2025 Judging Assignments
Reining, Hunter Pleasure, Half-Arabian Mares In Hand, Arabian Geldings
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A quick review of the judging procedure.
A quick review of the judging procedure.
Discipline Highlight: Reining
Discipline Highlight: Reining
About the Class: Reining horses execute a pattern of spins, circles, lead changes, runs, and stops, where stops involve sliding on the rear shoes. Circles are performed at a lope to show control with minimal resistance. Scoring ranges from zero to infinity, with 70 as the average; points are added or subtracted based on faults, penalties, or credits to determine the final score.
Requirements of the Class
Individual or Ring: Individual
Pattern: Yes
Gaits Shown: Walk and Lope
Tack & Equipment: western reining saddle, western headstall, split or romel reins, curb bit, hackamore/snaffle (junior horse)
Helpful Tools:
AHA Reining Notebook Chapter
https://www.arabianhorses.org/.../js-docs/JS_NB_Reining.pdf
JS_Notes_Reining.pdfReining_Practice_Test.pdfHalf-Arabian Reining Pattern #5
Reining_Disciplines.pdf
Sample Reining Introduction
I marked _____ at the top of the class because _____ had the nicest combination of calmness, speed, ease, and dispatch. _____ ran harder, stopped squarer, and backed straighter. _____ was more precise and accurate, cut a neater pattern, required less rein and was more fluid in lead changes. Furthermore, _____ had more distinction in the size and speed through circles, rolled back harder over the hocks, and was sharper about the spins.
(NOTE: vary terms per pattern)
Half-Arabian Reining
Watch the videos (A Judge's Perspective & Half-Arabian Reining)
Take notes on the class
Place the class
Prepare a set of oral reasons to present at our practice.
Horses may walk or jog to the center of arena. Horses must walk or stop prior to starting pattern. Beginning at the center of the arena facing the left wall or fence.
1. Beginning on the left lead, complete three circles to the left: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Stop at the center of the arena. Hesitate.
2. Complete four spins to the left. Hesitate.
3. Beginning on the right lead, complete three circles to the right: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Stop at the center of the arena. Hesitate.
4. Complete four spins to the right. Hesitate.
5. Beginning on the left lead, run a large fast circle to the left, change leads at the center of the arena, run a large fast circle to the right, and change leads at the center of the arena. (Figure 8)
6. Continue around previous circle to the left but do not close this circle. Run up the right side of the arena past the center marker and do a right rollback at least twenty feet (six meters) from the wall or fence—no hesitation. 7. Continue around previous circle but do not close this circle. Run up the left side of the arena past the center marker and do a left rollback at least twenty feet (six meters) from the wall or fence—no hesitation.
8. Continue back around previous circle but do not close this circle. Run up the right side of the arena past the center marker and do a sliding stop at least twenty feet (six meters) from the wall or fence. Back up at least ten feet (three meters). Hesitate to demonstrate completion of the pattern.
Judging Class - Half-Arabian Reining
Judging Class - Half-Arabian Reining
Arabian Hunter Pleasure
Chart_HunterPleasure.pdfHunter-Pleasure_Disciplines.pdfBelow is a video from from the AHA 2021 Judges Seminar. It is very good for getting in tune with the Arabian Hunter Pleasure horse. Particularly watch how the horses move at each gait.
Below is a video from from the AHA 2021 Judges Seminar. It is very good for getting in tune with the Arabian Hunter Pleasure horse. Particularly watch how the horses move at each gait.
The judging specifications.
Manners - A great hunter horse is calm, polite, and listens to its rider without fuss. Think: well-behaved and chill!
Performance - A horse that moves correctly at each gait (walk, trot, canter, hand gallop). Their strides are long, low, and smooth, like gliding across the arena. The power comes from the back legs, with light contact on the reins. Balanced, rhythmic movement is key!
Suitability as a Hunter - The horse should look ready to head out on a jumping course. They need to be strong, athletic, and confident.
Quality - The horse is Muscular, but elegant. they Moves with ease and grace. They have that “wow” presence in the ring
Conformation - They are built right for the job. Balanced, strong, and correct in how they’re put together
A well-performing Hunter Pleasure horse should go to the bridle with soft contact, maintain a quiet mouth, and demonstrate motion coming from behind with a deep step. The canter should have an elliptical motion rather than a round, bouncing one, and the horse should appear efficient and smooth.
Purebred Hunter Pleasure
Watch the video above
Take notes on the class
Place the class
Prepare a set of oral reasons to present at our practice.
Sample Hunter Pleasure introduction
I placed _____ at the top of this class as _____ showed the nicest combination of manners, performance, suitability as a hunter, quality, and conformation. _____ accepted the bit and went on light contact with a relaxed head carriage. Most importantly, _____ moved with a longer, lower stride at the walk, had a free, sweeping, efficient trot, and was balanced and cadenced at the canter. _____ lengthened stride, increased speed, and remained under control at the hand gallop. In addition, _____ was a horizontal mover that moved with energy and direct purpose. Furthermore, _____ executed the rider’s commands with precision and positive attitude, therefore, requiring less aid from the rider.
Half-Arabian Mares In Hand
Discipline Highlight: Breeding In-Hand
Discipline Highlight: Breeding In-Hand
About the Class: This class emphasizes the qualities essential for breeding and showcases the conformation and type of Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Horses. Horses are shown in a thin halter only, with no other tack, from the ground.
Requirements of the Class
Individual or Ring: Ring
Gaits Shown: Walk and Trot
Scorecard: Yes
Attire: Attire for handlers should be neat and professional, with horses presented cleanly and appropriately groomed.
Helpful Tools:
AHA Judging Breeding/In-Hand Classes Notebook Chapter
Half-Arabian Mares (Sample Introduction)
_____ exhibited the nicest combination of conformation, quality, substance, and type. _____ was shorter in the back, more comparatively horizontal over the croup, longer in the underline, and more prominent about the withers. _____ had more scope through the neck to the poll, had a longer, more graceful neck, and was cleaner through the mitbah. _____ was more classic about the head, and more pronounced through the jibbah, stood on straighter legs (column of bone) of cleaner, flatter bone, and therefore moved with a light, airy stride. In addition, _____ more brilliant on the move and had a higher, more natural tail carriage.
Half-Arabian Mares
Watch the video
Take notes on the class
Place the class
Prepare a set of oral reasons to present at our practice.
Breeding-In-Hand_Disciplines.pdfHalf-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian classes will
be judged on
o conformation,
o quality, substance and
o type, in that order.The Half-Arabian or Anglo-Arabian may show characteristics of any other breed. The foregoing first named three qualities shall take precedence in adjudication of in-hand classes over Purebred Arabian breed type.
Arabian Geldings
Discipline Highlight: Breeding In-Hand
Discipline Highlight: Breeding In-Hand
About the Class: This class emphasizes the qualities essential for breeding and showcases the conformation and type of Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Horses. Horses are shown in a thin halter only, with no other tack, from the ground.
Requirements of the Class
Individual or Ring: Ring
Gaits Shown: Walk and Trot
Scorecard: Yes
Attire: Attire for handlers should be neat and professional, with horses presented cleanly and appropriately groomed.
Helpful Tools:
AHA Judging Breeding/In-Hand Classes Notebook Chapter
Arabian Geldings (Sample Introduction)
_____ exhibited the nicest combination of conformation, type, quality, and substance. _____ was shorter in the back, more comparatively horizontal over the croup, longer in the underline, and more prominent about the withers. _____ had more scope through the neck to the poll, had a longer, more graceful neck, and was cleaner through the mitbah. _____ was more classic about the head, and stood on straighter legs (column of bone) of cleaner, flatter bone, and therefore moved with a light, airy stride. In addition, _____ was more brilliant on the move and had a higher, more natural tail carriage.
Arabian Geldings
Watch the video
Take notes on the class
Place the class
Prepare a set of oral reasons to present at our practice.
Breeding-In-Hand_Disciplines.pdfHalf-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian classes will
be judged on
o conformation,
o Purebred Arabian type and
o,quality, substance in that order.The Half-Arabian or Anglo-Arabian may show characteristics of any other breed. The foregoing first named three qualities shall take precedence in adjudication of in-hand classes over Purebred Arabian breed type.
Review Note Taking Options
Review Note Taking Options
Remember when taking notes to first divide your page into 4's horizontally as shown in the center below. As the horses enter the arena mark their number and any distinguishing descriptions such as color of horse, size, etc. Note your first impression. Be sure to label the class at the top of the page before they enter the arena. Leave a place for placing. For each horse quickly note positive and negative points from front, both sides, rear & close inspection. Be sure to note how they travel from front, rear and side.
Examples of how to set up your notes for organizing your reasons.
Purebred Arabian Geldings
Watch the video
Take notes on the class
Place the class
Prepare a set of oral reasons to present at our practice on Wednesday.
Sample Arabian Gelding Halter Introductory Statement.
_____ exhibited the nicest combination of structural correctness, type, quality, presence. _____ was shorter in the back, more comparatively horizontal over the croup, longer in the underline, and more prominent about the withers. _____ had more scope through the neck to the poll, had a longer, more graceful neck, and was cleaner through the mitbah. _____ was more classic about the head, and more pronounced through the jibbah, stood on straighter legs (column of bone) of cleaner, flatter bone, and therefore moved with a light, airy stride. In addition, _____ more brilliant on the move and had a higher, more natural tail carriage.
Horse Judging Sample Reasons Introductions.pdfHalf-Arabian Gelding Halter Practice #1
Half-Arabian Gelding Halter Practice #1
Sample Half-Arabian Halter Introductory Statement.
_____ exhibited the nicest blend of structural correctness (conformation), quality, substance, Arabian type. _____ was shorter in the back, more comparatively horizontal over the croup, longer in the underline, and more prominent about the withers. _____ had more scope through the neck to the poll, had a longer, more graceful neck, and was cleaner through the throat. _____ stood on straighter legs (column of bone) of cleaner, flatter bone, and therefore moved with a light, airy stride. In addition, _____ was more brilliant on the move and had a more natural tail carriage.
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