| Fine Harness Division | Pony Division | |
| Saddlebred Pleasure Division | Hackney and Harness Ponies | |
| Saddlebred Equitation Division | Roadster Division |
Several types and breeds of horses and ponies compete in various classes at the show. A brief description of each follows to help spectators enjoy and understand the horse show.
The American Saddlebred has been hailed by a host of admirers as the world's most beautiful horse and also one of the most versatile. Developed in colonial America by horse breeders seeking a utility horse of beauty, easy gaits, good disposition, intelligence, substance, and endurance, the growth of the American Saddlebred paralleled the growth of America.
The ancestors of the Saddlebred were easy-gaited Galloways and Hobbies. Brought to North America from the British Isles and bred selectively, they evolved into Naragansett Pacers which were crossed with Thoroughbred imports, resulting in the early Saddlebreds, known then as "Saddle Horses" or "Kentucky Saddlers."
The epitome of a show horse, the Saddlebred has a carriage and attitude elusive of description - some call it class, presence, quality, style, or charm. A superior air distinguishes every movement.
The ideal Saddlebred is well-proportioned, with a well-shaped, finely chiseled head and large expressive eyes. The back should be short and level, the legs clean and straight with long, sloping pasterns and well-formed feet. Masculinity in stallions and femininity in mares are important. The average height is from 15-16 hands (60-64 inches at the withers) and the weight 1,000 to 1,200 pounds. Any color is acceptable; the most prominent: chestnut, bay, brown, and black, with some gray, roan, golden and pinto (spotted).
Saddlebreds are shown in several major divisions: Show and Pleasure Five-Gaited, Three-Gaited, Fine Harness/Driving, In-Hand and Equitation. A variety of classes within these divisions is offered based on factors such as age and sex of the horse and/or age, sex and amateur status of the rider. In the horse show program, the specifications (requirements) for each class are listed.
The breed also is an ideal pleasure horse for trail-riding, jumping, carriage driving, and dressage. Saddlebreds often compete in these events, as well as the more traditional horse shows.
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 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 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.
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 roached (clipped) to accentuate the quality of the horse's appearance.
Fine Harness horses perform two gaits both ways of the ring: the walk and the trot. It is considered bad form for a harness horse to canter or "break"; judges will penalize this. The Fine Harness horse does an animated, springy walk. Speed is not a factor. The good-performing Fine Harness horse should be beautiful, fine, alert, and airy. Like the Five-Gaited horse, the mane and tail are long and flowing, and boots are worn on the front feet. The boots of a Fine Harness horse are not needed for protection because speed is not a factor, but are traditional and add to the elegant appearance of the horse.
The Saddlebred Pleasure Division
The Pleasure horse should be a typical Saddlebred with quality, style, presence, and suitable conformation and have prompt, comfortable gaits that give the impression of being agreeable to ride in the show ring or on the trail. Easy, groundcovering action is desired and special emphasis is placed on a true, flat walk. Transitions from one gait to the next should be smooth and effortless. Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, and Driving Pleasure horses have long manes and tails and do not wear boots except in Five-Gaited events.
The Saddleseat Equitation Division
The Equitation division offers classes for riders who have not reached their 18th birthday and are amateurs. All classes are judged on the rider's style and ability to control the horse; the horse is not judged or rated.
Certain fundamentals of equitation are rigidly observed in judging. Riders are required to post (rise from the saddle) as the horse's leg next to the fence moves forward; this is called riding on the correct "diagonal." Riders must also canter the horse on the correct "lead." Sometimes they are asked to work individually, and there are several tests a judge may choose. Some of the most frequently used: pick up reins; dismount and mount; figure eight at a trot and/or a canter, use correct diagonals and canter leads; ride without stirrups; and change horses and ride. Questions regarding anatomy, tack (saddle/bridle) and equitation may be asked. There are three types of equitation - Saddle Seat, Hunter Seat, and Stock Saddle Seat, but only Saddle Seat classes are offered at the Kentucky State Fair Horse Show.
A variety of Pony classes are offered for Hackney and Harness ponies as well as Saddlebred ponies.
The Hackney is a breed of carriage horse or pony that originated in England and is one of the oldest breeds in the horse kingdom. The Hackney pony cannot be over 14.2 hands (58 inches) in height.
The high stepper of the show ring, these ponies have extreme action both in front and behind. Judged for brilliance and show ring presence, the Hackney presents a picture of sheer daintiness and perfection being driven to a four-wheeled vehicle called a viceroy. The Hackney is shown only at the trot, but in most cases is judged at two speeds - the park trot and the faster "Show your pony," but never should sacrifice form for speed.
Custom demands that the pony be shown with docked tail and mane braided close to the neck. At the trot, the pony should snap the knees and hocks and show high, straight, true action.
The Harness pony has a full, flowing mane and tail and resembles the Saddlebred Fine Harness horse in conformation and way of going. They have grace and high action but cannot exceed 50 inches in height. Like the Hackney pony, they are shown to a viceroy both ways of the ring at the park trot and the faster "Show your pony."
The Roadster is the speed horse of the show ring, and these driving and riding classes are exciting to watch because of the fast pace set by competitors. Horses must be of the Standardbred breed or the Standardbred type, of attractive appearance, balanced in conformation and with manners which make them safe risk in the ring. There are also classes offered specifically for the popular Roadster ponies under 12.2 hands (50 inches).
All Roadsters are shown at three different speeds of the trot: jog, road gait, and trot at speed; "breaks" (cantering) are penalized. At all speeds, the Roadster should work in form with straight and true action. Animation and show ring presence should characterize the road horse, especially at the jog and road gait.
Roadsters being driven or ridden enter the ring in a clockwise direction at a jog, and are then asked to road gait, then turn to a counterclockwise direction and jog, road gait, and trot at speed.
There are bike (two-wheeled vehicle) and wagon (or buggy) (four-wheeled vehicle) classes. Usually the buggy horse is a larger horse than the bike horse. When Roadsters are ridden under saddle, much enthusiasm is expressed by the crowd.
In-Hand classes offer breeders of American Saddlebred the opportunity to showcase their young horses at the Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show and to 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 youngster moves "on the line" and the natural
action shown. Two people handle the horse, one leading and one in the
rear to help keep the Saddlebreds that are showing for the first time
moving and offer the spectator an exciting sneak preview of the next
generation of show horses.
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