The Western Pleasure Show Class
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.
These classes are group competitions, where many horses are in the ring. They must walk, jog, and lope on a loose rein, going in both directions. A calm and willing manner is paramount, with the horse obeying every slight signal of the rider. Competitors will be asked to stand and back and may have to do an extended trot or a gallop. The fashion today has gotten away from exaggerated slowness at the jog and lope and an unnaturally low head carriage.
Judges inevitably have preferences in performance and type of horse that will be placed high. They are trained to be impartial, but all competitors must accept the fact that neither horses nor humans are machines and that no one can win all the time. The showing world can be fun, but it is often a source of negativity and disappointment. The quality of the atmosphere rests with the competitors, who set the tone.
For many families, showing is an activity that involves every member. Local shows often have classes that are designed to be fun, like costume contests or bareback riding. Clubs like the 4H and the Pony Club have competitions on both local and regional levels, where points earned by winning can mean end-of-year awards.
For horse breeders, professional trainers, riding coaches, and serious horse exhibitors, winning is more important than fun. A national title makes the reputation of a stallion, whose owner hopes to make money by breeding the mares of others who hope to raise a top performer. When students win, their coaches look good, and the trainers of their horses have earned their fees. Those with a horse to sell can jack up the price when the animal brings home top honors from major shows.
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.
The western pleasure show class is one of the popular contests in the sport, as well as one of the most demanding. It gives beginning riders and green horses a place to start and top competitors a showcase for practiced perfection.
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.
These classes are group competitions, where many horses are in the ring. They must walk, jog, and lope on a loose rein, going in both directions. A calm and willing manner is paramount, with the horse obeying every slight signal of the rider. Competitors will be asked to stand and back and may have to do an extended trot or a gallop. The fashion today has gotten away from exaggerated slowness at the jog and lope and an unnaturally low head carriage.
Judges inevitably have preferences in performance and type of horse that will be placed high. They are trained to be impartial, but all competitors must accept the fact that neither horses nor humans are machines and that no one can win all the time. The showing world can be fun, but it is often a source of negativity and disappointment. The quality of the atmosphere rests with the competitors, who set the tone.
For many families, showing is an activity that involves every member. Local shows often have classes that are designed to be fun, like costume contests or bareback riding. Clubs like the 4H and the Pony Club have competitions on both local and regional levels, where points earned by winning can mean end-of-year awards.
For horse breeders, professional trainers, riding coaches, and serious horse exhibitors, winning is more important than fun. A national title makes the reputation of a stallion, whose owner hopes to make money by breeding the mares of others who hope to raise a top performer. When students win, their coaches look good, and the trainers of their horses have earned their fees. Those with a horse to sell can jack up the price when the animal brings home top honors from major shows.
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.
The western pleasure show class is one of the popular contests in the sport, as well as one of the most demanding. It gives beginning riders and green horses a place to start and top competitors a showcase for practiced perfection.
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