Ranch Riding, formerly Ranch Horse Pleasure, is one of the quickest growing events in both the AQHA and APHA. This fast paced, exciting class may lack the bling and flash of its other western counterparts, but it makes up for it in powerful extended gaits, quick stops, and turnarounds. This class has not only drawn in horses and exhibitors who might not usually come to shows, but it gives a place for seasoned show horses to show off their skills.
With this class being so new, the standard is still being set for perfection. This raises the question, what is the ideal horse for Ranch Riding? Is it the true ranch horses, who spend their days moving cattle and checking fences? Or is this class another place for reiners and working cowhorses to show off their skills? Or, could this class be the ideal place for the horsemanship and western riding superstars to expand their skills and horizons? Is there a place for all of these styles of horses? In order to answer this question, we turned to a few leaders in the industry, Mozaun McKibben, Leslie Lange, and Alex Ross.
Mozaun McKibben (pictured right) is one of the leaders when it comes to Ranch Riding. This talented trainer has won the AQHA World Championship in Versatility Ranch Horse as well as Ranch Riding. Having grown up on a ranch in New Mexico, Mozaun has hands-on experience with ranch work.
McKibben prefers ranch bred horses in this class. “I think the all-around horses could do well at the weekend shows but if there is a true ranch horse in the class that can do all the maneuvers at the highest level, then they should place above western pleasure/all-around type horses.”
While Leslie Lange also grew up on a working ranch, her current interests have expanded to the all-around realm of things, with multiple winners in both hunt seat and western all around events. However, Lange has begun showing The Immortal, a stallion with superiors in western pleasure, western riding, and trail, in Ranch Riding, and has found success while enjoying herself at the same time.
“I started showing The Immortal (pictured below left) in the class just to have fun with it,” Lange says, who also plans to show him in the class at the AQHA World Show. “I don’t think some of the judges are sure what to do with me in the class since he isn’t ranch bred and doesn’t have a long mane. At the Redbud, I surprisingly did really well under four of the judges who happened to have more of a ranching background, while the four all-around judges weren’t sure what to do with me. With the top horses, I think it all boils down to a judge’s preference and the look and style of the horse should only become a factor when you are deciding between the top horses.”
The general consensus from both professionals was that the ideal Ranch Riding horse is one who looks like they could hold up on a working ranch. This does not mean that the horse has to have a long mane and be built big and stocky like a true ranch horse, although that doesn’t hurt.
The ideal horse for this class has to have the endurance to perform each maneuver correctly, moving forward with control while still displaying true athleticism.
The Gaits
The walk on the ideal ranch riding horse should look like they are going somewhere, however, it should still be a true four beat walk, not a running walk, according to Lange. The horse should cover ground and appear easy and comfortable to ride.
The same goes for the jog- it should look comfortable, like it could easily be ridden over the range for miles without the horse or rider tiring. Even though the class is not judged on movement to the degree of other western classes, a horse with a short, choppy stride would be uncomfortable and tiring to ride for long distances.
A lope on the ideal ranch riding horse should be forward and controlled, just like with the walk and jog. It should be a three beat gait, but should not be anywhere near as slow as a western pleasure lope. There should also be a clear distinction between the collected and extended version of each gait, without the horse being forced to do so.
According to McKibben, the turnarounds and stops in ranch riding do not need to be as flashy as they are in reining, however, they should still be effective. If a horse stops 30 feet, they’ll slide past the cow, however, if a horse needs to be forced to stop, this shows disrespect and is not the ideal for the class.
Just because the horse should look like they can hold up on a working ranch does not mean that appearances should not be taken into account. The horse should be well groomed, being free of dirt and stains. Furthermore, while the tack should not have bling, it should still be in good repair and fit the horse well. The rider’s attire should also be clean and well fitting. It may range from jeans and a nice button down to chaps or chinks, but regardless, it should keep with the integrity of the class.
According to AQHA Director of Judges, Alex Ross (pictured left), “Horses shown in this popular class do not have to come off the ranch rather they should bear a resemblance to a ranch type horse with its versatility, attitude, and movement while performing at a forward, working speed in all gaits. We have witnessed horses previously shown in other disciplines excel in the class but they all have been shown in a manner that portrayed the positive characteristics we look for in the class. In my opinion, the class has grown in popularity because the membership enjoys observing and showing a horse that can demonstrate its versatility while enjoying its job.”
What Ross is saying closely mirrors that of the AQHA rule book, which states that, “The horse’s performance should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse. This class should show the horse’s ability to work at a forward, working speed while under control by the rider. Light contact should be rewarded and horse does not have to be shown on a full drape of reins. The overall manners and responsiveness of the horse while performing the maneuver requirements, and the horse’s quality of movement are the primary considerations.”
Based off of this, we can conclude that your ideal Ranch Riding horse does not need to be used on a working ranch daily, however, the horse should have the versatility, stamina, and movement that would allow it to hold up to a tough days work. The most important thing is that this exciting class is bringing more people to our shows and giving the current crowd a new area to shine. As this new class evolves, only time will tell whether the western pleasure and ranch style bred horses can successfully coexist.
What do you think? Should horses that look more ranch bred have more of an advantage over western pleasure and all-around bred horses? Let us know on our Facebook page or in the comments section of this article.
