Sun Circuit Offers New Western Versatility Class on the 2026 Schedule

Sun Circuit Offers New Western Versatility Class on the 2026 Schedule

For Horses 5 & under (Ranch Horses are not eligible to compete)

$1,000 NOW ADDED!!

Friday March 6

Check out the new pattern class designed to showcase the versatility of western performance horses who do not show in Ranch classes.  judges will be looking for softness, willingness and responsiveness, with extended gaits and loose rein.

Sun Circuit Guidelines for  OPEN Western Versatility:

Horses 5 years old and under. 

Horses will not be allowed to cross enter in Ranch Riding, Working Western Rail, and Ranch Trail. Ranch Horses are not eligible to compete.

Cross-entry into all other divisions will be allowed.

Horses may be shown in any AQHA approved bridle for Jr Horses 

The purpose of this class is to demonstrate the versatility of the western performance horse. The horse should reflect the versatility, attitude, and movement of an all-around performance horse. The horse should be well-trained, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The ideal Western Versatility Pattern horse will travel with forward movement and demonstrate an obvious lengthening of stride at extended gaits. The horse will be ridden on a loose rein without requiring undue restraint. The overall manners and responsiveness of the Western Versatility Pattern horse to make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner, as well as the quality of the movement and maneuvers are of primary considerations. Movement, expression, and attitude are of utmost importance.

A Western Versatility Pattern horse should be a willing and natural horse. Emphasis shall be placed on quality movement, manners, and attitude as reflected in the horse’s ears, mouth, tail and way of going.

Credit must be given to the horse that under light control and without intimidation goes forward with comfort, self-carriage, confidence, willingness and a balanced fluid stride. Head carriage should be quiet, consistent, and comfortable with no appearance of intimidation.

            Head Set: The head should be carried at an angle that is natural and suitable to the horse’s

conformation at all gaits. Ideally, a horse should carry its head no lower than level and its nose should be in front of vertical.

Pole Distances:

Walk overs: 20”-24″

Trot Overs: 3′-3’3″

Lope overs: 6′-6½’

I. SCORING: Scores will be between 0-100 points and automatically begins the run with a score of 70 points. The horse/rider team is score on the quality of each maneuver (e.g. -1 ½ extremely poor, -1 very poor, -+1/2 poor, 0 correct, +1/2 good, +1 very good, +1 ½ excellent). Maneuver evaluations and penalty applications are to be determined independently. The following penalties will be applied to each occurrence and to deducted from the final score:

1. One-half point

a. Each tick of log, pole, cone, plant or obstacle

2. One-point penalties

a. Over-bridled (per maneuver)

b. Out of frame (per maneuver)

c. Break of gait at walk or jog for 2 strides or less

d. Each hit, bite or stepping on a log, pole, cone, plant or any component of the obstacle.

e. Both front or hind feet in a single-strided slot or space at a walk or jog,

f. Skipping over or failing to step into required space

g. Split pole in lope-over

i. Failure to meet the correct strides on jog over and lope over log obstacles

3. Three-point penalties

a. Break of gait at walk or jog for more than two strides

b. Break of gait at lope, except when correcting an incorrect lead

c. Knocking down a cone, barrel, plant, obstacle or severely disturbing an

obstacle

d. Out of lead or cross-cantering more than two strides when changing leads, jogging more than three strides when making a simple lead change,

e. Jogging three or more strides in a lope departure from a stop or walk.

f. Stepping outside the confines of, falling or jumping off of an obstacle with designated

boundaries with one foot once the foot has entered obstacle, including missing one element of an obstacle on a line of travel with one foot.

4. Five-point penalties

a. Blatant disobedience (kick, bite, buck, rear, etc)

b. Each refusal of a maneuver or obstacle.

c. Use of either hand to instill  fear or praise

d. Holding the saddle horn

e. Spurring in front of the cinch

f. Stepping outside the confines of, falling or jumping off or out of an obstacle with designated boundaries with more than one foot once the foot has entered obstacle, including missing one element of an obstacle on a line of travel with more than one foot.

5. DISQUALIFICATIONS

a. Eliminate or adding maneuver

b. Incomplete maneuver

c. Off pattern

d. Repeated blatant disobedience

e. Third cumulative refusal, balk, or evading an obstacle by shying or backing over entire

course

f. Failure to ever demonstrate correct lead and/or gait as designated

g. Failure to complete obstacle

h. Fall of horse or exhibitor

i. Excessive schooling, pulling, turning, or backing anywhere on course

j. Use of two hands except with snaffle or hackamore, more than one finger between reins or any fingers between romal reins.

k. Use of romal other than outlined in AQHA rule book 

l. No attempt to perform an obstacle

m. Equipment failure that delays completion of pattern

n. Excessively or repeated touching the horse on the neck to lower the head