- 2014 RCP #
- 22
- Summary
- Definition of Park Gaits
- Date Received
- 01Jun13
- Proponent
- Simon Rosenman
- Change Date
- Next Rulebook
- Status
- Closed for comments – 01Sep13
- Activity
- Initial Posting: 01Jun13
- PDC – Recommended with changes: 31July13
Current Wording – Article 28- Description of Gaits New subparagraph #7, renumber remainder
The following descriptions constitute the ADS-approved standard for performance of each of the required gaits in a pleasure driving competition. Cantering and galloping are not allowed unless clearly stated in the prize list. Management is strongly encouraged not to allow cantering or galloping in any class unless it is held in a securely enclosed area.
- WALK – A free, regular and unconstrained walk of moderate extension is ideal. The horses should walk energetically, but calmly, with even and determined pace. The walk is a four-beat gait.
- TROT – The trot is a two-beat gait.
- SLOW TROT: The horse should maintain forward impulsion while showing submission to the bit. The trot is slower and more
collected, but not to the degree required in the dressage collected trot. However, the horse should indicate willingness to be
driven on the bit while maintaining a steady cadence. - WORKING TROT: This is the pace between the strong and the slow trot and more round than the strong trot. The horse goes
forward freely and straight; engaging the hind legs with good hock action; on a taut, but light, rein; the position being balanced and unconstrained. The steps should be as even as possible. The hind feet touch the ground in the foot prints of the fore feet. The degree of energy and impulsion displayed at the working trot denotes clearly the degree of suppleness and balance of the horses. - STRONG TROT: This is a clear, but not excessive, increase in pace and lengthening of stride while remaining well balanced and showing appropriate lateral flexion on turns. Light contact to be maintained. Excessive speed will be penalized
- SLOW TROT: The horse should maintain forward impulsion while showing submission to the bit. The trot is slower and more
Suggested Wording – Article 28- Description of Gaits
The following descriptions constitute the ADS-approved standard for performance of each of the required gaits in a pleasure driving competition. Cantering and galloping are not allowed unless clearly stated in the prize list. Management is strongly encouraged not to allow cantering or galloping in any class unless it is held in a securely enclosed area.
- Walk – A free, regular and unconstrained walk of moderate extension is ideal. The horses should walk energetically, but calmly, with even and determined pace. The walk is a four-beat gait.
PARK WALK: a highly collected gait with good action and animation (not flat-footed). It should have snap and easy control and It should be a 2 -4 four beat gait performed with great style, elegance and airiness of motion. It should display the horse’s good manners.
- TROT – The trot is a two-beat diagonal gait.
- SLOW TROT: The horse should maintain forward impulsion while showing submission to the bit. The trot is slower and more
collected, but not to the degree required in the dressage collected trot. However, the horse should indicate willingness to be
driven on the bit while maintaining a steady cadence. - WORKING TROT: This is the pace between the strong and the slow trot and more round than the strong trot. The horse goes
forward freely and straight; engaging the hind legs with good hock action; on a taut, but light, rein; the position being balanced and unconstrained. The steps should be as even as possible. The hind feet touch the ground in the foot prints of the fore feet. The degree of energy and impulsion displayed at the working trot denotes clearly the degree of suppleness and balance of the horses. - STRONG TROT: This is a clear, but not excessive, increase in pace and lengthening of stride while remaining well balanced and showing appropriate lateral flexion on turns. Light contact to be maintained. Excessive speed will be penalized
PARK TROT: performed in a highly collected manner, speed to be penalized. The horse’s energy should be directed toward animation rather than speed. A two-beat diagonal gait.SHOW YOUR HORSE: At this command, the driver has the privilege of showing the Park Harness Driving Horse(s) to its (their) beat advantage at the trot, but excessive speed will be penalized.-
Park Class Gaits – To be called for only in Park classes.
a. Park Walk: A four beat, collected gait with good action and animation. It should have snap and easy control and be performed with great style, elegance and airiness of motion while displaying the good manners of the horse(s).
b. Park Trot: A two beat, diagonal gait performed in a collected manner with excessive speed s energy should be directed toward animation rather than speed.
c. Show Your Horse: At this command, the driver has the privilege of showing the Park Driving Horse(s) to its (their) best advantage at the trot, but speed will be penalized
- SLOW TROT: The horse should maintain forward impulsion while showing submission to the bit. The trot is slower and more
BMR says :
August 2, 2013Please don’t change a the definitions of the gaits used for the park classes. Especially the park walk. Competitors coming from the breed shows might be confused when competing in classes where the name of the gaits they are familiar with have a different meaning.
MichaelRidge says :
August 6, 2013All the gaits called for in ADS pleasure shows should be defined in one place. I’m glad this change is being proposed.
The definitions are substantially the same as the Saddlebred rules in the USEF rulebook, but scratch out the two beat park walk. As far as I can see, other breeds with ‘park harness’ or similar classes do not officially recognize a two beat park walk. They define a walk as a four beat gait and emphasize animation in their park-like classes. My Morgan mare competed in Morgan Park Harness as well as in ADS park classes. I don’t think the difference from other kinds of shows should stop the ADS from making its own rule.
I have some problems with the organization and wording of the suggested language, but no substantive issues.
Paragraph 1: The first word, ‘WALK’, should not be deleted.
Paragraph 1-A: All the other paragraphs start with the ring call for the gait; this paragraph should start with ‘WALK’. The last sentence is redundant.
Paragraph 1-B: First sentence should be capitalized. The second sentence should be simplified to “It should have snap and easy control and be performed with great style, elegance and airiness of motion.” The reference to a four beat gait is redundant as in 1-A.
Paragraph 2-D: The first fragment should be a complete sentence. “The gait should be performed in a collected manner with excessive speed to be penalized.” The third sentence is redundant as in 1-A and 1-B.
Paragraph 2-E: The phrase probably is ‘best advantage’, not ‘beat advantage’.
marshasue says :
August 23, 2013While I like the addition of the Park ‘gaits’ I object to the reference to Park Harness Driving Horses under “Show your Horse. This is Pleasure Driving. We do not have classes called Park Harness (at least not to my knowledge.) Also, to my knowledge, the only place I am aware of where the Park gaits are called for are in the Ladies Wicker Phaeton and Bonneted phaeton divisions and I can attest to the fact that many of the horses in these classes (at least at Walnut Hill) are not Park Harness horses.
I would not object to the wording: Show Your Horse: At this command, the driver has the privilege of showing the horse to its (their) best advantage at the trot, but excessive speed will be penalized.
sallylawing1 says :
August 23, 2013I do not understand the rationale for changing the definition of “park walk.” And, the new wording is internally inconsistent. In one place it says “not flat footed” and in another it specifies a 4 beat gait, which to most people means a flat walk. I have to think there are not a lot of entries for this division, and I do not see why you would wish to preclude a nice horse that will not flat (4 beat) walk. I think what is sought here is an “animated walk” (also known as a primp walk) and that can be 2 or 4 beat. Refer to USEF SB 114, which defines both “flat walk” and “animated walk.” I would suggest this language: “It can be either a two beat or a four beat gait.”
cepinwv says :
August 26, 2013I agree with sallylawing1. Need to use correct and consistent with gait descriptions, and not have wording so specific that it penalizes other breeds that could compete in the classes.
CaroleSweet says :
August 27, 2013I agree with Michael Ridge’s comments. A walk is a 4-beat gait…period. If a “walk” is a 2-beat gait, it has become something else. Pleasure shows should not be predicated by what is seen at breed shows.
RhinehartM says :
August 30, 2013It is fine that the Park class gaits are defined, but I dislike where they are placed in the context of the rule. Below is the first sentence of the rule:
“The following descriptions constitute the ADS-approved standard for performance of EACH of the REQUIRED gaits in a pleasure driving competition.” (Emphasis added by me.)
Park gaits are only required in Park (and the like) classes. To include them with the rest of the required gaits insinuates that they will be asked for in a regular pleasure class. This will only be confusing for new drivers who think they will need to train their horse to do a collected walk as well as a flat walk. Can they be listed below the other gaits in a section titled something like “Park Class Gaits”?
rules says :
August 30, 2013Comment on behalf of Audrey Bostwick:
Yes – much needed clarification