Fine Harness Division

ASB 7.1 Fine Harness Division Entries in this division should be elegant, refined and motion should focus on animation over speed. Horses are shown with a full mane and tail. Tack & Apparel Presented with a suitable vehicle, ideally a small buggy featuring four wire wheels and lacking a top cover. Light harness equipped with blinkers, a martingale, snaffle bit, and overcheck are mandatory. However, use of an overcheck bit is discretionary . Gaits Begin by entering the ring at a park trot. The permitted gaits include an animated walk, park trot, and "show your horse." However, “show your horse" is exempt from being called in Ladies, Juvenile Exhibitor, Amateur, Masters, Owners, and Amateur Owners classes. Line Up Entries are expected to stand calmly in place and are not obligated to back up. They may be unchecked during the lineup. An attendant is allowed to assist the entry by standing it on its feet, but must maintain a distance of at least two paces from the head while the entry is being judged. Only one standard riding crop is permitted for an attendant to carry. Awards will be presented from the lineup. Ring attendants are permitted to stand quietly inside the gate during Ladies, Amateur, Masters, Owners, Amateur Owners, or Juvenile Exhibitor classes, but they must refrain from taking any action that could influence the performance of any horse.

FINE HARNESS CLASSES OFFERED Junior Horse, Open, Limit Horses aged 2 - 4 years old; Maiden or Novice. Exhibited at an animated walk; Park trot (speed to be penalized) and “show your horse”, to stand quietly. Judged on performance, presence, quality, manners and conformation. Junior Championship Judged 75% on performance, presence, quality and manners; 25% on total conformation. Ladies Open or Amateur Shown at a park trot and an animated walk, stand quietly. Judged on manners, quality, presence, performance and conformation. Ladies Championship Judged 75% on manners, quality, presence and performance; 25% on total conformation. Juvenile, Youth or Amateur Shown at a park trot and an animated walk, to stand quietly. Judged on manners, performance, presence, quality and conformation. Juvenile, Youth or Amateur Championships Judged 75% on manners, performance, presence and quality; 25% on conformation. For horses to qualify for the Juvenile Exhibitor, Amateur (ladies and/or gentlemen), Masters, Owners, Amateur Owners Championships, and Youth categories, they must be entered and shown by individuals corresponding to their respective categories (Juvenile Exhibitor, Amateur, Masters, Owner, Amateur Owner, and Youth). Additionally, they must participate in at least one other class within this section. The event management has the discretion to specify in the prize list which classes are eligible for the Championships. For example, Amateur classes may qualify for Amateur Championships, Ladies classes may qualify for Ladies Championship, and so forth. Grand Championship Horses are required to be entered, presented, and evaluated in any other class within this section. They should be showcased at an animated walk, park trot, and "show your horse" (with penalties for excessive speed), as well as demonstrate the ability to stand quietly. The judging criteria comprise 75% based on performance, presence, quality, and manners, and 25% on overall conformation.