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LIBERTY

 

Horse must be 24 months of actual age or over to compete in this event.

 

 

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Liberty allows a horse to demonstrate its natural beauty, splendor and animation as the judge assesses the horses style, grace, carriage, animation, gaits, and presence as it performs to music. 

 

The emphasis is on movement, particularly the trot, as the Judge considers the overall balance and proportion of the exhibit, and length of stride.   At the Trot judges are looking for free movement with forelegs extended well forward from the shoulder, the feet lingering for a moment at full stretch before contacting the ground, exhibiting a floating action. There should be the same free forward movement of the limbs from the shoulders and the stifles, with the knees and hocks being well flexed, and hind legs brought well forward under the body.

 

Horses may display other gaits, but emphasis will be on the trot when being judged.   Suitability of horse’s movement to the chosen music will also be evaluated.

 

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  • Once the Exhibitor removes the halter the judging will commence. 

  • The Judging time for this event is two minutes, with an additional two minutes catching time. 

  • The horse will be released in an enclosed arena to perform to a selected piece of music. 

  •  The music will indicate the start of timing the horse’s workout and when the music is stopped your two minutes catch time will then commence.

  • The Exhibitor who releases the horse is the only person allowed to catch and halter the horse after the music has stopped. 

  • The exhibitor can use their hands to catch and halter the horse. 

  • A maximum of two (2) other handlers may be present in the arena at one time, however they cannot touch or catch the horse although they can assist in catching the horse.  

  • All horses must be safely haltered before leaving the arena.

  • Whips and shakers are permitted but their use is to be in moderation however no plastic bags can be tied to the whips.

 

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Judge’s decision is final.

 

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Disqualifications

 

 

  • Touching the horse with the whip or any aide being used to stir the horse into action by any of the handlers

  • More than one handler touching or catching the horse at the same time

  • Not catching the horse within the required period

  • Baiting the horse

  • Exhibitor disrespectful towards judge(s)

  • Horse showing aggression towards handlers – in the judge’s opinion

  • Horse showing fear and/or stress – in the judge’s opinion

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