Frequently Asked Questions

Horses should be presented by an experienced handler or someone who can easily manage the horse. Turnout of your horse should be tidy and how you would present them in a competition. Braiding is not necessary, but does help to show of their neck. Body condition is not taken into consideration but keeping your horse in a healthy condition will only improve on the overall impression of the horse. Unless otherwise stated by the judge, horses a year old and older should be presented in a bridle or well fitting halter if they have not been trained to a bridle yet.Handlers should be dressed in tidy attire and be ready to run!Horses will be presented on a triangle moving in a clockwise direction. Horses will start at the "bottom" of the triangle and halt in front of the judge facing with the left (near) side to the judge. Once the judge is satisfied with their overview of the conformation, they will ask you to walk at least once around the triangle. Walk should be forward and fluid showing off step of the horse. Usually after one or two walk cycles the judge will ask you to trot, as with the walk, trot should be big and bold showing off movement. Slow trotting or jogging may result in a lower score. It is encouraged that the handler be able to exercise these big movements at least 2-3 times around. When mares have a foal at their side handlers may be asked to take a few more laps as the judge will want to see both the trot and the canter of the foal. Once the judge is satisfied with the movements of the horse they will ask you to line up again with the near side of the horse facing them and they will give their final scores. You can leave the triangle once the judge is satisfied with their final impression.