Horseshoe 2010 Northumberland County Riders Class Descriptions Horseshoe


1. OPEN HALTER – This is a line class and is judged on the horse’s confirmation, which is the way the horse is built and put together.  If you are showing in Western attire a leather halter and lead is to be used.  If showing in English attire an English bridle is to be used.

2. YOUTH SHOWMANSHIP - Classes 2 & 3 are line classes and are judged on how you show your horse/pony. A pattern is usually posted for these classes. The equipment used is the same as the Halter class.

3. OPEN SHOWMANSHIP – Classes 2 & 3 are line classes and are judged on how you show your horse/pony.  A pattern is usually posted for these classes.  The equipment used is the same as the Halter class.

4. WALK LEAD LINE – This class is for children 3 – 8 yrs., and can be shown either English or Western.  A proper fitting helmet with harness is mandatory for all riders in this class.  An adult must lead the horse/pony with a halter and lead with the halter being over the bridle.  Children 3 & 4 yrs. old, require a side walker.  Riders in this class are not eligible to ride in any other riding class.

5. WALK JOG LEAD LINE – This class is for children 5 – 10 yrs. that have passed the Walk Lead Line class and are not yet able to do the Walk Jog Pleasure Class.  This class can be shown either English or Western.  A proper fitting helmet with harness is mandatory for all riders in this class.  Riders in this class are not eligible to ride in any other riding class.

6. WALK ONLY -  This class can be shown either English or Western. Riders msy stay in this class up to the age of 12yrs. There is a 1 year limit of entering this class. A proper fitting helmet with harness is mandatory for all riders in this class. Riders in this class are not eligible to ride in any other riding class.

7. WALK JOG PLEASURE – This class is open to English or Western riders and is judged on how much of a pleasure your horse/pony is to ride. There is a 2 year limit to riding in this class.  The only other riding classes, these riders may enter in, is 8, 13 & 14, but no other riding class.

8. WALK JOG PATTERN CLASS – This class is judged on how you ride your horse/pony and a pattern is usually posted for this class. There is a 2 year limit to riding in this class. Riders in this class my enter in riding classes 7, 13 & 14, but no other riding class.

9. GREEN HORSE PLEASURE (WALK/JOG) – This class can be shown either English or Western and is strictly for GREEN HORSES in their first or second year of showing. This class is to get green horses use to the show ring.  Horses in this class, may enter in riding classes 14 & 22.

10. OPEN WESTERN PLEASURE – This class is judged on how much your horse is a pleasure to ride.  You will be asked to walk, jog and lope both ways of the ring.  The pace of your horse is much slower than English.

11. OPEN WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP – This class is judged on how you ride.  Patterns are generally used for this class.  You will be required to walk, jog and lope both ways of the ring.

12. OPEN REINING - Rider will guide their horse at a lope through a set pattern of circles, spins, rollbacks, stops and backup. This class is judged on a scoring system based on how thie maneuvers are executed.

13. MYSTERY CLASS (18 & UNDER) – This class is designed to be a fun class.  This class is called Mystery because you don’t find out what the class is until you are in the ring.

14. OPEN PAIRS – This class is a walk, trot class but the judge may ask for a canter.  It is open to both English and Western but the pairs must be of the same discipline.  The judge will issue commands for the pair to follow and the pair will be judge on the synchronization of the horses and riders.

15.  12 & UNDER WALK TROT CANTER (ENG/WEST) - This class is open to both English and Western riders. You will be asked to walk, trot/jog and caner/lope both ways of the ring. You will be judged on how much you horse/pony is a pleasure to ride.

16.   12 & UNDER WALK TROT CANTER PATTERN (ENG/WEST) - This class is open to both English and Western riderss. You will be asked to do a pattern, which is posted prior to the start of the show. This is a walk trop/jog and canter/lope class.

17. YOUTH ENGLISH PLEASURE - This class is judged on how much you horse is a pleasure to ride. You will be asked to walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring.

18. OPEN ENGLISH PLEASURE - This class  is judged on how much your horse is a pleasure to ride.  You will be asked to walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring.

19. ADULT ENGLISH PLEASURE - This class is judged on how much your horse is a pleasure to ride. You will be asked to walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring.

20. OPEN ENGLISH EQUITATION – This class is judged on how you ride.  You will be asked to do a pattern, which is posted prior to the start of the show.  This is a walk, trot and canter class.

21. COMMAND  (ENGLISH or WESTERN) – The class is simply that.  The judge will ask for certain things and you are required to do them quickly.  Things like halt, back, trot, canter, walk and reverse.  You must act quickly or you will be eliminated from the class.

22. CROSS-RAIL HUNTER - (MAX. 12") (Walk/Trot)(Canter - optional) - This class is designed for those equines just learning to jump. This class is over a course of jumps (5or6). The courses are posted prior to the start of the show. You will be judged on the pace, manners and jumping style of your horse or pony, as you work your way around the course. Horse in this class may not enter any other classes, over fences. 

23. HUNTER HACK (MAX. 2’) – You will be asked to jump over 2 jumps, maximum height being 2 feet.  Depending on the class size, the judge may only call back certain riders for rail work.

24. LOW HUNTER (MAX. 2’) - You are required to jump an 8 jump course. The courses are posted pror to the start of the show. These classes are judged on the pace, manners, jumping style and way of moving over the course.

25.  YOUTH HUNTER (MAX. 2’6”) - You are required to jump an 8 jump course. The courses are posted pror to the start of the show. These classes are judged on the pace, manners, jumping style and way of moving over the course.

26. OPEN HUNTER  (MAX. 2’6”) – You are required to jump an 8 jump course. The courses are posted pror to the start of the show. These classes are judged on the pace, manners, jumping style and way of moving over the course.

27.  LOW JUMPER (MAX. 2.6") -  Jumper class is very different to Hunter classes.  Jumper class is judged on whether you clear all the obstacles.  You accumulate faults for refusals and knock downs.  A fall is elimination.  Your horse doesn’t have to keep a nice even pace around the course like they are expected to do in Hunter classes.  In the event of more than one clear round, there will be a timed jump-off.

28. OPEN JUMPER  (MAX. 3’3”) – Jumper class is very different to Hunter classes.  Jumper class is judged on whether you clear all the obstacles.  You accumulate faults for refusals and knock downs.  A fall is elimination.  Your horse doesn’t have to keep a nice even pace around the course like they are expected to do in Hunter classes.  In the event of more than one clear round, there will be a timed jump-off.

 IF YOU ARE STILL NOT SURE ABOUT ANY OF THESE CLASSES, PLEASE CONTACT; Amanda Beatty (Western Director) OR Katrina Jeschke (English Director) WITH ANY QUESTIONS.  You can also email us at our email address and we will answer your questions.