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Racking HorseRack on!! In 1972, with the crowning of Go Boy's Roadrunner, and every year 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"
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.
Registration Requirements Racking Horse Breeders Association of America
(RHBAA) Walking/Racking Horse Registry (WRHR) 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: Walking /Racking Horse Registry United Racking Horse Owners and Exhibitors Association L.L.C. |
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. 
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?
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.