Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine February 2018 Vol 3 Issue 1

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

for the exhibitor. Maneuver scores give the rider a truer benchmark for their skill sets. And the most exciting news is that there is only three ways to receive a zero score for a class: lameness, illegal equipment and disrespectful and/or abusive behavior. Please note that riding two hands on a curb bit is not a zero score, but a two point deduction per occurrence. If the horse and rider make an attempt at a maneuver, they will get a score. If they forget, add in or bypass a maneuver then they will receive a zero score for that particular maneuver only. For example, if the rider completes five spins in a reining class when the pattern calls for four spins, a two point

pattern. Exhibitors that have competed in the full cow horse class may have a new horse or reach an age that they are unable to compete in the full cow horse pattern. This class gives them a place to step back and build confidence with their horse. Open and Non-Pro Working Cow Horse Class is the full pattern where the horse boxes the cow, completes fence turns in each direction, and then the rider makes the decision whether they want to circle the cow each way once or rope and stop the cow. During this class the rider has three minutes ASHA Judging is very unique to the horse industry. Scoring is based on a positive scale, with a score of 1-10 given for each maneuver. A maneuver score of 6-7 is considered correct, and the scores will go up and down from there. Credits and deductions are used to adjust the score, based on the content and quality of the maneuver. ASHA maintains a comment box instead of a penalty box, including a translation key on the scorecard that communicates to the exhibitor deductions and also credits. This helps the participant decipher their scores for each maneuver. Scoring is positive and straight forward, which will encourage growth and improvement while enhancing the experience to complete the required maneuvers, but it may be completed in less time.

deduction will be assessed for that maneuver. The exhibitor will still receive a score and is eligible to place. ASHA’s objective is to give you credit for what you can do and not penalize you for what you can not do. Class score sheets are posted at the show for the exhibitor to look at and track their improvement. The score sheets are a huge part of how ASHA facilitates their mission to help their members recognize their strengths and weaknesses, to experience growth and improvement and track their performance. Judges Seminars and Certification is something that

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