09/09/2026
WHAT IS RANCH HORSEMANSHIP?
Last in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is Ranch Horsemanship.
This is another class that can be confusing because, at first glance, it can look a lot like Ranch Riding.
There is one very important difference:
Ranch Riding focuses primarily on the horse.
Ranch Horsemanship focuses primarily on the rider.
So what exactly is Ranch Horsemanship?
Ranch Horsemanship is a pattern class designed to evaluate how safely, accurately and effectively the rider guides the horse through a prescribed pattern.
The horse's performance still matters — but the judge is paying particular attention to you.
Your position.
Your balance.
Your timing.
Your preparation.
How you use your aids.
And how effectively you help your horse perform the pattern.
What might you be asked to do?
Depending on the pattern and level, maneuvers can include:
• Walk and extended walk
• Trot and extended trot
• Lope and extended lope
• Stops and backing
• Turns or pivots
• Circles
• Serpentines
• Changes of direction
• Transitions
• Sidepassing
• Poles
• Simple or flying lead changes
• Other combinations appropriate to the level
Not every pattern or level will include every maneuver.
What is the judge looking for?
The judge is looking at things such as:
• Rider position and balance
• Seat and body alignment
• Use of hands, seat and legs
• Timing and preparation
• Pattern accuracy
• Smoothness and precision
• Correct transitions
• Control of the horse
• Rider effectiveness
• Horse's willingness and responsiveness
• Overall confidence, safety and workmanlike presentation
A good Ranch Horsemanship ride should look organized, balanced and effective.
The rider shouldn't appear to be pulling, holding, chasing or constantly correcting the horse through the pattern.
Do I have to look like a traditional Horsemanship rider?
This is where the Ranch part matters.
RR&More uses horsemanship principles for judging the rider, but with a natural, practical ranch-style presentation.
You don't receive extra credit because you have expensive silver tack or a highly polished show-ring outfit.
Clean, neat, safe and workmanlike is what we're after.
The judge is interested in how you ride — not how much your tack cost.
What if you don't lope?
There are options here too.
RR&More Ranch Horsemanship offers Intro Walk/Walk, Walk/Trot or Walk/Trot/Lope.
That gives riders an opportunity to demonstrate their horsemanship at a level appropriate to what they and their horse are currently able to do.
Ranch Riding or Ranch Horsemanship?
Here's the easiest way to remember the difference:
Ranch Riding:
How well does the horse perform the pattern?
Ranch Horsemanship:
How well does the rider guide the horse through the pattern?
Both horse and rider matter in either class — but the primary focus changes.
Want to give it a try?
Ranch Horsemanship is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.
Choose how you want your ride evaluated:
Score Only — receive your score and placing.
Score + Feedback — receive your score and placing, plus individual feedback from the judge to help you better understand your performance and where you can improve.
All breeds are welcome.
Entries close September 14. Videos are due September 27.
