Ranch Riding Competition
Ranch Riding is the fastest-growing AQHA event because it rewards what the western horse was always meant to be — functional, athletic, and genuinely useful. The saddle is part of the presentation.
AQHA Ranch Riding
AQHA Ranch Riding tests horses at ranch-appropriate maneuvers — walk, trot, lope, extended trot, extended lope, stops, spins, back, and side passes — while requiring a working-ranch appearance throughout. Horses are judged on correctness of maneuver, quality of movement, and overall impression of a horse that could genuinely be put to work.
The saddle is explicitly part of the picture. Rules require a stock saddle with a visible horn and back cinch. Tapaderos are appropriate. Silver-heavy show saddles are not appropriate. The judge is evaluating a horse and rider that look ready to ride out of the arena and into a pasture — the equipment has to match that standard.
Walk, jog/trot, extended trot, lope, extended lope on both leads, lead changes, stops, 360-degree spins, back, and side pass. The pattern is set by the judge and announced before the class. Horses are scored on a system of plus and minus points per maneuver, with a base score of 70.
Stock saddle with visible horn and visible back cinch. Rope or riata on the saddle. Slicker, yellow slicker, or rain slicker. Tapaderos optional but appropriate. No silver-heavy saddles — the goal is a working ranch appearance. Simple, functional, correct.
Ranch Riding rewards quiet, correct horsemanship and a horse that responds willingly. Excessive spurring, tight hands, or a horse that resists maneuvers are all penalized. A horse that moves freely, responds softly, and performs each maneuver without obvious cues is what the class is designed to produce and reward.
Ranch Versatility
NRCHA Ranch Versatility takes the ranch horse concept to its fullest expression — one horse, one rider, tested across ranch riding pattern work, trail course obstacles, cutting, and cow work all in a single competition day. It is the most demanding test of a complete ranch horse in organized competition.
| Phase | What It Tests | Saddle Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Ranch Riding | Pattern work at ranch gaits and maneuvers | Stock saddle, visible horn & back cinch |
| Trail | Obstacles — gates, bridges, water, ground poles | Same saddle |
| Cutting | Separating and holding a cow — free rein | Same saddle — must handle cow work |
| Cow Work | Boxing, fence work, circling | Same saddle — full ranch capability |
Ranch Versatility is the event where a well-chosen ranch saddle with correct geometry has the greatest crossover value. The same saddle that earns points in the ranch riding pattern must also function in cutting — which means the seat can't be too flat (cutting needs security) but also can't lock the rider in (ranch riding needs freedom). The Superior BL Ranch Riding Pro and BA Ranch Riding builds are engineered for exactly this crossover demand.
David Solum has matched riders to the right saddle across every western discipline for four decades. Call him with your event, your horse’s tree width, and your price range.