Plantation Walker
Open to Tennessee Walking horses, shown at a Walk, Running Walk, and Canter.

Park
A class designation used in both Arabian and Morgan competition, where horses are shown at a walk, trot, and canter, judged on their brilliant, high action.

Pleasure
A class designation used in almost every breed, designated classes where good manners and smooth performance are more important than brilliant action. Most pleasure classes require horses to show at a walk, trot and canter, often calling for extended gaits.

Paso Fino (Paso Fino Specialty) Classic Fino - Full collection, with very slow forward speed. The footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short.

Paso Corto - Forward speed is moderate, with full to moderate collection. Steps are ground-covering but unhurried, executed with medium extension and stride.

Paso Largo - The fastest speed of the gait, executed with a longer extension and stride, and moderate to minimal collection. Forward speed varies with the individual horse, since each horse should attain its top speed in harmony with its own natural stride and cadence.

3 Gaited (National Show Horse & Saddlebred Specialty)
The Three-Gaited horse performs three gaits both ways of the ring: walk, trot and canter. The horse should exhibit beauty, brilliance, elegance, refinement, expression and high action. Gaits are collected, with energy directed toward animation and precision. In contrast to the long, flowing mane and tail of the Five-Gaited horse, the mane and dock of the tail are roached (clipped) to accentuate the quality of the horse's appearance. (roaching the tail is rarely done anymore)

5 Gaited (National Show Horse & Saddlebred Specialty)
Five-Gaited classes are considered by many as the most spectacular and exciting in the show because of the speed and strength exhibited by these well-trained equine athletes. Five-Gaited horses have long, flowing manes and tails and show both ways of the ring at the walk, trot, canter, slow gait and rack. The slow gait and rack are lateral four-beat gaits inherited by Saddlebreds from ancient English ancestors and are comfortable riding gaits. Protective boots are worn on the front feet to prevent possible injury from the hind feet when the horse is traveling fast.

The trot is a square, bold, two-beat gait performed with speed, form, and natural, high action. The canter is slow, rhythmic, and must be executed on the correct lead (left forefoot leading in the counterclockwise direction; right forefoot leading in the clockwise direction). The slow gait is a high action gait, performed slowly, while the rack is fast, showing action, energy and power. The walk is springy and athletic. The best performer maintains good form and balance, even at speed.

In Five-Gaited Pleasure classes, as in all Pleasure classes, horses must perform a flat-footed walk and are quieter, yet alert and responsive at all gaits. Five-Gaited Pleasure horses wear protective boots.

Saddlebred In Hand ~ In-Hand classes offer breeders of American Saddlebreds the opportunity to showcase their young horses and compete for generous prize money in Futurity classes and Breeders Stakes.

Horses are led into the ring, one at a time, showing at the trot and are judged according to standards for the ideal American Saddlebred. Judges will consider how the youngers moves "on the line" and the natural action shown. Two people handle the horse, one leading and one in the rear, to offer the spectator an exciting sneak preview of the next generation of show horses.

Tolt (Icelandic Specialty Class) The tolt is a four beat running walk and can be ridden at any speed, from slow dancing steps to the speed of a galloping horse. This beat is natural to the Icelandic breed.

Flying Pace (Icelandic Specialty Class) a two-beat lateral gait used for racing. Flying Pace makes great demands of both horse and rider, but is spectacular to watch and exhilarating to ride

*The above disciplines are open to horses of the specified breed*