On the Brink of Transforming the Industry – The Western Versatility

By Delores Kuhlwein

When was the last time we introduced a new class for the western all around horse? What if – picture this – a new event for the western all around horse came along rewarding a level topline, a relaxed poll, and a forward gait to accentuate and highlight free-flowing movement?

As the sophistication of the English Versatility movement has continued its upward trajectory in 2025 (okay, let’s be clear – the interest in the class is off the charts), APHA is also offering its elegant western counterpart:  the Western Versatility.

The reason the Western Versatility generates such enthusiasm as a prospective turning point for the industry is because the class addresses what exhibitors, breeders, and fans have been asking for over a long period of time – more emphasis on movement, more opportunities, and an avenue for today’s breeders and buyers.

Excitement has begun to build as news spreads of the Western and the English Versatility as sweepstakes classes at the 2025 APHA World Championship Show, which takes place in Fort Worth June 20-July 6, 2025, in addition to their inclusion as APHA-pointed classes in 2026.

“Not only are we going to hold the English and Western Versatility classes with added money at the World Show,” says APHA Chief Executive Officer Dave Dellin, “but we’re also offering them at the Eastern and Western National Championship Shows, and the European Paint Horse Championships.”

Even more enticing: the versatilities include an open, an amateur, and a youth component.  The slate of APHA World Show offerings is below:

• Western Versatility Pattern Sweepstakes – $1,000 added
• Amateur Western Versatility Pattern Sweepstakes – $1,000 added
• Youth Western Versatility Pattern Sweepstakes – $1,000 added
• English Versatility Pattern Sweepstakes – $1,000 added
• Amateur English Versatility Pattern Sweepstakes – $1,000 added
• Youth English Versatility Pattern Sweepstakes – $1,000 added

Addressing concerns and creating a solution for declining numbers both in the arena and in breeders’ barns became the quest over the last 3-4 years of both Dellin and APHA Judges and Professional Horsemen Sr. Director Sandy Jirkovsky, who examined many possibilities. But one vision stood above all the rest.

“Many years ago, (AQHA and NSBA Judge, trainer, and coach) Patty Campbell had created a green pattern class for all divisions to evaluate the horses’ movement, and how well they handle and guide,” Dellin explains.  This building block inspired the ultimate result of the Versatility classes, and if the English Versatility pilot program at AQHA events now driven by Lainie DeBoer, Gene Spagnola, Katie Van Slyke and Perfect Products is any indication, the experience and know-how of an incredible group of horsemen is set to change the course of the industry.

See information and a sample video on the English Versatility pilot program here: Perfect Products Sponsors All Entries in Non Pro English Versatility at Sun Circuit | Equine Chronicle

Scoring and Evaluation of Movement

What else is on the brink of changing the industry as the vision of Dellin and Jirkovsky is the Western Versatility counterpart.

As the name indicates, the class’s purpose is to demonstrate the versatility of the western performance horse in a pattern of 10-15 individual maneuvers, in what Jirkovsky explains is “a different look all together.”

Required maneuvers will include the walk, jog, and lope in both directions; extended jog, stop, back, turns up to a 360 in either direction, change of lead (simple or flying) either direction, and walk, jog or lope over a set of no more than (4) poles with no elevation.

But unlike other pattern work such as horsemanship, Versatility judging is focused on the horse, says Jirkovsky.  “How well you ride is important, but that’s not what we’re evaluating. If you have a good moving horse that’s handy, and you can extend it, bring it back, and change gaits, this is definitely the class for you.”

Riders will also be able to ride their horses of any age in a snaffle or hackamore, and perhaps the biggest plus will be scored evaluation of movement by the judges, explains Jirkovsky. “They’ll be able to see the individual score for that lope.”

In addition, she says, it provides a place for amateurs to go show who aren’t great horsemanship riders, or who simply wish to showcase their horses.

Opening Up Opportunities for Exhibitors and Breeders

Those opportunities abound in a class that’s approachable to a wide range of non pros, whether that amateur or youth has a trainer or is a DIY exhibitor.

The creation of the class additionally unlocks doors for opportunities for trainers and open riders, says Dellin.  “As an open rider, they really have two classes they can show in – western riding and trail. Outside that, they give lessons and ride horses, but this gives another instrument for the western horse that doesn’t fit the rail and provides another class for the all around western trainer to showcase the horse.”

Much like the AQHA Pleasure Versatility Class, often the biggest draw of audience members in person and online at the AQHA World Show each year, it can serve as a precursor to other classes, but it doesn’t have to be, says Dellin. “Western Versatility could be a precursor for a foundation for an amateur for trail and western riding, but both are standalone classes as well.”

The World Show Versatility class has become well known in the AQHA industry as a foundational platform for prospects for buyers, and a way for breeders to demonstrate their offspring, and the new Western Versatility promises the same. Dellin says, “This offers the breeders a new and exciting format to showcase the versatility and ability of their horses and get feedback for their programs.”

Not Just Another Class

Don’t worry, though.  Adding another class to the show schedule hasn’t been cumbersome or time consuming, explains Dellin.  “The riders I’ve interviewed that have done this class say it’s fun, different, and it’s not time consuming. This offers the excitement of something different for horses and riders who don’t necessarily want to go to the rail.”

Besides, as show managers, he says it’s a responsibility to see the big picture and determine how to further the industry. “If we hadn’t made time for ranch, where would we be?”

Where to Go From Here

Exhibitors can find downloadable penalty reference sheets for both English and Western Versatility below, and video will be coming soon on horseIQ, the interactive equine learning platform.

 

Learn more about horseIQ: horseIQ

 

Get entered for the APHA World Championship Show (pre-entry deadline is May 15th):

Get Ready for the World Championship Show in Fort Worth

 

Penalty Reference Sheets for both disciplines can be viewed and downloaded here:

 

Western Versatility Pattern Penalty Reference Sheet

 

English Versatility Pattern Penalty Reference Sheet