Quarter Horse 2000 Ltd. is the UK’s leading western riding show organisation with a vast experience of staging the nations top shows. Our show organisers and teams are the most experienced to be found in the country and we are proud of our long record of well run and enjoyable shows. We have also been a consistent innovator with a long list of new ideas, initiatives and new programmes to our credit.

We work closely with many of the western breed, western discipline organisations and other show organisers both to ensure the general promotion of western riding in all its forms and to co-ordinate series events and to provide British Championship classes.

We also feel that shows are important for the wider industry of breeders, trainers and various manufacturers and traders. QH2000 thus endeavours to gear its shows to the needs of that wider industry and we are keen to do all we can to provide and to develop arrangements and facilities for Trade Stands, Advertising and Sponsor Promotion

Western riding is now firmly established in the UK and widely recognised for its qualities. Whilst many breeds are used for western riding, the western breeds of Quarter Horses, Paints and Appaloosas excel and all these wonderful and colourful breeds will be found at our shows.

In April 2000 the western riding discipline of Reining was recognised by the FEI to become the first international western riding event. British riders now regularly compete and win honours in international competitions and British Reining, the national governing body of the sport in the UK, is responsible for selecting and managing the British Reining team. QH2000 has a strong relationship with British Reining and Reining classes are a major feature of all QH2000 Shows.

The company currently stages two major shows each year: the Spring Show at the beginning of May which is the first big western show of the year in the UK and the Championship Show at the end of September which is the grand conclusion to the year with a number of special features including a number of British Championship classes. Both shows currently take place at Arena UK, ideally situated just off the A1 near Grantham.

QH2000 looks forward to continuing at the forefront of western riding in the UK

Our Company number is 3898586 and our registered office is located at: Nash’s Farm, South Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8LY England.

Contents:

Nearly two and a half thousand years ago a Greek cavalry officer by the name of Xenophon described in writing what he regarded as the qualities of a well schooled horse. One that would move under weight transference, away from leg pressure, and be supple through its head, neck, shoulder, rib cage and hip. One that ultimately would be so light and responsive that it could be ridden one handed, and yet perform correctly enough that a man’s life could depend on that horse working with his rider as a harmonious team. What words they were and, in nineteenth century America during the hey day of the cattle industry, they were never more true.

Work on the ranches involved large herds and a few men who depended on horses that needed to be hard working, agile and manoeuvrable with an equitable temperament and able to thrive in the harsh environment. A cowboy’s abilities were largely dictated by what his horse could do and for the most part he depended on his animal day and night. His horse was his team mate as well as a tool of his trade and their style of working together as a team needed to be safe and comfortable for both rider and horse. From those needs developed a style of riding which has descended down to today’s western riding disciplines -- a style which epitomises the softness and quality of the well trained horse. The empathy that horse and rider achieve are surely a style that Xenophon would immediately recognise and appreciate. It is a style that lends itself to a great many everyday riders - yet still poses exacting challenges to make it one of the most interesting yet practical disciplines that is on offer.

Horses are trained to respond willingly to the lightest of aids. The main aids being leg pressure and weight. To achieve this horses must be supple and willing. Therefore the philosophy behind training a Western horse is based on placing the horse in the correct position and allowing him to work it out himself. Soon he will learn that he only meets resistance when he does something wrong - and the resistance stops when he carries out the manoeuvre correctly. Above all else a properly trained western horse is a willingly guided horse – a way of going achieved only by patience and the wonderful philosophy of “making the right things easy and the wrong things difficult.”

To be suitable for western riding a horse must have a quiet reliable temperament. It must be able to react immediately and responsively to its riders instructions. Any horse possessing these qualities will respond positively to western riding techniques.

Around the world many breeds are extensively trained and used in the western style. In Britain Arabs and Cobs are frequently used and the traditional western breeds of Paints and Appaloosas are firmly established. However, if there is one breed of horse to be classified as the most popular then it is the American Quarter Horse.

The original horses taken to America by the Spanish were predominately Barbs, hot bloodied and powerful. Over time many of these horses were sold stolen or lost. It was not long before many found their way into Indian hands. Through indiscriminate breeding these horses diminished in size but became tougher and better able to fend for themselves in a harsh environment. It was with these ponies that the later English settlers crossed their own horses brought from England and Ireland. This cross breeding provided the origins of the Quarter Horse. It was still to go through much refinement but the key qualities of the breed were laid down in these foundations.

In the early seventeenth century these horses were, to a great extent, bred selectively for the increasingly popular pursuit of quarter mile racing. Further introductions of Thoroughbred blood enhanced the breeds natural speed and soon these new “Quarter mile running horses” were the fastest sprinters in the American horse world. Then, gradually, the developing Eastern seaboard society began to establish longer race tracks and the pre-eminence of the Quarter Horse began to fade in favour of the longer speed endurance of the Thoroughbred. At the same time however this fast agile horse with its quiet disposition and ability to withstand the harshest conditions began to prove itself as a hard working pioneer and ranch horse. Despite often standing barely 15hh, this muscular horse proved itself easily capable of carrying a man all day and still turning on a burst of speed to run down an errant steer. Breeding objectives quickly switched to developing “cow sense” and before long the Quarter Horse was firmly established in a role that would make it forever famous as a part of American history.

The horse’s top outline should be as level as the conformation of that particular breed allows. The head is held with the nose on, or slightly beyond the vertical. The horse should be driving from behind and the hindquarters are engaged at all times. There is never a lack of impulsion. Walk: a four beat gait which is purposeful yet relaxed Jog: a two beat diagonal gait equivalent to a slow English sitting trot Lope: a three beat gait equivalent to a slow English canter Back-up: a two beat backwards movement

Horses are trained to respond willingly to the lightest of aids. The main aids being leg pressure and weight. To achieve this horses must be supple and willing. Therefore the philosophy behind training a Western horse is based on placing the horse in the correct position and allowing him to work it out himself. Soon he will learn that he only meets resistance when he does something wrong - and the resistance stops when he carries out the manoeuvre correctly.

A young horse is always started in a snaffle type bit or a bosal and ridden with two hands on the reins and is taught to accept a light contact. As the horse progresses in its training the rein contact is lessened with most of the control coming from the leg/weight aids. At this stage and not before, the curb bit can be introduced. When a curb is in use the reins are held in one hand and the contact is purely through the weight of the reins. This is where a common misconception creeps in: neck reining - a lot of people assume that the horse is turned by pulling its head round with the reins. This is not correct. It is the weight of the reins against the horses neck combined with leg pressure and weight transference that turns the horse.

Showmanship -- In this class it is the handler that is being judged. Conformation of the horse is not taken into account although grooming and trim is. The majority of the points are gained from leading the horse, posing the horse for inspection, and the general manner in which the competitor presents their charge for inspection.

Horsemanship -- Riders initially ride a pattern set for the class and are judged on seat, hands and ability to control and show the horse. After this individual exercise all competitors show their horses in various gaits and are judged on their presence and the way they give directions to the horse. Throughout the class the methods used by the rider are more important than the resulting performance of the horse.

Pleasure -- In this class horses are shown at all the various gaits on both reins. They should be shown on a reasonably loose rein, but still have light contact and control. A good pleasure horse has a flowing stride of a reasonable length in keeping with his conformation and should cover a reasonable amount of ground with little effort. He should be responsive, yet smooth, in transitions when called for. Maximum credit is given to the flowing, balanced and willing horse, which gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride

Western Riding -- Competitors are required to ride a set pattern designed to show the calm, easy paces of the horse and its ability to change leads and be correctly balanced at all times. The horse is judged on quality of gaits, changes of leads, response to the rider, manners, disposition, and intelligence.

Trail -- This class requires horse and rider to negotiate a series of obstacles. The horse is marked on his attitude on approaching and dealing with each element of the course. Obstacles include gates, walking over poles and reversing in a confined area.

Western Riding to a far greater extent than other equitation styles has given rise to a booming fashion industry offering everything from hats to boots. Outside the show ring there are no dress rules. However if competing an exhibitor is expected to conform to required dress codes. Clothes should always look clean and tidy and the colour chosen should look good on the rider and with the horse. For most disciplines men wear much the same outfit. Women bring more variety. In Halter classes men wear a jacket and tie and ladies wear chic jackets and smart slacks.

Hats -- Should be of good quality made of Durofelt or beaver fur. A cheap hat is a major let down. A good quality hat can be steamed into shape so that there is a slight dip to the front and rear of the hat. A hat should be regularly dusted off with a dry sponge and never left to rest on its brim

Shirts and blouses -- Should be smart, well fitted, long sleeved, fastened at the neck and finished off with a neat small scarf tie. Overly flowery “rhinestone cowboy” styles should be avoided.

Trousers -- Men simply a smart pair of jeans or similar trousers. Ladies usually wear smart outfits of trousers with matching body stockings, waistcoats or jackets.

Chaps -- Ideally should colour match the rest of the outfit and complement the colour of your horse. They should overhang the bottom of your leg when you try them on. That way they will just come over the bottom of your boot when you are in the saddle with your knees bent. They are best made of suede and the most acceptable enclose the legs and have zip up the side covered by fringes. Although decorative these fringes were originally designed to disperse water when riding in the rain.

Boots -- Should be of good quality working style and not overly fancy. They should be comfortable enough to be worn as everyday footwear. The height of the boot should be such that its top does not snag on the saddle fender.

Belts and Buckles -- Both men and women generally wear a belt with a large silver buckle. Competition Trophies often take the form of inscribed buckles.

Bridles -- There are two basic types. A one ear or split eared bridle is convenient and easy to use and shows off a good horse that is willing and responsive. Young or less predictable horses are better off in conventional brow band bridle.

Bits – Snaffle bits have no leverage and only allow the rider to exert a direct pull on the corners of the mouth. Curb bits provide additional leverage and come in a variety of designs from the jointed shank snaffle through to high port bits. The height and width of the port and lengths of shank directly affect the amount of pressure that can be applied and these bits must be carefully chosen and matched to the horse.

Reins – There are basic types with the most common being split reins known as Texas reins. These are carried with the reins entering the top of the reining hand between thumb and second finger with forefinger placed between them. The remainder of the reins should come out of the bottom of the hand and be allowed to hang down on same side as the reining hand. Closed Reins are known as California or Romal reins. They are similar to English reins but at the centre a further length of leather called a romal or quirt is attached for use as a whip but must not be used as such in the show ring.

Bosal -- Based on the original Spanish hackamore, this is a braided rawhide noseband which tapers to a large heel knot and which is attached to a conventional headstall. Plaited horsehair reins are attached around the knot.

Saddle -- The rigging and terminology of western saddles is very different from English saddles. They should, however, like English saddles still be chosen to fit both horse and rider although there is a much smaller range of sizes and the design or type of saddle is more the governing feature. The design of the saddle distributes the weight of the rider evenly over the horses back and is comfortable for many hours in the saddle. They are always worn with a rectangular saddle blanket or pad. Basic saddle designs vary for specific uses and styles vary from plain working to ornate show saddles decorated with leather tooling and silver.