Judging School Handbook - American Morgan Horse Association

The Morgan HUNTER PLEASURE Horse MUSTdemonstrate proper Morgan type and conformation,but the Morgan Hunter may travel with his nose outslightly ahead of the vertical and give a low, groundcoveringimpression.English Pleasure SpecificationsMAIDEN, NOVICE, LIMIT, OPEN, STALLIONS,MARES, GELDINGS, UNDER 15 HANDS, 15HANDS & OVER, YOUTHJudged on manners, performance, quality, presence, andapparent ability to give a good pleasure ride 60%; typeand conformation 40%.JUNIOR HORSEJudged on manners, quality, performance, presence andapparent ability to give a good pleasure ride 60%; typeand conformation 40%.JUNIOR EXHIBITORJudged on manners, suitability, performance, quality,presence and apparent ability to give a good pleasure ride60%; type and conformation 40%.LADIESJudged on manners, suitability, quality, performance,presence and apparent ability to give a pleasure ride60%; type and conformation 40%.AMATEURJudged on manners, performance, suitability, quality,presence and apparent ability to give a good pleasure ride60%; type and conformation 40%.CHAMPIONSHIPThe same specifications as the above paragraphsEXCEPT the percentages are 50%/50% instead of60%/40%.Pleasure Driving Specifications:The class specs are the same as above with the oneexception of “apparent ability to give a pleasuredrive.”Classic Pleasure Specifications:Refer to Articles MO128 and MO130.1) SADDLE: MAIDEN, NOVICE, LIMIT,OPEN, STALLIONS, MARES, GELDINGS,UNDER 15-HANDS, 15-HANDS ANDOVER, JUNIOR, JUNIOR EXHIBITOR,LADIES, AMATEUR, YOUTHJudged on manners, performance and gait 60%;type and conformation 40%.It is imperative that the horse give the distinctappearance of being a pleasure to ride withemphasis on the walk and smooth transitions.Horses must stand quietly and back readily. To beshown by an amateur in saddle seat attire only.Attendants MUST be amateurs or individualseligible for amateur status.2) PLEASURE DRIVINGThe class specs are the same as above except“to give a distinct appearance of being apleasure to drive.”CHAMPIONSHIPThe same specifications as Under Saddle/ PleasureDriving except that the percentages are 50%/50%instead of 60%/40%.Gait RequirementsPleasure Saddle: walk, pleasure trot, road trot, canter.May be asked to back.Pleasure Driving: walk, pleasure trot, road trot. Maybe asked to back.Classic Pleasure: walk, pleasure trot, road trot, canter.MUST stand quietly and back.Necessary Tools: Note Pad, Pen or Pencil,Judge’s Card.Suggested Class Procedure:Horse enters the arena counter-clockwise at a pleasuretrot. When all the competitors are in the arenaand the gate is closed, the judging shall begin. Atthe judge’s discretion, the horses are asked to workthe required gaits for the class in the arena. Theseclasses are generally brought back to the walkbetween the trot and the canter gaits. They workboth ways of the arena. Usually the horses arebrought into the lineup at a trot. Be aware of the differentcriteria of the “to be judged on” section of theclass description. The order listed is in the order ofimportance. Stripping is MANDATORY in SaddleChampionship classes. Walk your line, back if necessary,mark your card. Make sure you select (list) areserve horse (extra), check your numbers, and handthe card to the ringmaster.Western Pleasure Specifications:Refer to Article MO134.MAIDEN, NOVICE, LIMIT, OPEN, STALLIONS,MARES, GELDINGS, UNDER 15 HANDS, 15HANDS AND OVER, YOUTH26