AQHA 2015 Rule Book | Page 103

89.6 Schooling over obstacles in the ring or over any part of an outside course is permitted only 90. HUNTER UNDER SADDLE a) Hunter Under Saddle horses 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. Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Horses 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. b) This class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation n. Maximum credit will be given to the flowing, balanced, willing horse. A maximum of 20 percent of judging will be based on condition and conformation. c) Horses to be: i) shown under saddle, not to jump. ii) shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. Horses should back easily and stand quietly. iii) reversed to the inside away from the rail. d) Horses can be asked to change to canter from the flatfooted walk or trot, at the judge‟s discretion. 90.1 Faults to be scored according to severity: a) Quick, short, or vertical strides b) Being on the wrong lead and/or wrong diagonal at the trot c) Breaking gait d) Excessive speed at any gait e) Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum f) Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for g) Head carried too high h) Head carried too low - tip of the ear is below the withers for five or less strides i) Over flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical for five or less strides j) Excessive nosing out k) Failure to maintain light contact with horse‟s mouth l) Stumbling m) If horse appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired n) Consistently showing too far off the rail 90.2 Faults which will be cause for disqualification: a) Head carried too low such that poll is below the withers consistently. b) Over flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently 90.3 At the option of the judge, all or just the top twelve (12) horses may be required to hand gallop, one or both ways of the ring. Never more than twelve (12) horses to hand gallop at one time. At the hand gallop, the judge may ask the Page 103