Rider posting on the wrong diagonal at the trot
4. Breaking gait
5. Excessive speed at any gait
6. Excessive slowness in any gait
7. Head and neck consistently carried too high
8. Head and neck consistently carried too low
9. Excessive nosing out
10. Carrying the nose behind the vertical
11. Failure of the rider to maintain light contact with the reins
12. Stumbling or falling
13. Consistently engaging in a four beat lope
190 Hunt Seat Equitation
A. The hunt seat equitation class is an evaluation based on the ability of a rider to perform various maneuvers in harmony with his/her animal. The communication between animal and rider through subtle cues and aids should not be obvious. Equitation is judged on the rider and his/her effect on the animal. It provides a base for a natural progression to over fence classes.
B. Class Routine:
1. Each rider will work individually.
2. The pattern must include a trot and canter. Patterns may include any of the following maneuvers: Walk, sitting trot, extended trot, posting trot, canter, circles, figure 8, halt, back, side pass, address reins, change of diagonal, turn on the haunches or forehand, leg yield, simple change of lead, hand gallop, counter canter, drop or pick up irons. The animal’s gaits are to be ridden at the same cadence and speed as one would ride in a hunter under saddle class.
C. Judging Considerations-Position of Rider:
1. Hands should be over and in front of animal’s withers, knuckles thirty degrees inside the vertical, hands slightly apart and making a straight line from animal’s mouth to rider’s elbow. Method of holding reins is optional, and bight of reins may fall on either side. However, all reins must be picked up at the same time. Failure to maintain light contact, or riding with draped reins is a fault in hunt seat equitation.
2. The eyes should be up and shoulders back. Toes should be at an angle best suited to rider’s conformation; heels down, calf of leg in contact with animal. Iron should be on the ball of the foot and must not be tied to the girth.
3. At the walk, sitting trot and canter, the body should remain vertical with a secure seat and leg: at the posting trot the upper body should be inclined approximately 20 degrees in front of the vertical; at the hand gallop the rider should ride in two-point position, with the upper body approximately 30 degrees in front of the vertical, and the riders weight off of the animals back.
Hunter Hack
A. Class Routine: Mules are first required to jump two fences, two feet (2') to two feet six inches (2' 6") in height. In Junior Mule Hunter Hack or classes where Junior and Senior mules are combined, it is recommended that fences be set at two feet. Jumps do not have to be set on a line. However, if the jumps are set on a line they must be 36, 48, or 60 feet apart, or in increments of 12 feet, but no less then 36 feet. A ground line is required for each jump. Mules being considered for an award are then to be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways in the arena. At the discretion of the judge, contestants may be asked to hand gallop, pull up and stand quietly following the last fence.
B. Judging Considerations: The class will be judged on flat work, manners, way of going, style over fences and even hunting pace. Hunter Hack entries should be suitable to purpose, showing quality movement in all three gaits with a bright expression and willingness to perform.
1. Faults over fences will be scored as in Working Hunter Class.
2. Faults during rail work to be scored the same as in a Hunter Under Saddle class
Working Hunter
A. A hunter course shall be any course which management deems a fair test of a hunter, but judges are responsible for correctness of each course after it has been set and shall call the show committee's attention to any errors that would tend to result in unfair or inappropriate courses. This is not a timed event.
B. A course or arena arrangement:
1. A minimum of 4 obstacles. Mules to jump a minimum of 8 fences. One change in direction is mandatory.
2. Types of obstacle which may be used.
a. Fences shall simulate obstacle found in the hunting field, such as natural look post and rail, brush, walls, coops and ascend oxer (not square). Triple bar and hogsback are prohibited. Striped poles are not allowed.
b. The top element of all fences must be securely placed so that a slight rub will not cause a knockdown;
c. Distance between fences is recommended to be 12 foot increments with the exception of some combi-nations: 1 stride in and out, 24 to 26 feet: 2 strides in and out, 36 feet; 4 strides 48 feet.
d. Height for Junior Mules, Novice and Youth to be 2 ft. and Open and Non Pro 2 ft. 6 inches to 2 ft 9 inches.
e. A variation of 3 inches in fence height, down from the official heights listed, may be instituted if show management and official judges feel circumstances warrant, i.e. weather, footing, etc.
f. The use of wings on obstacles in hunter classes is recommended.
C. Judging Considerations and Scoring
To be judged on manners and way of going and style of jumping. Mules shall be credited which maintain an even hunting pace that covers the course with free-flowing strides. Preference will be shown to the mules with correct jumping style that meet fences squarely, jumping at the center of fence.
Judges shall penalize unsafe jumping and bad form over fences, whether touch or untouched, including twisting. Incorrect leads around the ends of the course or cross-cantering shall be penalized. In and outs (one or two strides) shall be taken in the correct number of strides or be penalized. Any error which endangers the mule and/or rider, particularly refusals or knockdowns, shall be heavily penalized.
F. General Rules:
1. Circling once upon entering the ring and once upon leaving is permissible.
2. After jumping the fence and prior to leaving the arena, the mule shall trot a small circle on a loose rein for soundness.
3. Mules shall not be requested to re-jump the course
4. Manners shall be emphasized in Youth and Amateur classes.
5. When an obstacle is composed of several elements, any disturbance of these elements will be penalized; however, only a reduction in height of the top element shall be considered a knockdown.
6. In cases of broken equipment, the rider may either continue without penalty, or stop and correct the difficulty and be penalized the same as any loss of forward motion.
7. When an obstacle requires two or more fences (in and out), faults committed at each obstacle are considered separately. In case of a refusal or runout at one element, entry may re-jump the previous elements.
Jumping
Jumpers are scored mathematically on a basis of touches, knockdowns and disobedience.
A. Course Requirements: The course shall be posted at least one hour before scheduled time of class and shall consist of a minimum of four (4) obstacles. ( In and Out to count as one obstacle) Mules will jump a minimum of eight (8) obstacles. A ground line on approach side of all jumps is mandatory.
1. Types of Obstacles to be used:
a. Post & Rail (at least two)
b. Chicken Coop
c. Stone Wall
d. Triple Bar
e. Brush Jump
f. In-and-Out
g. Spread Jump
2. Both a starting line at least 12 feet in front of the first obstacle and a finish line at least 24 feet beyond the last obstacle must be indicated by markers at each end of the lines. Animals must start and finish by passing between markers. Obstacles should be located at least 48 feet apart. further if arena permits.
3. Initial height of fences should be 3 feet. In case of ties after the first round, jumps may be raised three (3) inches, unless no mule has gone clean, in which case fences are not to be raised. During the second go-around, the tied mules are to be timed and the winner will be decided on the time only, if faults are equal.
B. General Rules:
1. Circling once upon entering and once upon leaving ring is permissible.
2. When an obstacle is moved or altered, it must be reset to original position.
3. When a mule makes 2 or more faults at an obstacle, only the major fault counts. In the case of equal faults, only one will be counted except in the case of disobedience which counts in addition.
D. Attire and Equipment: English tack and attires is required. Standing or running martingales, flat or figure 8 nosebands, jumping hackamores, leg wraps and/or boots are optional.
Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation,
Hunter Hack, Working Hunter, Jumper,
148 General English Rules
A. English Attire: In all English classes, exhibitors and judges should bear in mind that at all times entries are being judged on ability rather than on personal attire. However, riders should wear hunt coats of traditional hunt seat style and conservative color, breeches or jodhpurs of traditional shades of buff, gray, khaki, canary or rust and high English boots or jodhpur shoes. Black, navy blue or brown hunting cap is mandatory. Youth exhibiters showing over fences or in any youth English class are required to wear a safety helmet with attached chin strap or harness... A tie or choker is required. Spurs of the un-rowelled type, crops or bats are optional. Hair must be neat and contained (as in net or braid). Judges must penalize contestants who do not conform. Judges, at their discretion, may authorize adjustments to attire due to weather related conditions.
1. English Type Halter Attire: Attire of the handler should permit free movement. Color may be chosen to compliment the animal, but should be conservative. Suitable recommended attire would be a collared polo shirt preferably white, vest, tie and gloves optional. Trousers should be loose enough to run in, jeans are forbidden. Running shoes or paddock boots required. English coat, breeches and boots are acceptable.
B. English Bits: In all English classes, an English snaffle, (no shank), Kimberwick, Pelham and/or full bridle (two reins), all with cavasson nose bands and plain leather brow bands, must be used. In jumping classes only, mechanical hackam-ores may be used.
C. English Saddles and Equipment Saddles must be black and/or brown colors and be of the hunting or forward seat type and may have an insert on the skirt. Saddle pads should fit size and shape of the saddle, except when necessary to accommodate numbers on both sides
D. Optional English Equipment:
1. Spurs of the un-rowelled type (except in dressage classes)
2. Crops or bats
3. Gloves
4. English breast plate
5. Braiding of mane and/or tail in hunt style
6. Standing or running martingales in working hunter and jumping only.
7. Boots or leg wraps in jumping only
E. Prohibited English Equipment
1. Draw reins
2. Rowelled spurs except in dressage
3. Leg wraps, figure 8 or flash cavasson except in jumping.
F. ENGLISH TERMINOLOGY & Gaits: The following terminology shall apply in all English classes whenever a specific gait is called for.
1. WALKis a natural, flat foot, four-beat gait. The mule must move straight and true at the walk. The walk must be alert, with a stride of reasonable length in keeping with the size of the mule. Loss of forward rhythmic motion shall be penalized.
2. TROT is a two-beat gait comprised of long, low, ground-covering, cadenced and balanced strides. Smoothness is more essential than speed. The knees should remain relatively flat, exhibiting minimal flexion. Excessive knee action will be penalized. Short quick strides and/or extreme speed will be penalized. When asked to extend the trot, there should be a definite lengthening of the stride.
3. CANTER is a three-beat gait; smooth, free moving, relaxed and straight on both leads. The stride should be long, low and ground covering. Over-collected four beat canter will be penalized. Excessive speed and slowness will be penalized.
4. HAND GALLOP should be a definite lengthening of the stride with a noticeable difference in speed. The mule should be under control at all times, and be able to halt in a smooth, balanced manner.
English Pleasure
A. This class is open to astride riders in either Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat tack or attire. (See tack and attire requirements in both English and Gaited sections). It is open to both gaited and non-gaited animals.
B. Class Routine: The mules will be asked to demonstrate gaits both ways in the arena. Standard English gaits of Walk, Trot, Canter and Gallop will be asked for. If there are entries which are gaited, they will be asked for a favorite gait instead of a trot.
C. Judging Considerations: It is imperative that the mule give the distinct impression of being a pleasure to ride. To this end, all gaits must be performed with willingness and obvious ease, cadence, balance and smoothness. The mule should demonstrate style, presence and suitable conformation; prompt comfortable gaits. Easy ground covering action is desired. Manners and suitability as a Pleasure mount are paramount.
D. Gaited mules shown in English Pleasure must be flat shod with no artificial appliances.
Hunter Under Saddle – No Jumping
A. Class Routine: Hunters Under Saddle will be shown at the walk, trot and canter both ways in the arena to demonstrate their ability with both leads and transitions. At the option of the judge, animals may be asked to extend the walk, trot or hand gallop one or both ways of the arena. The judge may ask all or just the finalists to extend the walk or trot however, never more than eight. Animals may be asked to hand gallop at one time. At the hand gallop the judge may ask for the animals to halt and stand quietly on a loose rein. Animals are required to back easily and stand quietly either on the rail or in the line up. The reverse may be asked for at the walk or trot only and animals should be reversed to the inside of the arena.
B. Judging Considerations: Hunters Under Saddle should be suitable to purpose: they should move with long, low strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness, be able to lengthen stride and cover ground with relaxed, free flowing movement. Mules should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Mules should be responsive and smooth in transition. When asked to extend the trot or hand gallop, they should move out with the same flowing motion. The poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical. This class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, willing mule that shows quality movement while appearing to be fit, well trained and a pleasure to ride.
C. Faults to be scored according to severity:
1. Quick, short, or vertical strides
2. Being on the wrong lead
3. Rider posting on the wrong diagonal at the trot
4. Breaking gait
5. Excessive speed at any gait
6. Excessive slowness in any gait
7. Head and neck consistently carried too high
8. Head and neck consistently carried too low
9. Excessive nosing out
10. Carrying the nose behind the vertical
11. Failure of the rider to maintain light contact with the reins
12. Stumbling or falling
13. Consistently engaging in a four beat lope
190 Hunt Seat Equitation
A. The hunt seat equitation class is an evaluation based on the ability of a rider to perform various maneuvers in harmony with his/her animal. The communication between animal and rider through subtle cues and aids should not be obvious. Equitation is judged on the rider and his/her effect on the animal. It provides a base for a natural progression to over fence classes.
B. Class Routine:
1. Each rider will work individually.
2. The pattern must include a trot and canter. Patterns may include any of the following maneuvers: Walk, sitting trot, extended trot, posting trot, canter, circles, figure 8, halt, back, side pass, address reins, change of diagonal, turn on the haunches or forehand, leg yield, simple change of lead, hand gallop, counter canter, drop or pick up irons. The animal’s gaits are to be ridden at the same cadence and speed as one would ride in a hunter under saddle class.
C. Judging Considerations-Position of Rider:
1. Hands should be over and in front of animal’s withers, knuckles thirty degrees inside the vertical, hands slightly apart and making a straight line from animal’s mouth to rider’s elbow. Method of holding reins is optional, and bight of reins may fall on either side. However, all reins must be picked up at the same time. Failure to maintain light contact, or riding with draped reins is a fault in hunt seat equitation.
2. The eyes should be up and shoulders back. Toes should be at an angle best suited to rider’s conformation; heels down, calf of leg in contact with animal. Iron should be on the ball of the foot and must not be tied to the girth.
3. At the walk, sitting trot and canter, the body should remain vertical with a secure seat and leg: at the posting trot the upper body should be inclined approximately 20 degrees in front of the vertical; at the hand gallop the rider should ride in two-point position, with the upper body approximately 30 degrees in front of the vertical, and the riders weight off of the animals back.
Hunter Hack
A. Class Routine: Mules are first required to jump two fences, two feet (2') to two feet six inches (2' 6") in height. In Junior Mule Hunter Hack or classes where Junior and Senior mules are combined, it is recommended that fences be set at two feet. Jumps do not have to be set on a line. However, if the jumps are set on a line they must be 36, 48, or 60 feet apart, or in increments of 12 feet, but no less then 36 feet. A ground line is required for each jump. Mules being considered for an award are then to be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways in the arena. At the discretion of the judge, contestants may be asked to hand gallop, pull up and stand quietly following the last fence.
B. Judging Considerations: The class will be judged on flat work, manners, way of going, style over fences and even hunting pace. Hunter Hack entries should be suitable to purpose, showing quality movement in all three gaits with a bright expression and willingness to perform.
1. Faults over fences will be scored as in Working Hunter Class.
2. Faults during rail work to be scored the same as in a Hunter Under Saddle class
Working Hunter
A. A hunter course shall be any course which management deems a fair test of a hunter, but judges are responsible for correctness of each course after it has been set and shall call the show committee's attention to any errors that would tend to result in unfair or inappropriate courses. This is not a timed event.
B. A course or arena arrangement:
1. A minimum of 4 obstacles. Mules to jump a minimum of 8 fences. One change in direction is mandatory.
2. Types of obstacle which may be used.
a. Fences shall simulate obstacle found in the hunting field, such as natural look post and rail, brush, walls, coops and ascend oxer (not square). Triple bar and hogsback are prohibited. Striped poles are not allowed.
b. The top element of all fences must be securely placed so that a slight rub will not cause a knockdown;
c. Distance between fences is recommended to be 12 foot increments with the exception of some combi-nations: 1 stride in and out, 24 to 26 feet: 2 strides in and out, 36 feet; 4 strides 48 feet.
d. Height for Junior Mules, Novice and Youth to be 2 ft. and Open and Non Pro 2 ft. 6 inches to 2 ft 9 inches.
e. A variation of 3 inches in fence height, down from the official heights listed, may be instituted if show management and official judges feel circumstances warrant, i.e. weather, footing, etc.
f. The use of wings on obstacles in hunter classes is recommended.
C. Judging Considerations and Scoring
To be judged on manners and way of going and style of jumping. Mules shall be credited which maintain an even hunting pace that covers the course with free-flowing strides. Preference will be shown to the mules with correct jumping style that meet fences squarely, jumping at the center of fence.
Judges shall penalize unsafe jumping and bad form over fences, whether touch or untouched, including twisting. Incorrect leads around the ends of the course or cross-cantering shall be penalized. In and outs (one or two strides) shall be taken in the correct number of strides or be penalized. Any error which endangers the mule and/or rider, particularly refusals or knockdowns, shall be heavily penalized.
F. General Rules:
1. Circling once upon entering the ring and once upon leaving is permissible.
2. After jumping the fence and prior to leaving the arena, the mule shall trot a small circle on a loose rein for soundness.
3. Mules shall not be requested to re-jump the course
4. Manners shall be emphasized in Youth and Amateur classes.
5. When an obstacle is composed of several elements, any disturbance of these elements will be penalized; however, only a reduction in height of the top element shall be considered a knockdown.
6. In cases of broken equipment, the rider may either continue without penalty, or stop and correct the difficulty and be penalized the same as any loss of forward motion.
7. When an obstacle requires two or more fences (in and out), faults committed at each obstacle are considered separately. In case of a refusal or runout at one element, entry may re-jump the previous elements.
Jumping
Jumpers are scored mathematically on a basis of touches, knockdowns and disobedience.
A. Course Requirements: The course shall be posted at least one hour before scheduled time of class and shall consist of a minimum of four (4) obstacles. ( In and Out to count as one obstacle) Mules will jump a minimum of eight (8) obstacles. A ground line on approach side of all jumps is mandatory.
1. Types of Obstacles to be used:
a. Post & Rail (at least two)
b. Chicken Coop
c. Stone Wall
d. Triple Bar
e. Brush Jump
f. In-and-Out
g. Spread Jump
2. Both a starting line at least 12 feet in front of the first obstacle and a finish line at least 24 feet beyond the last obstacle must be indicated by markers at each end of the lines. Animals must start and finish by passing between markers. Obstacles should be located at least 48 feet apart. further if arena permits.
3. Initial height of fences should be 3 feet. In case of ties after the first round, jumps may be raised three (3) inches, unless no mule has gone clean, in which case fences are not to be raised. During the second go-around, the tied mules are to be timed and the winner will be decided on the time only, if faults are equal.
B. General Rules:
1. Circling once upon entering and once upon leaving ring is permissible.
2. When an obstacle is moved or altered, it must be reset to original position.
3. When a mule makes 2 or more faults at an obstacle, only the major fault counts. In the case of equal faults, only one will be counted except in the case of disobedience which counts in addition.
D. Attire and Equipment: English tack and attires is required. Standing or running martingales, flat or figure 8 nosebands, jumping hackamores, leg wraps and/or boots are optional.