https://www.facebook.com/groups/1342925636499545, https://ranchridingandmore.ca/

Ranch Riding & More, PO BOX 18 SITE 515 RR5, Brandon, MB (2026)

09/09/2026

There are a lot of new faces here this week — welcome!

I've also received some wonderful messages from riders who are new to ranch riding, returning to riding, or simply wondering where they and their horse might fit.

With so many new people discovering Ranch Riding & More, I thought this was a good time to share something a little different — my Editor's page from our August Ranch Riding & More Digital Magazine.

It says a little about why RR&More exists and what I hope we're building here.

And if you haven't discovered the Digital Magazine yet, you can read the full August issue here:

Read the August Ranch Riding & More Digital Magazine

Welcome to Ranch Riding & More.

Ride • Learn • Improve

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series &more

09/08/2026

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO TREY SMITH

This Friends of Ranch Riding & More contribution comes with a little story behind it.

Tracey Smith made a contribution to our September Prize Fund, but asked that the recognition go to her husband, Trey.

Why? Because Trey has been right there supporting Tracey's RR&More adventures — listening to all the horse and show talk, encouraging her along the way and even taking on the very important job of official cameraman!

We know there are a lot of people behind the scenes who make it possible for our riders to do what they love, and they don't always get much recognition for it.

So today, this thank you belongs to Smith.

Thank you, Trey, for supporting Tracey Smith — and welcome to our Friends of Ranch Riding & More!

Ranch Riding & More Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

09/08/2026

ALL BREEDS WELCOME

Quarter Horse? Welcome.

Paint? Appaloosa? Morgan? Arabian? Draft cross? Pony? Gaited horse? Mule?

Welcome.

Heinz 57 (grade or mixed breeding) with no papers and a family tree that's anybody's guess?

Welcome.

And if your stick horse has a really impressive sidepass... we might even consider it.

One of the great things about ranch performance classes is that you and your friends can all participate — regardless of what model you ride.

You don't all need Quarter Horses. You don't all need registered horses. And your horses don't all need to move or look the same.

Different breeds are built differently. They move differently. They bring different strengths to the table, and they may approach some maneuvers a little differently.

That's okay.

At Ranch Riding & More, the goal isn't to make every horse look the same.

It's to understand what the class is asking for, develop the skills involved, and do the best you can with the horse — or mule — you have.

So bring the Quarter Horse. Bring the gaited horse. Bring the pony. Bring the mule. Bring the Heinz 57.

Bring your friends and whatever models they're riding, too.

Whether you're completely new to ranch performance classes or you've been competing for years, there's room for you here.

And that stick horse?

We're still going to want to see the sidepass.

Ranch Riding & More

Ranch Riding & More

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

09/08/2026

OP vs DQ — What’s the Difference?

Off Pattern (OP) and Disqualified (DQ) are not the same, and they affect your placing differently.

OP — Off Pattern

You missed or changed part of the pattern — maybe added or skipped a maneuver, used two hands when not allowed, or went off course.

You’re still placed below all riders who completed the pattern correctly, but your maneuver scores still show how your horse performed.

DQ — Disqualified

A rule or safety violation — illegal tack, a fall, lameness, or leaving the arena.

You receive a 0 score and are not placed.

At RR&More, there is one important difference when it comes to feedback. If you selected Score + Feedback with your entry and your run results in a DQ, the judge will still score your maneuvers and provide feedback. Your official result remains a DQ, but you still get the benefit of seeing what was working, where points were being lost, and what you can improve for next time.

How Placings Work — An Example

Imagine a class of 12 riders:

9 riders complete the pattern correctly
2 riders go Off Pattern
1 rider is Disqualified

1st–9th: All riders who completed the pattern correctly
10th–11th: The two OP riders, placed relative to each other
DQ rider: Not placed at all

Even if an OP rider had beautiful maneuvers, they cannot be placed above any rider who completed the pattern correctly.

Always check the rules for the specific association or show you are entering, as rules and penalties can vary.

Ride • Learn • Improve
Ranch Riding & More

09/08/2026

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.

09/08/2026

WHAT IS RANCH REINING?

Next in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is Ranch Reining.

Isn't it just Reining in a ranch saddle?

Not quite.

Many riders watch a Reining class and assume Ranch Reining is simply a slower or less advanced version of the same event.

But they are two distinctly different classes with different goals.

Ranch Reining includes many of the same foundational maneuvers as traditional Reining — such as:

• Circles
• Lead changes
• Spins
• Stops
• Backing
• Speed transitions

But the purpose behind those maneuvers is different.

So what's the difference?

Traditional Reining is a specialty event designed to showcase a high level of athleticism, precision and training. Speed, power, style and ex*****on are important parts of the performance.

Ranch Reining is part of the ranch horse family of classes.

Its purpose is to demonstrate the qualities of a practical, versatile ranch horse — one that can perform the required reining maneuvers correctly and willingly and still look like a horse capable of going back to a day's work.

That doesn't mean Ranch Reining is simply an easier version of Reining.

It means many of the same foundational maneuvers are being evaluated through a different lens.

What is the judge looking for?

Rather than emphasizing extreme expression or specialized performance, Ranch Reining rewards qualities such as:

• Correctness
• Balance
• Responsiveness
• Willingness
• Smooth, purposeful maneuvers
• Effective guidance from the rider
• Overall usefulness and rideability

The overall picture matters just as much as the individual maneuvers.

The horse should look capable, dependable and practical — not as though exaggerated movement is required simply for the show pen.

Do I need a huge sliding stop or lightning-fast spins?

No.

A bigger maneuver isn't automatically a better maneuver.

Correct, balanced and controlled comes first.

That's an important distinction for riders who may look at traditional Reining and immediately think:

“My horse can't do that.”

Ranch Reining isn't asking your horse to be a specialized Reining horse.

It's asking you to demonstrate the required maneuvers correctly, willingly and in keeping with the qualities of a useful ranch horse.

What if you don't lope?

You still have an option.

RR&More offers Ranch Reining in both Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Lope, allowing horses and riders to demonstrate the work appropriate to the level they've entered.

You don't have to wait until you can perform the more advanced version of every maneuver before giving Ranch Reining a try.

A different way to think about Ranch Reining

Instead of asking:

“How can I make this maneuver bigger?”

Try asking:

“How can I make it more correct, more balanced and more practical?”

That gets much closer to what Ranch Reining is about.

Want to give it a try?

Ranch Reining 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.

Next up: Ranch Horsemanship.

09/07/2026

WHAT IS WORKING WESTERN RAIL?

Next in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is Working Western Rail.

You may also know this type of class as Ranch Rail or Ranch Pleasure.

Different organizations use different names, but the basic idea is similar — this is a rail class designed to showcase the movement, manners and rideability of a useful ranch-type horse.

How does a rail class work virtually?

Unlike Ranch Riding, Working Western Rail isn't an individual maneuver pattern.

In a traditional rail class, horses work together around the arena while the judge evaluates them at the required gaits.

Because RR&More is virtual, we provide specific instructions for how to ride and record your Working Western Rail entry so the judge has the opportunity to properly evaluate your horse at the required gaits and in both directions.

What will the judge need to see?

Depending on the class and level, your entry may include:

• Walk
• Trot
• Extended trot
• Lope
• Extended lope
• Changes of direction
• Transitions between gaits
• Stops and backing

The instructions are designed to give the judge a clear opportunity to see your horse's movement, transitions, manners and overall way of going.

What is the judge looking for?

A good Working Western Rail horse should look like one you would want to ride for more than five minutes.

The judge is looking for things such as:

• Natural, forward movement
• Ground-covering gaits
• Rhythm and cadence
• Smooth transitions
• Willingness and responsiveness
• Manners
• Balance and self-carriage
• Consistency
• Overall usefulness and rideability

We want to see a horse that moves forward willingly and looks comfortable, practical and capable of doing a job.

What if you don't lope?

You can still enter Working Western Rail.

RR&More offers both Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Lope options, depending on level.

Working Western Rail, Ranch Rail or Ranch Pleasure?

If you've seen any of those names and wondered whether they're completely different classes, you're not alone.

Terminology varies between organizations and events.

At RR&More, we call our class Working Western Rail, but you'll commonly hear similar ranch-style rail classes referred to as Ranch Rail or Ranch Pleasure.

Want to give it a try?

Working Western Rail is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.

And you 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.

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

09/07/2026

WHAT IS RANCH RIDING?

Next in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is — Ranch Riding.

So what exactly is it?

Ranch Riding is a pattern class designed to showcase a willing, responsive and useful ranch horse that moves forward with purpose.

The horse should look comfortable doing its job — covering ground willingly, responding to the rider and moving through the pattern in a smooth, controlled manner.

A good Ranch Riding performance should leave you thinking:

“I’d want to go to work with that horse.”

What might you be asked to do?

Depending on the pattern and level, Ranch Riding can include:

• Walk
• Trot and extended trot
• Lope and extended lope
• Stops
• Backing
• Transitions between gaits
• Changes of direction
• Turns
• Sidepassing
• Simple or flying lead changes
• Poles or other ranch-type maneuvers

Not every pattern or level includes every maneuver.

What is the judge looking for?

It's not simply about completing the pattern.

The judge is looking at things such as:

• Willingness and attitude
• Manners and responsiveness
• Forward, ground-covering movement
• Rhythm and cadence
• Smooth transitions
• Correctness of the maneuvers
• Pattern accuracy
• Overall usefulness and rideability

The horse should look like one that would be pleasant and practical to ride outside the show pen — not overly artificial, overly slow or overly manufactured.

What if you don't lope?

You can still Ranch Ride.

RR&More offers Walk/Trot Ranch Riding for horses and/or riders who aren't ready to lope a show pattern.

Walk/Trot entries are judged on the work required for their class — including pattern accuracy, walk and trot quality, transitions, manners, responsiveness, rhythm and cadence.

What about lead changes?

Here's something that sometimes causes unnecessary worry:

A flying lead change isn't automatically required.

At RR&More, when a Ranch Riding pattern calls for a lead change, the change may be simple or flying unless the pattern specifically states otherwise.

A clean, smooth and balanced simple change is acceptable.

Want to give it a try?

Ranch Riding is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.

And you 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.

Next up: Working Western Rail.

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

09/07/2026

WHAT IS RANCH TRAIL?

Next in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is Ranch Trail.

If you like obstacles and putting practical skills to use, this may be a class for you.

Ranch Trail is a ridden obstacle class designed to show how safely, willingly and correctly a horse can negotiate a course of practical ranch-style obstacles.

Depending on the pattern and level, you may encounter things such as:

• Poles or logs
• A hinged or rope gate
• A bridge or simulated bridge
• Back-throughs
• Sidepassing
• Carrying or moving an object
• A mailbox
• Ground poles or boxes
• Other practical obstacles based on situations and tasks a horse might encounter while working on a ranch

The obstacles aren't there simply to see whether your horse can get from one side to the other.

What is the judge looking for?

The judge is looking at how your horse negotiates the course, including:

• Willingness and manners
• Confidence approaching obstacles
• Accuracy and obstacle correctness
• Responsiveness to the rider
• Straightness and body control
• Quality of movement and cadence
• Smoothness and efficiency
• Safe, practical obstacle handling
• Overall ranch-style suitability

A good Ranch Trail performance should look willing, confident, responsive and practical — with the horse and rider working their way through the course without excessive correction.

You don't need a professional obstacle course at home.

For RR&More virtual shows, we allow reasonable substitutions based on the safe materials and space you have available.

Your obstacle doesn't necessarily have to look exactly like the one shown in the pattern. It does need to be safe, stable, clearly identifiable and maintain the intent of the obstacle.

The goal is to test practical ability, willingness and confidence.

What if you don't lope?

You still have options.

RR&More offers Intro Walk/Walk, Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Lope options depending on level.

In Intro Walk/Walk, you perform walk and extended walk.

And there are options for different exhibitors too, with divisions for:

Youth • Amateur • Select Amateur (50+) • Open

There are options for a pretty wide range of riders — and you don't have to be an experienced show competitor to give it a try.

Want to give it a try?

Ranch Trail is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.

And you choose how you want to participate:

Score Only — receive your score and placing.

Score + Feedback — receive your score and placing, plus individual feedback from the judge to help you understand what went well and where you can improve.

Entries close September 14. Videos are due September 27.

Next up: Ranch Riding.

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

09/07/2026

WHAT IS IN-HAND RANCH TRAIL?

Next in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is In-Hand Ranch Trail.

If you enjoy working with your horse from the ground, this may be a class worth trying.

In-Hand Ranch Trail is an obstacle class where you guide your horse through a ranch-style trail pattern from the ground.

Depending on the pattern and level, you may encounter things such as:

• Poles or logs
• Back-throughs
• A rope gate or hinged gate
• A bridge or simulated bridge
• Sidepassing
• Cones or a serpentine
• Carrying or moving an object
• A mailbox or object-transfer obstacle
• Other practical ranch-style obstacles

The obstacles are meant to reflect the kinds of useful, natural or practical situations a horse might encounter — not to frighten or trick the horse.

What is the judge looking for?

The judge is looking at how the horse and handler negotiate the entire pattern, including:

• Willingness and manners
• Confidence approaching obstacles
• Accuracy and correctness
• Responsiveness to the handler
• Straightness and body control
• Smoothness and efficiency
• Safe, effective handling
• Overall ranch-style practicality

The goal is a horse that appears attentive, willing, manageable and confident, with a handler who can guide the horse safely and effectively.

You don't need a fancy obstacle course.

Because RR&More is virtual, we allow reasonable flexibility in obstacle setup based on the safe materials and space you have available.

Your obstacles don't have to look exactly like the ones shown in the pattern diagram. They do need to be safe, stable, clearly identifiable and maintain the intent of the maneuver.

And yes — there's an Intro option.

In Intro Walk/Walk, all forward movement is performed at the walk or extended walk. If the standard pattern calls for a trot, Intro exhibitors use an extended walk instead.

That makes In-Hand Ranch Trail an option for horses and handlers at many different stages.

Want to give it a try?

In-Hand Ranch Trail is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.

And you choose how you want to participate:

Score Only — receive your score and placing.

Score + Feedback — receive your score and placing, plus individual feedback from the judge to help you understand what went well and where you can improve.

Entries close September 14. Videos are due September 27.

Next up: Ranch Trail.

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

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