ENGLISH PLEASURE Prepared By the Education/Evaluation Commission and Judges & Stewards Commissioner 10805 E. Bethany Drive Aurora, Colorado 80014-2605 (303) 696-4539 © 2019 Arabian Horse Association English Pleasure effective 12/1/19 1 ENGLISH PLEASURE Table of Contents way of going should be based on DESCRIPTION: ................................................... 2 established elements forming the criteria, GAITS ................................................................ 2 and well thought out written rules that TACK ................................................................. 4 combine to make an ideal English pleasure ATTIRE .............................................................. 4 horse. To determine what the ideal is, it ENGLISH PLEASURE SPECIFICATIONS ............... 4 helps to understand the requirements and CREDITS OF THE ENGLISH PLEASURE HORSE ... 5 criteria of the class. FAULTS OF THE ENGLISH PLEASURE HORSE..... 7 CAUSES FOR ELIMINATION .............................. 8 GAITS CONCLUSION: ................................................... 8 It is imperative that the horse give the distinct appearance of being a pleasure to ride and display a pleasurable attitude. To DESCRIPTION: this end, all gaits must be performed with Good English Pleasure horses have a brisk, willingness and obvious ease, cadence, animated stride that allows them to balance and smoothness. comfortably move forward with authority, Judges are required to consider the grace and elegance. performance of each gait equally when Their gaits result from a balanced, adjudicating this class. cadenced motion that emanates from In Park, English Pleasure, Country English impulsion created by the hindquarters. It Pleasure, Combination and Saddle Seat is this impulsion that generates the energy Equitation classes, the transition from the for the strong, elastic movement in their trot to canter is not permitted. shoulders and front legs to implement the range of motion that takes place. Walk - a four-beat gait: brisk, true and flat- Their natural conformation allows them to footed with good reach carry the head and neck in an upright At the walk the horse must propel itself position and serve as a balance arm. forward from behind with long, reaching The ideal English pleasure horses are steps. bright, confident, and responsive, The horse’s neck and back are relaxed as performing all gaits correctly. They should the horse moves from one foot to the be balanced in all aspects: conformation, other with no period of suspension, gaits and disposition. unevenness or jog. “Brisk” should indicate These individuals are athletes with the forward movement, not a sluggish, physical talent to do their tasks with inhibited “almost walk.” strength and finesse, the good temperament to do them willingly and the The horse should move forward with even, inherent ambition to do them well. They have the spirit of a show horse and give the appearance they enjoy their job which makes them attractive and pleasing to the eye. Ultimately, these horses have a great deal of power and charisma, giving the deliberate, reaching strides. The sequence impression of being exciting and a real of foot falls are (1) left hind, (2) left fore, (3) right hind, (4) right fore. pleasure to ride. The English Pleasure horse’s carriage and English Pleasure effective 12/1/19 2 Normal Trot - a two-beat gait: to be He must present a willing attitude while performed at medium speed with moderate maintaining form. The strong trot must be collection. mannerly, cadenced, balanced and free- The normal trot must be mannerly, moving. cadenced, balanced and free moving. Posting is required. Posting is required. The trot is a two-beat Maintaining cadence, balance and ease of gait in which opposite fore and hind feet movement, the strong trot is faster, hit the ground together. showing a lengthened stride. The strong The trot must be balanced, cadenced, free- trot should be powerful with the horse moving and easy with rhythm and drive. balanced over its hindquarters, reaching The trot should show elegant carriage and with long, powerful strides elevating the strength from the hindquarters, lift and forehand, stepping up to its ultimate elevation through the horse’s whole front stride, never pushed beyond. end, not just the front legs. The horse should never lose cadence or The trot should show equality of balance. The strong trot must come from movement front end and rear end. The the powerful thrust of the hindquarters trot should never look forced, labored or and a softness in the front end. Speed artificial. should not be the determining factor. Moderate collection in the English The quality of the strong trot with pleasure horse allows for higher action or cadence, balance front end and rear end, knee elevation and a greater drive or strength and ease of movement are thrust from the hindquarters. Through factors to consider. The strong trot must moderate collection the English pleasure never lose its purity of gait, and should not horse displays higher action or knee lift look forced, labored or artificial. because the hindquarters step further under the horse’s body, lifting the Canter - a three-beat gait: smooth, unhurried, forehand and allowing the horse to lift its with moderate collection, correct and straight shoulders and knees. on both leads. The sequence of footfalls are (1) left hind The canter should show impulsion, and right fore, (2) right hind and left fore balance and engagement. The horse’s back must be supple and relaxed allowing the hindquarters to reach under and work with moderate power and drive. The canter should show moderate collection allowing the English pleasure horse’s hindquarters to step further underneath itself, elevate its front end, Strong trot - a two-beat gait: this trot is faster lifting its knees higher, giving a lofty, and stronger than the normal trot. rolling appearance to the canter. The It is performed with a lengthened stride, canter should be uninhibited, showing powerful and reaching, at a rate of speed reach and not short or choppy steps. The which may vary between horses since each canter should be moved into easily and horse should attain his own strong trot in be straight and comfortable for both harmony with his own maximum natural horse and rider. stride. The horse must not be strung out behind. He should show moderate collection without exaggeratedly high action in front. English Pleasure effective 12/1/19 3 The sequence of footfalls for a canter on English-type saddle. No forward seat the right lead are (1) left hind, (2) right saddles allowed. hind and left fore, (3) right fore ATTIRE Informal saddle seat attire is required; no hunt attire. Suggested are conservative colors such as black, blue, grey, beige or Hand Gallop - The hand-gallop is performed brown jacket with matching jodhpurs. with the long, free, ground covering stride Day coat with jodhpurs also permitted. under control. Boots and derby, soft hat or protective The amount of ground covered may vary headgear required. between horses due to the difference in Contrasting hats, vests and/or ties are natural length of stride. acceptable. The hand-gallop is not a fast collected Spurs, whip or crop optional, at the canter but a true lengthening of stride, exhibitor’s discretion. correct and straight on both leads. Extreme speed to be penalized. ENGLISH PLEASURE SPECIFICATIONS There shall be a distinct difference between the canter and the gallop. The MANNERS: hand-gallop should show a longer stride Manners are the conduct or behavior with because of greater impulsion or thrust which the horse performs. Manners from the hindquarters propelling the include obedience and responsiveness to horse forward. the rider, with safety being of utmost The greater thrust from the hindquarters importance. results in higher elevation in the shoulders The horse must exhibit a willingness to be and knees. guided and controlled. Manners also The horse should show a willingness to go include acceptance of the surroundings forward while remaining light, calm and and other horses in the arena. maintaining cadence and balance. Manners are often first in order of priority because the safety of the rider and others TACK in the arena are of prime importance. Bridle shall be light, show type; either single curb, single snaffle, curb and PERFORMANCE: bridoon or pelham bit. Performance is the physical act of doing all Junior Horse classes require a light, show of the required gaits and transitions from type bridle; either single curb or single one gait to another. snaffle (defined as a smooth, rounded It is the execution or accomplishment of snaffle bit that is at least 3/8” in diameter carrying out all of the requirements of the as measured 1/2” from the ring, half class. cheeks permitted. The snaffle bit may be wrapped with ATTITUDE: Guardtex, Latex, Sealtex or similar Attitude is the horse’s mental approach to materials), curb and bridoon or pelham performing. Attitude is also the bit. willingness to perform in a relaxed, No martingales or tie-downs. pleasant approach to the class requirements. English Pleasure effective 12/1/19 4 Soft eyes, alert ears, quiet mouth and tail, 4. JUNIOR HORSE. To be shown at a walk, an overall pleasant look express a good normal trot and canter. To be judged on attitude. quality performance, attitude and manners. QUALITY: Performance Classes - General Quality is the strength and athleticism The following provisions shall