- In halter events, horses are led in the ring wearing only a halter or bridle so the judge can get a look at how the body is put together. In breed events, the horse is judged against the breed standard. In some classes, like hunter-hack, the horse is judged on how smooth of a ride he would give based on the way his body is put together. Horses also must be obedient and alert in these classes. After having the body inspected, the horse is asked to trot around the ring to see the way she moves and to be sure she isn't lame.
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Show horse parked out. Image from NickernetThe horse is to "square up" or to stand with an equal amount of weight on each leg, with head up, alert, as if ready to run. This is thought to be the best way for a judge to determine how well the horse is put together. A horse should not fall asleep or cock a hind leg in the class. Some gaited breeds like the American saddle bred, the Tennessee walking horse and the Hackney have to stand in a position called "parking out," where the legs are extended to resemble a rocking horse. This is derived from a horse's stance during urination. - For horse breeders, halter events are often more important than other action events, because it shows how close their stock resembles the breed standard. The more your horses win at halter events, the more likely people will want to buy your animals. In some breeds, like the Arabian, the superstars are the ones who win at halter events and not just at mere riding or carriage pulling events.
- There are classes for mixed breed or purebred horses and ponies called combination events. In these events, the horse is either ridden or pulls a cart and then is judged on conformation in a halter event. These classes take a considerably long time.
- There are also halter events where the handler of a halter horse is judged and not the horse. The handler is judged on how well he keeps the horse calm, alert and still and in the squared up or parked out position until asked to trot the horse out. He is also judged on how well the horse looks and on his own outfits.
