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.
A level topline is the ideal with the head in line with the withers. Excessive deviation from a natural position will cause resistance in the horse. The horse must bring the hind legs well under the body when he is moving and this is difficult if the head is carried too low. Careful training is needed to develop the correct muscling in the hindquarters. Rhythmic, cadenced paces are very important. Any unevenness in the gait will be penalised.
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 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.
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.
A level topline is the ideal with the head in line with the withers. Excessive deviation from a natural position will cause resistance in the horse. The horse must bring the hind legs well under the body when he is moving and this is difficult if the head is carried too low. Careful training is needed to develop the correct muscling in the hindquarters. Rhythmic, cadenced paces are very important. Any unevenness in the gait will be penalised.
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 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.
About the Author:
You can visit the website jacquesapparel.com for more helpful information about The Attributes Needed For A Western Pleasure Show Horse
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire