The Ranch Riding Division Rules have been added to the Saddlebred Rulebook for the 2021 competition year. The leadership at US Equestrian has granted a presidential modification to make this possible for the current competition year.
The full Saddlebred Ranch Riding rules and letter from US Equestrian President Tom O’ Mara.
An American Saddlebred Ranch Horse Division accounts for Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Ranch Rail Pleasure and Ranchmanship classes. These classes are to measure the ability of a horse to be a pleasure to ride while being a means of conveyance from performing one ranch task to another. It is an opportunity to reflect the versatility, attitude and movement of the American Saddlebred as a working horse.
Ranch Riding offers a great opportunity for the expansion, diversity, and vitality of the American Saddlebred. Members and the VERSA Charter Club contributed in the development of these rules and presenting the benefits the inclusion of this division will have for the breed. Ranch Riding is a leading division of popularity and demand for trotting breed affiliates Arabian Horse Association (AHA) and American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA). A new divisional standard will be a new market for breeders to sell and find suitable working homes for horses they raise. In addition, this division can be a catalyst for the breed to expand in geographical regions and areas of the equestrian community that are currently underrepresented.
VERSA will be working to develop informational videos for horse show organizers and a network of local ambassadors to facilitate demonstrations to promote the division.
View the full American Saddlebred and Half Saddlebred rulebooks today at usef.org.
-- via American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association