From smooth ranch riding to challenging trail obstacles and precision ground handling, these classes will showcase the partnership, grit, and versatility that make ranch horses true all-around athletes.

 

Something for everyone with novice and youth classes to adult and open divisions. 

 

A special Ranch Horsemanship award will be featured honoring the rider and horse combo who demonstrates the true spirit of the ranch: quiet hands, good timing, overall attitude and respect, and a willing horse. 

 

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VA Commonwealth Games Ranch & Trail Class List 

 

Saturday

 

1. Open Ranch Horse Conformation

2. Youth Ranch Horse Conformation

3. Adult Ranch Horse Conformation

4. Green As Grass Ranch Horse Conformation

5. Open Showmanship

6. Youth Showmanship

7. Adult Showmanship

8. Green As Grass Showmanship

9. Open Ranch Ground Handling

10. Youth Ranch Ground Handling

11. Adult Ranch Ground Handling 

12. Green As Grass Ranch Ground Handling

 

Break 15 minutes

 

1. Youth Ranch Rail walk/trot

2. Adult Ranch Rail walk/trot

3. Open Ranch Rail walk/trot

4. Green As Grass Ranch Rail walk/trot

5. Youth Ranch Rail walk/trot/lope

6. Adult Ranch Rail walk/trot/lope

7. Open Ranch Rail walk/trot/lope

8. Green As Grass Ranch Rail walk/trot/lope

9. Open Ranch Rail GAYP

10. Youth Ranch Riding 

11. Adult Ranch Riding 

12. Green As Grass Ranch Riding 

13. Open Ranch Riding

14. Youth Ranch Reining

15. Adult Ranch Reining 

16. Green As Grass Ranch Reining

17. Open Ranch Reining 

18. Youth Ranchmanship

19. Adult Ranchmanship

20. Green As Grass Ranchmanship

21. Open Ranchmanship

Sunday

 

1. Youth In-Hand Trail

2. Adult In-Hand Trail

3. Green As Grass In-Hand Trail

4. Open In-Hand Trail

5. Youth Ranch Trail walk/trot

6. Adult Ranch Trail walk/trot

7. Green As Grass Ranch Trail walk.trot

8. Open Ranch Trail walk/trot

9. Youth Ranch Trail walk/trot/lope

10.  Adult Ranch Trail walk/trot/lope

11. Green As Grass Trail walk/trot/lope

12. Open Ranch Trail walk/trot/lope

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RANCH RAIL- The ranch rail class looks for horses that would be a pleasure to ride when performing ranch tasks. The horse that would be comfortable and handy, when you have a job to get done.  The ideal ranch horse will travel with forward movement and demonstrate an obvious lengthening of stride at extended gaits. The horse can be ridden with light contact or on a relatively loose rein.  For each gait, horses should demonstrate forward but controlled motion. Gaits range from the basic walk, trot, lope, to extended versions of each gait, as well as a stop and back. Judges note horses that are free-moving, looking through the bridle, and exhibiting that they could cover long distances in a comfortable fashion.  

RANCH RIDING-This class measures a horse’s ability to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a conveyance from performing one ranch task to another. The horse and rider are asked to perform a pattern that includes changes of gait, extension of gait, crossing logs and lead changes. All maneuvers should be performed as if the horse were being used on a ranch, and the horse should demonstrate a high level of training, relaxation and quality of movement in all gaits.  

RANCH REINING-In this class, a horse is evaluated on its maneuverability as it performs a set pattern that includes circles, lead changes, spins and stops.  

RANCH TRAIL-This class demonstrates a horse’s ability to maneuver obstacles resembling what the horse and rider would encounter on the ranch . The horse and rider is judged on correctness, efficiency and the quality of performance. The horse should maintain the natural appearance of a ranch horse at all times.

RANCHMANSHIP- refers to the skills and techniques used in ranch riding, particularly in performing designated patterns and maneuvers. It emphasizes the versatility of both the ranch horse and the exhibitor, focusing on tasks such as navigating obstacles and executing maneuvers within a designated arena.

RANCH CONFORMATION-This class is intended to preserve the American Quarter Horse type by selecting a well-mannered 

RANCH GROUND HANDLING- involves various maneuvers and patterns that assess a horse's ability to perform tasks from the ground. 

DUMMY ROPING- Contestants must stand and throw behind the marker that is 5 feet from the roping dummy. If the contestant steps over the marker then that catch will result in a zero. Each contestant will throw 5 loops. Legal catches and points: Around both horns +3 points ○ Half head (1 horn and nose) +2 points ○ Neck +1 point.

 

*Green As Grass division is designated for entry level riders. 

 

*A Special Ranch Horsemanship award will be featured honoring the horse and rider combo who demonstrate the true spirit of the ranch horse: quiet hands, good timing, overall attitude, respect, and willingness.