Western pleasure
Western Pleasure is a discipline in western equestrian sport, in which the main aim is to present a horse that is as well trained as possible with clear gaits. The idea is to give the impression that this horse is a pleasure to ride. Therefore, only the performance, the condition and, in special classes, the structure of the horse are evaluated in the tests. The rider, on the other hand, is not judged, whereby his correct seating or fine assistance always contribute to the positive overall picture. In general, it is about the right technique and optimal presentation.
Western pleasure horses
race
American Quarter Horses are mostly used in Western Pleasure , as is usually the case in other Western disciplines. These horses are descended from the Spanish and English horses of English immigrants and have been crossed with mustangs over time. Originally from Virginia and Carolina, they were initially used for quarter mile races as well as everyday farm work. That is also one of the reasons why they are still very frugal and easy-feeding to this day.
In addition to the American Quarter Horses, Appaloosa and American Paint Horses are also popular in pleasure tests. Special breeds such as Tennessee Walkers or Missouri Fox Trotters often have separate tests because of their special gaits.
Breeding goal
The breeding association for American Quarter Horses is the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association), in Germany the DQHA (German Quarter Horse Association). This established the following breeding goal: “A versatile horse is being bred, which is suitable for leisure as well as for tournament and racing. In addition to the correct expression of the body shapes and movements typical of the breed, the horse should have a hard constitution, endurance, health and frugality. Particular emphasis is placed on good character traits and a benign temperament. "
Exterior
Quarter Horses are bred in a compact rectangular format. A short, wedge-shaped head with small but flexible ears, a straight nose line, a broad forehead and large, friendly and intelligent eyes are desirable. The horse should be light in the neck and have flat withers that reach far into the back. This should be short and strong and merge into a strongly muscled hindquarters with a long, sloping croup and a deeply set tail. The shoulders are optimal when they are also long and sloping. A good belt depth is desirable, as is a long, curved underline. Finally, the joints should not be too small and, in addition to short tubes and pasterns, there should also be hard hooves. The quarter horse is represented in all colors except for piebald; A height of 1.45 m to 1.65 m should be observed. The specially bred Western Pleasure horse is the quarter horse type, which deviates most from the original "stick type". Particular attention is paid to increased size. In addition, these horses are narrower and more similar to the English thoroughbred. The movements are flatter, as are the topline and hindquarters are stronger. It is also important that the horses ride comfortably and are sure-footed.
interior
Extremely rideable and strong-nerved horses are popular in Western Pleasure. As the name of the discipline suggests, the horse should make the rider enjoy working together. Further character traits are good-naturedness, intelligence and a pleasant temperament. In addition to being friendly, it is also about frugality and toughness.
Gaits
walk
Walk is the western rider's name for the gait step. In the natural four-beat, the horse is on the same footing, but not at the same time. The front leg should be as flat and straight forward as possible. The stride length adapts to the exterior. A hard-working but relaxed step is required of a western horse. His expression is attentive and alert.
Jog
This special gait corresponds to a moderate working trot and is a diagonal two-stroke gait. It is a rather mechanical and simple sequence of movements, whereby the horse should nevertheless run expansively and with clear forward movement of the legs. It should trot perfectly evenly at right angles and in a balanced manner and show soft movements, which should remain unchanged, especially in the reinforcement. The jog is perfect for working on the horse's elasticity and teaching him to respect the rider's hand without becoming insecure.
Lope
The lope corresponds to the gallop and is an easy, rhythmic three-bar gait in which a natural length of the gallop is required. In the sweeping movement there is a floating phase between the gallop jumps in which no hoof touches the ground. A distinction is made between left and right canter. Relaxed, soft movements in which the pace corresponds to the natural sequence of movements are desirable. The head posture would also be optimal in a natural posture that corresponds to the exterior. A gallop in four beat is faulty.
Back-up
Correct backwards direction is given when balanced, soft and flowing movements are shown. The horse should go straight backwards in good self-posture without opening its mouth too much. This is achieved by a slight contact between the rein hand and the horse's mouth, remaining is incorrect.
show
The corridors are assessed on a show using a ranking of criteria.
The greatest attention is paid to the correctness, more precisely, to the clear adherence to the defined clock. Second is quality, which is all about grace and relaxed expression. In addition, the topline, the softness of the movements and the evenness and length of the steps are evaluated. The third criterion is least important - the level of difficulty. For example, a step that encompasses space and flows, or a trot or canter with a slow rhythm has a high degree of difficulty.
For a better understanding, here are some examples for the evaluation:
Bad pace can be recognized by uneven speed, lack of cadence and lack of flow. In addition, the horse looks either intimidated or masticatory. A good step, on the other hand, is characterized by a flowing four-stroke. The horse shows an even topline and appears relaxed, interested and attentive.
Unacceptable jog, for example, is caused by a lack of two-stroke, lack of flow and a lack of balance. Excellent jog will be included in the evaluation if the horse shows effortless and good movements and moves forward with confidence through swinging legs and soft feet. Soft, balanced, controlled and flat movements are always desirable. Nevertheless, the jog should be bouncy in the pastern and the horse should show an attentive and lively expression. A little more uprightness and self-posture also distinguish an excellent jog from a good jog. Unacceptable lope arises from a lack of three beats, a lack of flow and rhythm, but also due to the absence of balance. It also looks like it's uncomfortable to sit on.
The excellent lope, on the other hand, is created by a horse with a arched back, which effortlessly puts its hind legs deep. The front legs should be in flat motion while the topline should be even. Expression is best when it is relaxed, confident, and lively. Generally correct and smooth movements and a high degree of straightening and self-posture are then desirable.
education
Western pleasure is basically about how the horse presents itself. The goal is a horse that runs in correct self-posture without much influence from the rider, without losing forward movement, and shows clear, rhythmic, clean gaits in rhythm, balance and cadence. The overall impression should convey that it is a pleasure to ride this horse, which is why everything should appear effortless and natural. Above all, the aids must be given very finely and precisely and incorporated into the work as inconspicuously as possible. The corridors should be free and flowing, the stride length appropriate to the physique and expansive. The quality of the entire movement and the evenness of the gaits are of great importance. The head and neck of the horse should be carried in a relaxed and natural position, which, more precisely, means that the neck should be at the level of the withers or slightly above. In general, the head should not go beyond the vertical, as this creates an impression of fear. Neither should the noses be stretched forward strongly, as this in turn creates the appearance of resistance. The expression of the horse is desired in a friendly way, as is an attentive ear game at work. Ride on the appropriate loose rein, but always with light contact. Control is also an important point of training, which can be checked and promoted through transitions, for example.
Tournament classes
Level 1 Western Pleasure aims to have a wide variety of horses with the same level of experience start together. It represents the preliminary stage for participation in more advanced classes - level 2 and level 3. In this class, all horses, regardless of their age, can be ridden with one or two hands, otherwise the same rules apply as in Western Pleasure.
Up to three Western Pleasure classes may be offered at one show - the Senior Western Pleasure, the Junior Western Pleasure and the two-year Western Pleasure. Six year old horses or older must always bits are presented, five year old, however, can with bit, hackamore or bit Snaffle be ridden. Except in the Hackamore and Snaffle Bit classes, junior horses are also always presented with one hand, whereby the rein hand may never be changed within a test. This would be considered a violation and lead to disqualification. The rider may loosen knots from the ends of the reins with the second, free hand, but never try to change the tension or length of the reins between the horse's mouth and the rein hand. This would also count as using two hands. If you ride your junior horse with both hands with Split Reins , you should cross the ends of the reins and place them on the opposite side of the neck. In general, the rider's hands should always be kept near the horn and no further than 10 cm from there. They should be carried as calmly as possible and without much movement. During a test there are always several rider-horse pairs in the arena. All three gaits are ridden on both hands. At least one trot reinforcement on one hand is required, but the judge can also require other reinforcements in walk or canter. Quiet standing and changes of direction, which are carried out towards the inside of the lane, are also welcome. These changes may be requested by the judge at walk or trot, but never at a gallop. Overtaking is permitted, but excessive assistance is not. The judge can request additional services at any time. Therefore, you should always listen carefully in order to be able to react to the changes as quickly and spontaneously as possible. Even if only the performance, the condition and the structure of the horses are evaluated, it will always be noticed positively if you not only ride on the hoofbeat, but try to come more into the foreground in contrast to the other riders. The straight horse with soft movements, which listens confidently to the rider, is rated best. In order to better assess your performance, it is helpful to have a list that shows the worst mistakes. Here you will find, among other things, excessive speed, wrong gallop, falling out of the pace or loss of forward movement. It also includes neglecting to start a new gait, touching the horse or saddle with your free hand or carrying the horse's head too high or too low. An overflexed or generally too tight neck is just as undesirable as an excessive stretching out of the nose. In the lope, excessive movement of the topline should be avoided, and a strongly open mouth during the test and stumbling will lead to deductions. The use of spurs in front of the belt or an excessive inclination in the lope is undesirable. With regard to the expression of the horse, there are negative reviews if it appears sad, dull, apathetic, exhausted, uncomfortable or overtired. Other mistakes are short, fast and choppy walks and no contact due to the reins sagging too much. A rider is disqualified if his horse always carries his head too low or clearly constantly behind the vertical or shows other signs of intimidation.
equipment
Headjoints
There is a whole range of headjoints that can be used in western equestrian sports and thus also in western pleasure. For this purpose, the DQHA provides precisely regulated information on which horse may be ridden with which headpiece in which discipline. One of the head pieces is the hackamore, made of flexible, braided rawhide or leather. The core should also be made from rawhide or braided rope. There must also be a full mecate reins and tie-down reins, while padded material under the chin is not allowed. A horse hair bosal is also prohibited. The snaffle bit corresponds to a loose ring snaffle with an O-ring, egg-butt or D-ring and should have a mouthpiece made of round, oval or egg-shaped, smooth metal that must not be wrapped around. The diameter must not be less than 8 mm and it can consist of two or three parts. Chin straps are allowed. The curb bit corresponds to a curb that has leverage. It can either have a rigid or broken mouthpiece and suits, but must not contain any mechanical accessories. This head piece must be fastened with a curb strap (= chin strap) or a curb chain (= chin chain). The general standard set of teeth should not exceed a leg length of 215 millimeters, may be fixed or movable and may not have a tongue clearance of more than 90 millimeters. Horses six years old or older must always be introduced with a bit, while five year olds or younger have the choice between Bit, Hackamore and Snaffle Bit.
saddle
The western saddle in general is characterized by a large noticeable fork with a correspondingly shaped horn, high cantle and large skirts. The saddle for the Western Pleasure is more or less a modified reining saddle, which, thanks to a special seat anatomy, places the rider more vertically, more centrally and optimally in the center of gravity. The seat structure was therefore changed in this way in order to create a finer communication through precise assistance. The fender suspension is further back, the fenders themselves are wide, heavy and less flexible, which is supposed to promote a calm and correct seat. Most of the time a pleasure rider has two saddles for his horse. A much more expensive show saddle with an extremely complex hallmark and silver fittings and the same model again without the decoration for everyday training. Although a saddle with silver fittings is not rated higher at the show, it is easier to attract the judges' attention and you can convince with a harmonious overall picture.
show
At a tournament, also known as a show, the rider tries to attract the judges' attention through a harmonious overall appearance and striking decoration of the equipment. Other items of equipment such as leg protection, gaiters, leg guards or chinstraps made of wire are prohibited. Chin straps and chin chains that are narrower than 15 mm are also prohibited, as is the use of chains, wire, wire tie-downs and bonnets in general.
dress
As in all equestrian disciplines, clothing is crucial on a show. In general, appropriate western clothing is required. That means well-fitting jeans in rather dark colors, long-sleeved shirt with a collar, a western hat in lighter colors and rather dark cowboy boots. Every participant must have a hat on their head when they enter the arena. Show management may decide to impose a fine if a hat is lost. Spurs and chaps are allowed. In Western Pleasure in particular, fine, detailed patterns are often seen. Rich decoration is the standard here, for example through embroidery, sequins, Swarovski stones, fringes or lace. The main thing is to get the attention. This is achieved not only through elaborate patterns and glitter, but also through good quality, sophistication and craftsmanship. "Bright" colors are also possible, but in the end it always depends on the overall picture.
swell
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o DQHA Handbuch_2018.pdf Pages: 47–49; 52-54; 61-63
- ↑ a b c d e f Roth-Leckbusch Petra; The Western Riding Doctrine - Basics for horse-friendly training in the Western saddle; 2010; ISBN 978-3-88542-485-7
- ↑ a b Lynn Baber: The Basics of Showing in Western Pleasure. Retrieved November 9, 2018 .
- ↑ a b c d The history of the origins of the American Quarter Horse
- ↑ a b c d Breeding goal
- ↑ DQHA Stud Book Regulations, Version April 12, 201
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i Quarter Horse Journal Equestrian Sport Verlag Ehlers GmbH Rockwinkeler Landstr. 20 28355 Bremen [1] Issues: Number 6 June 2013; Number 7 July 2013; Number 3 March 2015; Number 4 April 2015; Number 1 January 2017; Number 3 March 2017; Number 7 July 2018