Please tell me anything you know about the ranch horse association and rules/regulations for showing THANKS
It amazes me how many people are on the internet yet obviously fail to surf before asking.
The website for this association is: http://www.americanranchhorse.net/
Check it out there.
I live in Michigan. Last year one of the fastest growing areas of this Association was Michigan.
I am not a show-lover. There have been many times I’ve worked my rear off to get good at something only to have a competitor go buy a perfectly trained horse, step up on it and beat me simply because they have the money to do so. Horse showing is not so much about what a person can do with their horse – it’s gotten to be more about how much a person can afford to spend more times than not. In speaking with some judges, I’ve also heard straight from the ‘horse’s mouth’ (the judge themselves) about why they make certain judgements. When one judge will say they chose this horse or that one because the rider’s costume was prettier, it’s become a beauty contest.
I believe this is why Ranch Horse Association shows have become more and more popular. They contain segments of the show that are strictly intended and set up to show what a handler can do with their own horse. The classes are regulated – one cannot have ‘over trimmed’ their horse – so things like bridle paths cannot be trimmed excessively to correct visually an incorrect confirmation. One also cannot use excessive silver – you’re encouraged to show in ‘using’ equipment just like you would at home, which I feel puts an honest pitch on truly seeing what the horse is built to do and watch it in action, not get lost in thousand dollar show clothes.
That’s what little I know from the few people I’ve spoken with that are actually involved, perhaps the website can answer your questions or give you contacts of where to answer the more unique ones?