S133 Kansas 4-H Horse Show Rule Book - K-State Research and ...

English Pleasure
Saddle seat pleasure and hunter under saddle may be
shown together at the district and state level. Contestants
will still be evaluated on the criteria for their
specific class, even though they may show together.
Hunter Under Saddle
This class will be judged on the horse’s functional
correctness, way of going, manners, and condition.
Hunters under saddle should be suitable to purpose.
They should move in a long, low frame and be able to
lengthen their stride and cover ground. They should
be obedient, alert, and responsive to their riders.
Horses will be judged both directions at the walk,
trot, and canter as well as on the back and all transitions
between gaits. Horses should be shown with
light contact on the horse’s mouth.
The walk should be a four-beat gait showing proper
cadence and length of stride. Horses moving true and
flatfooted are desirable and will be scored accordingly.
The trot should be a two-beat gait showing proper
cadence. It should be done at medium speed with
moderate collection. A strong trot may be asked for
and should be stronger and faster than the normal
trot, showing lengthening of stride. Horses that lack
collection at the trot, and horses that do not exhibit a
true two-beat gait should be penalized.
The canter is a three-beat gait performed with
moderate collection. As with all the gaits, the canter
should be balanced and smooth, giving the impression
of a pleasurable ride.
Hand gallops may be asked for, and horses should
exhibit a four-beat, ground-covering gait with appropriate
lengths of stride (will vary with conformation).
Horses must remain under control and excess speed
should be penalized.
The judge has the option of asking any or all horses
to back.
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