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| Overall conformation is well muscled but not bulky. |
Australian Stock Horse Show Hack
The show hack is a type of ridden show horse, which originated in England. Here in Australia we have developed our own style of hacking. This class at the Royal Easter Show was for Australian Stock Horse show hacks and that’s what I will be focusing on.
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| All colours are acceptable and height ranges from 14 to 16.2 hands. |
Judged
On
It
is the horse, not the rider, that is judged and it is assessed on behaviour,
conformation, movement and responsiveness to the rider. The Judge looks for a calm, supple and
obedient horse. A horse, which is forward moving, balanced and rhythmic in all
its paces. It must be well
conformed and present an overall picture of balance and quality.
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| The line up waiting for their individual workout. |
Judging
Procedure
When
the Judge has called competitors into the ring, they should form an orderly
line from the right. If there is a
long wait, horses may be allowed to relax, but not the rider. The horses should
be worked around the ring as directed by the Judge. Competitors should avoid bunching in a group, so the Judge
can see all the horses competing.
A large class should be worked on a circle, at a walk, trot and canter
for the Judge to select about eight horses for an individual workout.
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| Judge watching a individual workout |
The
Judge should inform the competitors of the required workout which should
consist of walking, trotting and cantering. Depending on the level of competition, class or age of the
horse, the Judge may choose a workout, which consists of the above paces or
includes more difficult, ie, extended paces, hand gallop, flying or simple
change of lead, backup, side pass.
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| This was the most popular riding attire. |
Australian turnout rules are reasonably flexible, depending mainly on the location of the events with country shows being somewhat less formal.
Velvet
covered English style helmet or Australian style felt hat (not western).
Collared shirt with sleeves, beige, fawn or white stockman cut trousers or
jodhpurs. Elastic sided short riding boots with boots worn inside trousers or
top boots. Plain coloured or a tweed hacking jacket (not leather or suede).
Gloves, ties and spurs are optional.
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| The only entry with a english tack and tall boots. |
Tack
Stock
saddles or English (normally dressage) saddles are permitted. Western saddles or saddles with a horn
are not permitted. This class was a snaffle only and no split reins. Barcoo
bridles are preferred but plain simple English bridles are allowed. Cavesson
and nosebands are permitted. Reins can be leather or cotton. Bosals and hackamores are not
permitted. Square green ASH saddle blanket. Stockmans breastplate is optional
but recommended.
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| This was the most popular tack. |
Presentation
Traditionally,
to avoid their mane getting tangled in reins and to stop excessive heat on
their necks ASHs have their manes hogged (roached) and forelocks are left
natural. If not hogged horses must be plaited or have neatly pulled short
manes. A neat banged tail that can be pulled, shaved or plaited. False tails are
permitted. Make up is occasionally used but very subtly and normally quarter
marks are not used.
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| The line up. |
