Proposal:

Add Open Walk-Trot Division: MN 4-H Horse Project members may elect to compete in an Open Walk-Trot Division in applicable riding disciplines. Open Walk-Trot eligibility shall not be restricted based solely on the exhibitor's age, grade, years of participation, or previous placings. Exhibitors shall not be required to advance to classes requiring the lope/canter based solely on achievement in walk-trot competition.

Open Walk-Trot classes would follow the same judging standards as the corresponding regular class, with the exception that exhibitors would not be asked to lope or canter.

Judging should continue to emphasize correct position, control, communication, effectiveness, quality of movement, performance of the horse, and overall horsemanship as applicable to each class. The absence of the lope/canter should not reduce expectations for quality at the walk and trot.

To maintain fair competition, an exhibitor competing in an Open Walk-Trot riding class with a particular horse would not compete with that same horse in the corresponding riding class requiring the lope/canter at the same qualifying show.

Open Walk-Trot could be offered in applicable riding disciplines, including:

• Western Horsemanship – Walk-Trot
  Western Pleasure – Walk-Trot
• Hunt Seat Equitation – Walk-Trot
  Hunter Under Saddle – Walk-Trot
• Ranch Riding – Walk-Trot (*if new rule proposal gets approved)
  Ranch Pleasure/Rail – Walk-Trot

Rational:

Promotes safety. Riders should not feel pressured to lope before they have the confidence, control, or horsemanship skills to do so safely. Likewise, young, inexperienced, developing, or transitioning horses may not yet be prepared to safely compete at the lope.

Keeps youth participating. Youth who are not comfortable or ready to lope would continue to have a meaningful place in the 4-H Horse Program rather than being required to advance before they are ready or discontinue showing.

Supports developing horses. Youth moving through the horse-training process would have an appropriate competitive opportunity while developing their horse's skills.

Encourages mastery before advancement. Youth can develop strong fundamentals, balance, control, communication, and confidence before progressing to more advanced gaits.

Supports participation in multiple horse organizations. Youth competing in walk-trot divisions in other associations would have an opportunity to participate in 4-H without being required to compete at a level that could result in a penalty or loss of eligibility within another association (i.e., PtHA, APHA)

    PINTO Y10A-1: An exhibitor is prohibited from competing in a lope/canter class in another recognized equine association including, but not limited to PtHA, APHA, AQHA, NSBA, ApHC, IBHA, PHBA, AHA, AMHA, ABRA, or on an intercollegiate team roster for a loping division, during the same year in which the exhibitor holds a Youth Walk-Trot Card.

    PAINT YP109C-1: An exhibitor is prohibited from competing in a lope/canter class in APHA, PtHA or any other national or international breed or discipline association, or on an intercollegiate team roster for a loping division, during the same year in which the exhibitor holds an Youth Walk-Trot Card.

Supports the educational mission of 4-H. 4-H is a youth-development program. Providing multiple appropriate levels of competition allows the program to meet youth where they are while continuing to encourage learning, goal setting, growth, and achievement.

Creates opportunities rather than barriers. Maintaining youth participation is important to the future of the horse industry. Providing appropriate competitive opportunities for different skill levels gives more youth a reason to remain involved with horses and 4-H.

Walk-trot divisions are already incorporated into programming within major horse associations, reflecting a broader recognition that walk-trot can serve both developmental and competitive purposes.

Wisconsin 4-H has also incorporated walk-trot competition at its state-level horse show, providing an example of how walk-trot opportunities can extend beyond introductory or county-level competition within a 4-H program. See state program linked below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JlqVOVdPuviHjsXn--Xt8H7AqcnPv_u-SPLWtPfDcLc/edit?tab=t.0