Performance Halter – What Are Judges Looking For?
Click here to read the complete article
We Asked the Experts:
What Are Judges Looking for?
By Erica Greathouse
In an effort to encourage and reward the concept of form-to-function, AQHA introduced Performance Halter classes in 2007. Since their inception, they have steadily gained popularity and are now some of the largest classes at shows across the United States. Performance Halter was designed to reward performance horses that are conformationally correct and structurally sound. Many years ago, horses were able to be competitive in both riding and Halter classes, but as the events have become more specialized, they have developed into two separate entities. In order to level the playing field and get back to their roots, AQHA came up with specific criteria for the Performance Halter classes. In order to obtain eligibility to compete in their respective Performance Halter classes, horses are required to prove they are performers by successfully acquiring a Register of Merit (ROM) in approved performance classes. In the Performance Halter classes, performers from different disciplines are evaluated head to head.
Balance is the most important factor to consider when judging any Halter class. Overall balance is determined by the assessment of a horse’s bone structure and framework. When judging a Halter horse, it’s important to look at the skeletal structure of the horse underneath the muscle and other body tissue. AQHA judge Bob Kail says he likes to start by taking a very close look at each horse’s profile.
“When I stand back and look at a horse, I want to see a conformationally balanced horse whose topline is almost uphill, which is where a lot of the horse’s strength and power comes from. I never like a horse that looks downhill.” To AQHA judge Kelly Boles Chapman, a strong topline is usually indicative of overall balance. “I like a horse that’s tight and strong through the back, short in their loin, leading into a smooth transition to their croup.” A horse’s movement will also depend on the way he/she is put together and since Performance Halter classes were designed to emphasize the concept of form-to-function, a Performance Halter horse should look like he/she is a performer. “First and foremost, a performance horse should have the structure and balance that allows him/her to do his/her job while moving freely and staying sound,” Kail says.
When evaluating a horse from front to back, there are a few key conformational traits that make a horse balanced, correct, and pleasing to the eye. “Starting with the horse’s head, I like to see an attractive head, meaning a short head with a small muzzle, some width between the horse’s eyes, short alert ears, and a pretty, round and soft eye. I’m also looking for a nice clean and trim throatlatch and definition to the jowl,” Kail says. Chapman values a proper neck set where the horse’s neck hangs off the shoulders and the underline comes out high on the chest. Sometimes, Performance Halter horses might be a little bit deeper in the neck, depending on the discipline in which they compete, but regardless, round or cresty necks are never desirable and a flat topline from pole to wither is ideal.
In addition to an uphill appearance and a nice deep heart girth, Kail is looking for a horse with a prominent wither and a correct slope to the shoulder, which are paramount to structural balance. An ideal individual will have shoulders that are situated out in front of him/her and a shoulder angle that’s not overly steep or excessively long and flat. A horse’s pastern angle should be the same angle as the slope to the shoulder, which will contribute to balance and functionality of the front legs.
Transitioning to the horse’s back, the length of a horse’s back is directly connected to his/her movement, which is one of the most important variables to consider when judging Performance Halter. A horse’s quality of movement is dependent on back length and strength over the back. Therefore, judges are looking for a horse whose back is short and proportionate with the horse’s body.
Moving from the back to the hind end, Kail emphasizes the desire for a horse’s croup to tail set to be longer than the wither to the point of the hip, which will allow the horse to be strong and powerful with his/her hind end. A gradual slope to the tail and adequate muscling under the tail will make for a smooth transition into the horse’s stifle and gaskin. Sound and strong legs are key in Performance Halter horses. According to Chapman, a horse’s hind legs should be, “strong and aligned correctly, with hocks properly situated under the hip and croup without being too set or too straight.” When evaluating horse’s legs, club feet, pigeon toes, low heels, and long toes are all conformational soundness problems and should be penalized according to severity.
In addition to structural correctness, a top Performance Halter horse must be pleasing to the eye. Multiple World Champion trainer Ted Turner says, “a Performance Halter horse should be like a wide receiver in football. The horse should have a certain physicality and look like he/she is suited to a job with a high degree of pretty.” A horse that is “pretty” is balanced and proportionate. A pretty horse will also possess the desirable breed and sex characteristics that add to a refined and elegant appearance. Turner says that in addition to a horse being pretty, certain horses have a “wow factor” that helps them stand out amongst the crowd. “There is a certain presence that a top Halter horse has that gets your attention. It’s something that’s seen and felt at the same time and makes you want to look twice.”
AQHA judge Clay MacLeod says that he has seen horses from all different disciplines excel in Performance Halter. “I don’t look for a specific type of horse. I look for the horse that is the most structurally correct in the group and the horse that looks built for longevity.” Although the concept of all Halter classes is the same, judging this class is different because there are all types of horses competing against each other. When MacLeod is judging a Performance halter class, he makes sure to keep an open mind and remember that balance and functionality are the key components to a winning Performance Halter horse. Kail has also seen winners from different disciplines, but he says more often than not, western horses have the advantage. “Sometimes, the hunter horses are beautiful but are at a disadvantage with muscling. Although muscle is not the most important factor when judging Performance Halter, when horses are equal, a more substantial individual is more desirable than a horse that has a leaner build,” Kail says. Regardless of the horse’s discipline, movement should be one of the most important factors when evaluating a Performance Halter horse since he/she must move free and cleanly in order to perform.
All of the experts agree that Performance Halter has had a very positive effect on the industry. “It’s what is keeping the Halter industry going,” MacLeod says. “People aren’t afraid to show their horses in Halter anymore because there is a class for them.” Chapman says, “Past data has shown that people did not typically enter the Halter classes with their performance horse, perhaps because they did not feel they had a chance in a class of specialized Halter horses. Since the addition of Performance Halter classes, the number of entries has grown every year.” MacLeod also likes looking at the structure of horses that are not overly muscled or extreme. “A good horse does not need to be overdone. I like looking at the horse’s structure, and I think Performance Halter has helped encourage exhibitors to show horses that are more correct and less overdone.” Kail says that the addition of Performance Halter has opened up a market for horses that are exceptionally pretty and correct to have an event in which to excel. All of the experts agree that leveling the playing field and encouraging participation in Halter classes has had a tremendous positive effect on the industry and will continue to do so for years to come.
