Ceimard Show Types

I thought I'd write this list here for all of you who are new to the breed or western itself. Here are some show classes or activities you can do with your Ceimard. In western there is many different thing you can do such as Barrel Racing, Cutting, Trail Class, Reining, Western Pleasure, Endurance Rides, or Gymkhana events. Detailed information on each class is below.

--

Western Pleasure is a showing class in which horses are shown in a group in the arena. Performing changes of gait and direction as requested by the judge. Horses are judged for their appearance, style, and movement. The gaits commonly used are Walk, Jog, Lope, and Reversing. Reversing horses may only be reversed at the walk or jog. They can not be asked to reverse at the lope. Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail). Backing is only required for finalist at the discretion of the judges. Riders may be asked to show their horse with a lengthened stride at all three gaits.

In barrel racing, horse and rider enter the arena at high speed and negotiate a pattern of three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. Turning tightly around each barrel without going too wide and wasting precious seconds, or cutting in too close and possibly knocking a barrel over and losing points. This is a speed sport and the fastest rider and horse across the finish line wins. Both males and females may participate in this event, however, it is primarily a rodeo event for women.

In roping events the rider follows a steer out of the chute, aims, and throws the lasso while riding at speed. He/she then secures the lasso around the saddle horn and the special trained horse comes to a quick halt to hold the steer. The rider quickly dismounts, grounds the steer, and quickly ropes its legs. This is another one of the many speed events. The quickest person to get his/her steer roped and raise their arms to signal to the judge that they have completed the task, wins.

Cutting takes a very special horse. A cutting horse possesses a natural ability to anticipate or read a cow's intended moves. An ability commonly referred to as having cow sense or cow smarts. In cutting events horse and rider enter a group of cattle and single one out before a judge or panel of judges. To demonstrate the horse's athleticism and ability to handle cattle during a two and a half minute performance, called a "run.". The horse moves the steer away from the other cattle and then prevents it from moving back to the herd for a preset period of time. Since the steer is determined to join his herd mates, the horse will have to continually face the steer and anticipate which way it will go, moving himself/herself quickly left and right to block escape. Each contestant is assisted by four helpers. Two are designated as turn-backs help to keep cattle from running off to the back of the arena, and the other two are designated as herd holders to keep the cattle herd bunched together and prevent potential strays from escaping into the work area. Cutting cattle are typically young steers and heifers that customarily range in size from 400 to 650 pounds. They are typically Angus or Hereford cattle. Sometimes possibly a mix of crossbred cattle. Usually a result of a Angus or Hereford cattle mated with a with Charolais or Brahman. The contestant is required to make at least two cuts from the herd, one of which must be a cut from deep inside the herd while the other(s) can be peeled from the edges. Once the selected cow has been driven clear of the herd, the contestant will entrust the horse by dropping the rein hand to feed slack and give the horse its head. At that point, it is almost entirely up to the horse (with the exception of leg cues from the rider) to prevent the cow from returning to the herd. Highest score again wins. 70 is average for a score. A breast collar and back cinch are optional. A tie down is prohibited. Splint boots and back or skid boots are recommended for the horse’s leg protection during competition. Chaps are not required, but are recommended and commonly used in competition.

In reining classes horse and rider perform a preset pattern of movements. Involving circles, spins, slides, turns, rundown, hesitates, and stops. Horses and riders are judged on the obedience of the horse to the riders aids and on accuracy. All work is done at the lope and gallop, the fastest of the horse gaits. Reining is often described as a Western form of dressage riding. As it requires the horse to be responsive and in tune with its rider. Whose aids should not be easily seen.  This is the event in which you will see things like flying lead changes and sliding stops.  Horses in most types of reining competition are required to perform in a curb bit. In most cases, riders with a horse in a curb must give all rein commands with only one hand. Riders may use both hands when a horse is ridden with a snaffle bit or a bosal hackamore. However, snaffles and hackamores ridden with both hands are usually limited only to special classes for horses between the ages of three and five years old. Spurs are allowed, but whips are not. Circles need to be exactly that, circles. Not ovals, nor irregular loops. The judges watch for circles that are really even and round and are geographically correct. Geographically incorrect circles are the most common way to mess up a reining performance. All circles must touch the center of the arena. Lead changes must take place in the middle of the arena. The flying lead changes, like everything else, need to be fluid, smooth, on the spot, and executed without any visible effort on the part of the rider. Spins, or turn-arounds, are required in both directions. A spin is a 360-degree turn on the hind legs. The horse's rear remains stationary while the front legs step around this pivot point. The faster the horse is stepping, the higher the degree of difficulty. The horse ideally stays flat, with his/her head down, his/her back up, and his/her outside front leg crossing over in front of the inside front leg.

In competitive trail classes, horses enter the arena separately and work through a series of obstacles. Such as gates, grates, cones, a bridge, a side pass, patterns of poles which they must reverse through, etc. The idea is to simulate in the show ring, such obstacles may be found out on the trail. Horses are judged for their obedience to the rider's aids and the willingness with which they perform each task set them.

Long distance or Endurance Events, are controlled races taken place over a given measured distance. Races begin at 20 miles (32 km) and peak at 100 miles (160 km). Horses are checked by vets at various spots during the race. Time must be taken to condition the horse for this event and care is taken at the events, to make sure that horses remain in good health throughout the event. Riders may be given a map or GPS way points for the course, which shows the route, the places for compulsory holds, and any natural obstacles. More information will be shared in the future on these events. As they are both different from one another.

Riders may participate in Gymkhana events, which are various races and games on horseback. The events roots is in medieval jousting. Gymkhana may also be called a(n) Speed Event. In the United States gymkhana includes barrel racing, pole bending, flag races, keyhole, keg race (also known as "down and back") and participants are not limited to children. Though most the time you will see this type of event with Pony Club or a 4-H club. Gymkhana of any type requires a horse or pony that has agility, speed, and shows obedience to the rider. Who may at any time be hanging off to one side reaching for something. However, no particular breed is required and horses are not judged on appearance or quality. So horses that aren't appropriate for showing in other disciplines can usually, with the right training, make the switch to mounted games or gymkhana. Meaning you may see both Western and English riders at this event.

--

_{All western, endurance, and saddle seat shows will be featured if they are suitable for the breed. Just comment or note the group with the show! Also please note I am not a real western rider (yet). So some of this information could be wrong. If it is and you know the proper description of the event please let me know below in the comments.}