Post by Michelle on Aug 2, 2008 18:00:24 GMT -5
A Guide To Showing Morgans
by Michelle
1. In-Hand/Halter
In-Hand for Morgans, is essentially the same as Halter is for other breeds (including Arabians). Morgans should be shown in their age/gender group, Morgans shown in performance classes DO NOT have to be shown in-hand, just so Morgans shown in-hand DO NOT have to be shown in performance classes. In-Hand judges the Morgan conformation according to age group and gender. At Morgan Nationals winning a World Champion Mare/Stallion/Gelding title is a very prestigious award, indicating a Morgan of IMPECCABLE conformation.
Specialty In-Hand (Western, Sport Horse, Hunter, Classic, etc.) classes are shown by type- age and gender do not matter. Horses are judged solely by their conformation and therefore their ability to perform in that discipline based on their conformation and how correct their conformation is to both the Morgan type and the specific specialty.
2. Saddleseat
There are THREE divisions to the morgan version of saddleseat. At a single show you MAY NOT cross enter these divisions. Furthermore, because saddleseat is so strenuous, there is an adapted rule that Saddleseat horses MAY NOT show outside their division, the only exceptions being: In-Hand, Roadster.
Classic Pleasure & Classic Pleasure Driving
Classic Pleasure is the lightest division in saddleseat. Horses are expected to have more natural motion, and look extremely pleasurable to ride or drive. They should be able to walk, trot, canter, and halt without instance or fault and be polite and suitable for a lady to ride. There is an emphasis on the manners of a classic horse. Classic Pleasure horses may only enter: Classic Pleasure Driving, Classic Pleasure Saddle, Specialty In-Hand: Classic, In-Hand.
The RL Shoeing requirements for CP/CPD are: the weight of the pads may not exceed 16oz, and the length of the hoof [pads&shoe inclusive] may not exceed 4.5 inches) (the lightest of the three divisions)
When Showing Classic Pleasure You May Only Enter: Classic Pleasure Saddle, Classic Pleasure Driving, and In-Hand. Horses may enter a Hunter or Western Pleasure class, if they are competitive enough with their headset.
English Pleasure and English Pleasure Driving
English Pleasure is much like Classic Pleasure, except for some minor differences. Like Classic Pleasure, the horses are expected to have natural motion and there is an emphasis on manners, but the shoeing requirements are different. The weight of the horses' shoes and pads may not exceed 16oz and the length of their toe may not exceed 5 inches.
When Showing English Pleasure You May Only Enter: English Pleasure Saddle, English Pleasure Driving, and In-Hand. Horses may not enter ANY OTHER classes, some horses may enter ONE Roadster Class or Parade horse class... This is not to be taken lightly
Park Saddle and Park Harness
In Park, there is little emphasis on manners. The action is expected to be lofty, collected and reach the highest. There is no weight/length rules on the shoes or toe. Horses are expected to be extremely fancy. They are shown at the Park Walk, Show Trot, and Canter. The Park Walk is similar to a western jog, in the sense that it is actually a trot and the speeds are equivalent, however there is a lofty action to it. The show trot is supposed to represent the horses at their best, and is where they will really be judged. (Harness horses DO NOT canter.)
When Showing Park You May Only Enter: Park Saddle, Park Harness, and In-Hand. Horses may not enter ANY OTHER classes. Older Performance horses MAY enter -ONE- Roadster class OR parade horse class, this is not to be taken lightly.
Roadster Under Saddle, Roadster To Bike
Roadster is the one saddleseat division where there is an emphasis on speed. The flashiest yet speediest horses will take the class.
When Showing Roadster You May Only Enter: Roadster Under Saddle, Roadster To Bike, In-Hand. No Other Classes, unless crossing in from an above division.
3. Pleasure Classes
1. Hunter Pleasure
Hunter Pleasure horses are shown to how well the represent a Hunter horse, how comfortable and correct their gaits are, and how happy they seem to be working. They are also judged on to their trueness to Morgan conformation.
When Showing Hunter Pleasure You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented, and/or Western Pleasure.
2. Western Pleasure
In Morgan Showing, a lot of Hunter Pleasure horses double as Western Pleasure horses, and vice versa. This may not seem so strange, but they really show versatility. In Western, horses are expected to be as slow as possible without breaking at each gait. This takes a lot of practice and time, and to be able to differentiate between different speeds at each gait, almost instantly- is a sure sign of a well trained animal.
When Showing Western Pleasure You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented, and/or Hunter Pleasure.
4. Sport Classes[/b]
1. Dressage
Morgan shows offer Dressage tests up to Level Four, and if there is an interest they are willing to compromise to even higher levels of testing.
When Showing Dressage LEVELS Training-Second You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented Classes.
When Showing Dressage LEVELS Third and Higher You May Only Enter: One-Two Other Sport Oriented Classes, at LOWER levels.
2. Working Hunter
Working Hunter Over Fences and Working Hunter on the Flat, judge the horses overall presence, type, and ability as a working Hunter Horse.
When Showing Working Hunter LOWER LEVELS You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented Classes.
When Showing Working Hunter HIGHER LEVELS You May Only Enter: One-Two Other Sport Oriented Classes, at LOWER levels.
3. Jumpers
Morgan Shows offer three levels of Jumping, where the horse is judged on time.
When Showing Jumpers LOWER LEVELS You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented Classes.
When Showing Jumpers HIGHER LEVELS You May Only Enter: One-Two Other Sport Oriented Classes, at LOWER levels.
4. Working Western
Working Western is a strenuous competition, ranging from reining to Barrels, young horses are suggested to limit showing time...
When Showing Working Western You May Only Enter: Western Pleasure and Hunter Pleasure classes.
5. Driving
Driving can be very strenuous. Horses may be asked to perform on speed, accuracy, patterns, etc. Driving has a lot to offer a Morgan Horse..
When Showing Driving one-two classes You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented Classes.
When Showing Driving three or more classes You May Only Enter: One or less Other Sport Oriented Class
by Michelle
1. In-Hand/Halter
In-Hand for Morgans, is essentially the same as Halter is for other breeds (including Arabians). Morgans should be shown in their age/gender group, Morgans shown in performance classes DO NOT have to be shown in-hand, just so Morgans shown in-hand DO NOT have to be shown in performance classes. In-Hand judges the Morgan conformation according to age group and gender. At Morgan Nationals winning a World Champion Mare/Stallion/Gelding title is a very prestigious award, indicating a Morgan of IMPECCABLE conformation.
Specialty In-Hand (Western, Sport Horse, Hunter, Classic, etc.) classes are shown by type- age and gender do not matter. Horses are judged solely by their conformation and therefore their ability to perform in that discipline based on their conformation and how correct their conformation is to both the Morgan type and the specific specialty.
2. Saddleseat
There are THREE divisions to the morgan version of saddleseat. At a single show you MAY NOT cross enter these divisions. Furthermore, because saddleseat is so strenuous, there is an adapted rule that Saddleseat horses MAY NOT show outside their division, the only exceptions being: In-Hand, Roadster.
Classic Pleasure & Classic Pleasure Driving
Classic Pleasure is the lightest division in saddleseat. Horses are expected to have more natural motion, and look extremely pleasurable to ride or drive. They should be able to walk, trot, canter, and halt without instance or fault and be polite and suitable for a lady to ride. There is an emphasis on the manners of a classic horse. Classic Pleasure horses may only enter: Classic Pleasure Driving, Classic Pleasure Saddle, Specialty In-Hand: Classic, In-Hand.
The RL Shoeing requirements for CP/CPD are: the weight of the pads may not exceed 16oz, and the length of the hoof [pads&shoe inclusive] may not exceed 4.5 inches) (the lightest of the three divisions)
When Showing Classic Pleasure You May Only Enter: Classic Pleasure Saddle, Classic Pleasure Driving, and In-Hand. Horses may enter a Hunter or Western Pleasure class, if they are competitive enough with their headset.
English Pleasure and English Pleasure Driving
English Pleasure is much like Classic Pleasure, except for some minor differences. Like Classic Pleasure, the horses are expected to have natural motion and there is an emphasis on manners, but the shoeing requirements are different. The weight of the horses' shoes and pads may not exceed 16oz and the length of their toe may not exceed 5 inches.
When Showing English Pleasure You May Only Enter: English Pleasure Saddle, English Pleasure Driving, and In-Hand. Horses may not enter ANY OTHER classes, some horses may enter ONE Roadster Class or Parade horse class... This is not to be taken lightly
Park Saddle and Park Harness
In Park, there is little emphasis on manners. The action is expected to be lofty, collected and reach the highest. There is no weight/length rules on the shoes or toe. Horses are expected to be extremely fancy. They are shown at the Park Walk, Show Trot, and Canter. The Park Walk is similar to a western jog, in the sense that it is actually a trot and the speeds are equivalent, however there is a lofty action to it. The show trot is supposed to represent the horses at their best, and is where they will really be judged. (Harness horses DO NOT canter.)
When Showing Park You May Only Enter: Park Saddle, Park Harness, and In-Hand. Horses may not enter ANY OTHER classes. Older Performance horses MAY enter -ONE- Roadster class OR parade horse class, this is not to be taken lightly.
Roadster Under Saddle, Roadster To Bike
Roadster is the one saddleseat division where there is an emphasis on speed. The flashiest yet speediest horses will take the class.
When Showing Roadster You May Only Enter: Roadster Under Saddle, Roadster To Bike, In-Hand. No Other Classes, unless crossing in from an above division.
3. Pleasure Classes
1. Hunter Pleasure
Hunter Pleasure horses are shown to how well the represent a Hunter horse, how comfortable and correct their gaits are, and how happy they seem to be working. They are also judged on to their trueness to Morgan conformation.
When Showing Hunter Pleasure You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented, and/or Western Pleasure.
2. Western Pleasure
In Morgan Showing, a lot of Hunter Pleasure horses double as Western Pleasure horses, and vice versa. This may not seem so strange, but they really show versatility. In Western, horses are expected to be as slow as possible without breaking at each gait. This takes a lot of practice and time, and to be able to differentiate between different speeds at each gait, almost instantly- is a sure sign of a well trained animal.
When Showing Western Pleasure You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented, and/or Hunter Pleasure.
4. Sport Classes[/b]
1. Dressage
Morgan shows offer Dressage tests up to Level Four, and if there is an interest they are willing to compromise to even higher levels of testing.
When Showing Dressage LEVELS Training-Second You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented Classes.
When Showing Dressage LEVELS Third and Higher You May Only Enter: One-Two Other Sport Oriented Classes, at LOWER levels.
2. Working Hunter
Working Hunter Over Fences and Working Hunter on the Flat, judge the horses overall presence, type, and ability as a working Hunter Horse.
When Showing Working Hunter LOWER LEVELS You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented Classes.
When Showing Working Hunter HIGHER LEVELS You May Only Enter: One-Two Other Sport Oriented Classes, at LOWER levels.
3. Jumpers
Morgan Shows offer three levels of Jumping, where the horse is judged on time.
When Showing Jumpers LOWER LEVELS You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented Classes.
When Showing Jumpers HIGHER LEVELS You May Only Enter: One-Two Other Sport Oriented Classes, at LOWER levels.
4. Working Western
Working Western is a strenuous competition, ranging from reining to Barrels, young horses are suggested to limit showing time...
When Showing Working Western You May Only Enter: Western Pleasure and Hunter Pleasure classes.
5. Driving
Driving can be very strenuous. Horses may be asked to perform on speed, accuracy, patterns, etc. Driving has a lot to offer a Morgan Horse..
When Showing Driving one-two classes You May Only Enter: Two-Three Other Sport Oriented Classes.
When Showing Driving three or more classes You May Only Enter: One or less Other Sport Oriented Class
