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Just about any gaited horse or pony can be driven. Hackneys, Tennesse Walking Horses, Morgans, Saddlebreds, National Show Horses, Standardbreds, and Paso Finos are among the many breeds shown.

The type of showing depends on the breed. Most well known are the high stepping horses such as Saddlebreds and Hackneys. These horse are known for their exaggerated leg movement at all gaits. They must be well groomed, turned out in special show harnesses, with very fine carriages and costumed drivers. They are usually shown singly, and at their special gaits including the rack and pace as well as the normal gaits.

Gaited horses are also shown pulling a racing bike and a driver wearing silks, which originated from actual harness racing although actual harness racing breeds are rarely shown this way.

Horses are judged on turnout, including grooming, polished harness, the quality and care of the carriage, the turnout of the driver, the horse's training, and the horse's gaits. Each gait is judged by how well articulated, how high the horse steps, how animated and excited the horse appears, and how the gait exemplifies the breed. Special weighted shoes and leg weights are often used to increase or exaggerate the leg movement of these horses.

Each breed has its own standard for grooming and turnout, and each class has its own rules and requirements. In some breeds, manes and tails are left long and flowing. In some breeds, manes and tails are cut short, and tails can be docked and set up high. Some horses must be braided. Turnout is a very important part of this type of show regardless of what breed horse or what class the horse competes in.

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