RANCH VERSATILITY SHOWS
by Paul Lorimer
Why Ranch Versatility has been introduced
The AQHA recognises that there is a number of Quarter Horse enthusiasts that did not feel that they were a good “fit” with the
Western Performance style of showing or Western Performance competitors who were looking for another discipline to expand
into. Other Quarter Horse enthusiast have horses which are predominantly working bred and are looking for a discipline more
suited to their horse’s way of going.
In 2016 the AQHA introduced Ranch Riding to Western Performance Shows and the class has been a great success. In 2018 the
AQHA have introduced the concept of Ranch Versatility Shows.
What is it?
A Ranch Versatility Show (see Rule 102) is a new stand-alone show. Stand-alone means it is run as a separate show from any
other AQHA Approved show. Currently it is judged by Associate and Accredited AQHA judges until 1st August 2019 when we will
have Ranch Versatility Accredited Judges.
The AQHA is running the first Ranch Versatility Judges Seminar in November in Queensland and we are planning on having
another Ranch Versatility Seminar in Victoria early in 2019.
The Gatton Quarter Horse & Performance Association ran the first AQHA approved Ranch Versatility in August and many other
Affiliates have started planning and applying for approval. So be on the look-out for these shows in your arena.
What Classes are there?
1. Ranch Pleasure (see Rule 102.2)
• In the American rule book this is termed Versatility Ranch
Riding and we have changed the name to avoid confusion with
Ranch Riding at AQHA Western Performance Shows. Our rules
are the same as AmQHA rules.
• Ranch Pleasure measures the ability of the horse to be a pleasure
to ride whilst moving from one ranch task to another. The horse
should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and
without requiring undue restraint. The horse should be respon
sive to the rider and make timely transitions in a smooth and
correct manner.
• Horses are shown individually either inside or outside an Arena.
In the Arena, horses are required to make a pass of the Arena in
both directions. The judge can use set patterns (see AQHA pages
163-165) or design their own.
• Horses must walk, trot and lope in both directions; Horses will
be asked to reverse, stop and back up; Judges must ask for an
extended jog and lope in at least one direction.
2. Ranch Trail (see Rule 102.3)
• Ranch Trail is designed to test the horse’s ability to cope with
obstacles generally found during the course of everyday property
work.
• The pattern will consist of at least 6 obstacles but no more than 9
obstacles.(see Rule 102.3.2)
• The mandatory obstacles are very similar to a Western Perfor-
mance Trail class with the exception of dragging a log in Open
and Amateur classes. You may be required to drag a log in a full
figure of eight or a circle or a straight line.
• The Optional obstacles (see Rule 102.3.3) include many
traditional trail obstacles but do include some that many
competitors have not encountered.eg swing a lariat or attempt to
rope a dummy steer head, ground tie your horse etc. A judge on
occasion may come up with an obstacle not listed in the rule
book as long as it is not one of the Prohibited obstacles.
(See Rule 102.3.4)
3. Ranch Reining (see Rule 102.4)
• The Ranch Reining Class attempts to measure the horses ability
to perform basic handling manoeuvres similar to those in a
Reining Class.
• There are 5 Ranch Reining Patterns in the rule book (see pages
166-170)
• The best Ranch Reining Horse should be guided willingly
through the pattern with little or no apparent resistance. Any
movements of his own will be considered a lack of control.
4. Ranch Conformation (see Rule 102.8)
• The purpose of this class is to select well-mannered horses that
best resemble the breed ideal and are the most positive combi
nation of balance, structural correctness and adequate muscling.
• The Ranch Conformation class must be held after all the ridden
classes.
• To be eligible to compete in the Ranch Conformation the horse
must have been shown in at least one ridden class of their
division.. Eg an Amateur Ranch Conformation entrant must
have been exhibited in an Amateur Performance class that day.
• All horses will be shown together as one class –
All Age Horse – Stallions, Mares and Geldings
Amateur/Select Amateur – Stallions, Mares and Geldings
Youth – Mares and Geldings
• Horses are shown in good working halters eg. Rope, Nylon or
plain leather.
See Rule 46.2 in regards to the categories that must be run.
Please note that the only classes (divisions) that can be run at a
Ranch Versatility Show are:
All Age Horse; Amateur and Youth. NB: Youth can be divided
into two youth age groups and a Select Amateur can be added.
No other class can be added.
14
14 •
• The
The Australian
Australian Quarter
Quarter Horse
Horse Magazine
Magazine •
• November
November •
• December•
December • 2018
2018