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ASHA Board Votes to Submit Ranch Horse Division Rules to USEF

During the ASHA Board of Directors meeting yesterday, it was passed unanimously to approve Ranch Horse Division Rules, to be submitted to USEF for consideration to be added to the Saddlebred and Half Saddlebred Rulebook.

An American Saddlebred and Half Saddlebred Ranch Horse Division would account for Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Ranch Rail Pleasure and Ranchmanship classes. These classes are to measure the ability of a horse to be a pleasure to ride while being a means of conveyance from performing one ranch task to another. It is an opportunity to reflect the versatility, attitude and movement of the American Saddlebred as a working horse.

Ranch Riding offers a great opportunity for the expansion, diversity, and vitality of the American Saddlebred. The proposed rules developed and presented to the ASHA Board by the VERSA Charter Club along with the benefits the inclusion of this division will have for the breed. Ranch Riding is a leading division of popularity and demand for our sister trotting breed affiliates Arabian Horse Association (AHA) and American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA).  A new divisional standard will be a new market for breeders to sell and find suitable working homes for horses they raise. In addition, this division can be a catalyst for our breed to expand in geographical regions and areas of the equestrian community we are currently underrepresented.   

At this time we already have many of our regional competitions offering and being interested in including opportunity Ranch Horse classes in their schedules. VERSA will be working to develop informational videos for horse show organizers and a network of local ambassadors to facilitate demonstrations to promote the division.

 We look forward to continue to update the membership on this exciting development for our members and the American Saddlebred horse.

Thank you to Ginny Beth Norton for photos.