Western Ranch

Classes for the Western Ranch Division are Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail (no stationary steer roping) and Working Ranch Horse. The ranch riding classes will be patterns are listed at the end of this division. Example of other classes:  Western Road Hack, Western Riding, Horsemanship, or Fitting and Showmanship.

  • 401 Western Ranch Showmanship-Jr.
  • 402 Western Ranch Showmanship-Sr.
  • 403 Western Ranch Trail-Jr.
  • 404 Western Ranch Trail-Sr.
  • 405 Western Ranch Horse Riding Pattern 1, Jr.
  • 406 Western Ranch Horse Riding Pattern 1 , Sr.
  • 407 Western Ranch Horse Riding Pattern 2, Jr.
  • 408 Western Ranch Horse Riding Pattern 2, Sr.
  • 409 Western Ranch Pleasure, Jr.
  • 410 Western Ranch Pleasure, Sr.
  • 411 Western Ranch Road Hack, Jr.
  • 412 Western Ranch Road Hack, Sr.
  • 413 Western Ranch Equitation, Jr.
  • 414 Western Ranch Equitation, Sr.

Hoof polish, braided or banded manes, tail extensions, and trimming inside ears are strongly discouraged.

Clothing must be clean and neat. Riders shall wear western boots (no tennis shoes or sport shoes are acceptable) and western dress pants or jeans. Shirts must have a collar and long sleeves or be appropriate show attire. Ranch work attire is recommended, but show attire will not be penalized. Spurs, chaps, gloves (leather or fabric) and similar equipment are optional. All exhibitors are required to wear an SEI or SEI/ASTM approved equestrian safety helmet with fastened chin harness in every class.

Horse shall be shown with a stock saddle. Ranch work equipment is recommended, but show equipment will not be penalized. No roping reins or romal reins. Martingales, tie-downs, nose bands, or draw reins are prohibited. Carrying of a rope on your saddle is preferred. Horses may wear protective boots. A judge or show official shall have the authority to require the removal or adjustment of any piece of equipment which in his opinion is unsafe, would give a horse an unfair advantage, or constitute excessive harshness or cruelty. See Bits section for description of legal bits for Ranch Division.

  • This class is designed to show the horse’s ability to navigate and cope with the various situations and obstacles encountered in everyday ranch work. It is designed to show a horse’s ability to perform these obstacles with a willing attitude. The horse is judged on cleanness and promptness with which the obstacles are negotiated, ability to negotiate obstacles correctly, and attitude and mannerisms exhibited by the horse while negotiating the course.
  • Whenever possible, realistic or natural obstacles should be used. The course can be laid outside of the arena using natural terrain. However, if a ground tie is specified in the course, the course must be set up in an enclosed arena.
  • The judge must walk the course and has the right and duty to alter the course in any manner. The judge may remove or change any obstacle he deems unsafe or non-negotiable prior to the start of the class. If at any time a trail obstacle is deemed to be unsafe by the judge, it shall be repaired or removed from the course. If it cannot be repaired and horses have completed the course, the score for that obstacle shall be deducted from all previous works for that class.
  • Tack and Equipment notes:
    • Roping gloves may be worn for the duration of the class or may be worn only for the roping and log drag obstacles.
    • Roping reins or reins with romal are permitted, but must be used with a snap attachment if a ground tie is in the course.
  • Use of hands: Only one hand may be used on reins and hands must not be changed, except to work with an obstacle. Reins may be held in any manner. Two hands may be used when using a snaffle bit or bosal on a horse or pony 5 years of age or younger.
  • The horse will be shown at a ground-covering walk, trot (or natural gait), and lope between the obstacles and credit will be given for performing these gaits on the correct lead with an alert attitude. The walk may be judged as part of an obstacle.
  • Extending the trot or natural gait may also be asked. The extended trot may be ridden with the rider either posting or standing in the stirrups to the front of the saddle. Holding the saddle horn is permissible, at this gait, as might be done in open terrain.
  • The judge may ask a rider to move on to the next obstacle if the horse/rider is unable to complete the maneuver in a reasonable time or if the judge deems that the rider is, or will be, in an unsafe situation. The judge may also ask the rider to move on after a third refusal at an obstacle.
  • No additional credit will be given for unnecessary/additional maneuvers (such as sidepassing to and from an obstacle).
  • Judges shall continue to score the entirety of all rides even in the event that a composite score of zero will be given (DQ). After the ride is complete, the judge shall designate on the score card that a total score of zero was given.
  • Scoring will be on the basis of 0-infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. Each obstacle will receive an obstacle score that should be added or subtracted from 70 and is subject to a penalty that should be subtracted. Each obstacle will be scored on the following basis, ranging from plus 1½ to minus 1½: -1½ extremely poor, -1 very poor, -½ needs improvement, 0 correct, +½ good, +1 very good, +1½ excellent. Obstacle scores are to be determined and assessed independently of penalty points.
  • Penalties should be assessed per occurrence as follows:
    • One-half Point
      • Each tick of log, pole, cone, plant, or any component of the obstacle.
    • One Point
      • Each bite of or hit of or stepping on a log, cone, plant or any component of the obstacle.
      • b. Incorrect or break of gait at walk or jog for two strides or less.
      • c. Both front or hind feet in a single-strided slot or space at a walk or jog.
      • d. Skipping over or failing to step into required space.
      • e. Split pole in lope-over.
      • f. Incorrect number of strides, if specified
      • g. Each step, up to three steps, moved during ground tie or picking up hooves.
    • Three Points
      • Incorrect or break of gait at walk or jog for more than 2 strides.
      • Out of lead or break of gait at lope (except when correcting an incorrect lead).
      • Knocking down an elevated pole, cone, barrel, plant, obstacle, or severely disturbing an obstacle.
      • Stepping outside the confines of, falling or jumping off or out of obstacle, with designated boundaries, with one foot
    • Five Points
      • Dropping slicker, log rope, or object required to be carried on course.
      • Dropping lariat anywhere on course other than after completion of roping obstacle.
      • Each refusal, balk, or evading an obstacle by shying or backing.
      • Letting go of gate.
      • Use of either hand to instill fear or praise.
      • Stepping outside the confines of, falling or jumping off or out of obstacle, with designated boundaries, with more than one foot.
      • Blatant disobedience (including kicking out, bucking, rearing, striking).
      • Moving more than 3 steps during ground tie or picking up hooves.
    • One to Five Points
      • Faults, which occur on the line of travel between obstacles, scored according to severity:
      • Head carried too high
      • Head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers)
      • Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
      • Excessive nosing out
      • Opening mouth excessively
    • Fifteen Points
      • Use of two hands (except for junior horses shown with hackamore or snaffle bit) or changing hands on reins. But it is permissible to change hands to work an obstacle.
      • Excessively or repeatedly touching the horse on the neck to lower the head.
      • Failure to ever demonstrate correct gait between obstacles as designated.
      • Failure to complete an obstacle once attempted.
      • Maximum number of points that can be lost on any one attempted obstacle.
    • Twenty Points
      • No attempt to work an obstacle.
    • Disqualified 0 – Score
      • Use of romal other than as allowed in Contest Rules, Regulations, and Procedures.
      • Performing the obstacle or an essential element of the pattern incorrectly or other than in specified order.
      • Equipment failure that delays completion of pattern.
      • Entering or exiting an obstacle from the incorrect side or direction.
      • Working obstacle the incorrect direction.
      • Riding outside designated boundary marker of the arena or course area.
      • Significant deviation from correct line of travel between obstacles.
  • Six to ten obstacles will be used. Three will be mandatory, and the remaining will be selected from the optional list. Course design decided and set by cross-divisional chairperson.
    • Possible Obstacles:
      • Opening, passing through, and closing a gate. This gate may not be a rope gate.
      • Log Drag – Horse must be willing to drag a log for a short distance in a straight line. Rider to pick up rope while mounted at point A, and drop rope at point B. Rope may not be tied hard and fast to the saddle horn; dallying is optional. Log size should be roughly the size of a small fence post, suggested maximum weight ~30 lbs. Rope should be securely attached to one end of the post by either drilling a hole through the post and tying a bowline (or other non-slip knot), or attaching an O-ring and tying a non-slip knot through the ring.
      • Stationary Steer – This obstacle is used to show the willingness of the horse to have a rope thrown from its back. The judge will give credit to the horse that stands quietly while the contestant makes the swing and throw at the stationary steer. Shying from the rope will be penalized, but missing the stationary steer will not be penalized. Rider must provide the rope for this obstacle; rope may be carried in hand, over saddle horn, or affixed to saddle. At the completion of this obstacle, contestant may coil rope and keep for remainder of class, or drop rope at obstacle without penalty.
    • Obstacles:
      • Mailbox – Rider will open and close a mailbox when mounted.
      • Bridge – Horse should walk willingly over a bridge. The bridge may be stationary or “teeter-totter” with a 4” maximum rocker pole.
      • Slicker – The rider shall show the ability to handle the horse while simulating putting on a slicker. The rider may also be asked to carry the slicker from point A to point B.
      • Walk-over log-L obstacle – Walk over 90° log “L”. Log should be no less than 6” and no more than 12” in diameter. Riders should negotiate this obstacle in a straight line.
      • Step-overs at a walk, trot, or lope – Natural branches, logs, fence posts, etc. which are laid out in seemingly random angles and distances. Distances should be measured only so the set-up is repeatable, but not for uniform spacing or stride length. Obstacles may not be raised and the maximum height of any step-over is 18”.
      • Water hazard – The horse should enter and exit the water hazard in a quiet manner.
      • Back through obstacle – Straight, “L”, or into/out of a marked location.
      • Sidepass – Straight, one direction, may or may not be elevated.
      • Ground Tie – Rider must be able to dismount and walk a minimum of 5 paces away with the horse in a designated spot. If used, this must be the last obstacle of the course (no remount) and class must be held in an enclosed arena. If a rider is using a one-piece rein (romal, roping rein, etc.), it should be unsnapped from the bit on one side while groundtying.
      • Pick up front feet – The rider must be able to dismount and pick up both front feet in an easy, time efficient manner. If used, this must be the last obstacle of the course (no remount). May be used in succession with ground tie so rider only dismounts once per course.
      • Any other safe and negotiable obstacle which could reasonably be found in everyday ranch work and meets the approval of the judge.
    • If disrupted, the course shall be reset. In the case that an obstacle is used in combination, the obstacle cannot be reset until the contestant finishes the entire combination.

A horse will be shown at three gaits - the walk, jog and lope. He will also be asked to reverse away from the rail, to stop and to back. The judge may ask for an extended walk or jog. Extended jog may be ridden by sitting in the saddle, posting or standing in the stirrups.

Description
  • A superior ranch riding horse has a free-flowing stride of reasonable length in keeping with his conformation and covering a reasonable amount of ground with little effort. Ideally, he should have a balanced, flowing motion, while exhibiting correct gaits with proper cadence and rhythm. The quality of the movement and consistency of the gaits is a major consideration.
  • Exhibitor should not be penalized for picking up reins or moving horses body if horse is soft, willing and free of resistance but should receive credit. Horse should be credited for softness when picking up through transitions, departures, stops, and back-ups. (This should not be confused with constant pulling and jerking around the arena as this shall be faulted according to severity).
  • A willing horse will not ring their tail, or be blatantly disobedient to the rider’s cues or demands. The horse should drive off his hind quarters using it as a driving force for his body. The horse should not carry his head behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving the appearance of resistance.
  • He should have a bright expression with his ears alert, he should be mannerly without the appearance of a dull, sullen lethargic drawn or overly tired attitude. He should be shown on a reasonable loose rein, but with light contact and control. He should be responsive, yet smooth, in transitions when called for. When asked to extend, he should move out with the same flowing motion.
  • Maximum credit should be given to the horse that has a flowing stride, is balanced, and that gives the appearance of being willing, fit, alert and a pleasure to ride while possessing great athletic ability and agility.
    • This class will be judged on the performance, athletic ability, condition and conformation of the horse.
    • Horses must work both ways of the ring at all three gaits to demonstrate their ability with different leads. At the option of the judge, horses may be asked to extend the walk and the jog, one or both ways of the ring. The extended jog is a definite two-beat lengthening of the stride, covering more ground. Cadence and balance with smoothness are more essential than speed. Passing is permissible and should not be penalized as long as the horse maintains a proper and even cadence and rhythm. Horses are required to back easily and stand quietly.
    • Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail). They may be required to reverse at the walk or jog at the discretion of the judge, but shall not be asked to reverse at the lope.
    • Judge may ask for additional and individual(s) work of the same nature from any horse.
    • Rider shall not be required to dismount except in the event the judge wishes to check equipment.
    • Horses are to be shown at a walk, jog and lope on a reasonably loose rein or light contact without undue restraint.
    • Faults to be scored according to severity:
      • Excessive speed (any gait)
      • Being on the wrong lead
      • Breaking gait (including not walking when called for)
      • Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum (resulting in an animated and/or artificial gait at the lope)
      • Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for (during transitions, excessive delay will be penalized)
      • Head carriage too high or low (in keeping with horse’s conformation).
      • Over flexing or straining neck in carriage so that the nose is behind the vertical.
      • Excessive nosing out
      • Opening/gapping mouth excessively
      • Stumbling
      • Use of spur in front of the cinch
      • If horse appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired.
      • Quick, choppy or pony-strided.
      • Overly canted at the lope (Horses which lope with haunches in towards the center of arena).
      • Excessive head bobbing.
      • Excessive ringing of tail.
    • Credits:
      • Natural ground covering gaits
      • Consistency at all gaits
      • Smooth upward and downward transitions
      • Work on reasonably loose rein without excessive cueing to maintain moderate pace
      • Giving the appearance of being able to do a day’s work
      • Athletic Ability/Agile
      • Softness of horses’ chin, poll, neck, shoulder, body, hip and being broke though thru the whole body.

The following terminology is a description of ranch riding gaits:

Description of Ideal Gaits – The ideal ranch riding horse will have a natural head carriage at each gait – neither too high nor too low.

  • Walk – The walk should be straight, square, flat footed, relaxed with the horse moving out freely and looking ahead.
  • Trot – This gait should be a square two-beat diagonal trot. The trot should be steady, soft and slow enough for riding long distances. Trots which are rough and hard to sit should be penalized. Excessively slow and uncadenced trots should also be penalized.
  • Extended Trot – The extended trot should show an evident lengthening of stride from the regular trot with the same cadence that will cause an increase in speed. This trot should be level, flat and steady with the appearance that the horse could hold this gait for an extended distance.
  • Natural Gait and Extended Natural Gait – Non-trotting horses should perform their natural gait where a jog/trot is indicated and show a distinctive difference in speed of that gait where an extended jog/trot is asked. The natural gait should be smooth and appear effortless for riding long distances.
  • Lope – This gait should be a three beat gait that is cadenced, straight and steady and is comfortable to ride over long distances.
  • Extended Lope – The extended lope should be an obvious lengthening of stride from the previous lope, be at the same cadence and cause an increase in speed. The gait needs to be steady, quiet, and maintaining the increased speed while being under control.
  • Stop (from both lope and trot) – The horse should be in the correct stopping position – both hocks engaged and stopping on the hindquarters.
  • Reverse and Turns – A horse should turn briskly and flat with front feet close to the ground and holding an inside rear pivot foot.
  • Turn on the forehand – Hind end should move around with minimal movement of the front feet.
  • Sidepass – a smooth, fluid sideways movement with a clean cross-over in front and behind.
  • The extended trot may be ridden with the rider either posting or standing in the stirrups to the front of the saddle. Holding the saddle horn is permissible, at this gait, as might be done in open terrain. When transitioning from the extended trot to the lope, it is permissible to take the horse back a bit (collecting) before loping.
  • Ranch Working Horse serves to measure the ability of the horse to be functional and a pleasure to ride at a working speed while being used as a means of conveyance from one western stock horse task to another. The horse's performance should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse. This horse should be well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft, and cadenced at all gaits. The horse should be responsive to the rider, yield to contact, and make all required transitions smoothly, timely and correctly. The horse should perform with reasonable speed, and be obedient, well-mannered, free, and easy moving.
  • Class consists of pattern work which is ridden individually. For each maneuver, the horse is judged on quality of gaits, response to the rider, manners, and disposition. Maneuvers may include:
    • Walk, trot, and lope both directions.
    • Extended trot and extended lope at least one direction.
    • Stop and back from any gait.
    • Side pass.
    • Turns on the hindquarters of up to 2½ turns.
    • Turns on the forehand of up to 180°.
    • Change of lead (simple or flying).
    • Walk, trot, or lope over a pole(s).
  • A horse will be given credit for traveling with his head held in a normal position, ears alert and moving at a natural speed for the gait requested. The horse should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and without requiring undue restraint. Excessively long floppy reins will be penalized.
  • All transitions should be smooth without undue exaggeration or resistance from the horse.
  • Use of hands: Only one hand may be used on reins and hands must not be changed. Reins may be held in any manner. Two hands may be used when using a snaffle bit or bosal on a horse or pony 5 years of age or younger.
  • The judge or show management will select which Ranch Working Horse pattern will be used. The class may be conducted inside or outside of an arena.
  • To break ties or to resolve close placings, the judge, at his/her discretion, may require designated contestants to work on the rail or repeat any portion of the pattern.
  • Description of Ideal Gaits – The ideal ranch riding horse will have a natural head carriage at each gait – neither too high nor too low.
    • Walk – The walk should be straight, square, flat footed, relaxed with the horse moving out freely and looking ahead.
    • Trot – This gait should be a square two-beat diagonal trot. The trot should be steady, soft and slow enough for riding long distances. Trots which are rough and hard to sit should be penalized. Excessively slow and uncadenced trots should also be penalized.
    • Extended Trot – The extended trot should show an evident lengthening of stride from the regular trot with the same cadence that will cause an increase in speed. This trot should be level, flat and steady with the appearance that the horse could hold this gait for an extended distance.
    • Natural Gait and Extended Natural Gait – Non-trotting horses should perform their natural gait where a jog/trot is indicated and show a distinctive difference in speed of that gait where an extended jog/trot is asked. The natural gait should be smooth and appear effortless for riding long distances.
    • Lope – This gait should be a three beat gait that is cadenced, straight and steady and is comfortable to ride over long distances.
    • Extended Lope – The extended lope should be an obvious lengthening of stride from the previous lope, be at the same cadence and cause an increase in speed. The gait needs to be steady, quiet, and maintaining the increased speed while being under control.
    • Stop (from both lope and trot) – The horse should be in the correct stopping position – both hocks engaged and stopping on the hindquarters.
    • Reverse and Turns – A horse should turn briskly and flat with front feet close to the ground and holding an inside rear pivot foot.
    • Turn on the forehand – Hind end should move around with minimal movement of the front feet.
    • Sidepass – a smooth, fluid sideways movement with a clean cross-over in front and behind.
    • The extended trot may be ridden with the rider either posting or standing in the stirrups to the front of the saddle. Holding the saddle horn is permissible, at this gait, as might be done in open terrain. When transitioning from the extended trot to the lope, it is permissible to take the horse back a bit (collecting) before loping.
  • Scoring will be on the basis of 0 to 100, with 70 denoting an average performance. The individual maneuvers are scored in ½ point increments from a low of -1½ to a high of +1½ with a score of 0 denoting a maneuver that is correct with no degree of difficulty.
    • One point penalties:
      • Too Slow/per gait
      • Over-Bridled
      • Out of Frame
      • Break of gait at walk or jog for 2 strides or less
      • Split log at lope
    • Three point penalties
      • Break of gait at walk or jog for more than 2 strides
      • Break of gait at lope
      • Wrong lead or out of lead
      • Draped reins
      • Out of lead or cross-cantering more than two strides when changing leads.
      • Trotting more than three strides when making a simple lead change.
      • Severe disturbance of any obstacle
    • Five point penalties
      • Blatant disobedience (kick, bite, buck, rear, etc.)
    • Placed below horses per forming all maneuvers
      • Eliminates Maneuver
      • Incomplete maneuver
    • Zero score
      • Illegal equipment
      • Willful abuse
      • Major disobedience or schooling

Equines are to be shown at a walk, jog, extended jog, lope and extended lope both ways of the ring. The equine should be similar to the Western Ranch Pleasure mount in that it should move in a consistent, relaxed and willing manner.

Scoring - Emphasis in this class will be placed on the equine's ability to show a moderate lengthening in strides when softly cued. Equines should remain smooth and consistent throughout all gaits and transitions.

Class Routine

  • Gaits
    • The walk is a natural, flat-footed four-beat gait. The equine must move straight and true at the walk. The walk must be alert, with a stride of reasonable length in keeping with the size of the equine.
    • The jog is a smooth ground-covering two-beat diagonal gait. The equine works from one pair of diagonals to the other pair. The jog should be square, balanced and with a straight, forward movement of the feet. Equines walking with their back feet and trotting on the front are not considered performing the required gait.
    • The extended jog is a moderate lengthening of stride; ability to extend stride rather than merely increasing speed. The rider should sit to the extended jog, not post.
    • The lope is an easy, rhythmical three-beat gait. Equines moving to the left should lope on the left lead. Equines moving to the right should lope on the right lead. Equines travelling at a four-beat gait are not considered to be performing at a proper lope. The equine should lope with a natural stride and appear relaxed and smooth. He should be ridden at a speed that is natural in way of going.
    • The extended lope is a moderate lengthening of stride; ability to extend stride rather than merely increasing speed.
  • All equines will enter the ring in a counterclockwise direction at a walk until otherwise directed by the judge. They will then show in all gaits specified above, then asked to reverse and show in all gaits as specified above in that direction. The reverse should be done by turning away from the rail.
  • After all equines have been worked, the judge may then excuse equines not to be considered further in the class.
  • The judge may ask for additional work from any of the remaining equines.
  • All equines being considered for an award shall be asked to back in a straight line a minimum of 3 steps.
  • Only one hand is to be used for reining. The hand chosen (either right or left) shall not be changed during the class. If a rope is carried on the saddle, it must be attached to the side opposite the reining hand. One finger is allowed between the reins except when romal reins are used. The rider may hold the romal or ends of the split reins provided it is held at least 16" from the reining hand.

2021 Ranch Riding - Pattern 1

2021 Ranch Riding - Pattern 2

2021 Ranch Riding - Pattern 3

2021 Ranch Riding - Pattern 4

2021 Ranch Riding - Pattern 5

(Some of the patterns have been updated from 2016 and are different from what is in the NYS 4-H Horse Show Rule Book.)

More Ranch Riding Patterns can be found on the AQHA Ranch Riding.