By Rena Hudson
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.
Stock horse breeds are suited to this discipline. This includes the Quarter horse, American paint and appaloosas. Saddlebreds, Morgans and Arabians are also quite common. A breed that has a natural high head carriage will find it difficult to move naturally and correctly if its head position is altered too much.
The ideal is for the head to be level with the withers. If this position is unnatural for the horse, he will be uncomfortable and unhappy. The lower the head carriage the harder it is for the horse to get his hind legs well under him in the proper manner, Hours of training are necessary to strengthen the muscles of the hindquarters. A steady, rhythmic pace, especially at the jog, is essential if you are to catch the judge's eye.
Horse and rider wear western gear. Chaps, jeans or dress pants, fitted shirt, belt, cowboy hat and boots are standard. Some like to add a waistcoat. Anything that suggests the rider is not sitting still should be avoided. Frills, a loose-fitting shirt or loose, bouncing hair all detract from a rider's appearance. As styles change a little with each season, it pays to note what is currently in fashion. Pay attention to the colour of your outfit to ensure it complements your horse.
The horse must be scrupulously clean. The muzzle, legs, face and ears are clipped to give a smooth appearance. Requirements vary from breed to breed. Arabians, Morgans and Saddlebreds must not have their manes tampered with. Quarter horses, paints and appaloosas usually have their manes shortened. Stock breeds often have their manes banded to encourage the hair to lie flat.
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.
Stock horse breeds are suited to this discipline. This includes the Quarter horse, American paint and appaloosas. Saddlebreds, Morgans and Arabians are also quite common. A breed that has a natural high head carriage will find it difficult to move naturally and correctly if its head position is altered too much.
The ideal is for the head to be level with the withers. If this position is unnatural for the horse, he will be uncomfortable and unhappy. The lower the head carriage the harder it is for the horse to get his hind legs well under him in the proper manner, Hours of training are necessary to strengthen the muscles of the hindquarters. A steady, rhythmic pace, especially at the jog, is essential if you are to catch the judge's eye.
Horse and rider wear western gear. Chaps, jeans or dress pants, fitted shirt, belt, cowboy hat and boots are standard. Some like to add a waistcoat. Anything that suggests the rider is not sitting still should be avoided. Frills, a loose-fitting shirt or loose, bouncing hair all detract from a rider's appearance. As styles change a little with each season, it pays to note what is currently in fashion. Pay attention to the colour of your outfit to ensure it complements your horse.
The horse must be scrupulously clean. The muzzle, legs, face and ears are clipped to give a smooth appearance. Requirements vary from breed to breed. Arabians, Morgans and Saddlebreds must not have their manes tampered with. Quarter horses, paints and appaloosas usually have their manes shortened. Stock breeds often have their manes banded to encourage the hair to lie flat.
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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