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

• Saddle pad.
Optional
• Whips.
Prohibited
• Dropped noseband.
• Breastplate.
• Kimberwick.
• Martingale and training forks.
Saddle Seat Pleasure
The walk is a true four-beat gait and should be
straight, true, and flat-footed.
The trot is a two-beat diagonal gait. Horses
should move with balance and fluidity. High action
will be penalized.
The extended trot is a two-beat diagonal gait with
lengthened stride and appropriate increase in speed.
The canter is a smooth and controlled three-beat gait.
The hand gallop is a four-beat gait with a lengthened
stride. It should be a faster gait, but extreme
speed will be penalized.
The judge may ask any or all horses to back.
Saddle Seat Equitation
Equitation classes recognize the rider’s ability to
ride a horse correctly and to use various aids required
for a horse to perform basic maneuvers. Riders will be
judged on basic position in saddle; position and use
of hands, legs, and feet; ability to control and show
the horse; and suitability of horse to rider. The rider’s
ability to execute maneuvers correctly shall be considered
more important than the horse’s performance.
• The rider should sit in a comfortable, balanced,
and relaxed manner while maintaining an erect
upper body with eyes up and looking forward.
• The rider’s legs should have a slight bend and
hang beneath the rider such that when viewed
from a profile, a straight line (approximately)
can be drawn through the rider’s ear, shoulder,
hip, and heel.
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