| Performance of the horse shall
be paramount & in no way overshadowed by equipment turnout.
Horse is to enter to the right *counter clockwise* & work both ways of
the ring at a flat walk & running walk. Reverse to be executed on the
diagonal at a walk of at the direction of the ringmaster.
The horse is to line up, stand quietly, & back readily. Pleasure horse
qualities paramount.
The horse is judged with the same general qualities as the flat shod
pleasure horse. The following are suggestions to be used in judging:
70% on manners, performance, condition, style & way of going
20% on fit, condition & appropriateness of harness & vehicle
10% on conformation & neatness of driver
Snaffle Bit is required; separate over-check bit is optional.
Fine harness vehicles are prohibited in pleasure driving.
The recommended pleasure driving appointments & rules are as follows:
- Harness is traditionally black leather with square patent leather
blinkers, snaffle bridle with side check or over-check, & running
martingale.
- A whip of length appropriate to the horse & cart.
- Driving vehicle may be two or four wheel & out of suitable
appearance & safety. Show management may choose to limit classes to two
wheel or four wheel vehicles. Breeching is not used with wire wheels &
is recommended with wooden wheel vehicle. Only the driver is allowed in
the cart. Exception: Youth driver may have one adult attendant in
cart.
- Neatly attired header may enter ring at line up for safety reasons &
be allowed to unfasten over-check & wipe the horse off, but should not
hold the horse. If the header holds the horse, it must be penalized.
- Ladies shall wear conservative dress, blouse & skirt, shirt & jods
with apron, saddle suit or day coat & jods. Men should wear business
suit, saddle suit, sport jacket & slacks. Gloves are recommended, apron
& hats are optional.
- An uncontrollable horse must be immediately dismissed with
assistance if necessary. The judge must excuse a competitor with unsafe
vehicle or harness.
- Show management may offer other classes such as antique or period,
drive & ride, & obstacle.
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