Rio Rondo - Horse Show Tack Requirements

Tack Requirements in Performance Classes

Courtesy of the 1996 APHA Rulebook, this list of required, optional, and prohibited horse tack and rider attire should help you to get a "handle" on what you need in various performance classes.

Required Items - these items are required. Lack of these items in a performance entry is usually cause for disqualification
Optional Items - the rider may outfit himself or the horse with these items at his/her discretion. Use of such items OR lack thereof are NOT part of the basis on judging. That is to say, they make a nice touch, but entries using optional items should not be penalized, and entries not using optional items should not be penalized.
Prohibited Items - these items are not allowed on the rider or the horse when performing in the class, and use of prohibited items on an entry is cause for disqualification.

**ENGLISH ATTIRE & TACK**
For the classes of:
Hunter Under Saddle (Huntseat Pleasure), Hunter Hack, Working Hunter and Jumping
REQUIRED RIDER ATTIRE	Optional Attire	Prohibited Items
English Coat-Tweed or Melton Conservative Wash Jackets-(in season) Breeches or Hunt Jodhpurs-Buff,Grey, Rust or Canary Hunting Cap-Dark Blue, Black or Brown Hunt Derby-Black or Brown Stock Tie or Choker	Safety Helmet Spurs-unrowelled Crop or Bat	Rowelled Spurs
REQUIRED TACK	Optional Tack	Prohibited Tack
Saddle-Hunt Seat or Forward Seat Bridle-regulation Hunt bridle with Cavesson Noseband Reins-regulation Hunt Rein or Double Reins with Double Bits	Hunting Breastplate Artificial Tail Braid	Martingales or Tiedowns Dropped Nosebands Draw Reins Curb Chain narrower than 1/2 inch Leg Wraps or Boots-(wraps/boots are allowed for jumping)
REQUIRED BITS	Exceptions	Prohibited Bits
English Snaffle-no shanks Double Bridle Bits-curb or weymouth & snaffle or bradoon	Working Hunter-martingale permitted Jumping-martingales, let wraps or boots permitted Bits-corkscrew, double-twisted, dull edge mouthpiece	3-Piece Mouthpiece-not allowed on 2-y-old hunter under saddle Cathedral, Fishback or Donut Mouthpiece Rough, Sharp Material or Mechanically altered bits

**WESTERN TACK & RIDER ATTIRE**
For show ring events including:
Western Pleasure, Trail, Western Riding, Reining, Working Cow Horse, Cow Pony Race
REQUIRED RIDER ATTIRE	Optional Attire
Long-Sleeved Shirt Western Hat Western Boots	Spurs Chaps or Chinks Safety Helmet
REQUIRED TACK	Optional Tack	Prohibited Tack
Stock (Western) Saddle Bridle-standard plain or silver headstall with browband or shaped or split ear Reins-split or romal	Rope or Reata Mecate-only with Bosal	Martingale or Tiedown Noseband Chinstrap narrower than 1/2 inch Mechanical Hackamore
REQUIRED BITS	Optional Bits/Equipment	Prohibited Tack
Curb Bit-a bit with a solid or broken mouthpiece with shanks and acts with leverage	Bosal-for horses four years old and younger only Snaffle Bit-ring style-for horses four years old and younger only	Slip, Gag or Donut Bits 3-Piece Mouthpieces-not allowed in 2-y-old Western Pleasure Flat Polo Mouthpiece
EXCEPTIONS TO TACK & EQUIPMENT
TRAIL-hobbles optional for Ground Tie obstacle WESTERN RIDING, REINING, WORKING COW HORSE-leg wraps and/or boots allowed in these classes COW PONY RACE-only 2 reins allowed, no racing plates (shoes). Shanked bit with curb required.

**WESTERN TACK & ATTIRE**
For the classes of:
Roping, Speed Events (games), and Team Penning
REQUIRED RIDER ATTIRE	Optional Attire
Long Sleeved Shirts Western Hat Western Boots	Spurs Chaps or Chinks
REQUIRED TACK	Optional Tack	Prohibited Tack
Stock (Western) Saddle Bridle-standard plain or silver headstall with browband or shaped ear or one ear Reins-split or closed (roping or romal)	Hackamore-including mechanical, with covered nosepiece Other Bridles/Bits-providing they are not considered unnecessarily severe or unsafe Tiedowns-made of leather, nylon or rope Running Martingales Leg Wraps and/or Boots Rope or Reata	Jerklines (roping) Tack Collars (roping) Bicycle Chains & Mule Bits Tiedowns with bare metal in contact with horse's head
BIT REGULATIONS	EQUIPMENT EXCEPTIONS
Curb or Snaffle Bit - most any type of bit allowed that is not considered unnecessarily severe	CALF ROPING-neck rope required, "keeper" optional; second rope required in order to throw two loops TEAM ROPING/STEER STOPPING -Rope is required BARRELS, POLES, OTHER GAMES -safety helmet optional

**PLEASURE & UTILITY DRIVING**
REQUIRED RIDER ATTIRE	Optional Attire
Long Sleeves Coat & Tie - of choice Hat - of choice Lap Robe - required with Ladies' Short Dresses	Rainwear or inclement weather apparel
REQUIRED CART	Optional Accessories	Prohibited Carts
Pleasure Type - two-wheeled single-horse. Seat for one or two. Basket type equipped.	Dash and/or Basket Cover	Stirrup Type Sulky
REQUIRED TACK	Optional Tack	Prohibited Tack
Collar or Breastcollar Harness Breeching or Thimbles Two Reins Cavesson Noseband Browband Bridle with Double Bits	Check Reins Blinders/Blinkers Martingale	No Bit Convertors - with double bits/two reins
REQUIRED BITS		Boots & Shoes
English Snaffle - (no shanks) Double Bridle Bits - curb or weymouth & snaffle or bradoon Half Cheek Snaffle, Liverpool or Elbow with Bradoon overcheck		Natural Hooves -no buildups, etc. Standard Shoes

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