The versatility ranch horse competition at the 2012 Battle in the Saddle boasts $2,500 added for the AQHA open division, $1,500 added for the AQHA amateur division and $500 for Ranch Horse Association of America entries. The competition also offers two sets of points for AQHA entries.
Ranch riding and ranch trail will be shown back to back. Each exhibitor will perform the trail obstacle course and then ranch riding pattern. The ranch riding class shows the horse's ability to move at a working speed with a rider. Horses will be shown at three gaits – walk, trot and lope – in each direction of the arena. Horses also will be asked to change directions while on the rail, stop and back. 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. Credit also will be given for making a smooth transition between the gaits, for keeping the correct lead and for maintaining the gait until the judge asks for a change. A rider must show his horse with only one hand on the reins, unless the horse is 5 years old or younger and is being shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore (bosal).
Ranch riding and ranch trail will be shown back to back. Each exhibitor will perform the trail obstacle course and then ranch riding pattern.
The ranch trail class contains a course with a minimum of six obstacles and is designed to show a horse's ability and willingness to perform several tasks that might be asked of him during the course of a normal day's ranch work. Whenever possible, realistic or natural obstacles are encouraged, and course designers are encouraged to place the course outside of an arena using the natural terrain of the land. The horse will be judged on three gaits – walk, trot and lope – performed between the six obstacles to be determined when the judge chooses the pattern. A horse will be rewarded with higher credit for performing these gaits on the correct lead and with an alert attitude. Mandatory obstacles include opening, passing through and closing a gate and dragging a log either in a straight line or around a set pattern. The third mandatory obstacle requires the horse to remain quiet while the rider dismounts and remounts. Some optional obstacles include crossing a water hazard, being hobbled or ground tied and crossing a bridge.
A single numbered cow is cut from the herd and the horse must demonstrate its ability to work the cow with the assistance of two turn-back riders and two herd holders. For open and amateur, the number of designated cattle will equal the number of entries and the number of non-numbered cattle will also equal the number of entries. Open and amateur contestants will have two minutes to work two required head, but has the option of working the full two minutes. Exhibitors must work their designed cow and one additional non-numbered cow within the time limit. Horses will not be penalized for reining during the cutting portion and should display the horse's natural cow ability.
This class combines the ability of the working ranch horse to rein, handle cattle and put its rider in the position to rope and stop a cow. The class is to be judged in three sections – reining, cow work and roping – with scores from each section added together for the final score of the class. Each contestant will perform individually. A maximum of six minutes is allowed to complete the class. When the six-minute time limit has expired, the exhibitor will be required to exit the arena. Reining pattern: One of three approved patterns will be used for this class. Maneuvers include at least one circle in both directions, a change of leads in each direction, at least one 360-degree turn in each direction, a rollback in each direction, stop and back. Working the cow: After the exhibitor has completed his reining pattern, he will call for the cow to be turned into the arena. Upon receiving the cow, the contestant shall hold the cow on the prescribed end of the arena for a sufficient amount of time to demonstrate the ability of the horse to contain the cow. After a reasonable amount of time, the contestant shall take the cow down the fence, making at least one turn each way on the fence. Roping: The exhibitor must then rope the cow and bring it to a stop. The horse is judged on his ability to trail, rate and stop the cow. There is to be no dragging and the exhibitor is allowed only two throws. Ropes cannot be tied to the saddle horn. It's not necessary for the exhibitor to catch in order to receive a score. However, if there is no catch, a five-point penalty will be subtracted from the roping score. Also, if the rope falls off the saddle during the class it would be considered equipment failure and result in a score of zero.
Ranch divisions: stallions, mares and geldings The goal of the ranch conformation class is to preserve American Quarter Horse type by selecting well-mannered horses based on their resemblance to the breed ideal. Horses should have a positive combination of balance, structural correctness and movement with appropriate breed and sex characteristics, along with adequate muscling. Horses are to be shown in a good working halter (rope, braided, nylon or plain leather). Horses will walk to the judge one at a time then trot straight to a cone. At the cone, the horse will continue trotting, turn to the left and trot toward the left wall or fence of the arena. After trotting, horses will be lined up head to tail for individual inspection by the judge. The judge shall inspect each horse from both sides, front and rear. The ranch conformation class will be held after the conclusion of the other four events. All sexes will be shown together as one class. RHAA CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Wrangler This is an entry level class for any RHAA member who has not won more than $500 in any RHAA sanctioned event. The Wrangler class is not a finals qualifying class; however, year-end awards will be presented and top three winners will be recognized at the RHAA finals. A person that starts the year in the Wrangler class may finish the year in the Wrangler class regardless of how much money the contestant wins in that year. Professional horse trainers are not eligible for the Wrangler class. Contestants with Open earnings in the NRCHA, NCHA, ACHA or NRHA or Open points in AQHA or APHA in the working cow horse, cutting or reining classes are ineligible to compete in the Wrangler class. It is the responsibility of the contestant to keep up with their eligibility for the Wrangler class. Any RHAA member that enters the Wrangler class fraudulently faces disciplinary action that can include suspension of membership. The RHAA office will make every effort to ensure that updated information is available to all members. The RHAA board of directors reserves the right to reclassify any contestant that they feel is violating the intention of the Wrangler class. Rules to enter this class are: 1) the rider must be an RHAA member who owns the horse being shown; however, there is no time limit on ownership for this class, and/or; 2) the RHAA member must have been a fulltime employee of the owner of the horse for at least six (6) months prior to competing in this event; and 3) the horse must have a valid competition license. If rider is not a current RHAA member, the rider may compete under a day permit. The rider will have the option of being judged on circling the cow or roping. Contestants are urged to rope in order to prepare for the advancement to other classes. The rein rule applies unless showing a junior horse.
Cowboy Class Anyone who is an RHAA member and has not won more than $1500 in any RHAA sanctioned event can enter this class. A person that starts the year in the Cowboy class may finish the year in the Cowboy class regardless of how much money the contestant wins in that year. Professional horse trainers are not eligible for the Cowboy class. Contestants with Open earnings in the NRCHA, NCHA, ACHA or NRHA or Open points in AQHA or APHA in the working cow horse, cutting or reining classes are ineligible to compete in the Cowboy class. It is the responsibility of the contestant to keep up with their eligibility for the Cowboy class. If a contestant enters after they have earned out of the Cowboy class they will forfeit that qualifying spot in the finals and the next contestant will be moved up. Any RHAA member that enters the Cowboy class fraudulently faces disciplinary action that can include suspension of membership. The RHAA office will make every effort to ensure that updated information is available to all members. The RHAA board of directors reserves the right to reclassify any contestant that they feel is violating the intention of the Cowboy class. This class is a qualifying class for the RHAA National Finals. Rules to enter this class are: 1) the RHAA member has to own the horse being shown; however, there is no time limit on ownership for this class, and/or; 2) the RHAA member must have been a fulltime employee of the owner of the horse for at least six (6) months prior to competing in this event; and 3) the horse must have a valid competition license. If rider is not a current RHAA member, the rider may compete under a day permit. The rein rule applies unless showing a junior horse. Ranch Hand This class is for RHAA members with less than $3500 lifetime earnings in any RHAA sanctioned event. Professional trainers and members with NRCHA Open earnings, NCHA Open earnings, NRHA Open Earnings, ACHA Open Earnings or AQHA, APHA Open Points in Reining, Cutting or Working Cow Horse within the previous ten years are ineligible to compete in this class subject to review by the board. The RHAA reserves the right to move any member out of the Ranch hand class that violates the intent of this class. This class is designed as an intermediate division for riders advancing out of the Cowboy class. The Ranch hand class has a one year ownership and/or six month employment requirement. Members who begin the year in the Ranch hand class may complete the year in the Ranch hand. If rider is not a current RHAA member, the rider may compete under a day permit. The rein rule applies unless showing a junior horse.
Junior Ranch Horses A Junior horse is defined as being five (5) years old or younger as of the first Sunday following the RHAA finals and may compete in the Junior Class until the completion of the RHAA finals at the conclusion of the current RHAA fiscal year. The burden of proof for a Junior horse status is on the contestant through presentation of a current competition license. It is up to the event director or secretary of the show to view these documents before allowing any contestant to enter. It is with the understanding that the integrity and professionalism of the competition is of utmost importance and should be carried out by the local show committee. In the Junior division, horses may be ridden with a ring snaffle or a hackamore with two hands without penalty. If rider is not a current RHAA member, the rider may compete under a day permit. This class has a one year ownership and/or six month employment requirement.
Senior Ranch Horses A Senior horse is defined as an aged horse no longer eligible for the Junior division. Horses in this age group will be exhibited one handed in the bridle. (shanked curb bit) Junior horses may be shown in the Senior class but must adhere to Senior class requirements, provided it is not a combined class. In the event the Junior and Senior class is combined, a Junior horse may be shown two handed in a two handed bridle, such as a ring snaffle or a hackamore. There will be a penalty for showing any horse two handed in a shanked bit. There will be a five (5) point penalty per judge per violation of showing the horse two handed at any time during the judging. If rider is not a current RHAA member, the rider may compete under a day permit. This class has a one year ownership and/or six month employment requirement. Get more with an Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association Membership Entry Deadline is 4:59 p.m. on June 22 Entries received between 5 p.m., June 22 - 4:59 p.m., June 29 will be assessed a $50 penalty Entries received after 5 p.m. on June 29 will be doubled the advertised entry fee All times are Central Daylight Time.