The follow classes are offered at the majority of North Country Circuit participating shows with very few exceptions. Points accumulated in these classes throughout the year will be used to determine Year End High Point awards.
Halter
Halter is a class where horses are shown "in hand," meaning that they are led, not ridden, and are judged on their conformation. Classes are typically broken down depending on the age, sex and sometimes breeding of the horse.
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Showmanship
Showmanship involves a person on the ground leading a horse, wearing a halter or bridle, through a series of maneuvers called a pattern. The horse itself is not judged on its conformation. Rather, the exhibitor is judged on how well he or she exhibits the animal to its best advantage, with additional scoring for the grooming and presentation of both horse and handler. Classes are typically broken down into age categories based on the age of the handler.
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English Equitation
English Equitation is a class judged on the equitation of the rider while riding English style. Judging criteria covers the rider's performance and control of the horse, proper attire, correct form, and usually factor in rider poise and the cleanliness and polish of horse, rider and equipment. The performance of the horse is not judged per se, but a poorly performing horse is considered to reflect the ability of the rider. An equitation class may be judged on the rail, with a pattern, or a combination of both at the discretion of the Judge.
English Pleasure
In the average English pleasure class, the horses perform as a group, exhibiting the natural gaits of the walk, trot, and canter, and may also be asked to extend the trot or to perform a hand gallop. Horses are judged on their manners, performance, quality and conformation. The horse is to give the impression of being a pleasure to ride. This class is judged on the rail.
Western Equitation
Western Equitation (sometimes called Western horsemanship) classes are judged on the rider's equitation at the walk, jog, and lope in both directions. Riders must sit to the jog and never post. As in the English Equitation Class, the performance of the horse is not judged per se, but a poorly performing horse is considered to reflect the ability of the rider. An equitation class may be judged on the rail, with a pattern, or a combination of both at the discretion of the Judge.
Western Pleasure
Western Pleasure is a western class that evaluates horses on manners and suitability of the horse for a relaxed but collected gait cadence and relatively slow speed of gait, along with calm and responsive disposition. The horse is to appear to be a "pleasure" to ride and very comfortable, while being very smooth. Horse conformation and temperament play a role in this event, and hence animals that are calm, quiet, have collected, soft gaits and the strong muscling required to sustain slow, controlled movement are the most competitive. This class is judged on the rail.
Jr. Horse
A Jr. Horse class is judged as a pleasure class but is only open to horses 5 years and under. Depending on the individual show this class may either be open to English or Western, or a Western Jr. Horse class.
*NCC Jr Horse High Point currently suspended.
*NCC Jr Horse High Point currently suspended.
Trail
Trail is a competitive class where horses and riders in western-style attire and tack navigate a series of obstacles. Contestants ride the course one at a time. Obstacles include: Opening/closing a gate, walking over a bridge, side passing over rails, backing through rails, turn on the forehand, turn on the haunches, trot/lope over poles, weaving through cones, and other various obstacles simulating what a rider may encounter while out on the trail. This class is judged on the completion of each obstacle as well as the precision and ease at which it is completed.