Western Pleasure
A good western pleasure horse has a free-flowing stride of reasonable length in keeping with his conformation. He should cover a reasonable amount of ground with little effort. Ideally, he should have a balanced, flowing motion, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence.
The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. He should carry his head and neck in a relaxed, natural position, with his poll level with or slightly above the level of the withers. He should not carry his head behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance. His head should be level, with his nose slightly in front of the vertical, having a bright expression with his ears alert. He should be shown on a reasonably loose rein. He should be responsive, yet smooth, in transitions when called for. When asked to extend, he should move out with the same flowing motion. Maximum credit should be given to the flowing, balanced and willing horse that gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride. This class will be judged on the performance, condition and conformation of the horse.
Horses 6 years old and older must be shown in a curb bit, horses 5 years old and younger may be shown in either curb bit, hackamore (bosal) or snaffle bit.
Horses must work both ways of the ring at all three gaits to demonstrate their ability with different leads. At the option of the judge, horses may be asked to lengthen their stride at the walk or lope, one or both ways of the ring. It is mandatory that a moderate extension of the jog be asked for in at least one direction. A moderate extension of the jog is a definite two-beat lengthening of stride, covering more ground. Cadenced and balanced with smoothness is more essential than speed. Riders should sit at the moderated extension of the jog. Horses are required to back easily and stand quietly. Passing is permissible and should not be penalized as long as the horse maintains a proper and even cadence and rhythm.
Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail). They may be required to reverse at the walk or jog at the discretion of the judge, but shall not be asked to reverse at the lope.
Horses to be shown at a walk, jog and lope on a reasonably loose rein or light contact without undue restraint.
Faults to be scored according to severity
Excessive speed (any gait)
Being on the wrong lead
Breaking gait (including not walking when called for)
Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum (resulting in an animated and/or artificial gait at the lope)
Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for (during transitions, excessive delay will be penalized)
Touching horse or saddle with free hand
Head carried too high
Head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers)
Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
Excessive nosing out
Excessive movement of the topline at the lope
Opening mouth excessively
Stumbling
Use of spurs forward of the cinch
Horse appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired
Quick, choppy or pony-strided
Overly canted at the lope (when the outside hind foot is further to the inside of the arena than the inside front foot).
Faults that will be cause for disqualification
Head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers consistently)
Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently.
Western Pleasure Classes Rules Exceptions
Walk Trot classes will not be asked to lope
Exhibitors in Novice classes will not be asked to lope and will not be penalized for touching the horse or saddle, for two-handing the reins, or for the substitution of a safety helmet for a western hat
Novice classes will not be asked for gait extensions
Pony Western Pleasure class – all ponies must be ridden one-handed, ponies will not be asked to back
Junior or snaffle bit horses, aged 5yr and younger, (shown in a snaffle bit or bosal) may be “two-handed” in Men’s and Ladies Western Pleasure, knowing that they must compete at state “one” handed