[COWCHICK77]

I believe in ranch riding(AQHA rules) you're allowed to post or stand in your stirrups for the extended trot.

 

[kewpalace]

:iagree: @COWCHICK77 is right. Post or stand. Either is acceptable.

 

[horselovinguy]

I googled it cause I did not know and was curious...
I found...
Posting at the extended trot is acceptable; touching or holding the saddle horn is also acceptable.
https://articles.extension.org/pages/72717/judging-horse-events-ranch-riding-class
The article is from 10/31/2018.
I do not know if this article has updates nor a division "rules" book/reference..

If you are able to sit the trot and not hold on it would absolutely look nicer...
If I was scoring and someone was posting versus someone not and sitting, absorbing and not pounding the back nor holding on would certainly score higher on my cards than the posting and holding on rider.
Western classes do not normally allow posting but this is not following "norms" of western riding in all things.
If you post, make sure you're diagonal is correct as that is also for assisting the horse balancing on turns and bends..
:runninghorse2:...
jmo...

 

[farmpony84]

I would think posting the trot would look prettier wouldn't it?

 

[COWCHICK77]

Since it is supposed to be "ranch" I'd post the extended trot. I don't know anybody that sits the extended trot when working and I always post the extended trot in the ranch classes.
The standing in the stirrups and putting your hand on the top of the horn is more of a south western thing.

 

[kewpalace]

I would think posting the trot would look prettier wouldn't it?

I prefer posting. Others I show with stand. Your preference.

 

[farmpony84]

Of course we are working on forward movement so I have done very little... jog and mostly posting trot. Today I worked on jog - it's not a pleasure "jog" but it's definitely a sitting trot. I'm not sure what the ranch jog looks like, slow-slow or just sitting trot. I was trying to use my seat to force him to slow it down but if I sit to deep then he'll stop so I was trying to I don't know how to word it... slide my hips at a slower pace than the extended trot and it did seem to slow him down a bit. The sitting jog is such a short part of the pattern I think we can get away with it. It is slower than the extended trot...

 

[kewpalace]

Of course we are working on forward movement so I have done very little... jog and mostly posting trot. Today I worked on jog - it's not a pleasure "jog" but it's definitely a sitting trot. I'm not sure what the ranch jog looks like, slow-slow or just sitting trot. I was trying to use my seat to force him to slow it down but if I sit to deep then he'll stop so I was trying to I don't know how to word it... slide my hips at a slower pace than the extended trot and it did seem to slow him down a bit. The sitting jog is such a short part of the pattern I think we can get away with it. It is slower than the extended trot...

For ranch classes to still want forward at all gaits. So the jog (some judges call for a trot) still has to be a forward moving gait, not the Western Pleasure jog. All gaits should be what a good working ranch horse would have. Per the AQHA rules:

SHW334 GAITS-RANCH RIDING. In all gaits, movement of the ranch riding 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 Trot- The trot is a natural two-beat gait demonstrating more forward motion than the western jog.

SHW334.3 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.

SHW334.4 Lope- The lope is a three-beat gait. The lope should be relaxed and smooth with a natural, forward moving stride.

SHW334.5 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.

SHW334.6 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.

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.

Check whether the rules of the organization you are showing with uses the AQHA rules (many do). If not, you'll need to get their rules to see what they say.

 

[kewpalace]

Here's a Judge's video ...

 

[farmpony84]

That was very helpful! Thanks!!!!

 

[Whinnie]

Wow, the above video was nice to watch, I like it much better than the WP stuff, horse looks happy.

 

[COWCHICK77]

The video kewpalace posted was good! Here is another demonstrating the difference between the jog and the extended trot.

Horselovinguy did bring up an interesting point about diagonals. I don't think they ding you if you are posting on the incorrect diagonal?

 

[farmpony84]

I'm in love with this style of showing! I'm so excited about it!

 

[Cedar & Salty]

As others have said, ranch riding is supposed to show off a horse's ability to work. Think of how you would ride out in the open, on a ranch: ground covering gaits instead of super slow, overly collected, falsely framed gaits. Ranch riding celebrates the working partnership and ability to get places and get things done.

 

[beau159]

I would think posting the trot would look prettier wouldn't it?

I agree, personally. I don't know anyone who rides out to check cows at a trot and STANDS in the saddle the whole time. You just post. It's what is comfortable.


Granted, I know that showing and "real life" don't necessarily coincide, but since ranch riding is supposed to be more "real life", that's why I like to post.

 

[tinyliny]

I love it too!


and best of all, it looks like the horse loves it! you can't say that about every shown horse.

 

[farmpony84]

Thanks so much for the help guys! This was Clouds first horse show and my first time doing ranch classes - not to mention my first time back in the show ring in probably 6 or 7 years. Cloud ended up earning himself a reserve champion in the Ranch classes! You guys are awesome!


Oh... and I think he might have been confused at one point because I think he decided to do a commercial break for Cowboy Magic shampoo - for the Manly Mane...

 

[farmpony84]

We did some trail classes too.... I should have paid attention to his hair commercial because I lost my barrette during the class...

 

[COWCHICK77]

Look at you guys! Congrats!!!