Country Pleasure
The Country Pleasure horse displays the true pleasure qualities and natural gaits of the flat shod Tennessee Walking Horse. The Country Pleasure horse should exhibit a strong and pronounced lift and reach and cadenced head shake. The horse should not appear artificial, labored or cramped in its way of going, exhibiting a smooth, gliding Flat Walk and Running Walk with cadenced up and down head shake. This horse should display a balanced appearance maintaining a forward and fluid rhythmic motion. The canter/lope should be relaxed and consistent with no sign of effort from the rider. Manners are paramount.
Trail Pleasure
The Trail Pleasure horse displays the true pleasure qualities and natural gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse. He should exhibit a strong and pronounced lift and reach from the front legs and a cadenced head shake. The Trail Pleasure horse should not appear artificial, labored, or cramped in its way of going. He should exhibit a smooth, gliding Flat Walk and Running Walk with cadenced up and down head shake. The canter/lope should be relaxed and consistent with no sign of effort from the rider. Manners are paramount. Trail Pleasure horses are shown either English or Western.
Lite Shod
The Lite Shod horse should display elegant and classic beauty while performing the Flat Walk and the Running Walk. Manners are also paramount in this class. The Lite Shod horse will reflect more animation than the country pleasure or trail pleasure horse. They should be light and airy on its front feet. It willl have a long, gliding overstrike that never exhibits a “crampy” way of going. The English Lite Shod horse should be high headed and alert but never nervous. The Western Lite Shod horse should have a lower headset and work on a loose rein. This along with neck reining are the qualities that set the Western horse apart from the English Horse.
Park Pleasure
The Park Pleasure horse is the most animated of the flat shod divisions. This horse should roll out of its shoulders with a natural reach with its front legs. It should have a long gliding overstrike and be slightly elevated. The Park horse should display more definition when performing its gaits, along with a more pronounced head shake. The Park horse should perform its required gaits effortlessly. Manners are paramount. The English Park horse should be high headed and a show horse at all times. The Western Park horse should have a lower, more natural head set which better depicts a western mount.
Park Performance
The Park Performance horse should exhibit natural animation and smoothness it its gaits. In the execution of gaits, this horse should not be compared to the horses in the Performance Division. The gaits are to be performed with the exhibitor having an effortless ride. The Flat Walk should be a four cornered movement showing slight elevation with breaking and reaching of the horses’ front legs. The rear legs should follow through close to the ground and overstraining the front tracks. The Running Walk should be the same motion as the Flat Walk but with additional speed. In the Performance of his gaits the head should be high, arched at the neck, and tucked up at the muzzle with head shaking in rhythm with the leg movement. Limited pads and an acceptable action device are allowed.
Performance Horse
The Performance Horse is a horse that has received training to accentuate the natural gaits associated with the breed. Such horses perform with action devices to give an added dimension to their performance in the ring. They are shown with pads and action devices as required by the rules. They perform the Flat Walk, Running Walk, and Canter with animation and presence. The Performance Horse moves freely in each gait and proceeds in a fluid and rhythmic manner. They are the epitome of a show ring performer.
Driving
Flat Shod Pleasure Driving consists of the pleasure horse driven to a 2 or 4 wheeled pleasure buggy. The horse should be judged with the same general qualities as the flat shod pleasure horse. Pleasure qualities are paramount. They are judged on manners, performance, condition, style, and way of going. The fit, condition, and appropriateness of harness and vehicle are also considered along with conformation and neatness of the exhibitor.
The Fine Harness entry should be the epitome of the performance show horse and carry itself with class, style, and show presence. They are driven to a 4 wheeled Fine Harness buggy. The entry should have a good conformation and be in good flesh. Proper turnout of horse, harness, cart, and driver are paramount. The Fine Harness horse will be judged at the Flat Walk and Running Walk.
