American Saddlebred Show Concepts
ESC Rule Book
SC 1.0 Saddlebred Show Concepts
Saddlebred Show Concepts
SC1.1 Eligibility & Type
Pure Saddlebred
Known for their high stepping flashy gaits in the show ring, and valued for their versatility and the ability to excel in various disciplines such as saddle seat, hunt seat, western and dressage. Horses in this division must be registered with the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) or the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation (CLRC) and shown under the registered name and ownership.
Half Saddlebred
Horses in this division must be registered with the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA). Half Saddlebreds are not permitted to compete in Purebred Saddlebred classes. They should exhibit similarities to the Saddlebred parent, including smooth gaits, a willingness to work with people, intelligence, and versatility. There are no specific height or weight requirements. They may also display characteristics of any other breed. An attractive head with wide-set expressive eyes is desirable, along with a flexed neck at the poll and a fine, clean throatlatch. Well-defined withers are also important.
American Saddlebred Physical Characteristics
Size & Weight: Average height of 15 to 16 hands, with a weight range of 1,000-1,200 pounds
Colors: chestnut, bay, brown, black, gray, roan, Palomino, and Pinto.
Conformation: The American Saddlebred should exhibit a harmonious and balanced conformation, showcasing an elegant and proud carriage. The head should possess refined features, with expressive eyes and ears that are alertly positioned. The neck is ideally long and gracefully arched, blending smoothly into well-defined shoulders. The throat area should appear clean and sleek. Prominent and clearly defined withers should smoothly transition into a strong, level back. The shoulder should be deep and sloping, allowing for fluid movement. The body should be well-muscled, complemented by ribs that are well sprung. The croup should be level or gently sloping, supporting a high-set tail carriage. Legs should be straight and sturdy, with strong bones, well-defined tendons, and pasterns that slope gracefully. Forelegs should be positioned well beneath the shoulders, while hind legs should align vertically from the buttocks to the back edge of the cannon bone. Hooves should be sound and properly proportioned, with open heels for optimal support, neither turned in nor turned out. Half-Saddlebreds should possess similar characteristics similar to the ASB, but may be of any size and will show characteristics of their other parent.
Movement and Action: Horses should demonstrate clean, rhythmic, and fluid action, maintaining a straight and true path. Undesirable traits include winging, interfering, traveling wide behind, mixing of gaits, and loss of form.
Penalizations may include:
- Course head
- Roman nose
- Round jaws
- Lop ears
- Wide ears
- Small eyes
- Short, straight, or ewe neck
- Thick throat latch
- Flat withers
- Roached or sway-back
- Crooked tail
- Hollow chest
- Straight in the shoulder
- Crooked or bowed legs and rough joints
- Calved knees / Over at the knee
- Straight pasterns
- Splay feet or pigeon toes
- Tight heels and dished feet
- Stance too wide or too narrow
- Sickle or cow hocks
- Dished feet
- Lack of muscle tone
- Too fat or too thin
- Lack of coat conditioning
SC1.2 Saddlebred Show Protocol
Tack & Apparel:
Horses must be presented in traditional Tack & Apparel suitable for the type of class they are entered in. In warm-up areas, leather straps without attachments are allowed as action devices, as well as rubber/elastic devices attached to leather straps. However, chains or rollers as action devices are not allowed. Certain modifications to the horse’s appearance are generally permitted, such as discreetly applied hair in the mane or tail, tail braces, and mouth controls. Quarter boots and bell boots are allowed in specific classes. Horses with sight loss in one eye may be shown with an artificial eye or contact lens. During inclement weather, polo boots or bandages may be permitted. Dress requirements may be adjusted in extreme temperatures or weather conditions. Artificial changes of color or markings, other than those to the mane or tail, are prohibited.
Competitors may carry or use a whip not exceeding 6 feet in length, including the lash. Failure to comply may result in disqualification. Whips longer than 6 feet are not allowed in the warm-up area.
Animal Welfare:
Horses must not display any lameness or unsoundness that impairs their performance, or suffer from respiratory issues, or complete blindness in both eyes.
Shoeing:
Pads and wedges are permitted to protect the feet and limbs from the impact of the horse’s natural gait and to uphold the integrity of the hoof wall. Similarly, protective hoof bands are allowed to maintain the integrity of the hoof and prevent the loss of a shoe, which could potentially cause hoof trauma. However, exceptions to this regulation apply in the English Country Pleasure, Western, and Hunter Country Pleasure sections.
Tail Presentation:
Horses may be presented with their tails in a natural, unset state in any class without incurring penalties. The surgical release of the ventral sacrocaudal muscle is allowable if performed by a licensed veterinarian. No horse is allowed to participate in the American Saddlebred Division if any chemical or irritant is used to alter the horse’s tail carriage.
Judging and Workouts:
Horses are required to be exercised in both directions of the ring, executing all necessary gaits as directed by the judge(s). Workouts will be assessed as a separate class. Judges have the discretion to excuse unruly horses or exhibitors demonstrating inappropriate or unsafe behavior.
Penalties/Elimination:
Penalties may be incurred for a variety of actions and behaviors, including mixed gaits, unbalanced action, labored movement, poor manners, and similar infractions. Horses showing signs of inhumane treatment will be disqualified from the competition.
Maiden/Novice/Limit Classes:
Maiden/Novice/Limit classes are open to horses/riders/drivers who have not achieved one/three/six first place ribbons respectively in any under saddle/driving class of any breed and/or discipline. Participation in any under saddle class contributes to the Maiden/Novice/Limit status of a horse/rider in under saddle classes, but it does not impact the status of a horse/driver in driving classes. Conversely, the status for Maiden/Novice/Limit in driving classes does not affect the status for Maiden/Novice/Limit in under saddle classes. Equitation, Academy, Lead Line, and/or non-cantering classes do not impact the Maiden/Novice/Limit status of a horse or rider. Ribbons won in one-horse classes do not count.
Master Classes:
Classes in this category are designated solely for amateur riders or drivers who are aged 50 years and older. These classes are evaluated based on amateur class criteria and do not include conformation judging, where horses are assessed without Tack & Apparel.
Line Up:
Entries must continue in the second direction to reach the lineup. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. In classes where backing is required, either the judge(s) or ringmaster, acting under the judge’s guidance, must lead the lineup.
Stripping:
Refer to the show’s prize list for stripping requirements. Horses with excessively low backs face significant penalties in all stripped performance classes. Only two attendants per horse are permitted in the ring. In classes where manners are particularly crucial, such as Ladies, Juvenile Exhibitors, Amateurs, and Owners classes, riders must remount and return to the lineup before judges can submit their evaluations. Stripping at any other ESC Network show is at the show’s discretion and should be noted in the prize list.
Restrictions on Attention-Getting Devices and Noisemakers:
Objects such as tape measures, blow horns, bamboo poles, explosives, fire extinguishers, baby powder, and whips exceeding 6 feet in length are strictly forbidden within and around the makeup and competition rings during scheduled competition sessions or at any times specified by Competition Management.
SC1.3 Class Types
TWO-YEAR-OLD, THREE-YEAR-OLD, JUNIOR, LIMIT, MAIDEN, NOVICE, OPEN:
In these classes, animation, brilliance, and extreme action are key attributes sought in horses, showcased in both the front and rear. Evaluation is based on performance, presence, quality, manners, and conformation, with a strong emphasis on performance.
AMATEURS, MASTERS AND OWNERS
Classes in this category prioritize strength, boldness, increased action, and place less emphasis on manners compared to Ladies, Juvenile Exhibitor, or Youth classes. Judging criteria include manners, performance, presence, quality, and conformation.
JUVENILE EXHIBITORS
These classes prioritize horses that are mannerly, agreeable and expressive, displaying brilliance and balanced action. Gait execution should be prompt, while the horse should also demonstrate quiet walking and standing behaviors. Judging criteria include manners, performance, presence, quality, and conformation. In cases where Juvenile Exhibitor classes are unavailable, Juvenile Exhibitors may enter Amateur or Ladies classes unless otherwise stated in the prize list. As safety and manners are paramount, it is strongly recommended that horses and ponies be a minimum four years of age if shown by a Juvenile.
LADIES
Classes in this category emphasize refinement, expressiveness, and elegance, with gaits performed with brilliance. Suitability of the horse to the rider is carefully considered. The horse should exhibit quiet walking and standing behaviors. Judging criteria include manners, quality, presence, performance, and conformation.
YOUTH:
Youth classes are judged according to Amateur class specifications and are open to exhibitors aged 16 to 21 years. Stallions are not allowed in these classes.
When Juvenile Exhibitor and Amateur Championships are combined and there is no separate Youth Championship, youth participants will be included in the combined Championship.
If no Youth Championship is available:
- Horses shown by riders aged 17 and under will qualify for the Juvenile Exhibitor Championship.
- Horses shown by riders aged 18 and over, holding an amateur designation, will qualify for the Amateur Championship.
- Horses shown by riders aged 18 and over, without an amateur designation, will qualify for the Open Championship, provided the prize list permits it.
CHAMPIONSHIPS/STAKES
For Qualifying Classes and Championships:
- Management must identify qualifying classes for championships.
- The prize list can outline that only specific classes qualify for particular championships.
- Where applicable, horses must undergo stripping and be judged on conformation, following the stripping rule outlined earlier.
- In stripped, harness, and in-hand classes, horses with extremely low backs must face severe penalties.
- Eligibility for all championships must be consistent across all sections offered within each competition.
- However, competition management reserves the right to limit the number of entries advancing to championships from the qualifying classes.
Nominations:
Nominations for championships can be submitted either on the entry blank or through an alternative document supplied by the show office. Alternatively, horses may not need to be nominated until a designated number of hours before the scheduled class time, as determined by competition management.
Stakes
This class may serve as either a qualifying round for a championship or as a final for a specific section. The prize list must clearly indicate whether exhibitors are required to qualify for participation.
UPHA Classics
See https://www.uphaonline.com/
SC1.4 Division of Classes
Classes with more entries than specified must be divided as evenly as possible, with competition management retaining the right to adjust numbers if needed. Division methods may include alternate numbering, horse or rider gender, horse size, or rider age. Any alternative method must be clearly outlined in the prize list. The chosen division method and entries distribution must be communicated via the horse show office, PA system announcement, or program publication. Notification of division intent must be provided to exhibitors at least one hour before the session. In divided classes, prize money doubles, and separate trophies and ribbons are presented. In divided Futurities, only up to 12 entries advance to the final class, scheduled at least two days later, where all prize money is distributed.
SC1.5 Gaits
WALK
Animated Walk: This highly collected gait is executed at a controlled pace, demonstrating excellent action and animation. It possesses snap and offers easy control, and can manifest as either a two-beat or four-beat gait. Performed with flair, elegance, and a sense of lightness, it showcases style and grace in motion.
Flat Walk: This four-beat gait should be relaxed and ground-covering, while maintaining proper form and a consistent stride. A flat walk should showcase the horse’s good manners and attitude.
Hunter Walk: This gait involves four beats, maintaining a straight and flat-footed stride. It is characterized by regularity and freedom of movement, with extension.
TROT
This gait is characterized by a two-beat diagonal movement where the front and opposite hind foot lift off and touch down simultaneously. The balanced trot exhibits straight and precise motion in the front legs, with the hocks flexing and carried close together. It is executed with a high level of collection, showcasing the horse’s athletic prowess.
Extended Trot:
The extended trot is executed with increased speed, strength, and boldness, featuring a more pronounced extension of the stride to achieve the desired velocity. This gait is characterized by a high level of collection, maintaining control and balance even at higher speeds.
Gaited Trot:
During the trot, it’s essential to demonstrate speed at the maximum rate the horse can sustain while maintaining form, balance and control.
Hunter Trot:
The trot is a straightforward two-beat gait executed at a moderate pace, characterized by a fluid, ground-covering stride. It should exhibit manners, rhythm, and balance, with each step being cadenced and controlled.
Hunter Extended Trot:
A two-beat gait characterized by boldness, energy, balance, and ground coverage, with a noticeable elongation of stride. This elongation should naturally lead to a speed increase without any hint of rushing or frantic movement. Throughout, the horse’s mouth should remain light, and it must consistently exhibit complete acceptance of control without any resistance.
Parade Trot:
A collected trot, capped at a maximum speed of five miles per hour, showcases the horse’s athleticism and animation.
Park Trot:
The park trot is executed with a high degree of collection, prioritizing animation over speed, with penalties imposed for excessive velocity.
Roadster Jog Trot:
The jog-trot is executed with a significant level of collection, emphasizing animation while penalizing excessive speed.
Roadster Road Gait:
The road gait is executed with a significant level of collection, displaying a heightened level of speed, strength, and boldness compared to the jog-trot. This gait involves extending the stride further to achieve the desired velocity. When prompted to “drive on,” the horse is expected to accelerate while maintaining proper form, control, and balance. The ideal speed is the highest pace at which the horse can trot while still upholding these essential elements.
Show Your Horse:
The driver holds the honor of presenting the horse in its optimal form during the trot, with an emphasis on showcasing its best attributes. Excessive speed, however, will result in penalties.
Western Jog Trot:
The jog is designed to minimize saddle motion, necessitating only minimal rider input for control. It embodies a relaxed, easygoing two-beat diagonal gait, maintaining its distinctiveness without blending into other gaits.
CANTER
A deliberate, graceful, and smooth three-beat rhythm characterizes this description. Emphasizing efficiency in movement, achieving optimal action, and maintaining proper form are essential. The pace is controlled, resembling a gentle gallop where two legs on opposite sides of the horse move together while the remaining two operate independently—specifically, the leading foreleg and its corresponding diagonal hind leg. The primary driving force originates from the hindquarters, with the leading foreleg absorbing the impact of the final phase of each beat. During this sequence, there’s a fleeting moment where all four hooves are airborne. This gait is versatile, adaptable for both sides of the horse, and performed with a lead that directs toward the center of the arena, aiding in stability and alleviating strain. Determining the lead depends on which foreleg, whether right or left, bears the brunt of the impact during the final phase of the rhythm, following the propulsion initiated by its diagonal hind leg.
In certain classes where manners are less emphasized or where achieving speed at a specific gait is the goal, a more robust and powerful canter from the horse may be acceptable. Control, speed, and collection can be adjusted based on the requirements of the class. However, in situations where manners are of utmost importance, maintaining a deliberate and steady pace is crucial, with minimal visible effort from the rider.
Extended Canter:
Should demonstrate a clear increase in stride length while maintaining control and poise. Excessive speed will result in deductions.
Hand Gallop:
The hand gallop involves a lengthy, unrestrained stride that covers ample ground. Variations in the extent of ground covered may occur among horses due to differences in their natural stride lengths. It should demonstrate a distinct elongation of stride while ensuring the horse maintains control, manners, correctness, and straightness on both leads. It’s important to note that the hand gallop is not a swiftly collected canter.
Hunter Canter:
A three beat gait, even, smooth, unhurried, correct and straight on both leads.
Lope:
The lope in Western riding, akin to the canter in English riding, should offer a smooth, enjoyable ride with consistent and steady motion. It should maintain a balanced pace, not excessively slow or fast, and executed proficiently on both leads. The gait should exude comfort and feature a clear three-beat rhythm, avoiding any tendency to trot behind.
SLOW GAIT
The slow gait originated from the pace, evolving into a distinctive four-beat gait where each of the four feet makes individual contact with the ground. During takeoff, the lateral front and hind feet commence almost simultaneously, but the hind foot touches down slightly ahead of its lateral forefoot.
This gait is characterized by significant collection, with the majority of propulsion originating from the hindquarters, while the forequarters contribute to the final beats. It’s crucial to note that the slow gait is not synonymous with a medium rack. Instead, it is a controlled four-beat gait performed deliberately and precisely, without excessive speed, which incurs penalties. It embodies a lofty, elegant, and restrained style, showcasing the horse’s grace and refinement.
RACK
The rack is characterized by a four-beat gait where each foot touches the ground at equal and distinct intervals. It exhibits smoothness and lively animation, performed with notable action and speed, albeit with a slight degree of freedom. The desired speed and collection are gauged by the maximum rate at which a horse can rack gracefully. Maintaining a well-set head is essential for proper form during racking.
Transitioning effortlessly from the slow gait, all strides in the rack should become equally rapid and regular. Any tendencies towards a trotty, pacey, or hitchy gait are subject to penalties.
In those classes where manners are important, there is more emphasis on an easy way of going with only moderate speed required, such as in Pleasure classes.