A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Top Scores in Horse Shows

Whether you’re preparing for a reining, cow horse, horsemanship, or ranch riding pattern, the key to mastering western patterns lies in meticulous preparation and a deep understanding of the pattern you’re about to ride. Today, we’ll delve into the intricacies of reading a pattern, preparing to ride a pattern, and strategies to maximize your score at a horse show. Let’s saddle up and begin our journey towards equestrian excellence!

Understanding the Pattern

The Basics

Every pattern in equestrian sports is a sequence of maneuvers numbered sequentially. Each number corresponds to a specific maneuver that is judged. For instance, in an NRCHA pattern, the judging starts at a designated point, often marked as number one.

Reading the Pattern

Patterns usually start with an introduction, indicating the lead and the starting point. For example, “begin on left lead at center without stopping or breaking gait.” Patterns are designed, so that one part leads into the next part. The closer you adhere to riding each part specifically as it is written, the easier it will be to ride from part to part, improving your scores and mastering western patterns.

Each numbered section details the maneuvers to be performed and judged. It’s essential to understand each part thoroughly and ride that part as it is written.

Always read your rule book, especially the judge’s section. This is the part of the rule book that the judge works from when judging your run. Information like NRCHa Rule 20.6 answers some important exhibitor questions. The last section states, “When using a lope to the center pattern, judging of the pattern will begin at the center of arena. Penalties occurring while loping to the center of arena to begin pattern will be assessed.” This is crucial to avoid penalties for errors made before the judging begins.

The diagram is for illustration purposes, always ride the pattern as written in the description.

Always ride the pattern as written no matter where the judge is sitting. Sometimes in single judges shows the judge may sit somewhere besides the typical left side of the arena entry gate. Do not change your pattern based on where the judge is sitting.

Tips for Reading

Ensure you understand every aspect of the pattern. If something is unclear, seek clarification from a coach or a fellow rider.

Mentally walk through the pattern, visualizing each maneuver and its placement in the arena. When the pattern calls for stops or pauses take mental note of what you should be looking at during those times. I don’t mean just in general, I mean a specific post or sign. This not only helps to keep you on pattern but also helps with correct pattern placement.

Preparing to Ride a Western Pattern

Mental Preparation

Imagine riding the pattern, focusing on each maneuver’s execution and your horse’s response. Be specific, don’t just say 2 big circles and one small. Your mental preparation should go something like this. I am going to walk into the arena and turn right. I am going to take 1 slow breath while walking, then I am going to slide my right leg back and wait for my horse to set up the the lope departure then I will smooch twice. I will lope a medium speed toward the first cone. At the first cone, I will find my middle, and ride through the middle asking for speed. Continue mentally riding your whole pattern this way.  

Understand where in the arena each maneuver should be performed for optimal scoring. Know exactly where your middle is and know where your stops should be. From there, fill in the locations of every other part of the pattern. 

Familiarize yourself with the arena, noting any irregularities like muddy spots or changes in the footing. Before you show, you should know where the dirt is that you want to stop. For your cow work for where you want to make your boxing turns and your fence turns. Be aware of the location of the penalty markers for your reining and your cow work. You should know what every penalty marker means.

Physical Preparation

Be aware of your horse’s readiness. Always know at what level your horse can perform each maneuver. If your horse is a zero stopper then don’t ask any more of him. 

Verify that your tack is in good condition and suitable for the pattern you’re riding. Practice for the unexpected. What if you stop your spin and both your reins end up on the same side of the horse’s neck. Do you know how to legally fix it? What is allowed and not allowed between your reining and cow horse when one follows the other? If you do not know the answer, then you should read your rule book. 

A proper warm-up is essential. It prepares both you and your horse physically and mentally for the pattern. 

Strategy Development

Plan how you’ll execute each maneuver, considering your horse’s strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared to adjust your strategy based on your horse’s performance and arena conditions during the show. Identify specific points in the arena to guide your path and maintain proper pattern placement.

Strategy development helps greatly with nervousness. Nervousness is rooted in the unknown. Develop a strategy, and a plan, and ride that plan.

Achieving the Best Score

Execution Tips

Execute each maneuver with precision. Accuracy in following the pattern is crucial for high scores. Smooth Transitions: Ensure seamless transitions between maneuvers. Jerky or rushed transitions can lead to penalties. Adjust the speed and size of maneuvers like circles based on your horse’s abilities and the pattern’s requirements.

All of this should be factored into your plan and visually executed before you step into the arena on your horse.

Scoring Insights

Know what judges look for in each maneuver. This includes posture, horse’s gait, and adherence to the pattern. Avoid common mistakes like wrong leads, breaking gait, or missing elements of the pattern. Strive for excellence in each maneuver. High-quality execution can significantly boost your overall score. 

Know the scoring and penalties. If your horse misses a lead, at what point should you break gait to fix it and at what point do you stay with the wrong lead? You should know the answer to that with every lead change.

Post-Pattern Analysis

After completing the pattern, analyze your performance and identify areas for improvement. Seek feedback from coaches, judges, or experienced riders. Constructive criticism is invaluable for growth. Every pattern is a learning opportunity. Use your experiences to refine your skills and strategies.

Don’t get stuck obsessing about your scores. A 68 score under one judge at a show could have been a better run than a 69 under a different judge at a different show. You should be looking for gradual improvement with more showing experience but scores are not a good way to judge that. Instead, keep videos of your runs. Watch each run and look for ways to improve. At the end of the year, compare your run to one from the beginning of the year. That is a better way to judge your improvement.

NRHA Rule A General

NRHA has a rule called A General. You can find this rule in the NRHA rule book very beginning of the rules for judging section. The rule states: To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of control. All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of/or temporary loss of control and therefore a fault that must be marked down according to severity of deviation. After deducting all faults, set here within, against execution of the pattern and the horse’s overall performance, credit should be given for smoothness,
finesse, attitude, quickness and authority of performing various maneuvers, while using controlled speed which raises the difficulty level and makes him more exciting and pleasing to watch to an audience. The official guideline for the application for the rules for judging shall be as specified in the NRHA Judges Guide.

Although this rule specifically only applies to NRHA shows, if you practice and ride every pattern at every show by this rule, your scores and your placing will be drastically improved. This will applied every time you show will go a long way towards helping you in mastering western patterns.

Mastering Western Patterns Conclusion

Mastering western patterns is a journey of continuous learning and adaptation. By understanding the instruction sheet, meticulously preparing for each pattern, and focusing on execution strategies, you can significantly enhance your performance in horse shows. Remember, the bond between you and your horse is the foundation of your success. Nurture this relationship, and together, you’ll achieve equestrian excellence. Here is a video of me showing in an open cow horse class. 

Remember, the journey in equine partnership is a path of continual learning and growth, and adopting this proactive approach will pave the way for a rewarding and fulfilling experience with your equine companion. If you need professional help with your horse, you might consider an Equestrian Virtual Lesson. This is a great way to get a private lesson from Tim Anderson. My horse training journey has brought me from winning world titles to now trying to make every horse the best they can be and to help you improve your equestrian knowledge.