The inside of all boots must be smooth and re loose objects of any nature and must not h e a sharp edges or points which touch or rub an * P the horse’ s legs or feet. The lining of leath must be smooth, soft leather or felt. Any yp boot must be at least two inches in height. Bits- While any standard Walking Horse bit may be used, severe bits are discouraged and bleeding o mouth or the muzzle must be penalized in the ina
Taif Brace- Walking Horse shall be shown( except
where specifically stated otherwise) with an inconspicuously applied tail brace, switch or humane tail.
Conformation— In general conformation the Tennessee Walking Horse should have an intelligent an neat head, well shaped and pointed ears, clear, alert eves and a tapered muzzle. The neck should be long and graceful. The shoulders should be muscular and well sloping. The back should be short with good coupling at the loins. The chest should be deep in the girth, well ribbed, full in the flanks, and of good proportion and width in the chest. The croup is generally sloping. The hips should be well muscled and this
development will usually extend well down toward the hocks. Legs should be flat and cordy. Bone should be dense and hard, and hoofs should be of ample size. The hair should be soft and silky with thin hide. Except as to walking ponies, which shall be 14.2 hands and under, the horses should be from 15 to 16 hands in height with an occasional individual over or under and from 1000 to 1200 pounds in weight.
Gaits— The qualifying gaits are:( a) The flat walk: true, square and flat with a cadenced head motion.( b) The running walk: a smooth, gliding overstepping, four cornered gait, the horse having stride and head motion. The running walk should be a free easy gait.
Horses exhibiting an exaggerated, hesitating way of going, with a tendency to point or to strike the ground heel first with the front feet, are not in form. Twisting of the hocks or stiff legged rear leg motion shall also be considered a deviation from the true running walk.( c) The canter: smooth and straight on both leads, not walking behind but cantering on both ends with a rolling motion— comfortably in hand. Exaggerated '’ pumping” of the horse at the canter is not considered good form.
Judges shall penalize extries out of form. At all gaits the horse should be flexed at the poll with the muzzle slightly tucked. A tendency to rack, pace, slow-gait, or any other deviation from the true gaits shall be penalized.
Judging System— The percentages of merit for the gaits and conformation of the Tennessee Walking Horse in the showring shall be as follows:
Two-Year-Old Walking Horses: To be judged 50 % for running walk, 25 % for flat walk, and 25 % for conformation.
Three-Year-Old Walking Horses: To be judged 40 % for running walk, 20 % for flat walk, 20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation. ter
Junior Walking Horses- Four Years Old and Under To be judged 40 % for running walk, 20 % for flat walk " 20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation.
Age Walking Horses- Five Years Old and Over- To be judged 40 % for running walk, 20 % for flat walk,
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20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation Thr Four-Year-Old Horses may be exhibited in Ageclas " ° r Ladies Walking Horse Amateur( Mares and Cyeu ***'
to be ridden by ladies- STALLIONS PROHIBIT^?? 8 To be judged 40 % for running walk, 20 % for flat w 20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation. NOTFlions may be shown in a LADIES OPEN CLASz1
Open Walking Horse Amateur( Ladies may show Sfai lions in this class): To be judged 40 % for runnin walk, 20 % for flat walk, 20 % for canter and 20 % f conformation.
0 or
Juvenile Walking Horses: To be judged 40 % for ning walk, 20 % for flat walk, 20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation. 0
Walking Pony: Open to stallions, mares and geldings who shall be 14.2 hands and under. To be judged 40 % 40 % for running walk, 20 % for flat walk, 20 % for cam ter and 20 % for conformation. To be shown exclusively by Juvenile or Junior Exhibitor with Amateur status.
Walking Horse Pleasure Classes: Open to stallions, mares and geldings.( Shows may divide class by rider’ s age and / or horse’ s age or sex or limit to amateurs, or open class.) To be judged on three gaits as to pleasurable handling and riding characteristics with light rein and to true road and trail qualities. Disposition, mouth manners, responsiveness to rider, soundness and conformation to be considered. To stand quietly and back readily. SET TAILS, BOOTS
AND ARTIFICIAL APPLIANCES PROHIBITED; ONE PAD IS PERMISSIBLE. Horses competing in Pleasure Classes are ineligible to compete in any other classes at the same show in which the performance of the horse is the deciding factor.
Definitions—
Amateur— An amateur is a person who does not engage in the breeding, boarding, schooling, buying, selling, dealing in or hiring out horses as a principal means of his livelihood; does not accept remuneration for employment, either in part or in full, in connection with horses in showing, livery or boarding stables, riding academy or rodeo.
Juvenile( Junior Exhibitor)— An exhibitor is classified as a juvenile or junior if they have not reached
their eighteenth birthday prior to January 1st. The age of the individual on January 1st shall be maintained throughout the entire year.
Appointments—
Bridle- Standard Walking Horse bridle, complete with
cavesson and browband to suit the horse. No horse shall be shown with breast plate, tie-down or martingale.
Saddle- Flat English-type saddle, leather lining preferred, either standard or cut-back accepted. Girth either leather or web. Forward seat or Western saddles prohibited.
Dress( Riding Habit)- The rider shall be attired in a neat, well-fitting riding habit. The color should complement the horse. Informal attire( as opposed to jormal) is generally accepted for men, women and juvenile riders. A white shirt with a neat collar well m place is recommended. A tie, either bow, crossover or straight with a tie clasp, is preferred. A bourur + meie ^real or artificial) is recommended to complete the ensemble for the well-dressed Walking Horse exhibitor( see illustrations).
Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse