Fact Sheet: 96-10 Judging the Western

Pleasure Horse

Al Cirelli, Jr., State Horse Specialist Brenda Cloud, Extension Assistant, Southern Area

Introduction:

The western pleasure horse class is judged on the performance, conformation, and condition of the horse. A maximum of 80 percent is placed on performance. Conformation and condition are each scored a minimum 10 percent.

Class Specifications:

Western pleasure horses should move freely with a stride length that is appropriate to its conformation and structure. Movements of the horse should appear smooth and without effort. The horse should have a balanced, free-flowing motion. The head and neck should be in a normal and relaxed position. The poll should be level with or slightly above the level of the withers. The face should not be carried behind the vertical, indicating possible intimidation, nor should it be excessively nosed out, as that gives the appearance of resistance. The head should be level, nose slightly ahead of the vertical, with a pleasant expression and alert ears. The horse should work on a reasonably loose rein, with light and consistent contact. The horse should be willing and relaxed with a pleasant attitude and it should respond readily to all the riders cues. Transitions and extension or collection of the gaits should be smooth and the horse should move at an even pace. Stops and turns should be smooth, balanced and collected. Maximum credit should be given to the free moving, balanced, willing horse in good condition that appears to be pleasant to ride. The following terms are used to describe the gaits in a western pleasure class.

z Walk - A natural, flat-footed, lateral four beat, ground-covering gait. The walk should be energetic and alert. The stride should be of adequate length and is influenced by conformation and size of the horse. Movement at the walk should be free-flowing, straight, and true.

z Jog - A two-beat diagonal gait with the horse working from one pair of diagonals to the other. The jog should be a ground-covering gait that is smooth, balanced, and straight. Knee action should not be high or over-flexed. Horses walking behind and jogging in front are not performing the true gait. When extended the jog should be free and easy.

z Lope - A free moving, natural three-beat gait that should appear smooth and relaxed. When going to the left, the horse should be on the left lead; when going to the right it should be on the right lead. Horses moving in a four beat gait are not considered to be traveling in a correct lope. Speed should be at a natural rate for the lope.

Note: "Beat" refers to the rhythmical progression or movement of the feet.

Class Routine:

z Walk, Jog, Lope - Horses are shown at a three gaits on a reasonably loose rein, consistent contact, free of excessive restraint. They must work in both directions of the arena.

z Reversing - Horses may only be reversed at the walk or jog. They can not be asked to reverse at the lope. Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail).

z Backing - Backing may only be for finalists at the discretion of the judge.

The judge may ask for additional work, such as extension or collection of a gait, of the same nature from any horse.

Guidelines for Judging:

Characteristic Good Minor Fault Major Fault Elimination

Walk covers ground slow nervous not working

flat-footed no interest jogging

forward impulsion dull

Jog smooth too slow/fast not two-beat breaks gait

consistent rough, quick, choppy Lope smooth too slow/fast wrong lead not under control

natural gaping consistent pulling

four-beat

rough Extended Jog easy riding not consistent breaks gait not extended

consistent pulls

forward impulsion rough Backing straight hesitant throws head not backing/rears

responsive gaps General smooth over flexed throws head constantly breaks gaits

easy on rider under flexion gapping kicking

sour ears bumps bit lameness

tail switching bad mouth cueing in front of cinch

not balanced stumbling fall of rider or horse

touching horse or two hands on reins saddle with free hand (except hackamore or snaffle) ears below withers more than 1 finger head carried too low between reins

excessive nosing out illegal equipment

References:

United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) - Formerly: American Horse Show Association

American Paint Horse Association

American Quarter Horse Association.

AQHA Official Handbook, 44th ed., 1996.

UNIVERSITY The University of Nevada, Reno is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, in OF any program or activity it operates. The University of Nevada employs only United States Citizens and aliens lawfully NEVADA authorized to work in the United States.