SHW377. Performance. The exhibitor should perform the work accurately, precisely, smoothly, and with a reasonable amount of speed. Increasing speed of the work increases the degree of difficulty, however, accuracy and precision should not be sacrificed for speed. The horse should lead, stop, back, turn and set up willingly, briskly and readily with minimal visible or audible cueing. A severe disobedience will not result in a disqualification but should be penalized severely, and the exhibitor should not place above an exhibitor that completes the pattern correctly. Excessive schooling or training, willful abuse, loss of control of the horse by the exhibitor, failure to follow prescribed pattern, knocking over or working on the wrong side of the cones shall be cause for disqualification.
SHW377.1 The horse should be led directly to and away from the judge in a straight or curved line and track briskly and freely at the prescribed gait as instructed. The horse's head and neck should be straight and in line with the body.
SHW377.2 The stop should be straight, prompt, smooth and responsive with the horse's body remaining straight.
SHW377.3 The horse should back up readily with the head, neck and body aligned in a straight or curved line as instructed.
SHW377.4 On turns of greater than 90 degrees, the ideal turn consists of the horse pivoting on the right hind leg while stepping across and in front of the right front leg with the left front leg. An exhibitor should not be penalized if their horse performs a pivot on the left hind leg, but an exhibitor whose horse performs the pivot correctly should receive more credit.
SHW377.5 A pull turn to the left is an unacceptable maneuver.
SHW377.6 The horse should be set up quickly with the feet squarely underneath the body. The exhibitor does not have to reset a horse that stops square.