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.
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.
Other industries also depend on the fact that people like to show off their horses and their skills. The sport demands special equipment and clothing. Tack for the horse and boots and hats for the rider are part of a billion-dollar industry. Horse care and veterinary supplies make up another huge category, as do feed and supplements.
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.
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.
Other industries also depend on the fact that people like to show off their horses and their skills. The sport demands special equipment and clothing. Tack for the horse and boots and hats for the rider are part of a billion-dollar industry. Horse care and veterinary supplies make up another huge category, as do feed and supplements.
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.
About the Author:
You can visit the website jacquesapparel.com for more helpful information about The Western Pleasure Show Class
No comments:
Post a Comment