ALL BREED OPEN SCHOOLING SHOW
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
JUDGE'S BIOS
ALL BREED OPEN SHOW JUDGE'S BIOS
VICTOR SALAZAR
Victor Salazar, lifelong horseman and cattleman, managed the cattle operation for his family's Nutritas Ranch in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico for over 30 years, and is still involved after retiring to Paulden, Arizona. His practical ranching knowledge has given him the ability to bring the fundamentals of ranching and training ranch horses to ranch horse versatility clinics and competitions to teach people of all ages and experience levels how to be successful in competing in ranch versatility events.
LORI WALTON
Lori Walton is a veteran of many aspects of the horse business with experience as a breeder, trainer, judge, clinician, and equine photographer. Lori is a carded judge with over 35 years of experience. Her focus for the past several years has been versatility ranch horse and reined cow horse. Lori is an approved judge for the American Stock Horse Association (ASHA), Stock Horse of Texas, Western States Versatility Ranch Horse Association, National Versatility Ranch Horse Association (NVRHA), AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse specialty card, Ranch Horse Association of America, and National Reined Cow Horse Association. She has judged the NVRHA National Championship Show in both 2010 and 2013, and ASHA National Championship Show in 2019 and 2021. Lori has trained horses and people for a variety of disciplines and has given seminars and presentations at several equine expos, including Equine Affaire, Equifest of Kansas, Horse World Expo of Maryland, and the Northern International Livestock Expo. The mission of Walton Ranch is to help people of all experience levels on their horsemanship journey through learning in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with a focus on training the versatile ranch horse. We want to help you ride a better horse through better horsemanship and training while establishing a good working relationship between you and your horse.
REGISTRATION
PRE-REGISTRATION
ONLINE
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Contestants may register online for classes without submitting payment. Payment for classes and fees will be made at the end of the show.
Once your application is completed please upload it here or email it to: shows@cvequestrianpark.org
WESTERN ALL BREED SCHOOLING SHOW
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Halter: Horses are shown in a halter before the judge so that lameness and quality of movement can be evaluated. Horses are judged on balance, structural correctness, breed and sex characteristics and degree of muscling. Horses will be shown at the walk and trot/jog and will be stood to their best advantage or breed standard for the judge to evaluate conformation.
Ranch Horse Conformation: This class is designed to evaluate a horse's structure, balance, and capability to perform ranch work. Judges look for a structurally sound horse with correct limbs, good muscling, and overall balance, ensuring the horse is built to withstand a full day of ranch work. In this class, handlers will walk in toward the judge, then once past the judge, trot around a cone and line up, standing with the horse squared up to be judged.
Showmanship: Horses are shown in a halter. The judge evaluates the showmanship skills of the exhibitor. Judges evaluate the ability to execute, in concert with a well-groomed and conditioned horse, a pattern of maneuvers with precision and smoothness while exhibiting poise and confidence.
Western Pleasure: Contestants compete simultaneously on the rail and are asked to walk and jog both directions for the walk/jog classes and at the walk, jog and lope both directions for the walk/jog/lope classes. Horses are evaluated on a natural movement, with quality and consistency of gaits while staying quiet and calm, traveling on a reasonably loose rein, giving the appearance of a horse that is a pleasure to ride.
Ranch Riding Rail Classes: Contestants compete simultaneously on the rail and are asked to walk and trot both directions for the walk/trot classes and at the walk, trot and lope both directions for the walk/trot/lope classes. The judge may call for the extension of any gait. The movement of the horse should simulate a horse needing to cover long distances, softly and quietly, like that of a working ranch horse. The horse should be well-trained, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The ideal ranch horse will travel with forward movement and demonstrate an obvious lengthening of stride at extended gaits. The horse can be ridden with light contact or on a relatively loose rein without requiring undue restraint, but not shown on a full drape of reins.
Ranch Riding: Horses show individually, performing a set pattern. Judges are looking for relaxed, responsive horses with soft and cadenced gaits. The overall manners and responsiveness of the horse to make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner, as well as the quality of movement are the primary considerations.
Ranch Trail: This class should test the horse’s ability to cope with situations encountered while being ridden through a pattern of obstacles generally found during the course of everyday ranch work. The horse/rider team is judged on correctness, efficiency, and pattern accuracy with which the obstacles are negotiated, and the attitude and mannerisms exhibited by the horse. At least six obstacles will be used: opening and passing through a hinged gate, riding over at least 4 logs or poles, riding over a wooden bridge, sidepass and a backing obstacle. Other obstacles may include but are not limited to: carrying an object from one place to another, dragging an object, trotting through cones, and removing and replacing objects from a mailbox.
Arena Trail: This class is judged on the performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the rider, and quality of movement. At least six obstacles will be used, 3 of which are mandatory: opening and passing through a gate, riding over at least 4 logs or poles, and a backing obstacle. Other obstacles may include but are not limited to: carrying an object from one place to another, sidepassing, riding over a wooden bridge, putting on and removing a slicker, removing and replacing objects from a mailbox, and serpentining obstacles.
Reining: Horses show individually, running a set pattern. The pattern will include small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, rollbacks over the hocks, a series of 360 degree spins done in place, and sliding stops. The horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Credit will be given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority in performing the various maneuvers while using controlled speed.
Western Gaits: The Walk shall be a natural, flat footed, four-beat gait. The Trot shall be a consistent two-beat gait, or for gaited horses, showing their correct forward movement. The Lope shall be a relaxed three-beat gait.
DEFINITIONS AND SHOW RULES FOR 2026 All Breed Schooling Show
Definitions
Amateur:
Open to all ages and any skill level except Professionals.
Open:
Open to all ages including Amateur and Professional.
Walk/Trot Division:
Open to any age, meant for those riders that don’t lope their horses. To compete for high point, riders must choose between Western Division OR Ranch Division. Riders may enter other Walk/Trot classes in the other Division, however, points earned in those classes will not be applied to the chosen Walk/Trot Division. Riders may not compete in any Walk/Trot/Lope classes. They may enter those classes as a schooling entry only (reverse back number) and will not be judged.
Walk/Trot/Lope Division:
Open to any age for riders that lope their horses. To compete for high point, riders must choose between Western Division OR Ranch Division. Riders may enter other Walk/Trot/Lope classes in the other Division, however, points earned in those classes will not be applied to the chosen Walk/Trot/Lope Division. Riders may not compete in any Walk/Trot classes. They may enter those classes as a schooling entry only (reverse back number) and will not be judged.
EQWD:
Equestrians with Disabilities
Schooling:
To school, the horse must be able to perform the requisite gaits (must be able to lope if called for). Exhibitor must turn their number backwards (not visible but still on the exhibitor) so that the judge knows they are schooling. Exhibitor will not be judged or placed and will not receive any points.
HIGH POINTS
A High Point Champion and Reserve Champion will be named in the following Divisions as long as there are at least two qualifying competitors in the Division:
AMATEUR WESTERN – WALK/TROT OR WALK/TROT/LOPE
AMATEUR RANCH –WALK/TROT OR WALK/TROT/LOPE
Points earned in OPEN classes will be applied to corresponding Division for that contestant.
Example:
Contestant #1 is an amateur who only walks and trots and enters all Walk/Trot classes in the Western Division for Amateurs. She also enters Open Walk/Trot classes in the Western Division. The points she earns in those Open classes is applied to her overall points in the Walk/Trot Western Division.
Points are earned on the same horse/rider combination throughout the show.
Class points to be awarded according to the number of participants in the class.
Example: 7 riders in class - 1st (7 pts), 2nd (6 pts) etc.
Example: 3 riders in class - 1st (3 pts) 2nd (2 pts) 3rd (1 pt) etc.
SHOW RULES FOR 2026
Show Rules:
● Contestants must be at the gate when class is called. Class will not be delayed for late entries.
● Contestants with wrong back number or missing back number will not be judged. Contestants entering classes for “schooling purposes” will turn their back numbers over indicating they are not to be judged.
● Trail and Ranch Trail classes will be held in the open dirt area south of Arena #2 (Warm up arena). Trail classes may be run in an open block format. Contestants in those classes should choose a convenient time between 11 and 3 pm to report to the judge at the Trail class location. Contestants should know what class number and name they have signed up for.
● Upon entering the arena, participant accepts arena conditions, including footing.
PLEASE NOTE: All riders 17 & under must wear an approved riding helmet. If you are 18 years or older, you may make the helmet requirement optional by signing the helmet waiver on the entry form.
● No alcohol permitted on the show grounds.
● All dogs must be on a leash at all times while on CVEA property.
● In any dispute, CVEA show management's decision is final. CVEA reserves the final and absolute right to interpret all rules and regulations, arbitrarily settle and determine all matters, questions and differences in regard to or arising out of or connected to any CVEA show, and the right to amend or to add to these rules as it is determined necessary. Any exhibitor who violates these rules will forfeit all entry fees, privileges, premiums and awards, and CVEA shall have the full power to exclude the violator from further participation in the show and/or future CVEA shows. CVEA reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason; to accept, reject, or cancel any entry; and, to limit entries. CVEA reserves the right to add, cancel, or consolidate classes; and/or cancel shows at any time and for any reason. Clarification: CVEA management reserves the right to cancel shows at any time before or during a show due to extenuating circumstances such as inclement weather. Shows canceled for inclement weather will be re-scheduled.
● Each entry is judged to its breed standards to the best of the judge's ability. CVEA shows are designed to be both competitive and educational, therefore, it is CVEA policy that entries are not disqualified unless the animal, exhibitor (or individual associated with the exhibitor) or tack present a danger. Rather, the judge will place the entry lower and inform the exhibitor as to the infraction. It is within the absolute authority of CVEA management and the judge to implement this policy.
● It is CVEA policy to be inclusive where possible. Donkeys and mules are permitted in any class in which they can perform the requisite gaits. Gaited horses are permitted in any class and may perform their intermediate gait where the trot is called for. They must perform the lope if required.
● The reputation and ability of a judge is considered during the selection process. Judges may explain their placings. This is part of the educational process, which assists exhibitors to improve their performance. The decisions of the judges are final. CVEA accepts no responsibility for decisions of the judges. Judges have the discretion to excuse any horse that appears sore or lame.
● CVEA reserves the right to use any and all photographs and films taken during any CVEA show. Exhibitor hereby agrees to CVEA’s use of his/her image and likeness and that of his/her animal for publicity and advertising purposes.