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Racking Horse
Rack on!!
In 1972, with the crowning of Go Boy's Roadrunner, and every year thereafter, the cry, "RACK ON!", has echoed through the State of Alabama at the Racking Horse Breeders' Association of America's (RHBAA) Annual world Grand Champion Celebration. The millennium year was no exception.
The final minutes were as thrilling as in any years' past. Steaming, heaving horses and their riders lined up waiting to hear the judging results as everyone in the arena held their breath. Then, finally, after what seemed an eternity, the announcer's voice proclaimed loud and clear, "The Racking Horse World Grand Champion for the year 2000 is, Pursuing Perfection, ridden by Mr. Larry Latham and owned by Leslie & Sandra Muguerza and Bill & Darlene Harris. If anything was said after that it was completely drowned out by the cheers of the emotional crowd.
From Concept to "Breed"
In the late 1960's, Joe D. Bright led a group of Alabama horsemen through
the legalities with the USDA to recognize the Racking Horse as a distinct
breed. Drawing heavily from the existing pleasure Walking Horse ranks,
in 1971 the Racking Horse Breed was officially designated and the RHBAA
was established as the registry. As in these days there was not much being
done to represent the pleasure Walking Horse, the potential to promote
a horse shown without action devices, a set tail, nor the canter was tremendous,
and the new registry grew quickly. The intent was to "establish a registry
to protect and perpetuate the breed"- to create an organization that would
serve amateurs, breeders and exhibitors alike, as well as promote the
horses. Did the charter members dream it would grow to include over 80,000
horses from the U.S. and several foreign countries? Did they foresee the
Association's growth to approximately 3,300 members?
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On October 10, 1975, the Racking Horse was officially adopted as the state horse of Alabama. |
What's in a Name?
The "rack" as defined for the Racking Horse was the common name for the gait also referred to as the "single-foot". It is a square, evenly timed gait - an extension of the walk with more speed - and very smooth to ride. It may or may not be performed with high animation, a bobbing "shaky tail", and varying degrees of collection, in the ring or on the trail. It is as natural to the breed as walking, though it may be accentuated through training, pads, or riding styles.
Good looks, stamina and a calm, sweet, willing disposition have been bred into the Racking Horse since the beginning, yet the physical image is one of powerful grace. With a long neck, deep flanks, smooth legs and good bone, he is a horse built to go all day in comfort to the rider. Racking Horses come in all common horse colors, except Appaloosa patterns, and average about 15.2 hands at 1,000 pounds, a substantial pleasure riding mount.
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The Rack Stuff! Barbara is a petite blonde who could have been a model or perhaps a TV personality. However, showing Walking and Racking (as well as Quarter Horses) since she was five years old led her to choose training Racking Horses as her career in 1993. Now, at 33, she's very good at what she does, and she and Rick have a barn full of successful Racking Horses and satisfied clients to show for their hard work. The long awaited final Saturday night of the Championship Celebration arrives. Guaranteed Perfect, ("Fletch" as he's known to his friends and admirers) with Rick riding, puts on quite a performance as the class travels the ring each way and then lines up for the "usual" presentation. Grooms are called in (Barbara runs into the ring), saddles removed, flecks of foam are wiped as the judges walk around each horse to evaluate from curly pointed ears to long flowing tails. "Saddles on and riders up, please." Tonight it's Barbara who must leave the ring and wait along with the crowd as the horses move off one more time before lining up for the announcement of the winner. When it was over, Barbara, Rick and Guaranteed Perfect garnered the Reserve WGC, a fantastic honor, but there is always next year and most likely they'll be back to try again for that elusive WGC. Congratulations to Barbara, Rick and all the competitors on a grand showing. |
Registration Requirements
Though the RHBAA was the founding organization that first recognized and
documented the Racking Horse, there are several associations that currently
register Racking Horses.
Racking Horse Breeders Association of America
(RHBAA)
Horses can be registered with the RHBAA through two routes. The first
is by pedigree in which any foal born in 1994 or after must be blood typed
for parentage verification. Sire and dam will have also been blood typed
either with the RHBAA or another association in which case an affidavit
for verification is required. The second registration option is by performance.
Since 1997 the registration by commission of any qualified horse of any
age is allowed. As in the early days of the registry, a horse must perform
his natural gaits for personal inspection by a qualified commissioner
before registration is granted.
Walking/Racking Horse Registry (WRHR)
The WRHR began in October of 1999. It is an information registry predominately
for Racking Horses because so many Racking Horses have no pedigree showing
on their registrations because they are commissioned (registered on the
basis of gait). Registration requires DNA typing.
There are several advantages of registering WRHR. Pedigree is included on the registration. A custom-made book is created for each horse that includes photos and articles on significant horses in the registered horse's background. Horses that running walk or rack are eligible to compete in FOSH sanctioned shows for points.
Lovers of fine horses will find the Racking Horse to be a willing and gentle companion providing hours and years of enjoyment on the trail, the hunt, in the ring, on the farm, in harness or under saddle.
For more information contact:
Racking Horse Breeders' Association of America
67 Horse Center Road
Decatur, AL 35603
Phone: (256) 353-7225
E-mail: rhbaa67horse@aol.com
Website: www.rackinghorse.com
Walking /Racking Horse Registry
P.O. Box 291
New Haven, Kentucky 40051
Phone: 502-549-7348
E-mail: oldgate2@bardstown.com
Website: www.bardstown.com/~oldgate2/
United Racking Horse Owners and Exhibitors Association L.L.C.
P.O. Box 96
White Pine, TN 37890
Phone: (423) 674-7117
E-mail: tos@maintree.com
Website: www.showhorsetimes.com
Horses registered with, SSHBEA, TWHBEA, OR RHBAA can be automatically
registered with U.R.H.O.E.A.