Western pleasure show classes are designed to celebrate the pleasure of riding a quiet horse across country. In contrast, other classes exhibit the working horse, one that can herd a cow or get its rider from point A to point B through any obstacle and over any terrain.
Unless the show is for one breed only, any light horse can compete. Many breeds are suitable, but the preferred ones are the American Quarter Horse, the Paint, and the Appaloosa. These horses are most likely to have the conformation that makes for low head carriage, smooth slow gaits, and a ground-covering stride. Balance, rhythm, and calmness are all important in winning a class. Although all of these traits are natural to a good horse, they often do not carry over when the animal is being ridden.
The horse must show well in a group setting, working in both directions inside a ring. It should walk freely and quietly, to jog slowly but with a ground-covering step, and to lope in a relaxed manner with the head held at about the height of the withers. Many competitors exaggerate all of these requirements, exhibiting an extremely slow jog and an abnormally low head carriage, but this is becoming less successful as trends change. In addition, the horse must stand quietly, back readily, and do it all on a loose rein.
Judges are trained in the requirements of showing and are supposed to be impartial. However, they are human and often have preferences that come into play in the final selection of winners. The horse showing world is demanding for both horse and rider, who need to perform at their best and accept the outcome as part of the game.
Showing is both fun and serious business. For many families, it is a leisure activity that gives a point to all the practice and routine horse care that good riding requires. Kids who love their horses like showing them off, and ribbons and trophies won are proudly displayed on the walls of tack rooms around the country.
However, it is serious business for many. Both amateurs and professionals need high awards to market their horses, both individuals and breeding animals. Trainers and coaches need their horses and students to win in order to establish their credibility. The price of a winning horse may be fabulous. Ribbons and end-of-year rewards can mean much in terms of income or profit.
There are other industries involved. Colorful clothing is a must for western classes. Horses wear expensive tack, often decorated with silver or color inlays, and riders need at least fancy boots and hats. Feed companies advertise that their products will give horses the energy as well as the shine of the coat and the bright eyes that will attract attention. All sorts of other supplies, from vitamins to shampoos, promise to help make a superior equine athlete.
Western pleasure show classes are great for beginning riders and green horses, and they also showcase the perfection that top pros can achieve. The training that this class demands enables a horse and rider to really enhance the comfort of both.
Unless the show is for one breed only, any light horse can compete. Many breeds are suitable, but the preferred ones are the American Quarter Horse, the Paint, and the Appaloosa. These horses are most likely to have the conformation that makes for low head carriage, smooth slow gaits, and a ground-covering stride. Balance, rhythm, and calmness are all important in winning a class. Although all of these traits are natural to a good horse, they often do not carry over when the animal is being ridden.
The horse must show well in a group setting, working in both directions inside a ring. It should walk freely and quietly, to jog slowly but with a ground-covering step, and to lope in a relaxed manner with the head held at about the height of the withers. Many competitors exaggerate all of these requirements, exhibiting an extremely slow jog and an abnormally low head carriage, but this is becoming less successful as trends change. In addition, the horse must stand quietly, back readily, and do it all on a loose rein.
Judges are trained in the requirements of showing and are supposed to be impartial. However, they are human and often have preferences that come into play in the final selection of winners. The horse showing world is demanding for both horse and rider, who need to perform at their best and accept the outcome as part of the game.
Showing is both fun and serious business. For many families, it is a leisure activity that gives a point to all the practice and routine horse care that good riding requires. Kids who love their horses like showing them off, and ribbons and trophies won are proudly displayed on the walls of tack rooms around the country.
However, it is serious business for many. Both amateurs and professionals need high awards to market their horses, both individuals and breeding animals. Trainers and coaches need their horses and students to win in order to establish their credibility. The price of a winning horse may be fabulous. Ribbons and end-of-year rewards can mean much in terms of income or profit.
There are other industries involved. Colorful clothing is a must for western classes. Horses wear expensive tack, often decorated with silver or color inlays, and riders need at least fancy boots and hats. Feed companies advertise that their products will give horses the energy as well as the shine of the coat and the bright eyes that will attract attention. All sorts of other supplies, from vitamins to shampoos, promise to help make a superior equine athlete.
Western pleasure show classes are great for beginning riders and green horses, and they also showcase the perfection that top pros can achieve. The training that this class demands enables a horse and rider to really enhance the comfort of both.
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