What is a Ranch Horse?

The mission of the Iowa Ranch Horse Association is to promote the 
working horse or ranch horse, provide events to exhibit the ranch 
horse's abilities, and recognize individual ranch horses. 

The IRHA evaluates horses on their proficiency in skills one would need on an actual working ranch. There are six different classes offered at shows to evaluate and judge the horses:

Ranch Horse Pleasure – Designed to show a ranch horse that is a pleasure to ride.  Horses are required to work both ways in the arena at the walk, job and lope but ranch horses do so with more purpose to their strides.  The walk is intended to cover ground, the jog should be faster than the walk, the extended jog is truly extended and the lope is a true 3-beat gait.

Ranch Horse Versatility – Features obstacles a ranch horse may encounter in their daily work as well as reining maneuvers that are also useful to a broke ranch horse.  Obstacles include a gate, trotting over 4 logs, loping over a 12” jump, and dragging an obstacle.  The reining work consists of loping circles each direction with lead changes, stopping, rollbacks, and backing.

Working Cow Horse – Shows a horse’s ability to work a cow.  It consists of holding or boxing a cow at the end of the arena to show control, taking the cow down the fence and turning each direction, and then circling the cow in the middle of the arena in both directions.  This class is similar to the AQHA class, but without the reining (dry) work.

Ranch Roping – The objective is to catch your cow with as little chasing as possible (walk or trot only).  The rider sorts out a designated cow from the herd (the cows are identified by wearing numbered collars) and ropes it with a breakaway rope.  Legal catches must go over the head or include the horns.  The rope must be dallied to the saddle horn and come tight to break the breakaway Honda.

Ranch Cutting – Judged on the horse’s ability.  A single numbered cow is cut from the herd and held to show sufficient control.  Then the contestant pens the cow within the 2 minute, 30 second time limit.

Ranch Horse Conformation – This is the last class of the day and is designed to showcase the conformation necessary for a ranch horse to do his job under saddle.  Horses are ridden into the ring for judging.  After walking to the judge and trotting past, horses are unsaddled along the rail for inspection.

The Iowa Ranch Horse Association is a group of horse enthusiasts looking to enjoy
their horses in an entirely different type of competitive atmosphere.

Never been to a Ranch Horse competition? No problem!  IRHA frequently holds clinics
to give newcomers a chance to get their hooves wet before diving into competition.

BUT...IRHA is about much more than just competing...

IRHA members take pride in their association. You don't have to compete in the shows to be considered a "real" member.
In fact, you don't even have to own a horse! The organization is dedicated to promoting well-broke,
reliable working horses...and the members share a love for that true equine athlete.

It's a great group of friendly people, excited about their horses and their association!

Click HERE to download a Membership Application

The IRHA is led by a Board of Directors, consisting of Officers as well as eight District Representatives. Feel free to contact them any time with questions or concerns.

2010 Board of Directors

President - Jim Wilson, Plymouth 641-696-5747 jim.wilson@iowaranchhorse.com

Vice President - Buzz Oliphant, Rowley 319-934-3728 buzz.oliphant@iowaranchhorse.com

Secretary/Treasurer - Janell Ramsey, Gladbrook, 641-473-2202 janell.ramsey@iowaranchhorse.com

Director at Large - Steve Best, Brayton 712-549-2249 steve.best@iowaranchhorse.com 

President Emeritus - Don Clark, Ankeny 515-964-2875

Youth Director - Zane Peters, Winterset 515-462-4177

Click here to return to the IRHA Home Page!