1. Her mane is currently long and I'm not inclined to shorten it for one schooling show. Is a french braid appropriate for the below classes, or should it be loose for some of them? If down, should it be banded like I see some western horses turned out?

4. What is the difference between Performance Halter and Ranch Horse Halter?

5. What's the western horsemanship? Is that in hand or ridden? Attire?

6. Ranch horse horsemanship vs western horsemanship?

7. We're not going to bother with the western pleasure and probably not the english pleasure, but for the english equitation, do I need a fitted pad for that one?

8. Ranch horse Showmanship? Any helpful YouTube links or something of the sort?

Thanks in advance for reading this x)

Okay, I can try to help the best I can. My credentials are I showed AQHA/APHA open shows for three years

I suggest reading the rule book first. That should tell you what that association expects in the ring. An example would be that normal cavesson nosebands are the standard nosebands for english. But one show would allow any type of noseband as long as it was an english bridle. Lots of small things will differ from show to show and local levels

1. Any well-kept down mane should be okay for western classes. Natural manes are the standard for ranch classes, and in western pleasure, it is normally cut and banded but I never bothered. For english classes at a small show, any braid should be fine. I like scallop braids or running braids for long manes.

2. For a small show any halter will do. I always used a nicely fitted plane leather halter with no brass, silver, or gold. A nameplate should not be a problem. If you are worried about it not looking "show ready" just hit it with some silver or brass cleaner to help it shine

3. I have always used leather leads with chains but any nice lead will work. If I don't have a leather lead I will use a plain black lead as it is subtle and looks classy. I will link a video or photo of how to loop the chain you decide to use one. It's really not complicated though, you run it through the left side of the halter at the nose band, under the chin, then through the noseband ring back up the side of the face along the right side

4. Performance is going to be looking for a more "traditional" halter look. Ranch Halter is looking for a typical ranch horse, something that is ready to go to work all day. Again, I will like a couple photos that shows the difference. I prefer ranch halter classes because they tend to reward more "everyday" horses as opposed to the overbred modern-day halter horses

5. Western Horsemanship is an under saddle class. You are judged on your "horsemanship", so your ability to ride a pattern smoothly and pleasantly. Think of it as hunters vs eq, horsemanship is your eq

6. Now I could be wrong here because I have seen the name used in different ways. But Ranch Horsemanship is also Ranch Riding. This class is a simple pattern that will have trot pole, jogging, extended trotting, loping, lead changes, halting, and backing up, sometimes roll backs

7. Any white pad should be fine

8. I've never heard of this but I refer to above

A big thing with ranch vs performance is your outfit as well. You will see less sparkle and glitter and more neutrals with pearl snaps. Lots of girls pair their shirts with a cute wild rag and it always looks good

Good luck!!

Ranch Riding pattern

Ranch Lands Training said:

Okay, I can try to help the best I can. My credentials are I showed AQHA/APHA open shows for three years

I suggest reading the rule book first. That should tell you what that association expects in the ring. An example would be that normal cavesson nosebands are the standard nosebands for english. But one show would allow any type of noseband as long as it was an english bridle. Lots of small things will differ from show to show and local levels

1. Any well-kept down mane should be okay for western classes. Natural manes are the standard for ranch classes, and in western pleasure, it is normally cut and banded but I never bothered. For english classes at a small show, any braid should be fine. I like scallop braids or running braids for long manes.

2. For a small show any halter will do. I always used a nicely fitted plane leather halter with no brass, silver, or gold. A nameplate should not be a problem. If you are worried about it not looking "show ready" just hit it with some silver or brass cleaner to help it shine

3. I have always used leather leads with chains but any nice lead will work. If I don't have a leather lead I will use a plain black lead as it is subtle and looks classy. I will link a video or photo of how to loop the chain you decide to use one. It's really not complicated though, you run it through the left side of the halter at the nose band, under the chin, then through the noseband ring back up the side of the face along the right side

4. Performance is going to be looking for a more "traditional" halter look. Ranch Halter is looking for a typical ranch horse, something that is ready to go to work all day. Again, I will like a couple photos that shows the difference. I prefer ranch halter classes because they tend to reward more "everyday" horses as opposed to the overbred modern-day halter horses

5. Western Horsemanship is an under saddle class. You are judged on your "horsemanship", so your ability to ride a pattern smoothly and pleasantly. Think of it as hunters vs eq, horsemanship is your eq

6. Now I could be wrong here because I have seen the name used in different ways. But Ranch Horsemanship is also Ranch Riding. This class is a simple pattern that will have trot pole, jogging, extended trotting, loping, lead changes, halting, and backing up, sometimes roll backs

7. Any white pad should be fine

8. I've never heard of this but I refer to above

A big thing with ranch vs performance is your outfit as well. You will see less sparkle and glitter and more neutrals with pearl snaps. Lots of girls pair their shirts with a cute wild rag and it always looks good

Good luck!!

Ranch Riding pattern

Ponys Imagination said:

Ooh! I can answer number 8 for you!

Showmanship is an in-hand class where you're asked to perform a pattern while leading your horse. Use the same halter you are going to for your halter class! Chains should go under the nose and clip onto the highest ring on the right side of the halter, like this!

They can also go over, but this tends to bow the noseband and doesn't look good. Most people put the chain underneath their nose anyway.

Because it's Ranch horse, you actually shouldn't have a blingy halter at all, so you're all set to use the mentioned one minus the nameplates! Nameplates typically aren't allowed.

Ranch horse showmanship basically means it's like a normal showmanship pattern, but move your horse out a little more at the trot to show her natural movement. Ranch is all about natural vs normal western being about slow and steady!

For 6, Ranch HMS is NOT ranch riding! Or at least it never has been in my 3 or so years showing the division. Ranch riding is a full arena pattern, as opposed to ranch horsemanship which gives cones for reference, like a typical western horsemanship pattern. Be sure to look at see what patterns apply to which classes and learn them well. Ranch horsemanship may ask for more spins, lead changes, and extensions than a normal horsemanship pattern, but will still be the same general idea (use the cones for reference, that kind of thing)

For reference I've shown for 7 years now and have a couple buckles/trophies/prizes for grand ;D

Edit to add: ALWAYS CHECK IF YOU CAN CROSS ENTER DIVISIONS! I don't know if this show offers highpoints, but at certain circuits I can only enter ranch horse OR age division. But at others I can do whatever I want, so make sure you're allowed to cross-enter your age division and ranch if you plan on doing it.

Ponys Imagination said:

I always do a bun!! In my opinion it's neater, and for your horsemanship classes it doesn't draw any unwanted movement to your body. But ponytails/braids are allowed as well! It's really just personal preference!

Running R Ranch said:

I'm hoping there's some people on here who know what these classes are about xD It's local, cheap and sounds fun and like good exposure so we're gonna go for it! Now for the questions xD

(I'm showing in the US, by the way, and while I think this is sanctioned with some sort of Ranch Horse Association(?) it's got schooling show vibes with show clothing being optional.

1. Her mane is currently long and I'm not inclined to shorten it for one schooling show. Is a french braid appropriate for the below classes, or should it be loose for some of them? If down, should it be banded like I see some western horses turned out? : just leave it down no need to braid or band it judges like a nice flowy mane

2. I YouTubed the Performance Halter class, it looks simple enough. Questions are, I'm not buying a fancy halter for this, but I have her nice leather halter that I can fit more snugly to her to look right. Do I need to take the brass name plate off or can it stay on? :it cannot stay on for some shows but if you dont want to take it off try calling g and asking the show grounds

3. I did buy a nice looking used leather lead with a chain on the end. How does the chain end get attached to the halter? (Pictures or YouTube videos are fine)

4. What is the difference between Performance Halter and Ranch Horse Halter?:im no help here I didn't even know there was a ranch halter class

5. What's the western horsemanship? Is that in hand or ridden? Attire?: Its under saddle

6. Ranch horse horsemanship vs western horsemanship?: I personally like ranch horseman ship better your horses head just needs to be natural for the way they carry it not dragging on the ground

7. We're not going to bother with the western pleasure and probably not the english pleasure, but for the english equitation, do I need a fitted pad for that one?

8. Ranch horse Showmanship? Any helpful YouTube links or something of the sort?

Thanks in advance for reading this x)