The competitive classes of a Western show include
halter, Western pleasure, showmanship, trail,
reining and Western horsemanship (Figure 23-10).
Th ese events are described in Table 23-2.
Timed events include barrel racing, pole bending,
and cones (Figure 23-11). Th ese events are described
in Table 23-3.
Rodeos are competitive for horses as well as
the riders. In rodeos, horses perform not only timed
events such as barrel racing and team roping, but are
used in saddle bronc or bareback bronc riding.
FIGURE 23-10
Judging at a Western event.
TABLE 23-2
Description of Events at a Western Horse Show
Halter Horse is led around the arena, showing off the horse’s conformation.
Showmanship
at Halter
Horse is led around the arena, and the contestant is judged based
on the handling of the horse.
Western
Pleasure
Horse is ridden in the arena at 3 gaits. Horse and rider are judged on
the performance of the gaits.
Western
Horsemanship
Horse is ridden in the arena at 3 gaits. Rider is judged on riding skills.
Trail Horse is ridden through a set of obstacles that are designed to
resemble situations that a horse and rider might actually encounter
when on a trail in a natural habitat.
Reining Horse is put through a complex pattern, usually at a very fast pace.
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