In equestrian sports, a champion is a horse or rider that achieves the highest success in a competition or class.

A class refers to a specific category of competition where horse and rider pairs perform designated tasks or routines judged against specific standards. Each class has its own criteria, rules, and objectives, often focused on a particular discipline or skill set. Here are some key aspects of classes in horse shows:

Types of Classes:

1. Jumping Classes:
– Focuses on the horse and rider’s ability to navigate a course of jumps. Classes vary in height and difficulty.

2. Hunter Classes:
– Judged on the horse’s style, movement, and way of going over fences, mimicking an ideal hunting situation.

3. Equitation Classes:
– Assesses the rider’s position, effectiveness, and overall skill rather than the horse’s performance.

4. Pony Classes:
– Specifically designed for pony riders, often divided by age groups or skill levels.

a clean round signifies a flawless performance in show jumping, critical for competitive success.

An equestrian division refers to a specific category of competition within a horse show or equestrian event that is defined by particular criteria.

Divisions help organize competitions based on various factors, ensuring fairness and appropriate levels of challenge for competitors.

a high-level competition that showcases the skill and ability of horse and rider combinations.

individual or entity that presents a horse or horses for competition.

Grand Prix jumping is scored based on faults, or penalties, that the horse and rider incur while navigating the course. Faults are evaluated as follows:

– Knockdown: An obstacle is deemed knocked down when a horse or rider’s contact lowers any part that determines the height of the jump. Each knockdown incurs four faults.

– Refusal: A refusal occurs when a horse stops before the jump or moves sideways to avoid it. The first refusal results in four faults, while a second refusal leads to elimination.

– Time Fault: For every second, or part of a second, that exceeds the allowed time, one fault is added.

 A groom is a person responsible for the care and management of horses. The role of a groom is crucial in ensuring that horses are healthy, well-groomed, and ready for work or competition.

A “hand” is the unit used for measuring horses, with one hand equivalent to 4 inches.

Horses are measured from the ground to the highest point of the withers.

The title of a US Equestrian Heritage Competition is granted to events that have a long-standing history and have significantly contributed to the development and promotion of the sport.

These competitions foster equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition within the broader community.

– Combination: A series of two or three jumps placed in succession, with a maximum of two strides between each obstacle.

– Oxer: Also referred to as a spread fence, this jump includes multiple vertical elements that are approached as a single jump.

– Vertical: A fence featuring a single vertical element without any spread.

Typically, horses that are tied for positions other than first place will remain tied, with the prize money divided equally among them. However, horses that are tied for first place after the initial round must participate in a timed jump-off round. The winner of the class is determined by the horse with the fewest faults and the fastest time.

A rider who has not yet turned 18 years old by December 1 of the competition year.

A horse is deemed off course if it strays from the path indicated in the posted diagram.

These classes are available to all competitors, regardless of any prior awards or points earned, in accordance with the division rules.

A pony is defined as a horse that measures less than 14.2 hands. In competitions, show ponies are categorized into three size divisions: small (less than 12.2 hands), medium (over 12.2 but less than 13.2 hands), and large (over 13.2 but less than 14.2 hands).

 The first runner-up in a series of related classes.

Engaging in practice or training prior to the competition.

 The amount of ground the horse covers in one “step” is called the horse’s stride. At the canter, the average single stride of a horse is 12 feet. The distances of the Grand Prix courses are set accordingly.

A designated timeframe in which to complete the course. If this time limit is surpassed, time faults will be added to the horse’s score.

An adult responsible for the care, training, management, or performance of a horse or a horse/rider combination.

Participants qualify for National and Regional Awards by earning points at WCHR Events held across the country throughout the qualifying year. Points from a rider’s top four WCHR Events will be used to determine the National and Regional standings.