We would like to thank Judge, Sandy Jirkovsky of Whitesboro, Texas, who took time to break down the Congress Youth 15-18, 12-14, Amateur and Select Horsemanship pattern for GoHorseShow. Jirkovsky specializes in training all-around horses, with many champions to her credit. As a carded AQHA judge, she has had the privilege of judging the Congress, World Shows and major events all over the country.
We would also like to thank HorseShowPatterns.com for allowing us to post the pattern in the article. You may view the pattern that is posted below or click here to download.
GoHorseShow chose this pattern because we thought it would be beneficial to break down one of the more challenging patterns as some of the less complicated patterns having many of the same maneuvers.
Congress Youth 15-18, 12-14, Amateur and Select Horsemanship pattern as seen by Sandy Jirkovsky
This pattern is an excellent pattern for the thinking rider. It is all about making wise decisions and smooth transitions to demonstrate your connection with your horse. It is your choice to ride this pattern safe and go for zero to plus-half maneuvers or to give it your all and be rewarded for your courage.
One cone patterns give you the freedom to perform the pattern at the dimensions that fit you and your horse best. You need to remember that making it too large is very time-consuming and also allows more margin for error. Performing the pattern too tightly will make this pattern look too jammed together and take away from your maneuvers. The secret is to determine the size that allows you to show each maneuver to your best advantage for you and your horse. Show the control of your horse throughout the pattern by not using the walls of the arena as your boundaries. You want to keep your pattern placement symmetrical in the arena making it look precisely as drawn on our illustration of the pattern.- Be ready at A means exactly that. Do not be reseating, adjusting reins, or doing the nervous jiggle. This is the judge’s first impression so make it a confident impression showing that you are in it to win it. Walk two horse lengths means to walk straight with purpose twelve to sixteen feet.
- You will then perform a one and three-quarter pivot to the right. Perform this turn with cadence and correctness and make sure you finish this turn before beginning your jog. The first step out of this turn should be a jog step to show your connection with your horse. This is a place where some horses will want to lope off so concentrate on that first jog step. You will want to jog straight before making your arc for your quarter circle and then perform a smooth transition to the right lead to complete maneuver three.
- As you begin your right lead, you need to be setting up for your lead change as this is going to come up quickly. Simple or flying change is your choice, and the rule of thumb is that a correct and efficient simple change is always better than an ugly flying change.
- You need to be focused on where you are in the arena and build for your large circle. You want to show a definite difference in your speed as you perform maneuver five. Increase your speed means precisely that and this is a great place to show off your horsemanship skills. You want to show a degree of difficulty and maintain your seat and your horse’s frame. Collecting your lope and continuing in a straight line is all part of maneuver five so you want the transition to the collected lope to be as smooth and efficient as possible. It is essential that you find your focal point for the end of your pattern as you complete your arc at the top of the circle. This will ensure straightness for the rest of your pattern. This straight line needs to be on the outside of where you performed maneuver three.
- Breaking to an extended trot sounds simple, but this is a complex maneuver. Many horses will want to stop or break to a jog or walk but the key to success is to hit that extended trot immediately and just a stride or two past the location of your lead change. Perform your extended trot with a lengthened stride at the speed you have determined is the most suitable for you and your horse. This will be a great maneuver to add to your score if you can sit your extended trot correctly without doing the exaggerated “bob”.
- Maneuver seven is your time to end your pattern with an exclamation point and not just an ending. Stop squarely even with marker A and immediately back approximately six to eight feet maintaining correct posture and frame. Show your communication with your horse through your seat and hands and not a spur stop at this point. Even though this pattern states pattern is complete, it is vital that you read the end of the sentence and exit at a jog.
- This pattern will be great for riders who have practiced their transitions and have excellent communication with their horse. It is a great time to remember the hierarchy of judging—Correctness, Degree of Difficulty, and Quality. Wishing you good luck, and I challenge each of you to ride each maneuver to the plus side.
About Sandy
Sandy Jirkovsky is from Whitesboro, TX and has been judging for 25 years. She holds cards with AQHA, APHA, ApHC, NSBA, NRCHA and NSBA. She has judged the 2017 AQHA Youth World, the Quarter Horse Congress, the APHA World, NRHA Futurity, AQHA and APHA European World Championships and other major shows throughout the world. Sandy and her husband Jim own and operate J Bar S Training and specialize in training the all-around horse and rider.
