Area and State 4-H Horse Show Rules

Changes for 2010 Area & State 4-H Horse Shows

New 2010 Class list
You will notice the following differences from previous years:

No "Open" Division. All classes are listed under the four main divisions. Classes are also renumbered so all classes in a division are together, as opposed to all the halter, then all the showmanship, then all the mounted classes.
Trail is now Western only. By removing the Open Division and moving Trail into the Western Division, all entrants will show in Western tack and attire.
Western pony height is 14.2 hands. Previously Western ponies were 13.2 hands; now they use the same definition as Hunter.
Western and Hunter Halter classes have the same splits: pony mares, pony geldings, horse mares, horse geldings.
Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle have the same splits: pony, Jr/Int. rider, and Sr. rider.
All Speed Events are split to Jr/Int. and Sr.
Saddle Seat and Gait Performance Division. Classes and rules were redefined to allow for gaited horses to show in Western, Hunter, or Dressage tack instead of only Saddle Seat. Gaited horses (regardless of riding style) and Saddle Seat trotting horses are still in the same overall division.
Added a Gaited Pleasure class. Now all mounted classes in that division are separated into trotting and gaited.
New Ranch classes! These new classes are governed by the same tack & appointments rules as the Western Division. However the intent is a more natural turnout suitable for actually working on a Ranch as opposed "show" tack, attire, and turnout. Click each class name for the full set of rules as they will be in the rulebook.
Ranch Riding. One pattern will be used for the year. Judged on quality of gaits, response to the rider, manners, and disposition as the horse performs as a means of conveyance from one stock horse task to another. This year’s pattern is included in the linked rules.
Ranch Versatility Trail. Shows the horse’s ability to navigate and cope with the various situations and obstacles encountered in everyday ranch work. Should use realistic and natural obstacles and terrain. Notable differences from Western Trail are the required obstacles of roping a simulated steer and dragging a log. A *sample* course is included after the linked rules. This will not be the exact course – it is up to show management to choose the obstacles and course layout.

Previous year rulebook for reference:

2009 Florida 4-H Area & State Horse Show Official Rules

(Click above to download entire PDF rulebook)
The pdf file of the entire book includes bookmarks as well as links in the index. Your pdf reader should have a tab to view 'Bookmarks', and then you can use the bookmarks in that outline to jump straight to the section you need. Also, the index entries are linked to their respective pages. Click on a word in the index to go to that page, then click "Index" in the bookmark list to go back.

Bit Details, 2009 - Refer to this pdf file for some examples of acceptable and unacceptable bits.

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