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News: Articles: Title

It's not just the motion that makes English type Arabian horse
A series of commentaries by Bob Battaglia

"There are two great reasons for judging classes based solely on motion," says Bob Battaglia,"first, it's a 'no brainer'.Motion is simple to spot, easy to compare and has audience appeal.As a judge, if you place a horse with the best action, it often agrees with the crowd's choice and makes a judge look knowledgeable.Secondly, brilliant motion evokes emotion and is the most thrilling and dynamic part of any performance.However, it's not all of the performance, and without the balance of the requirements for a top performance it quickly becomes the 'frosting', without the cake."

"Everything about a horse affects the way in which it moves.A horse's motion is relative to its conformation, training, collection, impulsion, desire and natural ability.There's a complete range of directions in our rule book to cover all of the different types of motion and movement we see in today's show ring.Differences in motion between the Hunter, the Show Hack, the English and Country horses are legion, but the horsemanship is very consistent.The rule book and the horseman both use terms like: collection, impulsion, cadence, light contact, headset, speed, form, balance, four-corner trot, soft trot, manners, quality, pleasure to ride, quiet mouth, suitability of horse to rider, and serviceably sound to describe all types of show horses.In addition to consideration of all of these terms, horses must be judged both ways of the ring, not simply on a single brilliant pass on the way into the line up."

"No wonder newcomers are confused and neophyte judges opt for an easy way out.It takes time, study and dedication to become a real judge and horseman.However, this isn't going to be a long, drawn out lecture on horsemanship.That's a life's work.I'll just touch on a few descriptions in the rule book and hope to give you some pause for thought the next time you are at a show exhibiting, watching or judging."

"There are a number of rules consistent to numerous seemingly different classes.For instance, Park, English, Country English, Show Hack and Hunter horses are all required to have balance, cadence and manners.The judge is required to judge all of the gaits both ways of the ring, and in all of these listed classes (except Park) the rider is also required to have light contact with all of the reins at all of the gaits.Our rule book is reasonably specific in defining balance, cadence and manners."

"Balance is the '.horse's bodily poise, the state of equilibrium or equal relationship front to rear.The equality of movement between the front end and rear end,' and 'Balance and cadence are sacrificed and gaits become impure and inconsistent when the horse is pushed too fast or forced to collect or elevate beyond its own natural capabilities.'"

"Cadence '.expresses the quality of locomotion in which the steps follow in a uniform sequence, rhythm and measure.When a horse's strides are cadenced they are pronounced, clear, decisive and elastic.'"

"Manners are the '.conduct or behavior with which a horse performs, {including} obedience and responsiveness to the rider.''Manners are often first in order of priority because the safety of the rider and others in the arena are of prime importance.'(The italics are mine.)"

"In addition to these terms there are others that can be confusing, including Attitude - '.the horses mental approach to performing.'Suitability of Horse to Rider - '.the horse's appropriateness for a particular rider,' and Conformation - '.the horse's correct structural form as it relates to functions and performance.'"

"Regarding specific divisions and types of show horses, there are many class distinctions that are often ignored by exhibitors and judges alike," says Bob."If we are all sincere about wanting to insure the growth and survival of our breed as a show horse, we ignore our rules at our peril.No newcomer wants to show horses for long where the rules are bent or change frequently based on politics and the judge's whim."

"A Show Hack '.shall be able to perform all of its gaits with a noticeable transition between the normal, collected and extended gaits.''Normal trot shall be light, crisp, balanced and cadenced.'"In the '.collected trot the horse's stride is shorter and lighter, maintaining balance and impulsion.'"The '.extended trot maintains the same cadence, and performing at medium speed, the horse lengthens its stride.'"A Show Hack is '.not necessarily a Dressage horse nor an English Pleasure horse.Elevation and high knee action are not to be emphasized.Show Hacks must be balanced and show vitality, animation and presence.'"

"Hunter Pleasure horses '.trot with a two-beat gait.The trot should be mannerly, cadenced and balanced.To be performed at a medium speed, with a free moving, ground covering stride.'"

"A Country English horse should display '.moderate collection without exaggeratedly high action in front.He must present a willing attitude while maintaining form.It is imperative that the horse give the distinct appearance of being a pleasure to ride.A quiet, responsive mouth is paramount.All gaits must be performed with willingness and obvious ease, cadence, balance and smoothness.The normal trot is a two-beat gait, to be an overall balanced, relaxed, easy-going trot.High action MUST be penalized.The strong trot is to be faster with lengthened stride maintaining balance, ease and freedom of movement.High action MUST be penalized.' (The caps are the rule book's - not mine)."

"Regarding English Pleasure horses '.it is imperative that the horse give the distinct appearance of being a pleasure to ride and display a pleasurable attitude,' and perform a 'normal trot {that is} a two-beat gait.To be performed at medium speed with moderate collection.The normal trot must be mannerly, cadenced, balanced and free moving.'

Whereas the strong trot should be performed '.at a rate of speed which may vary between horses since each horse should attain his own strong trot in harmony with his own maximum natural stride.He should show moderate collection without exaggeratedly high action in front.He must present a willing attitude while maintaining form.'"

"A Park horse should exhibit a trot that is '.animated, natural and cadenced, with impulsion and power from behind, the front airy and light.''The trot should appear effortless and be executed willingly with apparent ease.The action should be balanced and cadenced. Loss of form due to excessive speed shall be penalized.The trot should be a true, two-beat diagonal gait. Mixed gaits, pacing or racking must be considered major faults.'"

"After a quick review of the basic rules, it's easy to see that motion is just a portion of the whole show horse picture," Bob notes. "A good judge must consider the horse's entire performance - the frame, the headset, the manners, obedience and adherence to the class specifications. The truth is that the winner should be the horse that performs closest to the rule book's specifications."

"It has been argued that the most brilliant, most talented, most exciting horse should be the winner of the class," says Bob."It is certainly true that the brilliant, talented and exciting horses frequently deserve to win, but not at the expense of the rules.As the rule book calls for balance in motion, so too should there be a balance in the combination of quality, manners and attitude as they relate to talent and brilliance.As mature horsemen we can wisely demand the entire package from our horses and riders and by doing so eventually make a real difference in the Arabian show ring.Now is the time to appreciate and enjoy the cake . along with the frosting."