General Show Ring Protocol
ADH 5.0 General Show Ring Protocol
1. The American Dutch Harness Horses have their trotting motion and the carriage of both the front and rear judged for quality. This in addition to the typical judging standards, which include overall performance, presence, type, manners, conformation, and breed quality. Therefore, only classes that showcase the trotting gaits are offered for the American Dutch Harness Horse, including In-Hand, American Fine Harness, Park Saddle, English Pleasure Saddle, Pleasure Driving, and Roadster to Bike, Wagon or Under Saddle.
2. American Dutch Harness classes may be offered to exhibitors classified as Amateurs, Juveniles, Professionals, or Youth, as defined in the ESC Standards and Guidelines. Horses and exhibitors may be grouped into classes by age, gender, or levels of experience defined as Maiden, Limit, or Novice as outlined in the ESC Standards and Guidelines.
3. Championship Classes - To qualify entries must have been entered, shown and have completed the class within the same division or as specified in the horse show’s prize list. Some classes may be combined with others as specified in the class specifications below. Only the Roadster to Saddle class may qualify for another division championship, which is Roadster to Wagon.
4. The American Dutch Harness Horses are encouraged to show with full-length tails in all divisions. Artificial hair or switches may be added to the tail. Horses with full tails shown in Fine Harness, Pleasure Driving, or Roadster to Bike or Wagon should be configured to avoid getting caught in the wheel of the cart. Tails may not be surgically altered, and tails may not be braced or tied.
5. Horses are generally shown in full manes and have either tightly braided mane or a roached mane with bobs. See class specifications for details.
6. White markings of an American Dutch Harness horse should not be hidden or color dyed.
7. Horses that exhibit excessive speed, a labored way of going, or cadence imbalance must be heavily penalized. Dutch Harness Horses should be exhibited with an upright collection through the neck and shoulders.
8. Dutch Harness Horses must also wear their bits peacefully and respectfully in all divisions or be subject to class penalties. Dutch Harness Horses may be exhibited with tongue ties in all divisions that utilize a double bridle.
9. Stallions may not be shown in the Ladies, Juvenile or Pleasure divisions.
10. The Pleasure Saddle and Driving divisions are reserved for Amateur, Juvenile or Youth competitors mounted on mares or geldings.
11. The term “Drive On” is never to be used when referring to the gait at which the American Dutch Harness horses are exhibited at the trot. Instead the term “Show Your Horse” is called for, and the horses are exhibited at the trot at a speed that is most attractive and advantageous for that specific horse. The canter is only called for in Park and Pleasure Saddle classes and it is not extended. It’s only in the Pleasure division that horses must demonstrate a collected flat walk without breaking or be penalized, where other divisions allow for an animated faster moving walk, with minimal or no penalties for breaking.
12. Harness horses must always wear a side check for the full duration of the class unless a workout has been called. Horses not called for the workout may have their checks loosened.
13. Harness, Roadster and Pleasure driving horses must have overchecks configured correctly in the line up. Over checks may be adjusted by a header only in Amateur, Ladies or Juvenile classes.
14. The use of a Header or Attendant with horse handling experience who has reached the minimum age of 15 is required to accompany exhibitors of Amateur, Juvenile, or Youth status in the class lineup for the Pleasure Driving, Dutch Harness, American Fine Harness, and Roadster classes. Attire worn in the show ring by the Header or Attendant must be professional. Headers or Attendants must stand at least 2.5 feet, or two paces, in front of the horse in the lineup. Horses must stand quietly without being held by the Header.
15. American Dutch Harness Horses are only asked to back in the Pleasure Division. Pleasure Division horses must stand quietly in the line up and readily back in a straight line when asked. Horses that do not back must be heavily penalized for not performing all gait requirements.
16. No item may be used to alter the natural ear carriage of the horse.
17. ESC RDS Roadster Division contains Roadster to Bike, Wagon and Under Saddle standard class specifications and safety guidelines which are maintained for the Roadster Divisions in all breeds. However, Class and Judging specifications unique to the American Dutch Harness Roadster divisions are specified in sections below.
18. Junior Horses are four years old and younger. Harness, Pleasure Driving and Roadster to Bike and Wagon horses may begin showing at two years of age. Park Saddle, Pleasure Saddle, and Roadster Under Saddle horses may begin showing at three years of age. Weanlings and Yearlings may begin showing In-Hand with equipment restrictions. Mares do not accompany weanlings into In-Hand classes.
19. Shoeing Restrictions - American Dutch Harness Horses in all age groups and divisions are permitted to show with a shoe, pad(s), and/or wedge(s), and should be shod to ensure the support and comfort of the horse. Bands are allowed but must be at least ½” below the coronary band.
20. Artificial Devices, Action Devices and Protective Equipment - The use of Artificial Devices (i.e. shackles, chains or full blinders) are not permitted on competition grounds. Half-cup Blinkers are permitted for driving. The use of Protection Equipment is permitted (i.e. shin boots, knee boots, non-weighted bell boots) and Action Devices (excluding chains) are permitted during training sessions and warm-up for competition, except for horses competing in the Pleasure Divisions. Protective bell boots are permitted during competition in the American Fine Harness, Park, and Roadster divisions.
21. Horses may not show in multiple divisions especially where bridle, bits and trotting gaits are different. Horses used in Academy classes may not be used in any other show division. In-Hand or open breed classes are the only divisions that can be combined with Park, Pleasure or Roadster divisions. Horses should stay within one of the following divisions:
1) Park Division: In-Hand, Fine Harness & Park Saddle
2) Pleasure Division: In-Hand, Pleasure Driving, Pleasure Saddle
3) Roadster Division: In-Hand, Roadster to Bike, Wagon or Under Saddle ADH Class Specifications Class Specifications are by division and define the required attire, appointments and explain how the horses are to be shown in the ring including gaits performed, how to reverse the class and call for the line up. Judging guidelines are also provided for the class performances and quality of motion. The American Dutch Harness Horse National Championship series endorses classes for the In-Hand, Dutch Harness, Fine Harness, Park Saddle, Pleasure Driving, English Pleasure Saddle, Roadster to Bike, Ride and Wagon.