Horse Talk

Amateur

One who rides or drives for the love of the sport and not as a profession or for profit.

AppointmentS

The correct bridling, saddlery, harnessing, vehicles, etc., used with different types of horses and which have been standardized by custom.

Canter

A three-beat gait; a slow, collected gallop, natural to the Morgan horse.

Conformation

Overall physical symmetry; the degree of perfection of the component parts and their relationship to each other.

Habit

Refers to the costume worn by the rider or driver, which has been standardized by custom according to the time of the day and the type of horse.

Hand

The unit by which the height of a horse is measured. A hand is equal to four inches.

Hand Gallop

A speedy, but collected, gallop where the horse is completely under the rider's control; i.e., well in hand.

Header

The groom allowed in the ring to stand at the horse's head during the lineup in harness classes; he may wipe off or uncheck the horse temporarily.

Jog

The slow, relaxed, easy trot in western riding.

Junior Exhibitor

Any rider who has not reached his or her 18th birthday as of December 1st of the current competition year.

Junior Horse

Any horse four years old and under.

Ladies

Any event in a horse show in which the horses are exhibited only by women. Only mares and geldings are shown.

Lope

In western riding, a slow, relaxed, easy canter.

Novice

A horse or rider that has not won three first place ribbons in the division in which he is entered.

Pleasure Trot

A two-beat gait; pleasant, easy going, with elasticity and freedom of movement.

Post

To rise from the saddle and return to it in rhythm with a horse's trot.

Presence

Deportment characterized by animation, enthusiasm, and sparkle.

Recognized

This term refers to the official recognition of a horse show by the American Horse Shows Association, Incorporated.

Reserve Champion

The second place winner in a championship class.

Ribbon Colors

1st=blue, 2nd=red, 3rd=yellow, 4th=white, 5th=pink, 6th=green, 7th=purple, 8th=brown.

Road Trot

A balanced trot maintaining free forward impulsion with sufficient speed to be ground covering, but with enough collection to allow the horse to maintain the gait at speed for an extended period of time.

Seat and Hands

A term referring to the ability of a rider to sit in the saddle with grace and control of the mount.

Strip

To remove the saddle from the horse so that the judge may check his or her conformation.

Tie

To rate the horse/rider as he/she finishes a class, as first, second, third, etc.

Type

The ideal or standard of perfection for the breed. A term not interchangeable with conformation.

Walk

A four beat gait; flat footed, free, rapid, elastic, ground covering.