Any 4-H Parents in Tennessee?

[FineStepFarm]

If there are, what classes do the kids you show in?
I was so excited to move to a gaited horse state, but I don't have a racking,walking or spotted saddle horse and those are the classes they offer. My kids have been showing their Pasos for 8 years in Florida, usually the only ones, but everybody was very accomidating and seemed to like the diversity.
Here I was told, we probably needed to show in the English, but they want a walk,trot, canter. I got the impression that Paso's were not wanted , wouldn't place, so too bad.
They have so many classes here compared to Florida, so I thought we would do Racking, because it was announced in front of the whole crowd today, that they will NOT add Paso classes. Also if we did Racking, we need the cutback saddle, braids, long jacket. So I guess we'll look like a lame racking horse. Sorry about the long post, I'm just very disappointed.
Tammi

[Terri]

Hang in there Tammi, I know what you are going through. Gaited horses are as rare as unicorns around here and almost all the kids show hunt seat. I don't know about in TN, but the 4H classes are open to any horse that is the child's project. There is usually 3 classes in the 4H division at a 4H show. 1) fitting and showmanship - this is in hand and all about the kids ability properly present their horse 2) 4H pleasure, your style of riding does NOT matter, what matters is if the horse is properly suited to the child and if the child is riding correctly for whatever style they have 3) horsemanship - this is all about the child's skill level, NOT the horse's gait.

At non 4H shows, just local club shows, we have trained the judges to call for a trot "or alternate gait". We show our horses in western tack and show in western pleasure/equitation or pony pleasure/equitation or green horse pleasure equitation or any of the w/t classes. We stay away from english tack because we get marked down for not posting. Rio and my daughter ended the yr in 3rd place in points for the season in the green horse division. She was competing against western and english horses in the same ring.

The trick is that you have to keep showing up, and then they have to deal with you. Don't give up. This year for the 1st time ever, the local club is going to have a gaited pleasure class and I was told, if we can fill it, they will make it a whole division next year. Change doesn't happen over night, but the more you are there and the more other paso owners show up, whether they say the want to add a paso class or not, at some point they will have to.

One more thouught. The key I have found to motivating my local club to provide a gaited class, was not demanding it or asking over and over again, but just getting involved and helping the club. Offer to help sell hotdogs at the show, set up the tail course, go to the meetings and ask them for advice on how best to participate in their shows. When they see you as a really nice person wanting to help and fit in, I have found they then want to help you. My club added the gaited class NOT because I asked them ( I never did) But because I was always around, they liked my horses and I was starting to bring my friends. And as far as 4H, make sure you call you county extention office and ask them how best to have your kids show their projects.

[lisa l aka marci]

My younger sister showed my mare Rosie in 4-H back in the early 1990's......and brought home ribbons!

What I remember is that she had to explain to the judges what the gaits were, and what the 'equivilant' gait was with a Paso.

Hmm.....looking at the Tenn. 4-H rules, the kids could show in
14. Country Pleasure: Speciality
14.1. Classes
A. Class 320 – Junior members
B. Class 321 – Senior members
14.2. This is a two-gaited class. Horses should display a walk and
a smooth, easy, comfortable intermediate gait. Excessive speed in
the intermediate gait will be penalized.
14.3. Neat attire is acceptable with tack optional.
14.4. Shoeing requirements are the same as for Plantation Pleasure
Lite Shod.
14.5. Horses entered in Country Pleasure are only eligible to show
in the following classes: Conformation (Halter), Showmanship and
Grooming, Walking Seat Equitation and Trail.

Saddle and English Division
This division is designed for “pleasure type” horses (Arabian,
Morgan, Saddlebred, etc.) and will be judged according to those
standards. Stock type horses should NOT enter this division. Proper
attire must be maintained at all times. However, in excessively hot
weather, with the approval of the judge, coats may be removed.

As for having to braid if showing in classes - that is optional - may be braided. as far as I can tell.

Gee, if you have any horses broken to drive, they could enter there too....
1.7. Entries are to be worked both ways of the ring at a walk,
ordinary trot (pleasure) or favorite gait, and extended trot (road
trot) or favorite gait.

Can you tell I have time on my hands this morning? Tori is still sleeping, as is Michael......off to get my 2nd cup of coffee!

Oh - here is where I got all my information - this is from 2003.....
http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/horses/pdf/4-H/4-HHorseChampionshipHandbook_rev2003.pdf

[FineStepFarm]

When we first started showing the Pasos in Florida 4-H, we showed them in English pleasure, after about 3 years of doing well and my daughter winning circuit HP, the next parent meeting, the parents NOT ME demanded that we allow a gaited class, because the Paso's were beating them.
So after a couple years of that, I started lobbying for Saddleseat Non-Trot, at our Area and State shows, which is what they offer at Regionals.
I had alot of research about gaited classes in the Southern Region, in fact I even quoted Tennessee! So they added them, then we moved here, I guess because its such a gaited horse state, I thought we would be welcome.
I know Tennessee is very patriotic about their state horse, but isn't gaited, gaited? They split hairs over all the classes. flat-shod, built-up, racking, walking, spotted saddle, park, etc. etc. In Florida there were two:
Non-trot saddleseat. Before the non-trot, there was still just Saddleseat, but all horses were welcome and judged accordonly. Any gaited horses could go in the class. MFT, TWH, Pasos, etc.
I want to fit in without sacrificing our breed, I guess.
I really am opposed to putting our Pasos in the saddleseat attire. Would you?
Tammi

[lisa l aka marci]

I really am opposed to putting our Pasos in the saddleseat attire. Would you?
Tammi

I hear ya! Although reading through the rules, I did not see that cut-back sadles were required in the classes I listed......it does look like there are classes the kids would qualify for.

Hopefully when Tori is old enough to ride we will be accepted in 4-H classes!