ALL HACK/RIDDEN MOUNT CLASSES
Hack classes are for ridden horses. Ideally a hack must have abundant presence and quality and be well schooled. It is the horse, not the rider, that is judged in Hack classes and it is assessed on behaviour, conformation, movement and responsiveness to the rider. The Judge looks for a calm, supple and obedient horse that moves freely forward in all paces. Hacks should be fluent and flowing in their movement. In Hack classes, the Judge will be looking for a horse which is forward-moving, balanced and rhythmic in all its paces. It must be well-conformed and present an overall picture of balance and quality. Horses showing movement faults should score lower in the Judge's assessment, i.e., brushes legs, paddles, stringhalt, short stride, stiff action, and the like. Whips, jackets and spurs are optional. Approved ASA riding helmets and riding boots are a must. Horses are to be ridden in a plain snaffle or other EFA approved bit. No double or Pelham bridles please.
NOTES FOR COMPETITORS
Competition standards for Ridden mount or Hack classes are as follows: In the Ridden Mount or Hack Class you will be required to walk, trot and canter. A horse must be able to perform smooth transitions and should be more collected and balanced than in Versatility or Pleasure Hack classes. Most changes of lead should be done at the trot and the transitions through the paces are progressive, i.e., walk, trot, canter or canter, trot, walk. Other requirements may be a hand gallop or walk on a loose rein As the level of competition grows transition of paces may be required from walk to canter and canter to walk and lengthening in all strides. The Judge should be looking for a calm, supple and obedient horse, which moves freely forward in all paces. Hacking should not be a struggle between horse and rider combinations but a fluent and flowing demonstration of the horse's basic training.
OTHER RIDDEN COMPETITION STYLES
Other competition styles for hack classes are as follows: Pleasure Hack or Pleasure Horse: The horse must be ridden in a plain bridle with a snaffle bit. The rider must not wear spurs or carry a whip and the reins are held in one hand only. Emphasis should be placed on temperament, obedience, conformation and comfortable riding qualities.
Versatility Classes: This class should emphasize the horse's temperament and ability to take part in a wide variety of disciplines. This horse should be suitable for all age groups and have an ability to attend pony and adult riding clubs and clinics. This horse should be at home in the bush and in a dressage or jumping arena and therefore will be required to jump, fulfil a simple flat workout. The rider will be required to mount and dismount, lead the horse at a walk and trot. Be able to complete a hand gallop followed by a loose rein walk. And finally pick up, carry and place and object at the judge's discretion. Emphasis should be placed on temperament and obedience and then conformation.
JUDGING PROCEDURE
The horses should be worked around the ring as directed by the Judge. Competitors should avoid bunching in a group, so the Judge can see all the horses competing. Competitors must be alert and be listening for orders from the Judge. A large class should be worked on a circle, at a walk, trot and canter for the Judge to select about eight horses for an individual workout. When the Judge has called competitors into the ring, they should form an orderly line from the right leaving sufficient space between each horse so that the Judge can walk freely between the horses. If there is a long wait, horses may be allowed to relax, but not the rider. No competitor should talk while waiting in the ring. The Judge should inform the competitors of the required workout which should consist of walking, trotting and cantering. Depending on the level of competition, class or age of the horse, the Judge may choose a workout which consists of the above paces (see notes for competitors) or includes more difficult movements. Competitors should at all times be courteous to the Judge, Steward and other competitors, and must never forget to offer their congratulations to all prize winners. Whether a prize is gained or not, competitors must stay in line until requested to leave the ring by the Steward. Remember, the judging is not finished until the ribbons are awarded. The competitors should not leave the ring until directed by the Judge or Steward. Workouts may be adapted at the discretion of the Judge according to local conditions.
NOTES FOR THE JUDGE
Horses to be paraded on the ring. It is recommended that no more than 12 horses at any one time be viewed for selection. It is recommended that prior to final selection all horses on the ring be viewed at walk, trot and canter on both reins to ensure that all finalists are deemed to have equal balance in both directions. It is recommended that the number of horses selected from each go round befit the needs of the class size. It is recommended that in the event of a multiple go rounds where by the number of finalists exceed by more than two the number of awards available that a second go round be conducted to reduce the final selections to receive an individual workout pattern by no more or less than two over the required number of horses to fill the placing's.
At present we do not advocate any particular style of presentation for Clydesdale Cross horses in Breed Classes. Our horses are a variety of types and used for many different purposes so it would be impossible to have a "one size fits all" policy for presentation. Many members often particularly ask about feathers on legs. Many members choose to retain the feathers on their horses, while others choose to clip them off. In our experience in Clydesdale Cross breed classes, both "feathered" and "feather-less" horses have won classes. As with all Showing, of course, preferences of individual judges may be different.