July 2000

In support of our mission statement for educational development, here is the Fifth edition of Info Gaits.

Your First Year of Showing TWHs?
Here are some Tips to Settle your Nerves

Nerves-We all have them whether they're made of steel or butterfly wings, we all fight with the first time of anything! How do you get past the first time in the show ring? I found that WWHA is a great placed to start your show career. Everyone is friendly and willing to answer questions, quell your fears and congratulate you on doing a good job! Even with all the help available, the in's and out's can be confusing.

How do you prepare to show a horse that you have limited knowledge about? Although help is abundant, getting started is intimidating. First off, what do you need? A registered Tennessee Walking Horse is a good start! A current year Coggings test and a WHOA amateur card (available from WHOA at (615) 890-9120) and your ready! OK, not quite, but you have the essentials! Whether you show English or western, or both is entirely up to you.

Showing English

To show English, an English bridle with a plain nose cavason and single rein is required. Traditionally a colored brow band (without rhinestones) is used. Also, braids in the foremane and mane are traditionally used. There are limits and restrictions on the type of bit that can be used. No gag without shanks, no longer than 9 ½", snaffles on 4 and under only, severe bits are discouraged, but most standard bits that your horse works well in are fine. An English type saddle with a 4" cut back or a flat saddle are used, A small inconspicuous saddle pad may be used. To show a Tennessee Walking Horse NO special shoes are required they are commonly used to enhance gaits but a keg shoe or bare foot is completely acceptable.

To get your self dressed a saddle suit or day coat and jodhpurs are required. A button down shirt and tie complete the look. Your pants must have an underpass and riding boots are also required. Gentlemen must wear a hat or helmet; it is optional for ladies. Wearing a helmet will not count against the judging of your horse. Optional are gloves, a vest, English spurs, and a riding whip.

Showing Western

To prepare for Western classes a clean useable Western saddle is required. Silver looks nice but doesn't get you any extra points in this show ring! Australian stock saddles are not considered English or Western. A Western type bridle without a cavason is needed. The same rules for the bits apply to Western also.

To get yourself ready, a long sleeve Western type shirt with a tie or pin, pants, boots, and hat, all Western of course, are required. Chaps vest, gloves, spurs are all optional.

Show Classes

So your horse is ready, you're dressed, and you look at to show list, "Where do you begin?" Wisconsin Walking Horse Shows are divided into 3 divisions; trail pleasure, lite shod, and plantation.

Trail pleasure class is designed for the horse that shows the true 4 beat walking horse gait, and is judged on the suitability of the horse for the trails. If you enter these classes you are limited to the trail pleasure classes and versatility classes. No trainers are allowed in these classes. Your horse may have lite shod shoes on. This means that the measurement of the shoes can be no larger than 3/8" thick by ¾" wide. There are other restrictions that may be found in the NHSC rulebook (One can be gotten from (931) 684-9506.)

The next division is lite shod, horses entered in these classes may also enter plantation classes. The lite shod horse must exhibit a true walking gait with more speed and animation then the trail pleasure horse. Speed however should not over shadow form.

The plantation division is for horses that carry a heavier shoe (or lite shod horses). The plantation shoe may be up to ½" thick by 1 ½" wide. This horse should have a very animated way of going, with show brilliance. Again the 4 beat walking gait is paramount. Horses with these shoes can not enter lite shod classes.

Reading the Show Bill

So, what are the rest of the abbreviations on the show bill?

• A specialty class is one where only a flat walk and a running walk are asked for.
• O/T stands for optional tack; these classes will have horses in both English and western tack, but not a combination of both.
• Pleasure classes are 3 gait classes, a flat walk, running walk, and a canter will be called for. -
• Youth classes are for those who are under 18 as of January 1st of the current year.

This is a very simplified version of what is required, but it is enough to get you to your first show and past those nerves!

Contributor: Kricket Jewett

Kricket has put together a booklet with more information on tack, attire, class division and award programs, and contact people. If you would like a copy please contact her by phone at (608) 868-2609 or