Hello,

I am looking to purchase a set of Romel Reins for showing. I see there are different weights of ounces ranging from 20 ounces to 39.9 ounces. What is the most common and appropriate ounce Romel Reins for showing? Should the same ounce Romel Rein be used in training also? I am seeing many of the training romel reins in the 36-39.0 ounce range. 

Thanks!

Barb

Does this exist in judging?  Does a rider/driver’s weight affect how a judge places a class?

Assuming all the performances are equal, where would a judge usually place the fluffy rider?

I think there’s a good chance this bias does exist, although there’s no way to know for sure.

I bought my thoroughbred horse from a lady that use to play polocrosse with him and  i broke my ankle playing polocrosse and now I am retraining him for English pleasure and western pleasure and i am using a O Ring Twisted snaffel bit which is helping him calm down alot . He use to be a very “HOT” horse and would love to run but now that i am using this bit on him i was wondering if they would allow me to ride with it in a open hunter pleasure class? This is my horses first show even though i have been showing for years with my I horses but I have never shown in a hunter class. Will I be able to use this bit with my horse for this hunter class? Thanks so very much.

Claire

This is a question that i have been thinking about a lot…

If Classis Pleasure is only for amateurs, why do open and junior classic championships strip?

I know that it is required that Open and Junior Horse Championships are required to strip, and Ladies, Amateur, and Junior Exibitor do not. So since classic is only open to amateurs, why does the class strip?

No one really needs to give me a straight answer, i just think it is a strange rule.

What is everyone’s take on asking judges about your performance? As a Jr. Ex. showing pleasure and equitation, I like to ask the judges what he/she liked/didnt like/ and what i could improve on my performance. Do you think this is appropriate? Some judges have been happy to answer my questions and even look through their cards, while some just scowl and give me an answer like “more consistant”.

Also, I only ask after i am done showing. ;]

In Hunters, I know shadbellys are acceptable in evening classes and championships, but I was wondering, what was everyone’s take on shadbelly point colors and the shirts that are underneath? According to USEF rules, points and shirts must be canary yellow, with the points looking as an extension of the shirt. But more and more I am seeing all kinds of crazy colors and designes underneath those shadbellys. Is this allowed? Because according to USEF, it it not. So would colors with shadbellys be appropriate or looked down upon.

And also, i was just at the Morgan Gold Cup Horse Show, and I saw more horses showing in illegial bits that those showing in legal bits. In Hunters, a good 50% of these horses had curb shanks exceeding the legal limit, and the curb bits looked the size of a saddleseat curb.  And also in saddleseat i saw many horses showing in a sort of pelham bit, with 2 reins, but not 2 different bits. And many horses had strange curb bits going on, where they connected underneath the horses mouth, and were one U shaped shank, not 2 straight ones. Aren’t bits like this illegial? and why are judges not penalizing against this?

It just goes to show, the Morgan World is not at good at following USEF rules as they say they are.

Hello Morgan World!!!

  I’m kind of new to this Above Level thing.  I have a 15 year old Morgan mare who is my world.  Recently she has become a showmanship master.  I always use to show her showmanship in Saddleseat attire, but I’m thinking her Saddleseat days are becoming numbered.  I want to switch her over to western showmanship, but I’m not sure how Morgans show in western showmanship.  She parks out like a champ, but when i try to square her up, like all other western horses, she gets confused.  Do all Morgans park out, regardless of show attire?  Should I make her park out for western showmanship, or teach her how to square up?  Any advise is helpful.  Thanks everybody.

I have gone to a lot of open shows recently and there is a lot of variety of classes so I was wondering what classes people would find interesting that we dont have now at the morgan A rated shows. These are a few that I have competed in and enjoyed:

Ranch Horse Trail

Halter- Western (I know we have sport horse and in hand, but not any western)

Showmanship 18 & Over

Equitation 18 & Over (with or without patterns, sometimes they are seperated)

I cant think of any others off the top of my head, I am sure there are more, but I just wanted to see what everyone thought…. Thanks

~Jessica

I really have two questions.

One is:  Do you get deducted points if you have to turn your horse into the rail to get the correct lead?

Two is:  Is it okay to finish your pass before transitioning to the next command.  My daughter was taught to always finish the pass before for example transitioning from the canter to the walk.  Do you only have so much time before you are penalized?

Okay, so I have a question.  My daughter rode a 4 year old in hunt pleasure and they did very well in OKC.  I have been told that many 16 year olds would not be able to ride her horse because of his age, his action, and etc.  When I asked my daughter about equitation she said , “I can’t win because I cannot follow equitation and ride him well”.  Her explanation is #1, she has to move her hands to stear him, #2, she can’t concentrate on her posture because she has to concetrate on him and etc.  This doesn’t include the fact that he’s too young to do patterns.  What is the point to equitation if a trainer or any other rider cannot use it to train a horse?  Shouldn’t there be some merit to being able to jump on a green horse, ride him, get the right leads, keep him from spooking, keep his head in position and etc.?  Are we judging a rider’s ability to do patterns in equitation or their ability to ride?