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What
is an Arabian Sport Horse ? How does it differ from any other
representative of the breed ? An Arabian Sport Horse is an Arabian
with correct conformation and movement to perform in the sporting
events, such as Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, Endurance and Racing.
Or any of the Working Western classes for that matter. The object of
these classes is to give a very careful and valid evaluation through
scoring of a horse's conformation and movement, establishing its
potential for the sport categories Form to function is emphasized
throughout, with correct gaits contributing to the ease in training
and the horse remaining sound and useable.
There have been several Halter winners who could easily win a Sport
Horse Class and it would be great for some to do so. The judges are
looking for very correct conformation and free, straight and fluid
movement. Type as a criteria does not come into the picture.
However, overall breed characteristics come under the final score
section, so it means that possibly a plainer, but more correctly
conformed horse can be placed over a typier one with conformation
faults.
Therefore, tail carriage is also not a compelling factor.
The flatter croup also, does not lend itself generally to Sport
Horse Performance with a rounder croup being more desirable. Correct
structure and sufficient bone of the legs is vital, particularly in
the front legs, since sixty percent of the horse's weight is placed
upon them. Blemishes do not count unless resulting from conformation
faults.
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Horses of all bloodlines have been successful, but the Crabbet
horses seem to have somewhat come to the fore. However, the 2002
Scottsdale Sport Horse Stallion Champion DERVATIW GWYDDION
(AJ Ibn
Negatiw x Dervona) was of all Polish bloodlines. I think it's early
days to see a specific pattern of successful bloodlines, but those
stallions who are successful in dressage, jumping, racing and
endurance should prevail.
The Halter classes are divided into Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo
Arabian, with a suggested class list of Sport Prospects two and
under, three and four year olds and five and over. Geldings may be
shown with colts until three years of age, but the different sexes
may not be shown in the same class.
One of the great advantages of these in hand classes is that
many more owners can show their own horses. Showmanship does not
come into it at all (and indeed should not in all halter classes in
any event). However, the handler must train the horse
appropriately and see that it stands in the correct way and show it
moving freely and straight at the walk and trot. The handler should
of course be neatly and appropriately dressed. The horse need not be
highly conditioned either, as is required in open Halter classes |
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Scottsdale Pure bred Arabian Sport Horse
Champion stallion in hand—Dervatiw
Gwyddion
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So what is the correct way of standing the horse ? It is known as
the open position, where the hind leg nearest the judge is back as
in normal halter classes, but the front leg on the opposite side
from the judge is also back, so that all four legs are visible.
The horses are shown on a triangle of specific measurements. A small
triangle of 15 x15 x 15 metres, within the larger triangle of 30 x
30 x 30 Meters. The judge stands at the apex to view the horse
standing up, as well as when observing the movement.
Upon command from the judge, the handler is instructed to walk the
small triangle encouraging the horse to lengthen the stride across
the middle. The judge will be looking for elasticity, use of the
back, and tracking up well, which means the hind hoof print should
go beyond the front hoof print by at least six to eight inches.
Having completed the walk, the horse is then asked to trot the
larger triangle, again lengthening the stride across the base
finally ending up at the apex.
At the trot, the horse should be lightly on the bit with a rounded
back, the hind legs coming forward and driving well under the body,
and sufficient freedom in the shoulder and elbows. The judge is then
able to view the horse in walk and trot from the front, rear and
side. It is all done very quietly, with horses aged three years old
and upwards encouraged to come on the bit in a snaffle bridle. A
bridle is optional for two year olds, but yearlings must be shown in
plain, leather stable halters.The judge may ask a competitor to
repeat part or all of the movements, in order to get a good look at
the horse's action from all angles. Both the walk and the trot
should be well balanced with active regularity.
The scoring for in hand are similar to dressage scoring, each
section being marked from one to ten points. Comments are written
down on the score sheet by the judge's scribe as the horse
progresses through the triangle . This is also very educational and
beneficial for the owner‹in other words, a fair and constructive
critique, with serious leg and other faults being noted as well as
the good points. The percentage of marks is Conformation 40 %;
Movement 40%; Expression, Manners, Willingness 10% ; Overall breed
characteristics, Quality, Balance, and Harmony 10% . The owners
receive their score sheet when the results have been calculated at
the end of each class. The winner is the one with the highest
percentage. A dressage or hunter/jumper judge is required for the
class to count at a class 'A' show.
The Arabian Sport Horse performance classes are held just like a
normal under saddle class, entering the ring counterclockwise. They
are to be shown at the walk, trot, canter and hand gallop both ways
of the ring and to stand quietly and back readily. The judging
criteria is on performance, manners, conformation, quality and
suitability as a working Sport Horse. Each gait being considered and
judged equally. Riders wear dressage or hunt attire. They have now
added Sport Horse Show Hack, and the first Sport Horse Nationals
will be held in September 2003.
I doubt that the Sport Horse in Hand classes will ever reach the
same status as the regular Halter Classes, but the enjoyment and
satisfaction to the owners will more than make up for that. It would
be really wonderful to see these classes take off, filling a much
needed gap for those who want a fair and unbiased opinion of their
horses. |
