If you wish to ride in a western pleasure show, there are a number of points to consider. To be successful the right type of horse is paramount. Western pleasure in not suited to highly strung, spirited mounts. Horses in these classes should move in a smooth, slow manner with a relatively low head carriage. They will need to be well-conformed and perfectly groomed.
Entrants will be asked to show their horses in three gaits. These are the walk, jog and lope. Rein backs are also required. The horse should not be excessively slow nor should the gaits be uneven or choppy. A loose rein must be used for the entire class. Transitions between the paces must be smooth with the rider sitting still in the saddle with both horse and rider maintaining the same position throughout.
Some breed shows have their own classes. In an open class, stock horse breeds are popular. These include Quarter horses, paints and the appaloosas. Morgans and Arabians are also quite common. Some breeds have a natural higher head carriage and will need careful training to encourage them to carry their head in a lower position.
The head should be carried level with the withers. Too much deviation from the horse's natural position will result in an unhappy and stressed mount. If the head is carried too low, the hindquarters will not engage properly and points will be lost. Consistent training is necessary to fully develop the muscles to enable the hind legs to come well under the body. The cadence or rhythm of the gaits, especially the jog, is important. Choppy or uneven strides are not desirable.
The rider wears western clothing. Jeans or dress pants, a fitted shirt, chaps and belt are standard as are cowboy boots and a hat. Waistcoats are popular. Anything that distracts from a smooth outline should be avoided. This includes bouncing ponytails, frills or puffy sleeves. A judge wants a clear view of the rider's position which should be as still as possible. Outfit styles change continually. Careful observation will tell you what is popular at any given time. Choose colors that harmonize with the color of your horse.
The horse and tack should be immaculate. Clip the legs, muzzle, face and ears. It is a requirement for some breeds that the mane and tail be left natural. The manes of stock horse breeds are usually shortened and often banded. Banding causes the mane to lie flat, contributing to a neat appearance.
The tail is normally cut straight across the bottom. Trim a little at a time so that you don't accidentally cut the tail too short. The horse carries his tail higher when moving than when at rest and it is easy to remove too much. Horses shown with natural manes and tails should not to be shown with a tail extension.
Both the horse and its gear should be immaculate. Polish any silver till it gleams. If you use an extra pad under your saddle, ensure it is out of sight. Show your horse to its best advantage. Enter the ring first or wait for a small gap before entering. While an immaculate, smart horse and rider may attract the attention of the judge, it is the correct movement and demeanour of the horse that will win you more points in western pleasure show classes.
Entrants will be asked to show their horses in three gaits. These are the walk, jog and lope. Rein backs are also required. The horse should not be excessively slow nor should the gaits be uneven or choppy. A loose rein must be used for the entire class. Transitions between the paces must be smooth with the rider sitting still in the saddle with both horse and rider maintaining the same position throughout.
Some breed shows have their own classes. In an open class, stock horse breeds are popular. These include Quarter horses, paints and the appaloosas. Morgans and Arabians are also quite common. Some breeds have a natural higher head carriage and will need careful training to encourage them to carry their head in a lower position.
The head should be carried level with the withers. Too much deviation from the horse's natural position will result in an unhappy and stressed mount. If the head is carried too low, the hindquarters will not engage properly and points will be lost. Consistent training is necessary to fully develop the muscles to enable the hind legs to come well under the body. The cadence or rhythm of the gaits, especially the jog, is important. Choppy or uneven strides are not desirable.
The rider wears western clothing. Jeans or dress pants, a fitted shirt, chaps and belt are standard as are cowboy boots and a hat. Waistcoats are popular. Anything that distracts from a smooth outline should be avoided. This includes bouncing ponytails, frills or puffy sleeves. A judge wants a clear view of the rider's position which should be as still as possible. Outfit styles change continually. Careful observation will tell you what is popular at any given time. Choose colors that harmonize with the color of your horse.
The horse and tack should be immaculate. Clip the legs, muzzle, face and ears. It is a requirement for some breeds that the mane and tail be left natural. The manes of stock horse breeds are usually shortened and often banded. Banding causes the mane to lie flat, contributing to a neat appearance.
The tail is normally cut straight across the bottom. Trim a little at a time so that you don't accidentally cut the tail too short. The horse carries his tail higher when moving than when at rest and it is easy to remove too much. Horses shown with natural manes and tails should not to be shown with a tail extension.
Both the horse and its gear should be immaculate. Polish any silver till it gleams. If you use an extra pad under your saddle, ensure it is out of sight. Show your horse to its best advantage. Enter the ring first or wait for a small gap before entering. While an immaculate, smart horse and rider may attract the attention of the judge, it is the correct movement and demeanour of the horse that will win you more points in western pleasure show classes.
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