Post by Richard Eli Calvin on Oct 22, 2009 14:47:24 GMT -6
Western Events[/u]
Cutting - A cow savvy horse singles out a calf from the herd and drives it back by cutting it off for the progressive direction the calf chooses. More horse, less rider is required for this event.
Reined Cow Horse - Horse and rider are to work a single calf in the arena, performing similar maneuvers as working horses on a cattle ranch, including a reining pattern.
Team Penning - Also known as "ranch sorting," as suggested it is a team effort involving two horsemen and 30 cattle, usually yearling type beef calves. Each calf has a number on them, and the judge will call out three random numbers. Once the flag is dropped and the timer starts, the team must sort out the three calves randomly selected by their number and herd them into a small pen, which one team member will close upon completion. The fastest time wins.
Reining - Often called "Western dressage" reining is an event that spotlights a horse's response to subtle cues by leg and seat. Reining involves a specific pattern a horse must follow which puts him through his paces from a collected lope to a hand gallop, as well as a flying lead change. The signature moves of a reiner are the spins and sliding stops, also part of the pattern. If a horse displays an unwilling attitude by any form of body language, it will be included in the overall judging.
Calf Roping/Breakaway Roping - A fast-paced timed event, horse and rider must chase down a released calf from the chute, the rider must rope it, then dismount and immobilize it by hogtying the feet of the calf. Time penalties occur when the horse breaks before the wire is dropped at the time the calf is released, or if the calf wrestles out of the hogtie. Breakaway roping is similar except the timer stops once the rope is around the calf's head, and dismounting to hogtie is not requried. Breakaway roping is often the women's choice of calf roping.
Team Roping - Similar to calf roping except done as a pair, called a 'header' and a 'heeler' and the event was made to showcase the ability to restrain a full-grown animal too large for a single man. It is the responsibility of the header to rope the head of the steer while the heeler ropes the rear feet. There is a 5 second time penalty for roping only one foot instead of two, and a 10 second penalty for breaking the barrier (rider runs out before the barrier is dropped.)
Ranch Horse - An event that tests multiple categories used by working ranch horses: Ranch riding, which is similar to western pleasure; Ranch trail, testing tasks performed during ranch work, often judged on natural terrain rather than in an arena; Ranch Cutting, judged the same as a cutting event; Working ranch horse, combining Reining, Roping, and working cow horse; and ranch conformation and is judged like a halter class.
Western Pleasure - Class is performed at the walk/jog/lope and is judged on appearance of horse and rider as well as fluidity of movement and willingness of the horse. A dropped headset and loose rein are ideal for placement, as well as minimal movement on the rider's part.
Western Riding - Different from pleasure in that the horse and rider must maneuver a set pattern as well as perform additional movements such as a flying lead change. Class is judged on the horse's manners, willingness, and responsiveness to the rider.
Trail - The rider has to maneuver the horse through an obstacle course in a ring. Horses must cross bridges, logs and other obstacles; stand quietly while a rider waves a flapping object around the horse; sidepass, often with front and rear feet on either side or a rail; make 90 and 180 degree turns on the forehand or haunches, back up, sometimes while turning, open and close a gate while mounted, and other maneuvers relevant to everyday ranch or trail riding. While speed isn't judged, horses have a limited amount of time to complete each obstacle and can be penalized for refusing an obstacle or exceeding the allotted time.
Halter/Showmanship - Halter, also known as a "conformation class," is judged on the horse's overall build and correctness for the breed. The horse is led towards the judge, stopped and then 'squared up,' meaning to set the horse's feet at a stance that is straight as the edges and corners of a square, thus giving them the best position for judging. Once the judge gives the 'okay,' the horse is then trotted away from them and takes their place in the line-up while the rest of the class is judged. The judge may walk through the line-up to double check the contestants, and will then call the placings. Showmanship is similar to halter, however it is judged on the horse's response to cues while being led versus being ridden and the handler's ability to best present the horse at it's best advantage. The horse and handler must follow a specific pattern outlined prior to the class which usually involves pivots on the forehand or haunches and backing up.
And an additional Western event I'd like to suggest is one not as common as those listed above...
Mounted Shooting - A timed event requiring a previously gun-trained mount, the horse and rider must navigate a series of obstacle courses involving barrels and balloons where the rider must shoot each balloon using blank rounds (meaning just gun powder, no bullets.) The riders are scored on time and accuracy. There is a 5 second penalty for each missed balloon, a 5 second penalty for dropping a gun, a 10 second penalty for not running the course correctly and a 60 second penalty for falling off your horse. Speed is important, however, accuracy is usually more important than speed. A typical pattern can be run in 15-35 seconds, so penalties can really hurt.
© Niczda[/size][/blockquote]
