Five-Gaited

The five-gaited horse is one that displays show-stopping beauty, brilliance, and power.  The judges look for an animated form and speed.  Horses are shown with a full mane and tail.  The entries are asked to show at all five American Saddlebred gaits: walk, trot, canter, slow gait, and rack.  The ability to perform these gaits is a genetic trait that is perfected in training. 

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Three-Gaited

Beauty, grace, and elegance define the three-gaited horse.  They perform their three gaits - animated walk, park trot, and canter - with high action and precision.  To highlight their elegantly arched necks, they are shown with a roached main, which means it is clipped very short against their necks.

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Park

Horses showing in Park division are bold, showy horses that tend to have more power than show pleasure horses, but less refinement than those in three-gaited divisions.  This division demands extreme natural action and animation.  While manners are highly favored, they are less important than in the Pleasure divisions.  Horses are shown at an animated or flat walk, park trot, and canter.  Rider wears informal Saddle Seat attire in morning and afternoon classes, and formal or dark Saddle Seat attire for evening. The Park division offers five-gaited, three-gaited, and driving classes. 

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Park Pleasure

Horses showing in Park Pleasure division are powerful animated horses.  Horses are shown with plain shoes and have a full mane and tail which is either natural or enhanced with tailsets or bustles.  Entries are asked to show at a flat walk, trot, and canter.  Entries are judged on manners, performance, presence, quality, and confirmation.  Horses must respond promptly to cues and must stand quietly on the rail.  Rider wears informal Pleasure Division attire.  The Park Pleasure Division offers three-gaited and driving classes.

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Pleasure Classes

In Pleasure classes, horses are judged first and foremost on their manners and obedience; they should appear to be a pleasure to ride.  They perform their gaits promptly when asked, present themselves in a comfortable manner, and perform a true, flat walk while remaining alert and responsive.  Horses are light in the mouth and allow the riders to relax into an easy posture.  Transitioning easily from one gait to the other without side-stepping illustrates the horse is not anxious or rushed.  The high stepping action favored by other divisions is less important in Pleasure divisions.

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English Show Pleasure 

An English Show pleasure horse has less animation than the Three-Gaited and Five-Gaited horse, but is alert and responsive.  High, natural, free-moving action is desirable.  Horses are shown with a full mane and tail, which is either natural or enhanced with tailsets or bustles.  Entries are asked to show at a flat walk, trot, and canter.  As a Pleasure class, the horse must appear to be a pleasure to ride as they are judged heavily on their manners.  Transitions between gaits should be smooth, walk should be a true flat walk, horses must stand quietly in the line-up, and must not pull, toss  their heads, switch their tails, or display any laboring action. Rider wears informal Pleasure Division attire.  Show pleasure division offers three-gaited, five-gaited, western, and driving classes.

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English Country Pleasure

An English Country Pleasure horse is less flashy than the English Show Pleasure horse, and demonstrates remarkably easy action.  The horse's easy way of going should give the impression that it would be a pleasure to ride outside of an arena.  Horses are unshod or shown with plain shoes and have a full mane and natural tail with no enhancing devices. Entries are asked to show at a flat walk, trot, extended trot, and canter.  Entries are judged heavily on their manners as a pleasure mount.  Transitions between gaits should be smooth, horses must respond promptly to cues, the walk must be a true flat walk, horses must stand quietly on the rail and in the line up.  Head tossing, pulling, tail switching, and other displays of laboring action are penalized. Rider wears informal Pleasure Division attire. English Country Pleasure division offers three-gaited, five-gaited, western, and driving classes.

 

Western Country Pleasure

The Western Country Pleasure horse is allowed to have a less elevated head carriage than other divisions.  Horses are unshod or shown with plain shoes and have a full mane and natural tail with no enhancing devices.  Entries are asked to show at a flat walk, jog, and lope, and the rider is to use a reasonably loose rein, held in one hand.  As all Pleasure classes, entries are judged heavily on their manners as a pleasure mount.  Transitions between gaits should be smooth, horses must respond promptly to cues, the walk must be a true flat walk, horses must stand quietly on the rail and in the line up.  Head tossing, pulling, tail switching, and other displays of laboring action are penalized.