Boot Camp 2026

P07 OTHER PERFORMANCE

Other Performance is for any event other than English Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Regalia or any of the Scene classes. Entries for this class may include any of the disciplines/events identified in this section. Thank you to Eleanor Harvey and Kim Bjorgo for the helpful information below!
Pattern Needed means that you must upload an image of a pattern or test using the Reference images area on the "Performances" tab in OMHPS. The image must indicate where your horse is on the test/pattern. Click Add Photos on the menu at the top of this page for more information on uploading.
Other Performance English Events include hunter, jumper, eventing, dressage, English side-saddle, arena trail with English tack, games with English tack, skijoring with English tack, or any timed or judged event using English or Australian tack and appropriate props. A doll rider, if used, should be dressed in an appropriate shirt, jacket, breeches/jodhpurs (youth riders), and riding helmet.

Hunters are judged on their manners and way of going and should demonstrate a willingness to perform. Tack is a basic all-purpose English or hunt-seat saddle and snaffle bridle. No boots or devices. A running or standing martingale is permitted in hunter over fences classes only. Hunter fences are natural colors (browns/greens). A ground line must be used, and there are no flags. Typical fences include standards with rails, flower boxes, coops, and faux brick or stone walls. Riders wear tan breeches and jackets in conservative colors; black helmet is required. Pattern needed.
Jumpers are judged on their ability to negotiate obstacles, often at speed. Basic tack includes a forward- seat saddle and leg protection on the horse; everything else is permissible. Jumpers are often seen with breastplates, martingales, hackamores, and colorful leg protection. Jumping classes use brightly colored, numbered fences with or without a ground line, and flags (red on the right, white on the left). Alcohol- or tobacco-related jumps are not permitted for this show. Riders wear helmets, tan breeches and dark coats, unless they have competed in the Olympics. Olympic competitors may wear red coats. Pattern needed.
Dressage horses are judged on their willingness to accept the aids of the rider and execute a prescribed series of movements as outlined in the dressage test. There are many levels of dressage and you will need to evaluate the movement of your horse to determine at what level it is performing, then find the appropriate USDF dressage test. Tack requirements are specific to the level at which your model is showing. No leg bandages, martingales or breastplates. Dressage rings consist of a low white fence with letters which tell the rider where to execute the movement. Your entry must have the fence and the appropriate letter. Riders wear conservative clothing; helmets, tan breeches and a coat are acceptable at lower levels; advanced riders wear white breeches and a shadbelly coat and a riding helmet. Pattern needed; identify your horse's movement too.
English Games are fun on horse- (or pony-) back. The horse or pony wears a huntseat or Australian saddle, and English-type bridle. Breastplates, martingales, and leg protection are used, depending on the event. English games include the egg-and-spoon race, dollar ride, Pony Club games, or other gymkhana events. Riders should be in breeches or jodhpurs and wear boots and helmets. Pattern needed.
Eventing/Horse Trials. There are several stages of eventing; you must clearly state in your Documentation the stage that your model is performing. In a typical 1-day or 3-day event, horses compete in forward-seat or all-purpose saddles and typical English-style bridles in the cross-country and stadium portion. During cross country, riders often use colorful saddle pads and matching leg protection. Riders must wear helmets, and often wear a chest protector. Breastplates are common. See the above Dressage section if your model is showing in dressage as part of a 3-day event. Pattern (stadium jumping) or location (endurance) needed.

Other Performance Western events such as arena trail, arena roping, games, cutting, working cow horse, Western dressage, Western side-saddle, rodeo, reining, skijoring and any timed or judged event other than Pleasure using Western tack and appropriate props. Non-arena roping (such as out on the range or in a paddock) would enter the Other Realistic Scene class. A doll rider, if used, should be dressed in an appropriate shirt, pants, chaps, and riding helmet (use of helmets is optional for adult Western riders).

Arena Roping is a typical rodeo event, where a Western saddle typically with a back cinch, use a bridle with closed reins. A lariat (rope), neck rope, tie down, and leg protection for all four legs are required. If a doll is presented, the doll must have a “piggin string.” Breakaway roping entries do not require a neck rope or piggin string. As with all performance classes described in this document, you will need to do more research to accurately present your model. Non-arena roping goes in Other Realistic Scene.
Cutting is a class where the athleticism of the horse and its ability to control a steer is evaluated. A Western saddle with or without a back cinch is required, as is bridle with split reins and no browband/noseband. Leg protection is used on all four legs. A prop cow/steer made by Breyer is required. Calves are not used. Only one horse can be presented. A turnback rider or hazer entry would go in the realistic Scene class.
Reining evaluates the disposition of the horse, its response to the rider, and its athleticism. Reining horses use a Western saddle, a bridle with split reins, romal reins. Leg protection for the horse is used on front and back legs, particularly skid boots on hind legs. Pattern needed.
Western Games classes test the versatility of the horse and rider. A Western saddle and bridle with closed reins are used. Nylon tack is very popular (and quite colorful!). Games include barrel racing, pole bending, and other gymkhana events such as egg-and-spoon and barrel crawl. Pattern needed.
Working Cow Horse has three sections: reining, cutting, and fence work. An entry for this class must provide the pattern, fence, and/or a single Breyer steer as applicable for the section depicted. The saddle may have one or two cinches, a bridle with romal or split reins, and leg protection on all four legs.

Other Performance may also include performance that does not fit the other classes. Examples include showmanship, harness, Doma Vaquera, endurance, competitive trail, jousting, or flat racing. It must be a timed or judged event. If you still have questions regarding where your entry belongs, please ask.

Arena Trail tests the ability of the horse and rider to work as a team to “solve” negotiating an obstacle course. Emphasis is on the willingness of the horse to examine and negotiate the obstacle in a safe manner. An arena trail entry may be presented EITHER in English OR Western tack. A snaffle bridle is typical. Leg protection is not used. Riders in English tack should wear breeches, boots, jackets in a conservative color, and helmets. Riders in Western tack should wear jeans, chaps, button-down shirts with or without a conservative vest, boots, and a Western hat or helmet. An arena trail set-up might include, but is not limited to: walking, jogging/trotting or loping/cantering over poles, backing between poles, standing next to a mailbox or many other kinds of man-made obstacles. Pattern needed.
Harness set-ups may include draft, pleasure driving, fine harness, marathon driving, driven dressage, as well as models hitched to a plow, barge, chariot, racing sulky, sleigh, etc. Vehicles are required, and preferably made by Breyer or by the entrant. There are many different types of harness classes and types, with each having specific requirements in regards to vehicles, tack and drivers. Please do further research on your own, and document your entry on a half-sheet of paper. Drivers should wear gloves, carry a whip (it can be mounted on the vehicle), and if it is a formal class, a lap robe is required. Helmets are required in certain instances, and encouraged at all times.
Showmanship is known as "equitation in hand" as the handler is judged on their appearance as well as their handling of their well-behaved, groomed and trained adult horse. This class also includes keuring for sport horses. A single model and doll handler is required, with clothing appropriate to the type of headgear being used for the particular breed (research carefully!). A handler doll is required; no judge dolls.
Skijoring is a Nordic event where a horse and rider pulls a person on skis. The emphasis is on safety of the horse and rider (protective equipment must be used) as well as the skier/snowboarder. The tack used may be either English or Western. Depending on the tack used, this is EITHER an English Event OR a Western Event. A doll skier/snowboarder is required.

NOTE that there are some breed/event combinations in which you may use EITHER English or Western Tack: Gaited breeds in English classes: breeds such as the Paso Fino, Tennessee Walking Horse, Mountain Pleasure Horse, and American Saddlebred are shown in a cutback saddle, and either a snaffle or full bridle with a curb bit. Riders wear saddleseat pants, dark coats cut to fall at mid-thigh, and short boots. A bowler hat is typical, but a helmet is allowed. Gaited breeds in Western classes: these same breeds may also show under Western tack, which includes a Western saddle. Young horses are often shown in a hackamore, bosal, or snaffle bit, older horses are shown in a curb bit. Riders wear chaps, button-down shirts, boots, and a Western hat, but a helmet is allowed.