IRHA Classes

IRHA offers ranch riding, ranch rail and ranch trail classes for all breeds of horses. Classes are designed to showcase a horse’s ability to perform vital skills that are valued in an all-around, working ranch horse. Divisions typically include Open (Junior/Senior), Non-Pro, Youth and a variety of futurity and maturity events.

Ranch Riding

The ranch riding class measures the horse’ ability to serve as a pleasurable partner while navigating to and performing ranch tasks. Exhibitors work individually through a pattern.

The horse should reflect the versatility, attitude and movement valued in a working ranch horse outside the confines of an arena. The horse should be well trained, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits, traveling with forward movement and demonstrating an obvious lengthening of stride when requested. Manners, responsiveness, correctness and quality of movement are primary considerations. A natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail is valued.

Judges score each maneuver on a scale of +1.5 to -1.5, with zero being average. Each exhibitor starts with a default score of 70, which is adjusted based on maneuver scores and penalties.

Ranch Rail

The Ranch Rail Pleasure class measures the horse’s ability to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from one ranch task to another. The ideal horse is well-broke, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits, always reflecting the versatility, attitude and maneuvers of a working horse. In all gaits, movement should simulate a horse needing to cover long distances, softly and quietly, while remaining under control by the rider. Primary judging consideration are the overall manners and responsiveness of the horse and its quality of movement.

All horses will be judged at the walk, extended walk, trot, extended trot, lope, extended lope and back, along with smoothness of transitions. Horses perform as a group.

Ranch Trail

The ranch trail class tests the horse’s ability to cope with situations while being ridden through a pattern of obstacles that might be encountered in everyday ranch work. The horse/rider team is judged on the correctness, efficiency and pattern accuracy along with the horse’s attitude. Credit goes to a well-broke, responsive and well-mannered horse who correctly negotiates the course.

Judges score each maneuver on a scale of +1.5 to -1.5, with zero being average. Each exhibitor starts with a default score of 70, which is adjusted based on maneuver scores and penalties.