d) Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward
momentum
e) Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for
f) Touching horse or saddle with free hand
g) Head carried too high
h) Head carried too low - tip of ear below the withers for
five (5) or less strides.
i) Over flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the
nose is carried behind the vertical for five (5) or less
strides.
j) Overly canted at the lope (where the outside hind foot is
further to the inside of the arena than the inside front
foot)
k) Excessive nosing out
l) Opening mouth excessively
m) Stumbling
n) A horse which appears sullen, dull, lethargic,
emaciated, drawn or overly tired
o) Quick, choppy or pony-strided
p) If reins are draped to the point that light contact is not
maintained.
104.5 Faults which will be cause for disqualification:
a) Head carried too low such that the poll is below the
withers consistently.
b) Over flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the
nose is carried behind the vertical consistently.
c) Use of spurs forward of the cinch
105. WESTERN RIDING
Western Riding is a class where the horse is judged on
quality of gaits, lead changes at the lope, response to the
rider, manners, and disposition. The horse should perform
with reasonable speed, and be sensible, well-mannered,
free and easy moving.
105.1 Credit will be given for and emphasis placed on
smoothness, even cadence of gaits (ie: starting and
finishing pattern with the same cadence), and the horse‟s
ability to change leads precisely, easily, and simultaneously
both hind and front at the centre point between markers.
The horse should have a relaxed head carriage showing
response to the rider‟s hands, with a moderate flexion at the
poll. Horses may be ridden with light contact or on a
reasonably loose rein. The horse should cross the log both
at the jog and the lope without breaking gait or radically
changing stride.
105.2 The judge will select one (1) of the four (4) patterns to be
performed. The judge is responsible for the pattern being
correctly set.
On the pattern:
a) The small circles represent pylon markers which are
recommended. These are to be separated by a uniform
measured distance of not less than 9 metres or more
than 15 metres on the sides with 5 markers (see
diagram). In pattern one, the three markers on the
opposite side are to be set adjacent to the appropriate
markers. It is recommended that markers be set a
minimum of 4 1/2 metres from the fence and with 15 to
24 metres width in the pattern, as the arena permits.
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