Ranch Horse Challenge

Come join us at the first ever Ranch Horse Challenge at the beautiful Valley Center Vaqueros arena. We have gorgeous handmade bronc halters ( made by Moore Custom Creations) and buckles (by TBA) that will go to the series highpoint winners in each division. Day highpoint winners will be awarded at each show in each division. We are looking for the best Ranch Horse and even Mule around. I know some are new and looking for new things to show in and ranch horse shows might be perfect for you. Enjoy friendly competition, in a relaxed show environment. Ranch horse is for horses that enjoy working, have a great handle. Don’t be intimidated we are not looking for perfect reining or cow horse maneuvers, we are looking for horses/mules you would enjoy riding across desert (or wherever ) to go gather cattle, brand off of or fix fences. Ranch Trail – Obstacles found in a ranch trail pattern are approximate to those found during the course of everyday work. Judges are looking for a well-trained, responsive and well-mannered horse that can correctly navigate and negotiate the course, and to do so in a correct and efficient manner. Ranch Riding – Ranch riding measures the ability of the stock horse to perform basic handling maneuvers. This class can be held with or separate from the ranch cow work class; if the two are held together, they are still scored and placed as individual classes. This what the judges are looking for in ranch riding: “To rein a horse is not only to guide him but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely.” Ranch Rail – For ranch riding classes, horses show individually, and the class can be conducted inside or outside an arena. In this class, judges are looking for relaxed, responsive horses with soft and cadenced gaits. The horse should make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner, plus the horse should be soft in the bridle and yield to contact. Reflects the versatility, attitude and movement of a working horse.The horse’s performance should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse. This class should show the horse’s ability to work at a forward speed while under the rider’s control.