The Yearling Longe Line class has gained popularity across associations over the years as it allows owners to market their yearling performance prospects avidly in the show pen.
All major associations and futurities offer two separate longe line classes, one for the hunter and one for western prospects, except for the American Paint Horse Association who has (until now) only offered a combined longe line class.
The 2018 APHA World Show will be the first time the association debuts a split schedule, allowing exhibitors to show their hunter prospects separate from their western counterparts.
GoHorseShow sat down with three of APHA’s top longe line exhibitors to find out their thoughts on this new split and how it will change the face of the industry.
Apples to Oranges
The apparent problem with showing hunter and western prospects together is the fact that they represent two very different disciplines, yet are judged together.
“It would be like judging a hunter under saddle and western pleasure class together and trying to pick the best one from only one discipline,” said Tim Gillespie of Gillespie Show Horses in Whitesboro, Texas. “The outcome could end up being preferential depending on the judge’s discipline preference if you have two equal horses from each discipline.”
“The longe line is a scored class so it shouldn’t make a difference,” said Kathie Kennedy of Kathie Kennedy Performance Horses in Ocala, Florida. “Yet, it was rare that I would see a hunter beat a western horse. I have seen hunters win the class, but it was rare and really, showing them together is like comparing apples to oranges.”
Amateur exhibitor Nicole Dalton of Waddell, Arizona pointed out that because of the notion that hunters couldn’t beat a western prospect, people were staying home.
“I have heard many people say that the hunters can’t get past the western horses,” she said. “I have always done well with my hunters, but when other people aren’t showing because of that thought process, I think a split could be warranted.”
The pre-entry numbers for the APHA World Show do reflect that a split was necessary with an even amount of entries in both the Hunter Longe Line and the Western, suggesting that more hunters are showing up because of the separation.
Prospect Hunting
Another promising aspect of the split is the fact that those who are seeking a particular prospect will more easily be able to evaluate what is in front of them.
“The people who love the hunter under saddle will be there watching every single one show,” said Gillespie. “Same with those who love the western pleasure. Now they don’t have to sit through a sea of both types of horses waiting to see the ones they want to see. I think this will surely help the industry.”
Dalton agreed, “More yearlings will have titles, you now will have double the world champion and reserve world champions in the event. Not to mention we now fall in line with all the other major associations.”
Kennedy believes that the split will especially help the hunters who previously may not have fared well against a sea of western horses.
“People looking for a certain prospect can watch what they want,” she said. “I think this changes the game and only helps the marketing of our hunter prospects.”
Too Much of a Good Thing?
While the split is seen as a positive move in the industry, Dalton expressed concern about the constant splitting of classes and divisions which has been a hot-button topic in a variety of capacities across associations.
“My only concern is that we are once again making classes smaller,” she said. “I like the big classes where, even if you are fifth out of forty, it is still prestigious. It is more exciting to me and gives me something to strive for. I worry that if we continue to split classes and divisions, so everyone gets a prize, the prestige is gone. The flip side of that coin is that it brings more horses to the horse show, which of course is a positive for the association.”
As of now, the APHA Gold Longe Line Futurity is still combined and also allows Solid Paint Breds to show with their colored counterparts. Pre-entry numbers also show this to be a positive move on the part of APHA and the lure of a big money payout is usually always enough to get people to play the game.
Gillespie, Kennedy and Dalton are all showing in the futurity and have high hopes for their prospects.
Gillespie will be showing western prospect LL Cool N Lazy by Lazy Luvah out of My Legs R Sensational in both the Open Western Longe Line as well as the futurity. “George” will also be shown by Shilo Eggers in the amateur.
Kennedy is bringing two hunter prospects for the open; Hello Pretty by Heza Cool Hotrod, who won the Tom Powers unanimously and Cookie Machine (pictured left) by CR Good Machine who will also be vying for a spot in the futurity payout.
Dalton will be showing two hunter yearlings by her multiple World Champion stallion, The Wow Factor. TWF I Can Only Imagine will be showing in both the futurity and the Open and her SPB, Al Ways A Factor in the SPB longe line class. Dalton will also be showing her prospects in their respective amateur classes.
With these and other great prospects all competing for the coveted title of World Champion, this year’s APHA longe line classes are sure to be exciting and a place where you can find your next champion.
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