Most Morgan classes call for type and conformation to be considered 40% and performance 60% in the qualifying classes and 50%-50% in the championship classes. All championship saddle classes must be stripped (except one horse classes). Ideal Morgan type and conformation is the same in all classes. Performance criteria include quality, manners, presence, performance, and suitability of horse to rider/driver. All junior Exhibitor classes call for manners and suitability as primary criteria.

In-Hand (the breeder's division of the show) is divided into age and sex categories, culminating in the crowning of Mare, Gelding, and Stallion Champions. Entries are judged standing, then at a walk and trot on the rail. Emphasis is placed on type and conformation with consideration given to the horse's presence, personality, and correct way of going. The winner will be that entry the judge feels most closely resembles the ideal standard of perfection for the breed.

The Park Morgan is expected to present a picture of great beauty, brilliance, animation, and elegance. Performance should reflect the innate vitality and distinctly energetic character of the breed. The Park Saddle Horse is shown under English tack at a park walk, park trot, and canter and is judged on performance, presence, quality, manners, and suitability. The Park Harness Horse is shown at a park walk, park trot and in open classes, drivers will also be asked to "show your horse." At this command, the driver should show his horse to its best advantage (some increase or decrease in speed is permitted but not required).

The English Pleasure Horse must exhibit an absolutely agreeable attitude, impeccable manners, and a quiet, deliberate, and willing performance on a light rein. The horse is judged at a walk, pleasure trot, road trot, and canter.

The English Pleasure Horse must exhibit an absolutely agreeable attitude, impeccable manners, and a quiet, The Classic Pleasure Horse should be calm, mildmannered, and safe, and is shown at a walk, pleasure trot, road trot, and canter. Classic Pleasure is open to amateurs; attendants and headers must also be amateurs.

The English Pleasure Horse must exhibit an absolutely agreeable attitude, impeccable manners, and a quiet, The Hunter Pleasure Horse must be shown with a hunter-style saddle and bridle. The mane and tail may be braided in traditional hunter style. The horse should be mild-mannered and work on a light rein, will be judged on performance, manners, and soundness, and is shown at the walk, trot, extended trot, canter and extended canter.

The Western Pleasure Horse is shown at a walk, jogtrot, and lope on a light rein, but still maintaining contact with the horse's mouth. The judge may ask for an extension of the jog and lope.

The Pleasure Driving Horse is judged by the same criteria as the English Pleasure Horse and is shown at the walk, pleasure trot, and road trot.

The Trail Horse may be shown in either English or western tack over and through a course of six to eight obstacles which might be encountered on a trail ride. These obstacles may include opening a gate, jumping fallen logs, crossing a bridge, or backing through an obstacle and are designed to measure maneuverability, response to aids, flexibility, and the horse's overall ability as a trail horse.

Hunters are judged on pace, stride, manners, style of jumping, way of going, performance, equipment, fitness, and soundness. Each of these factors relates to the horse's ability to gallop cross country for long periods of time. jumpers are judged on faults and sometimes time and must posses athletic ability, fitness, agility, power, and intelligence.

Dressage (dre-'sazh), n. the execution by a trained horse of precision movements in response to barely perceptible signals from its rider (Meriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary). Gaits include the Free Walk, Working Trot, and Working Canter.

Carriage Driving Horses should be relaxed and supple and move forward energetically without rushing. Horses may be asked to Halt, perform the Working Walk, Lengthened Walk, Collected Trot, Working Trot, Extended Trot, and/or Rein Back.

Equitation is the art of riding and showing a horse. It is the riding technique which produces the maximum effectiveness from the horse with a minimum of visible aids. The rider is judged on hands, seat, legs, basic position, and the ability to make the horse perform any gait or test the judge may require. Equitation riders are 17 years old or younger.

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