AQHA 2015 Rule Book | Page 87

inclement weather in hunter hack. The use of slip on (easy care) horse boots or related footwear are not considered as protective boots and are permissible to be worn in all classes; f) Rubber reins g) Slip on spurs; h) Western spurs; i) Synthetic spurs; 81.4 English Gaits The following terminology will apply to Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Hack and Hunter in Hand: a) Walk - is a natural, flat foot, four-beat gait. The horse must move straight and true at the walk. The walk must be alert, with a stride of reasonable length in keeping with the size of the horse. Loss of forward rhythmic movement will be penalised; b) Trot - is a two-beat gait, comprised of long, low, ground-covering, cadenced and balanced strides. Smoothness is more essential than speed. The knees should remain relatively flat, exhibiting minimal flexion. Short, quick strides and/or extreme speed will be penalised. When asked to extend the trot, there should be a definite lengthening of the stride; c) Canter - is a three-beat gait; smooth, free moving, relaxed and straight on both leads. The stride should be long, low and ground-covering. Over-collected four-beat canter is to be penalised. Excessive speed is to be penalised; d) Hand gallop - should be a definite lengthening of the stride with a noticeable difference in speed. The horse should be under control at all times, and be able to halt in a smooth, balanced manner; 81.5 English Attire a) In all English classes, riders must wear hunt coats of traditional colours being navy, dark green, grey, black, brown or tweed; b) Breeches (or jodhpurs) are to be of traditional shades of buff, khaki, canary, light grey or rust, with high English boots or elastic sided paddock boots of black or brown, with or without gaiters; c) A shirt must be worn and have a minimum of a short sleeve; d) A tie, choker or dickey must be worn; e) Black, navy blue, brown or green hard hat (with harness for youth in Hunter Hack) is mandatory; f) Gloves and spurs that are approved by AQHA and crops are optional; g) Hair must be neat and contained (as in net or braid); h) Judges must penalise contestants who do not conform; i) Judges can give permission for jackets to be removed in inclement weather as long as the shirt being worn has a minimum of a short sleeve. 81.6 Pleasure Driving Pleasure driving equipment will include a whip suitable to the cart, light horse breast collar harness to include surcingle with shaft tie-downs and crupper, standard bridle, overcheck or check reins. Page 87