2026 · Version 7.3 · Effective March 2026
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ESC Participant Code of Conduct
253 matching sections
HH 3.0 Tack & Apparel Use a forward seat or hunt-style saddle. Allowed bridles include regulation snaffles, pelhams, or full bridles with a cavesson noseband. Tongue ties are allowed. Horses may wear non-weighted bell boots and shin boots o…
HH 4.0 Turn-out & Shoeing Horses may have braided manes, forelocks, and tails. Artificial hair is allowed. Manes may not be roached. Horses will not be penalized for unbraided or full manes. Pads are permitted, but toe lengths must not exce…
MSB 1.0 General 1. Monarch Single Bit classes are open to Amateur or Juvenile riders in a single snaffle bit only (no curb bits or curb chains allowed), with a running martingale, German martingale, or draw rein. 2. Tack and Apparel should …
MSB 2.0 Class Specifications Monarch Single Bit Pleasure Five Gaited Gaits: flat walk, trot, slow gait, rack and canter both directions of the ring Entries must stand quietly in the line-up. Entries must not to be asked to back. Judged: 75%…
WR 1.0 General 1. In the Working Ranch Division, horses are evaluated based on their performance as conveyances for various ranch tasks. They should exhibit qualities of being pleasant to ride while accomplishing these tasks. It's important…
WR 2.0 Judging Specifications 1. This division is evaluated based on the horse's manners, suitability for ranch riding, and ability to promptly execute commands, showcasing a pleasurable riding experience. Heavy penalties are imposed on hor…
WR 3.0 Required Patterns & Railwork 1. In this division, horse and rider are required to execute a pattern that simulates ranch tasks, including changes of gait, gait extensions, crossing at least two logs, and lead changes. The maneuvers s…
WR 4.0 Trail Patterns Required 1. In the Trail Division, horse and rider are tasked with navigating a pattern through a series of organic obstacles. The pattern includes at least five obstacles that require the demonstration of various gait…
WR 5.0 Tack & Apparel In the Western Pleasure division, specific equipment and attire are required for both horse and rider. Horse Requirements: ● Western saddles with curb bits and curb chains are mandatory. ● Both split and romel reins ar…
OR 1.0 General The Open Ranch horse should emulate the characteristics of a working western horse while still maintaining the standards of their breed. The ideal Ranch horse exhibits a willing attitude and handiness with which the horse man…
OR 2.0 Gaits The required gaits for Open Ranch are flat walk, jog/trot, extended jog/trot, lope, extended lope. Riders may post or stand the extended jog/trot. Holding the saddle horn at any extended gait is permitted. Smooth transitions be…
OR 3.0 Tack and Apparel Working tack is encouraged. Tack with silver accents is discouraged, but not cause for elimination. Western saddles are mandatory. Split or Rommel reins are permitted with only one hand on the reins (exception: horse…
OR 4.0 Open Ranch Rail Pleasure Horses are to enter the arena counterclockwise at a jog/trot. Required gaits are flat walk, jog/trot, extended jog/trot, lope, extended lope both directions of the ring. Horses may be asked to halt. Horses ar…
OR 5.0 Open Ranch Riding Horses work individually utilizing the arena to perform a series of maneuvers as prescribed by the judge. Suggested maneuvers include walk, jog/trot, and lope both directions and the extended jog/trot and extended l…
OR 6.0 Open Ranch Trail Horses work individually, utilizing the arena to perform a combination of obstacles and maneuvers as prescribed by the judge. The course should have no less than six, but no more than ten obstacles/maneuvers. Pattern…
