A pleasure contest rates horses on qualities that make them safe, easy, and comfortable to ride across country. The winner will have smooth gaits and conformation that allows it to walk freely and jog and lope slowly and rhythmically. Other working skills - cutting out a cow, navigating obstacles, or getting from Point A to Point B in a hurry - are not required to excel in a western pleasure show class.
Often classes are open to all horses, except for 'breed shows' where only registered horses of the chosen breed can be exhibited. Although most light horses can do well in this category, the most popular breed is the American Quarter Horse, followed by Appaloosas and Paints. These horses will most often have the conformation to have balanced gaits, natural rhythm, and the low head carriage that wins points.
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 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.
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, showing is serious business for top-notch amateur and professional horsemen. Breeders use success in the ring to attract mates for their stallions and buyers for their colts. Trainers and coaches prove their value and skill level in competition. A winning horse or pony can command fabulous prices, making all the effort and expense of training and competing worthwhile.
Many other industries revolve around horses. Feed manufacturers blend grains and supplements to provide the perfect diet for equine athletes. Tack suppliers make and mend saddles, bridles, halters, and all the other things horses wear. Boot makers, hat makers, and designers of colorful clothing compete for the fashion crowns of the sport. Veterinary supply companies market shampoos, coat conditioners, hoof paints, grooming aids, and health care items on a grand scale.
The Western Pleasure show class is a standard in both amateur and professional horse shows. These classes are designed to showcase horses with smooth gaits, quiet dispositions, and perfect obedience to the riders' signals. They are good for beginners and can also be very demanding in top-rated competition.
Often classes are open to all horses, except for 'breed shows' where only registered horses of the chosen breed can be exhibited. Although most light horses can do well in this category, the most popular breed is the American Quarter Horse, followed by Appaloosas and Paints. These horses will most often have the conformation to have balanced gaits, natural rhythm, and the low head carriage that wins points.
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 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.
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, showing is serious business for top-notch amateur and professional horsemen. Breeders use success in the ring to attract mates for their stallions and buyers for their colts. Trainers and coaches prove their value and skill level in competition. A winning horse or pony can command fabulous prices, making all the effort and expense of training and competing worthwhile.
Many other industries revolve around horses. Feed manufacturers blend grains and supplements to provide the perfect diet for equine athletes. Tack suppliers make and mend saddles, bridles, halters, and all the other things horses wear. Boot makers, hat makers, and designers of colorful clothing compete for the fashion crowns of the sport. Veterinary supply companies market shampoos, coat conditioners, hoof paints, grooming aids, and health care items on a grand scale.
The Western Pleasure show class is a standard in both amateur and professional horse shows. These classes are designed to showcase horses with smooth gaits, quiet dispositions, and perfect obedience to the riders' signals. They are good for beginners and can also be very demanding in top-rated competition.
About the Author:
If you are thinking of entering a western pleasure show click here for clothing. For complete details on Jacque's Apparel visit us today at http://jacquesapparel.com.
No comments :
Post a Comment