SHW610. PLEASURE DRIVING. The purpose of the class is to evaluate the horse's ability and pleasurable attitude while pulling a cart. The horse should have an engaged trot with more impulsion and a long ground covering stride. Style, conformation and safety are paramount in this class. A pleasure driving horse should carry himself in a natural balanced position with a relaxed head and neck. His poll should be level with, or slightly above the level of the withers.
SHW610.1 Horses shall enter the ring in the same direction. Each horse shall then be exhibited at the walk, park gait and road gait in both directions of the show ring. At the direction of the ring steward, such change of direction shall be accomplished by the horses crossing the show ring on the diagonal while walking only. The recommended class procedure is walk, park gait, road gait, park gait and walk.
SHW610.2 Each horse shall also be required to back easily and straight and stand quietly.
SHOW610.3 Horses must be shown with natural American Quarter Horse hoofs and standard shoes. No extended hoofs, heavy shoes or toe weights allowed.
SHW610.4 No exhibitor shall drive a horse while standing, kneeling or using a seat extension in the cart at any time. An exhibitor may momentarily rise if circumstances warrant. No horse shall be unbridled or unattended while hooked to a cart. Excessive noise making by exhibitors shall be penalized according to severity.
SHW610.5 This class will be judged 80 percent on the horse's performance and suitability for assuring a pleasurable drive, with a maximum of 20 percent on condition and conformation.
SHW610.6 Maximum credit should be given to a horse that moves straight, with free movement, manners and a bright expression.
SHW610.7 The horse shall be severely penalized if he carries his head behind the vertical, is over flexed, excessively nosed out, the poll is below the withers or exhibits lack of control by exhibitor.
SHW610.8 Consistently showing too far off the rail shall be penalized according to severity.