Roadster Division Judging Specifications 2016

Safety Inappropriate or dangerous behavior of driver, rider, horse or pony whose actions would in any way threaten the safety of any other exhibitor, their entries or the safety of the class officials must be ordered from the ring. GR , RD104.3

Important Points to Remember… Trot the turns – must trot around turns without side reining. Pacey or mixey gaited horses that pace and rack the turns or break and run on the turns shall be penalized Shown on the Rail – at all times except when passing and should go to the far end of every corner

Important Points to Remember… Three distinct speeds – judges must emphasize that Roadsters are to be shown at three distinct speeds  Keep in mind that some horses/ponies can trot faster than others but they still must exhibit three speeds Exhibitors executing gaits not called for must be penalized

Open Discipline RD101.1 Eligibility: 1. Roadster Horses: In order to compete all horses must be a Standardbred or Standardbred type. Registration is not required.

General Qualifications Horses must be a Standardbred or Standardbred type Must be serviceably sound Shown without artificial appliances (except boots, tail switch or brace) Should have a full mane and tail Tail should be carried outright

Clarification-effective Roadster ponies are not permitted to compete in Roadster Horse classes.

What is Standardbred Type? We will review: The Type and Conformation requirements found in RD102. The three types of Roadster Horses described in RD The gait requirements found in RD103 Ask yourself…does the horse meet these requirements?

Type and Conformation Must be attractive and balanced in conformation HEAD and NECK: – well chiseled head, smart ears – fine throat latch and neck BODY: – deep chest, good shoulder and withers – well coupled, short back, full over hips LEGS: – Well proportioned hindquarters – Good flat bone, stands well on legs

Three Types of Roadsters: ROADSTERS TO BIKE:  Have the look of a refined race horse or pony  Able to strongly perform three distinct speeds at the trot while maintaining their form

Three Types of Roadsters: UNDER SADDLE:  Should be pretty and have the natural ability to carry their head high

Three Types of Roadsters: ROADSTER TO WAGON:  Have more scale and height than Bike Roadsters  Must have strength to comfortably pull a wagon without losing form  Good looking horses or ponies that compliment the appointments of the wagon  Occasionally there are horses or ponies that are suitable for all purposes

Proper Appointments—Attire Exhibitors must be correctly attired  Bike or Under Saddle: stable colors, cap or protective headgear and jacket to match  Road Wagon Classes: business suit with hat of choice

Protective Headgear RD106.4 and RD108.2 All Youth and Junior Exhibitor riders/drivers must wear protective headgear in all classes.

Proper Appointments-Harness Square blinkers, snaffle bit and attached overcheck-rein Breast collar with straight-flaps, traces made round with flat ends  For pairs, collars of the English pattern are used Martingale required Leather reins made round up to the hand pieces Protective boots on front feet are permitted Wagon horses must use breechings

Recent Rule Change-overcheck RD106.1 Appointments – Harness. b. The overcheck must remain attached to the water hook until class is tied. In the event that the check breaks or comes off, the entry must use a timeout in accordance with GR833 to reattach the check. If the check breaks or comes off a second time the horse must not be allowed to continue performing unchecked and must be excused from the ring by the judge(s). If a horse is excused under these circumstances they will be qualified for the championship in accordance with GR809.3.

GR809.3 Performance Championships If an entry in a qualifying class fails to qualify due to equipment repair they can pay double fee and make a post entry in another qualifying class in the section or if are no other qualifying classes then the horse shall be considered qualified for the performance championship class, provided the horse has previously been entered in the Championship or Stake.

Gait Requirements Principal gait is the trot, executed at three different speeds: Jog-trot: must have animation, brilliance, and presence Road Gait: must have animation, brilliance, and presence, must be faster than jog-trot Drive on (speed): must show speed and go in form

Gait Requirements Should work in form at all gaits:  chin set and legs working beneath them, going collectedly Balanced trot:  action features folding of knees, flexing of hocks  Straight true action of front legs  Hocks carried close together and with motions coordinated

Gait Penalties Unbalanced trot:  Long sprawling action in front  Dragging or trailing hind legs  Straddle gaited action behind Penalties:  Pacey or mixey gaited horses that pace and rack the turns  Breaking or running on the turns  Exhibitors executing gaits not called for must be penalized

Showing Procedures Enter the ring clockwise at a jog-trot, then road gait. Turn counter clockwise at the jog-trot, show at the road gait and then trot at speed. Performance at all three gaits must be judged. Emphasize that Roadster horses must trot solidly down the straightaway as well as around the turns

Showing Procedures Should be shown on the rail at all times except when passing Should go to the far end of every corner without side reining Stand well when being judged in the center of the ring

Time Outs and Workouts In the event of a workout, entries chosen must be worked both ways of the ring, as in the original routine.  i.e. at all gaits An exhibitor is entitled to request only one time-out per class.

The Line Up Horses must stand well when being judged in the center of the ring. No attendant is permitted and driver shall not leave his vehicle (except for necessary adjustments). Header is permitted in Amateur, Ladies Amateur, and Juvenile Road Horse classes (header must not touch entry except for safety reasons).

Different Judging Specifications Remember there are different specifications for each class, listed in order of importance. Always consult the class specs

Class Specifications-Road Horses Open, Maiden, Novice and Limit PerformanceSpeedQualityManners USTAPerformanceSpeedQualityManners AmateurMannersPerformanceSpeedQuality Ladies and Youth MannersPerformanceQualitySpeed

New Rule– effective Class specifications have been added for a Youth Road Horse Under Saddle class. Riders years of age Headers allowed Judged on manners, performance, quality and speed. Manners emphasized to ensure safety Protective headgear required.

Appointments Classes Shown to a Road Wagon Horses shall be well mannered with extreme brilliance, style and presence Outstanding conformation and quality required Bold and classy trot with action shown at all gaits when requested Well broken and mannered when lined up for judging

Required Appointments: Must include the following items: Rasp, scrapper, hoof pick, screwdriver, farrier’s knife, farrier’s hammer, knife, goggles, matches, washers, spool wire, wrench, wire pliers, nippers, punch, oil can, horse shoes, horse shoe nails, blanket pins, whisk broom, flask, cooler, halter, rain coat/cover, curry comb, brush, lead strap, clock, and light

Appointment Kit

Roadster Ponies-Qualifying Criteria Open to any breed Roadster Ponies to Bike must be 52” & under (13 hands) Wagon and Under Saddle Roadster Ponies must not exceed 54” (13.2 hands)

Headers Header is permitted in Amateur and Junior Exhibitor Road Pony classes (header must not touch entry except for safety reasons). During a workout the header may uncheck and hold pony. When workout is over pony must be rechecked and attendant move away from pony.

The Line Up – Roadster Ponies In all Ladies, Amateur, and Junior Exhibitor Roadster Pony classes, the judge(s) must walk the line up. If a judging panel is being used to officiate these classes, all judges must comply with this rule.

Class Specifications-Road Pony Open, Novice Limit and Junior PerformanceSpeedQualityManners Open Championship PerformanceSpeedPresenceQualityConformationManners Junior Exhibitor, Amateur and Ladies SuitabilityMannersPerformanceSpeedQuality Under SaddleMannersPerformanceSpeedQualitySuitability

USEF would like to thank the following for use of their videos. American Road Horse and Pony Association Judy Mc Neish Junior Schut