Morgan Hunter Pleasure
MGN 11.0 Morgan Hunter Pleasure
1. Eligibility: Horses entered in the class must be registered Morgans. Open to professionals, amateurs and Juvenile Exhibitors. Shoeing and pads must not exceed 5 inches.
2. Attire: Riders typically wear traditional hunter attire, which includes a conservative show coat, light-colored breeches, field boots or dress boots, a show shirt with a choker or stock tie, and hunt seat helmet. Attire should be neat, clean, and in good condition. Formal attire (shadbelly) is optional for all female exhibitors after 6 p.m. or in Championship classes held at any time. Formal attire consists of a hunter shadbelly with buff or canary breeches, stock tie, canary vest, top hat and hunt boots. Riders, including Juvenile Exhibitors, in Hunter Pleasure classes are not required to wear headgear.
3. Tack: The horse should be equipped with appropriate hunter Tack & Apparel, including a well-fitted hunt seat saddle, bridle with a snaffle bit or suitable hunter bit, pelham, kimberwick or full bridle including curb and snaffle. Curb or pelham bits with cheek pieces cannot exceed 5 and ½ inches. Breast plates are permitted; however martingales are not. The Tack & Apparel should be clean and well-maintained. Horses' mane and tail should be hunter braided. No penalties for unbraided horses.
4. Conformation and Movement: Judges assess both the conformation and movement of the horse. Morgans should exhibit the breed's characteristic traits, including a well-arched neck, strong hindquarters, and balanced, ground-covering movement. The horse should move freely and comfortably, with a relaxed and flowing stride.
5. Manners and Performance: The horse should demonstrate excellent manners, responsiveness to the rider's aids, and an overall pleasurable performance. This includes steady, rhythmic gaits, smooth transitions, and obedience to the rider's commands.
6. Judging Criteria: Judges assess various aspects including conformation, movement, manners, suitability as a hunter pleasure horse, and the overall impression of the turnout. Shown at the walk, trot, extended trot, canter and extended canter, with light rein but still maintaining contact with the horse's mouth. Must not be asked to back.
● Open, Gentlemen and Youth classes, horses to be judged on manners, performance with proper cadence and balance, quality, presence and apparent ability to give a good pleasure ride 60%; type and conformation 40%.
● Junior Horse classes, horses to be judged on manners, quality, performance with proper cadence and balance, presence and apparent ability to give a good pleasure ride 60%; type and conformation 40%.
● Juvenile Exhibitor classes, horses to be judged on manners, suitability, performance with proper cadence and balance, quality, presence and apparent ability to give a good pleasure ride 60%; type and conformation 40%.
● Ladies classes, horses to be judged on manners, suitability, quality, performance with proper cadence and balance, presence and apparent ability to give a good pleasure ride 60%; type and conformation 40%.
● Amateur classes, horses to be judged on manners, performance with proper cadence and balance, suitability, quality, presence and apparent ability to give a good pleasure ride 60%; type and conformation 40%.
● Championships to be judged 50% - 50%; horses to be stripped in Open and Junior Horse Championships.