Found the judging criteria for the performance division. : Bolded parts mine.
Sorry, but anyone see any of this going on other than the “Must be shown in pads and braced tail” part.
A. Performance Division
(1) General Description, Rules, and Judging Criteria:
A Performance Horse is a horse that has received training to accentuate the natural
gaits associated with the breed. Such horses must perform with action devices to give
an added dimension to their performance in the ring. Performance Horses must be
shown in pads as required by the shoeing rules and regulations. Performance Horses
are shown with braced tails, either Walking Horse or humane type. (Caps and Switches
are optional).
The Performance Horse should move freely in each gait and proceed in a smooth, fluid,
rhythmic manner. At all gaits the horse should be flexed at the poll with muzzle slightly
tucked Stiff front or rear leg motion, stumbling, bucking knees, lack of rhythmic timing,
pointing or favoring a particular leg, necessity for excessive pumping or bumping of the
horse, or any tendency to rack pace or other deviation from the true walk are not typical
of the breed. The preceding mannerisms are not considered good form and shall be
penalized in judging.
Presentation. All entries should be presented clean, neatly trimmed, braided, and in
good flesh presenting a healthy appearance. Each entry should be outfitted in clean and
appropriate tack. The exhibitor of each entry should be neat in appearance, attired in
properly fitted riding habits and shall conduct themselves in sportsman like manner at all
times. A horse that has not performed all required gaits shall not be placed over a horse
that has performed all gaits.
(2) Attire
(a.) English riding habit (saddle suit) underpasses on pants.
(b.) Riding boots
(c.) Spurs (Optional)
(d.) English riding hat/helmets (Optional)
(e.) Exhibitor’s hair must be neat and well groomed. Long hair styled so that the back
number can be seen easily
(f.) Whips/Crops not to exceed four (4) feet. (3) Tack
(a.) English saddle
(b.) Standard English bridle with single rein
(c.) Gag bits with no shanks prohibited
(d.) Severe bits are discouraged (Bleeding mouths should be penalized in final
judging)
(e.) Quick change bridles and reins are not permitted
(4) Conformation. In general appearance, the Tennessee Walking Horse should have
an intelligent look, neat head, well- shaped and pointed ears, clear and alert eyes, and a
tapered muzzle. The neck should be long and graceful and the shoulders muscular and
well sloping. The back should be short with good coupling at the loins. The animal
should be deep in the girth and well ribbed and the chest should be of good proportion
and width. The croup should be generally sloping and the hips well muscled.
(5) Qualifying Gaits
(a.) The Flat Walk should be a smooth four beat gait. The two factors that make
this smooth gait distinctive to our breed are the overstride of the hind legs, along
with a head shake. Overstride can be described as the hind foot sliding over the
front tracks. While overstriding, the horse should have no vertical action with its
hock, only forward motion. The head shake should be a vertical motion that is in
perfect rhythm and cadence with the horses legs. The head shake, front legs,
and rear legs should be in cadence/rhythm together. The forelegs should move
straight, breaking at the knees and reaching forward in an elevated arc. The
horse “rear end” should not be out behind, but up under itself. The horse should
not have a tendency to pace, rack or trot. If he isn’t shaking he isn’t walking.
(b.) The Running Walk is also a smooth, four beat gait. This is a faster gait where
the horse “extends” his stride and covers more ground with each step. Excessive
speed is not desirable.
(c.) The Canter is a three beat gait. While traveling counter clockwise the horse
should exhibit the left canter lead. The first beat of the left lead is the right rear
leg, followed by the left rear and the right front together, ending with the left front.
On the third beat, the horses left front and left rear legs will be 'leading" the right.
The reverse of this will be the right lead. The Tennessee Walking Horse has a
distinct “rocking” motion while cantering, which has led it to being described as
“The Rocking Chair Canter”. The canter should be smooth and straight on both
leads comfortably in hand. Exaggerated “pumping” of the horse at the canter is
not considered good form. Judges should value the innate grace and beauty of this breed instead of rewarding the
manufactured extravagant and exaggerated gaits. This will facilitate a more rapid return
to horsemanship and training devoid of intolerable abuses.
One attendant may be allowed in the ring during the lineup in Amateur and Youth
And why weren’t these “trainers” who were fined consistently not suspended for life to begin with?
B Pressure Shoeing. Shoeing a horse, or trimming a horse’s hoof in a manner that
will cause such horse to suffer, or can reasonably be expected to cause such horse to
suffer pain or distress, inflammation, or lameness when walking, trotting or otherwise
moving is punishable by a lifetime suspension.[/B]
