www. wsca. org 2025- Champ Show Special Edition- 14
touching any part of the horse. It is permissible to use a longe whip however, disqualification will occur anytime the exhibitor strikes the horse to cause forward or lateral movement at any time during the longeing demonstration. b) No other equipment is allowed on the horse during the class. Mechanical or retractable longe lines are not allowed. c) For the conformation inspection, a lead shank, such as used in halter or showmanship classes may be exchanged for the longe line prior to the longeing demonstration. No lip chains will be allowed. Exhibitors are not to be penalized for using regular halters and plain longe lines, nor are they to be rewarded for using show halters and longe lines. Only movement, manners / expression / way of going, and conformation are being judged. The type of equipment used is not to be a consideration in placing the horse as long as the equipment meets the requirements stated above.
Attire Conventional Western attire is mandatory; except if a prospect is considered to be a Hunter prospect then conventional English attire is suggested( flat caps and fedoras are also acceptable). The type of attire worn by the exhibitor is not to be a consideration in placing the horse as long as the attire meets the requirements stated above.
Gaits Gaits are to be judged according to rules for Gaits for Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle classes.
Conformation & Equipment Inspection Each horse is to be inspected by the judge on conformation, proper equipment and for evidence of abuse, inhumane treatment, or violation of rules. Horses will not be allowed to show in illegal equipment or if there is evidence of abuse, or inhumane treatment. It is mandatory that a horse must be tracked at a walk and jog / trot in the conformation portion of the class prior to longeing. Horses that show evidence of lameness will be excused prior to the longeing demonstration.
Judging Judge( s) will be outside the longeing circle. The exhibitor will enter the arena and await the audible start signal. When the signal is given, the exhibitor will be allowed 1½ minutes( 90 seconds) to present the horse. At the end of the 1½ minutes, a signal will be given again to signify the end of the demonstration. Show management is required to add a“ half-way” signal.( The signal may be a bell, whistle or announcement.) a) Once the class has started, a horse warming up prior to their go may only warm up at the walk.
The horse will be scored at all three gaits in both directions. Western Pleasure prospects are to show at the walk, jog, and lope. Hunter Under Saddle prospects are to show at the walk, trot and canter. Any horse that does not exhibit these gaits in each direction will be disqualified from the class. Additionally, judges shall immediately excuse any horse that exhibits obvious lameness at any time during the class.( See scoring.) Exhibitors may begin work in the direction of their choice( counter or clock-wise). Exhibitor must demonstrate at minimum ¼ of a circle at each gait. At the end of the 1 1 / 2 minutes, the signal will be given and the exhibitor shall at the request of show management, retire from the longeing area to the far end of the ring. The horses are to stand quietly on the wall while the other exhibitors present their horses.
The horses are to be judged on movement, Manner / Expression / Attitude, Conformation suitable to their purpose and use of circle. Judges should judge the movement of the horse as defined in the rules for gaits.
If the horse is playing on the longe line, it shall not count against the horse. The judge will, however, penalize the horse for excessive bucking, or running off, stumbling, or displaying attitudes that are uncomplimentary to pleasure horses. Falling down will constitute disqualification.
Exhibitors are encouraged to exhibit their horse making full use of a 25’ radius circle, as they will be scored on this.
An exhibitor may only show two horses in each Longe Line class. The same exhibitor must show both segments of the class. An additional handler may hold the second horse while the first horse is being worked. An additional handler may hold the first horse while the second horse is being worked. A maximum of two handlers may be used. Exhibitors and handlers may not do anything to disturb any horses in the class while they change