Flores Ranch LLC
Ranch Horse Riding Club
Rulebook

General Rules

1.         All California Equine Drug Laws apply.

2.         All exhibitors and/or persons handling horses and on showgrounds must sign our Liability Waiver. This included spectators, audience members, volunteers, and haulers.

3.         All exhibitors and/or persons handling horses (This included spectators, audience members, volunteers, and haulers) must become members of our riding club in order to participate in shows, clinics, lessons, and events. This is done by signing our annual Riding Club Agreement.

4.         Whether or not the horse is showing, a grounds fee must be paid per horse and a liability waiver must be signed. 

5.         Proper Ranch Rider Attire is required to show. This means a long sleeve shirt with collar, jeans/pants, belt, boots, western cowboy hat or ASTM/SEI approved helmet. Chaps or Chinks are optional. Vests and Wild rags are optional. No bling on clothing.

6.         No Refunds will be issued unless a veterinary note is provided or the class is canceled. No refunds for memberships or sponsorship fees.

7.         Switching classes during the show is not allowed at this time.

8.         All entries are transferable and must be submitted prior to the day of the show and by the stated deadline.

9.         This is an All Breed club.

10.       You may ride a horse you do not own but must have the owner contact information and authorization provided.  You must not be receiving remuneration in order to show in Amateur classes.

11.       Riders who train horses for money, donations, trade, or other forms of remuneration are considered industry professionals. Riders who coach and give lessons to people on horses (either owned by trainer or student) are considered industry professionals, except in the case of legal guardians and/or family. Assistant trainers, apprentices, and interns of trainers are considered industry professionals. None of these may enter any nonprofessional division.

12.       Stallions must be handled and shown by adults only.

13.       All entries must be paid prior to the day of the show by the stated deadline. No new entries will be accepted on the day of the show.

14.       All fees must be paid via cash, check, venmo, or zelle. If payment is done by check, it must be delivered by the stated deadline. Failure to plan accordingly and mail the check with ample time will result in forfeiture. We are not responsible for any lost mail. It is the rider’s responsibility to track it and confirm receipt.

15.       There is a $50 fee for any returned check.

16.       Classes may be combined when there are low entries.

17.       Order of Go is determined at random. Exhibitors must notify the show management at the time of registration if a tack or horse change is necessary.

18.       Once the rail class is called, you have 1 minute to enter the arena or forfeit your participation for that class and no refunds will be made. We will not hold up the class.

19.       You may be asked to leave the arena for any reason, such as unsafe or abusive behavior, unsportsmanlike conduct, or lameness.  Failure to comply disqualifies that horse from the rest of the show and all fees are forfeited.

20.       Please refer all questions to the judge through the office at the end of the day.

21.       Scoresheets are final and cannot be “corrected” once the judge signs them.

22.       Tie breakers are noted prior to the start of every class on the scoresheet.

23.       Do not empty or clean out your trailer on the show premises. A $50 fee may be charged.

24.        Do not share water buckets with other horses and keep a safe distance.

25.       Current vaccinations on all your horses are strongly encouraged.

26.       Only tie your horse to your trailer. Do not tie to any structure, arena, tree, or otherwise. 

27.       Keep all dogs on a leash at all times. 

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Equipment & Tack

1.         Any horse of any age may be shown in a snaffle or traditional hackamore (A bosal made of out of rawhide or leather). The rider may use two hands when riding in a snaffle or bosal.

2.         The rider must use one hand when riding in a shanked bit. Use of two hands are not allowed (except horses shown in a snaffle bit/hackamore), more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins (except in the two rein) 

3.         Western saddle with saddle horn, minimal to no bling.

4.         Prohibited equipment and/or tack: lip chains, a curb bit without a curb strap, wire, curb strap with tacks/rivets or solid metal curb straps no matter how padded, cavessons, tie-downs, bumper bits, metal bosals no matter how padded, metal lounging hackamore, headstalls made of metal (even if encased in a protective material),gag bits, martingales of any kind, side reins (direct rein from bit to cinch or surcingle), draw reins attached between or around the front legs.

5.         [Take from the AQHA Rulebook] SHW305. WESTERN EQUIPMENT. SHW305.1 Hackamores shall be round in shape and constructed of uniform, smooth, braided rawhide or leather and have a non-metal flexible core. There must be at least 5½ inches on the underside of the noseband before any braided buttons. A hackamore must use a complete mecate rein, which must include a tie-rein. Absolutely no rigid material will be permitted under the jaws, regardless of how padded or covered. Horse hair bosals are prohibited. This rule does not refer to a mechanical hackamore. SHW305.2 Snaffle bits in western performance classes mean the conventional O-ring, egg-butt or D-ring with a ring no larger than 4” in diameter (100 mm). The inside circumference of the ring must be free of rein, curb or headstall attachments which would provide leverage. The mouthpiece should be round, oval or egg-shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal. It may be inlaid, but smooth or latex-wrapped. The bars must be a minimum of 5/16” (8 mm) in diameter, measured one inch (25 mm) in from the cheek with a gradual decrease to center of the snaffle. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three-piece, connecting ring of 1 1/4” (32 mm) or less in diameter, or a connecting flat bar of 3/8” to 3/4”(10 mm to 20 mm) measured top to bottom, with a maximum length of 2” (50 mm), which lies flat in the horse’s mouth, is acceptable. Optional leather strap attached below the reins on a snaffle bit is acceptable. SHW305.3 Bit in western performance classes means the use of a curb bit that has a solid or broken mouthpiece, has shanks and acts with leverage. All curb bits must be free of mechanical device and should be considered a standard western bit. SHW305.4 The description of a legal, standard western bit includes: SHW305.4.1 8 1/2” (215 mm) maximum length shank. Shanks may be fixed or loose; SHW305.4.2 concerning mouthpieces, bars must be round, oval or egg shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal of 5/16” to 3/4” (8 mm to 20 mm) in diameter, measured 1” (25 mm) from the cheek. However, wire on the sway bars (above the bars and attaching to the spade) of a traditional spade bit is acceptable. They may be inlaid, but must be smooth or latex wrapped. Nothing may protrude below the mouthpiece (bar), such as extensions or prongs, including upward prongs on solid mouthpieces. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three-piece, connecting ring of 1 1/4” (32 mm) or less in diameter, or a connecting flat bar of 3/8” to 3/4” (10mm to 20 mm) measured top to bottom with a maximum length of 2” (50 mm), which lies flat in the horse’s mouth, is acceptable; SHW305.4.3 a linked mouthpiece with minimum 3/8” (10 mm) diameter that is smooth with movable links that are solidly attached to the shanks; SHW305.4.4 the port must be no higher than 3 1/2” (90 mm) maximum, with rollers and covers acceptable. Broken mouthpieces, halfbreeds and spades are standard; SHW305.4.5 donut and flat polo mouthpieces are not acceptable; 107 © 2025 AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION SHW305.4.6 a curb bit must be used with a curb strap or curb chain properly attached so as to make contact with horse’s chin.

 

Divisions

1.         Open 

A.        Open to all ‘Walk Trot Lope’ (WTL) riders regardless of their professional status (Open, Amateur, and youth)

B.        Open level riders may NOT cross enter into any other division, except Walk/Trot+ and Green Horse W/T.

 

2.         Amateur

A.        Open to all non-professionals ages 19 +.

B.        Rider may show in Open 3 gaited divisions.

C.        Rider may not show the same horse in Green Horse w/t or Green Rider w/t.

D.        Rider may show same and/or additional horse in Walk/Trot+.

 

3.         Walk/Trot PLUS

A.        Open to all riders regardless of their level of expertise (Amateur, Youth, Open, and Hotshot)

B.        Exhibitors competing in the Open W/T+ division may also ride up in the 3 gaited divisions, such as Open, Amateur, and Youth

C.        Exhibitors in the Hotshot W/T, Green Horse W/T, and Green Rider W/T classes may ride up in this division.  

 

 

4.         Green Rider Walk/Trot

A.        Open to Amateur, Hotshot, and Youth riders who are in their first or second year of showing in Ranch Horse.

B.        An exhibitor may not show in any 3 gaited divisions.

C.        A green rider may ride up into the Green Horse and W/T+ Class

D.        The purpose of this class is to help non-professional competitors enter the sport of Ranch Horse comfortably, competing only with other newcomers.

 

5.         Green Horse Walk-Trot

A.        Open to horses who are in their first or second year of showing in Ranch classes.

B.        The horse may not show in 3 gaited divisions.

C.        Riders in Open, Amateur, hotshot, and Youth may show a qualifying horse in this division.

D.        riders may ride up into W/T+ division

 

 

6.         Youth (11-18 as of January of the show year)

A.        An exhibitor may cross enter into Walk/Trot+ with the same horse

B.        An exhibitor may not cross enter into Green Horse W/T or Green Rider W/T. 

C.        The youth class is a three gait class, for youth who’re new, inexperienced, or are comfortable in walk/trot- entering the corresponding walk/trot classes would be recommended. 

 

7.         Hot Shots (Youth Walk-Trot 10 & Under):

A.        Eligibility: Open to youth under 10 years of age as of January 1st of calendar year

B.        Cross entry into W/T+ class is allowed. No cross entry into other W/T Classes is allowed.

C.        No cross-entry into three-gaited classes, except for Open and Youth Ranch conformation 

 

 

 

Memberships

·           Youth (18 & Under):Age is as January of that show year.

-   Youth Membership fee is $30 per year.

·           General (19+): An individual who is does not receive remuneration for training horses or assisting in training horse or riders.

-   General Membership Fee $ 40 per year.

 

Class Descriptions Taken from the AQHA Rulebook for Ranch Classes

SHW334 GAITS - RANCH CLASSES AND WORKING WESTERN RAIL. In all gaits, movement of the ranch horse should simulate a horse needing to cover long distances, softly and quietly, like that of a working ranch horse. The following terminology shall apply:

SHW334.1 Walk - the walk is a natural, flat footed, four-beat gait. The gait is rhythmic and ground-covering. As in all gaits, the horse should display a level, or slightly above level topline with a bright, attentive expression.

SHW334.2 Extended Walk – the extended walk is an obvious lengthening of stride that will naturally increase the pace. The horse should move in a natural manner (not a running walk) as if it were moving across an open pasture.

SHW334.3 Trot- the trot is a natural two-beat gait demonstrating more forward motion than the western jog.

SHW334.4 Extended Trot- the extended trot is an obvious lengthening of the stride with a definite increase in pace. The horse should be moving in a manner as if it were covering a large area on a ranch with an above level topline.

SHW334.5 Lope- the lope is a three-beat gait. The lope should be relaxed and smooth with a natural, forward moving stride.

 SHW334.6 Extended Lope- the extended lope is not a run or a race but should be an obvious lengthening of the stride, demonstrating a forward, working speed. The horse should display an above level topline with a bright, attentive expression.

SHW416. RANCH RIDING. The purpose of the ranch riding class is to measure the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from performing one ranch task to another. The horse should reflect the versatility, attitude and movement of a working ranch horse riding outside the confines of an arena. The horse should be well-trained, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The ideal ranch horse will travel with forward movement and demonstrate an obvious lengthening of stride at extended gaits. The horse can be ridden with light contact or on a relatively loose rein without requiring undue restraint, but not shown on a full drape of reins. The overall manners and responsiveness of the ranch riding horse to make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner, as well as the quality of the movement are of primary considerations. The ideal ranch riding horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver.

SHW421. RANCH TRAIL This class should test the horse’s ability to cope with situations encountered while being ridden through a pattern of obstacles generally found during the course of everyday ranch work. The horse/rider team is judged on the correctness, efficiency, and pattern accuracy with which the obstacles are negotiated, and the attitude and mannerisms exhibited by the horse. Judging emphasis is on identifying the well broke, responsive, and well-mannered horse which can correctly navigate and negotiate the course. The ideal ranch trail horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver.

SHW562.VRH and RHC RANCH REINING. The ranch reining class measures the ability of the ranch horse to perform basic handling maneuvers with a natural head carriage in a forward looking manner. The ideal VRH ranch reining horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver. Patterns may be chosen from any of the ranch reining patterns or approved by the show management and judge.

SHW567. VRH RANCH CONFORMATION. The purpose of ranch conformation is to preserve American Quarter Horse type selecting well-mannered individuals in the order of their resemblance to the breed ideal and that are the most positive combination of balance, structural correctness, and movement with appropriate breed and sex characteristics and adequate muscling. The ideal VRH Ranch conformation horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail.

 

SHW425. Working Western Rail. The working western rail class measures the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride and should reflect the versatility, attitude, and movement of a working horse. The horse should be well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The movement of the working western rail horse should simulate a horse needing to cover long distances, softly and quietly. The overall manners and responsiveness of the horse and the horse’s quality of movement are the primary considerations. Maximum credit should be given to the horse that has a natural flowing stride and consistent, ground covering gaits. Transitions should be performed when requested, with smoothness and responsiveness. The ideal working western rail horse should have a natural head carriage at each gait. The horse should be ridden on a relatively loose rein with light contact and without requiring undue restraint while being responsive to the rider and making timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner. The horse should be soft in the bridle, yield to contact and shall not be shown on a full drape of rein. Riders are encouraged to use adequate space given the extension of gaits required. This class should show the horse’s ability to work at a forward, working pace while under control by the rider. The horse shall be balanced and appear willing and a pleasure to ride in a group situation.