Return to the Model Horse Gallery Home PagePerformance by Gait
by Gail Berg
Here's a short list of potential (judged) performance classes/moments based on gait. Tables are split by tack-type. "N/A" or "no" means that gait is prohibited or not utilized in class.
Regardless of a horse's pose/gait/stance, it is rarely suitable for "every" event/class. This table should help the shower determine what event/classes may be appropriate based on the gait.
As for "standing", many classes/events do not judge a horse when standing, i.e., waiting for class to begin, waiting for judge to walk line before placing. Some model horse judges discount standing entries "waiting for class to begin". It is my recommendation to find a more suitable class/event.
Note, these tables are given as suggestions and may not be appropriate for all breeds. Check with the rules for the specific breed and/or show organization for clarification.
| Class | Standing | Walking | Trotting/Jog | Cantering/Lope | Other gait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Pleasure | yes | yes | yes, regular and extended Jog | yes, regular and extended Lope | Backing - as directed by judge |
| Western Horsemanship (QH) | yes (stop) | yes | yes; jog, trot, extended trot | lope, extended lope (except in walk/trot class) | Backing; turn/pivot; spins, rollback, sidepass, leg yield, two pass; flying lead change, counter canter; simple lead change (change to slower gait then switch lead) |
| Western Natural Trail | yes | yes | yes | yes | Backing; Side Step; Jumping (low obstacle) |
| Western Arena Trail | yes | yes | yes | yes | Backing; Side Step; turn/rollback |
| Western Riding | yes | yes | yes | yes | Backing; Flying Lead Change |
| Calf Roping | yes; waiting behind barrier to begin * | yes, but not judged | no | if needed to match animal's gait | Gallop; Sliding stop; Backing |
| Breakaway Roping | yes; waiting behind barrier to begin | no | no | if needed to match animal's gait | Gallop; Sliding stop |
| Team Roping | yes, but not judged | no | no | if needed to match animal's gait | Gallop; Sliding stop, turn/rollback |
| Cutting | Standing in herd waiting to select animal | Walking in herd to select animal | no | no | Lunge (side-to-side); sliding stop; Backing |
| Reining (also part of Working Cow Horse, using specifc patterns) | Hesitation; Bridle/bit inspection (latter not judged) | Walk to start of pattern (AQHA #4, 5, etc.) | no | yes | Gallop; Sliding Stop; Spin; Rollback; Backing |
| Cala (QH Mexican-style reining) | |||||
| Team Penning | Waiting to close gate behind last cow | yes, as needed to match cow's gait | yes, as needed to match cow's gait | yes, as needed to match cow's gait | Gallop; Sliding Stop; Rollback; Backing |
| Western Bareback | yes | yes | yes | yes | Backing |
| Endurance | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Working Cow Horse - Cow Work | Standing in herd waiting to select animal | Walking in herd to select animal | As needed to match cow's gait | As needed to match cow's gait | Rollbacks, gallop, backing, cutting, etc., as needed to match cow's gait and/or turn cow |
| Bull dogging | no | no | no | As needed to match cow's gait | Gallop |
| Colas (tailing of the bull) | |||||
| Barrels | no | no | no | no | Gallop; Lunge/turn |
| Pole Bending (Junior Stakes race) | no | no | no | no | Gallop; Lunge/turn |
| Western Games | yes; if specific game includes/allows it | yes; if specific game includes/allows it | yes; if specific game includes/allows it | yes; if specific game includes/allows it. | Gallop, backing, sliding, rollback, etc., as game includes/allows |
| Camp Drafting | |||||
| Versatility Ranch Horse - Ranch Riding | yes | trot, extended trot | lope, extended lope | ||
| Versatility Ranch Horse - Ranch Trail | open/closing of gate; dismount, unbridles, remounts; throwing rope at stationary steer | ground covering walk | working trot | lope | Back; pivot/turn (opening gate); picking up each foot |
| Versatility Ranch Horse - Ranch Cutting | selecting cow from herd | selecting cow from herd | as needed to match cow's gait | as needed to match cow's gait | Pivot, rollback, lunge, etc., to match cow's gait |
| Walk Jog Western Horsemanship(AQHA Equestirans with Disabilities) | yes | yes | jog | Backing | |
| Walk Jog Trail Horse class (AQHA Equestirans with Disabilities) | yes | jog | Backing |
* Calf Roping: Standing also occurs when checking to see that calf remains tied after walking forward, but is not judged. Realize that most horses are "on their toes" in the starting box and few standing horses" look like their ready to take a run.
Versatility Ranch Horse - Working Ranch Horse: see "Working Cow Horse" for cow work; Roping events above (most like Team Roping); Reining (special pattern)
| Class | Standing | Walking | Trotting | Cantering | Other gait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Pleasure | At judge's request (on loose rein) | yes | yes | yes | Backing; Flying Lead Change; Hand Gallop |
| Hunter Under Saddle | At judge's request (on loose rein) | yes | yes; regular and extended | yes | Hand Gallop |
| Huntseat Equitation on the Flat (QH) | halt; mounting; dismount | yes | yes; sitting trot, extended trot, posting trot (change of diagonal) | yes, except in walk/trot version | Backing, sidepass; turn on forehand and/or haunches; leg yield; flying lead change; simple lead change (reduce to slower gait); hand gallop; counter canter |
| Walk Trot Huntseat equitation on the flat (AQHA Equestirans with Disabilities) | yes | trot, extended trot | no | ||
| English Natural Trail | yes | yes | yes | Backing; Side Step; Jumping | |
| English Arena Trail | yes | yes | yes | Backing; Jumping (low obstacle) | |
| Walk Jog Trail Horse class (AQHA Equestirans with Disabilities) | yes | jog | no | Backing | |
| Handy Hunter | yes | yes | yes | yes | Backing; Jumping |
| Hunter over Fences, Working Hunter, Hunter Hack | Hunter Hack | WH: small circle to show soundness at end of jumping on loose rein; Hunter Hack | yes, "Hunting Pace" | Jumping; HH: Gallop, Backing at judge's discretion | |
| Huntseat Equitation over Fences (QH) | entering arena (transition to canter), unless entering gait specified | entering arena (transition to canter), unless entering gait specified; exiting arena unless otherwise specified | entering arena (transition to canter), unless entering gait specified; trot small circle at end | yes | Prohibited: counter canter, cross canter |
| Stadium Jumper | no | yes, but not judged | yes | yes | Jumping; Lunge |
| Cross Country | Waiting to start | yes | yes | yes | Jumping; Lunge |
| English Games | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Dressage | Halt at X (standing square) | yes | Extended trot; Collected trot; Medium trot | yes | Half pass; Piaffe, Passage, Pirhouette, Backing, Flying Lead Change |
| English Bareback | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| English Sidesaddle | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Polo | yes | Gallop |
| Class | Standing | Walking | Trotting | Cantering | Other gait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parade | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Saddleseat - gaited | yes | yes | yes | yes | TWH Big Lick, ASB Rack, Peruvian Paso gaits, Paso Fino gaits, Icelandic Tolt, as specifc for breed |
| Saddleseat (Foxlane) - non gaited | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Arabian native costume | yes | ||||
| Native American costume | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Historic costume | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Vaulting | yes | yes | |||
| Draft Harness | yes | yes | yes | Backing; Side Step | |
| Fine Harness | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Pleasure Harness | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Pleasure Driving (QH) | yes | yes | yes, park gait, road gait | Backing | |
| Competitive Driving harness (Obstacle driving, marathon driving) | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Harness racing | yes | Pace; Gallop (chuck wagon racaing) | |||
| Showmanship at Halter (QH) | yes | yes | yes, jog, trot, extended trot | no | Backing, turn/rollback |
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This page maintained by the Model Horse Gallery Curator ©1996-2020