Western Horsemanship Stock Seat Equitation Dr. Bob Mowrey Extension Horse Commodity Coordinator North Carolina State University

Western Horsemanship vs. Stock Seat Equitation Western Horsemanship Western Horsemanship Pattern first Pattern first Emphasis on rider’s ability to control horse Emphasis on rider’s ability to control horse Rail work used to determine close placings (tie breaker) on equitation Rail work used to determine close placings (tie breaker) on equitation Stock Seat Equitation Rail work first Emphasis on “pure” equitation Hands Seat Legs Body Pattern used as a tie breaker “or” 50% rail, 50% pattern

Correct Basic Position

Proper Hand Position

A- Illegal B- Legal C- Legal

Hand Position

Romal Reins

Incorrect Arms

Leg Position

Leg Positions

Knee

Foot Placement in Stirrups

Performance of Pattern Work on proper side of cones Work on proper side of cones Accurate, precise, smooth and prompt Accurate, precise, smooth and prompt Reward increased maneuver speed Reward increased maneuver speed Higher degree of difficulty Higher degree of difficulty Maintain adequate impulsion, collection and cadence Maintain adequate impulsion, collection and cadence Minimal visual or audible cueing Minimal visual or audible cueing Transitions- smooth and prompt Transitions- smooth and prompt

Horsemanship Maneuvers- See Handout

Guidelines to Designing Patterns Test in less than 30 seconds (western), 60 seconds (huntseat) Test in less than 30 seconds (western), 60 seconds (huntseat) Use cones to: Use cones to: Show direction of pattern Show direction of pattern Identify transitions Identify transitions Control degree of difficulty Control degree of difficulty Position exhibitor between the judge and the cone Position exhibitor between the judge and the cone Post pattern at least one hour prior to the class Post pattern at least one hour prior to the class

Guidelines to Designing Patterns Include a key Include a key Indicate judges’ location Indicate judges’ location Take into account ring conditions and exhibitors abilities Take into account ring conditions and exhibitors abilities **** Walk ---- Jog ___ Lope ► Cone

Disqualification (Should Not Place) Knocking over a cone or going off pattern (including working the wrong side of the cones, omission or addition of maneuvers and turning the wrong way Knocking over a cone or going off pattern (including working the wrong side of the cones, omission or addition of maneuvers and turning the wrong way Failure by exhibitor to wear correct number in visible manner Failure by exhibitor to wear correct number in visible manner Willful abuse Willful abuse Excessive schooling or training Excessive schooling or training Fall by horse or rider Fall by horse or rider Illegal use of hands on reins Illegal use of hands on reins Use of prohibited equipment Use of prohibited equipment

Faults, 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) Head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers consistently) Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently

Point Deductions Horsemanship Faults Deduction per Infraction Minor ½ - 4 points Major 4 ½ - 9 ½ points Severe 10 points +

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