The Junior High and High School seasons have different classes. The classes are defined below.
High School:
Western Fitting and Showing
These patterns can be different for each show at each District and potentially even each Division. The patterns used at the Regional and State Championship are chosen by the State.
Hunt Seat Fitting and Showing
These patterns can be different for each show at each District and potentially even each Division. The patterns used at the Regional and State Championship are chosen by the State.
Saddle Seat Fitting and Showing
These patterns can be different for each show at each District and potentially even each Division. The patterns used at the Regional and State Championship are chosen by the State.
Saddle Seat Equitation
This class is a rail work class. At at the Regional and State Championship meets this class also includes a pattern. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Saddle Seat Pattern
This class has a rotating pattern each year. To see this year’s pattern, go to the Patterns page.
Saddle Seat Bareback
A unique class in MIHA where riders wear Saddle Seat attire and use a Saddle Seat bridle and bit(s), however they perform the entire class bareback, (without a saddle). This class is a rail work class. At at the Regional and State Championship meets this class also includes a pattern. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Hunt Seat Equitation
This class is a rail work class. At at the Regional and State Championship meets this class also includes a pattern. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Hunt Seat Bareback
A unique class in MIHA where riders wear Hunt Seat attire and use a Hunt Seat bridle and bit(s), however they perform the entire class bareback, (without a saddle). This class is a rail work class. At at the Regional and State Championship meets this class also includes a pattern. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Equitation Over Fences
This class has a rotating pattern each year. To see this year’s pattern, go to the Patterns page.
Western Horsemanship
This class is a rail work class. At at the Regional and State Championship meets this class also includes a pattern. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Western Bareback
A unique class in MIHA where riders wear Western attire and use a Western bridle and bit, however they perform the entire class bareback, (without a saddle). This class is a rail work class. At at the Regional and State Championship meets this class also includes a pattern. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Western Riding or Western Reining
This class has a rotating pattern each year. Each year it alternates between a Western Riding pattern and a Reining pattern. To see this year’s pattern, go to the Patterns page.
Trail
Trail patterns can be different for each show at each District and potentially even each Division. The patterns used at the Regional and State Championship are chosen by the State. Unique to MIHA, riders can ride this class in any discipline’s tack and apparel: Western, Saddle Seat, Hunt Seat, and Gymkhana.
Flag Race
A traditional Flag Race class. Lowest time that gets the flag in the bucket wins the class. At the Regional and State Championship meets, each rider gets 2 separate runs.
Cloverleaf
A traditional Cloverleaf (Barrels) class. Lowest time wins the class. At the Regional and State Championship meets, each rider gets 2 separate runs.
Timed Events Pattern
This class is a rotating class that changes every year. The 4 classes: Speed and Action, Keyhole, Pole Bending and Stakes Race. At the Regional and State Championship meets, each rider gets 2 separate runs. Lowest time wins the class.
Two-Person Relay Race
This unique class requires 2 riders from each team. Only one of the 2 riders uses a slot and is considered the “point rider”. The other rider does not use an individual or team slot and is considered the “ghost rider”. Each rider completes half of the race, handing off the baton inside a box at the far end of the arena. Lowest time wins the class. At the Regional and State Championship meets, each rider gets 2 separate runs.
Junior High:
Western Fitting and Showing
These patterns can be different for each show at each District and potentially even each Division.
Hunt Seat Fitting and Showing
These patterns can be different for each show at each District and potentially even each Division.
Saddle Seat Fitting and Showing
These patterns can be different for each show at each District and potentially even each Division.
Saddle Seat Equitation
This class is a rail work class. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Saddle Seat Pattern
This class has a rotating pattern each year. To see this year’s pattern, go to the Patterns page.
English Equitation (Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat) Walk/Trot
This class is a rail work class intended for beginner riders. This class is only open to riders that are not riding in Walk/Trot/Canter classes. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Hunt Seat Equitation
This class is a rail work class. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
English Bareback (Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat)
A unique class in MIHA where riders wear Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat attire and use a Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat bridle and bit(s), however they perform the entire class bareback, (without a saddle). This class is a rail work class. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class. For our younger Junior High riders, this class is performed only at Walk/Trot. Only riders that are participating in other Walk/Trot/Canter classes are eligible to ride in this class.
Equitation Over Fences
This class has a rotating pattern each year. To see this year’s pattern, go to the Patterns page.
Western Horsemanship Walk/Trot
This class is a rail work class intended for beginner riders. This class is only open to riders that are not riding in Walk/Trot/Canter classes. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Western Horsemanship
This class is a rail work class. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class.
Western Riding or Western Reining
This class has a rotating pattern each year. Each year it alternates between a Western Riding pattern and a Reining pattern. To see this year’s pattern, go to the Patterns page.
Western Bareback Class
A unique class in MIHA where riders wear Western attire and use a Western bridle and bit, however they perform the entire class bareback, (without a saddle). This class is a rail work class. Some District meets will also do a pattern for this class. For our younger Junior High riders, this class is performed only at Walk/Trot. Only riders that are participating in other Walk/Trot/Canter classes are eligible to ride in this class.
Trail
Trail patterns can be different for each show at each District and potentially even each Division. Unique to MIHA, riders can ride this class in any discipline’s tack and apparel: Western, Saddle Seat, Hunt Seat, and Gymkhana. This class is open to the Walk/Trot only riders.
Flag Race
A traditional Flag Race class. Lowest time that gets the flag in the bucket wins the class. This class is open to the Walk/Trot only riders, however Walk/Trot riders will be disqualified if they canter three or more consecutive strides while performing the class.
Cloverleaf
A traditional Cloverleaf (Barrels) class. Lowest time wins the class. This class is open to the Walk/Trot only riders, however Walk/Trot riders will be disqualified if they canter three or more consecutive strides while performing the class.
Timed Events Pattern
This class is a rotating class that changes every year. The 4 classes: Speed and Action, Keyhole, Pole Bending and Stakes Race. Lowest time wins the class. This class is open to the Walk/Trot only riders, however Walk/Trot riders will be disqualified if they canter three or more consecutive strides while performing the class.
Two-Person Relay Race
This unique class requires 2 riders from each team. Only one of the 2 riders uses a slot and is considered the “point rider”. The other rider does not use an individual or team slot and is considered the “ghost rider”. Each rider completes half of the race, handing off the baton inside a box at the far end of the arena. Lowest time wins the class. This class is open to the Walk/Trot only riders, however Walk/Trot riders will be disqualified if they canter three or more consecutive strides while performing the class.
Points:
At District meets for High School and Junior High, points are awarded for placings in each class as follows:
FIRST place – 8 Points
SECOND place – 7 Points
THIRD place – 6 Points
FOURTH place – 5 Points
FIFTH place – 4 Points
SIXTH place – 3 Points
SEVENTH place – 2 Points
EIGHTH place – 1 Point
NINTH place – Honorable Mention (0 Points)
At the Regional and State Championship competitions classes are double judged. Points are awarded for placings in each class for each Judge as follows:
FIRST place – 10 Points
SECOND place – 9 Points
THIRD place – 8 Points
FOURTH place – 7 Points
FIFTH place – 6 Points
SIXTH place – 5 Points
SEVENTH place – 4 Points
EIGHTH place – 3 Points
NINTH place – 2 Points
TENTH place – 1 Point
ELEVENTH place – Honorable Mention (0 Points)