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 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 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 is this impulsion that generates the energy classes, the transition from the for the strong, elastic movement in their 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 . 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 .  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 apply for required to perform the tasks of an English only the classes in the following sections: pleasure horse. Park Section, English Pleasure Section,  It is the degree of excellence, condition, Country English Pleasure Section, Carriage presence, carriage, athleticism, balance Pleasure Section, Formal Driving front to rear and strength required to Section, Section, Country perform effortlessly and with finesse. Pleasure Driving Section, Section,  A quality horse is pleasing to the eye. and Combination Class Section. o When the judge calls for the lineup, CONFORMATION: exhibitors must continue in the same  Conformation is the horse’s correct direction the class is working when structural form as it relates to functions bringing their entries to the lineup. and performance of an English pleasure Horses must come to the lineup at the horse. gait requested. Judges must penalize entries that do not comply. SUITABILITY OF HORSE TO RIDER:  Suitability is the horse’s appropriateness CREDITS OF THE ENGLISH PLEASURE HORSE for a particular rider in English pleasure.  It is the horse’s obedience to the rider with SUITABILITY safety being all important (suitability is  They have the spirit of a show horse and required in AOTR, AAOTR, ATR, JOTR, JTR, give the appearance they enjoy their job AATR, Ladies, and Gentlemen classes). which makes them attractive and pleasing to the eye. Their natural conformation English pleasure classes will be judged by the allows them to carry the head and neck in above specifications in this order: an upright position and serve as a balance arm. 1. OPEN. To be shown at a walk, normal trot,  The English pleasure horse must be an strong trot, canter and hand gallop. To be upright horse with a naturally high set judged on manners, performance, attitude, neck and head carriage, breaking over quality and conformation. easily at the poll allowing for the head to be carried easily in position. 2.AMATEUR . To be shown at a walk, normal  This horse must move with power and trot and canter. To be judged on manners, strength emanating from the Performance, attitude, quality, suitability of hindquarters, naturally lifting its horse to rider, and conformation. shoulders, arching its neck and stepping well underneath itself reaching for ground 3. LADIES, GENTLEMEN. To be shown at a walk, with powerful strides, elevating and normal trot and canter. To be judged on bending at the knees and hocks. manners, performance, attitude, quality,  This horse must use its shoulders freely, suitability of horse to rider, and conformation. lifting its front legs and snapping them up while reaching forward. This horse must be bright and alert.

English Pleasure effective 12/1/19 5 MOVEMENT temperament to do them willingly and  Good English Pleasure horses have a brisk, the inherent ambition to do them well. animated stride.  Willingness and obvious ease means the  All gaits must be performed with horse is naturally and athletically capable willingness and obvious ease, cadence, of doing the requirements of the class balance and smoothness. easily. The horse should not need to be  Unlike the Country English Pleasure, these urged and prodded continually to go horses’ motion exhibits “high action”. forward, nor should the rider continually  High action is defined as an intensified and need to restrain the horse with a right ambitious manner of moving forward with hold or a constant bumping on the bridle. collection in an upright frame with balance  The horse should have the strength and created by a round, supple back with balance necessary to propel itself forward substantial engagement of the hind limbs. with strong, reaching, ground-covering There is a raising of the front end of the strides. Bending the hocks, lifting and horse's torso as a result of the hind limb reaching well up underneath its belly, thrust which propels the horse upward using its back and hindquarters for and forward energetically with impulsion. determination and deliberate power.  The horse’s shoulders should be elevated,  Although an elevated knee should always steps free-moving with reach, elevation result from the power and drive of this and bend at the knees. The overall engagement of the hind limbs; it is not expression of the horse should be exclusive to "high action". High action is pleasing. the result of frame (conformation and extent of collection), degree of impulsion CADENCE: (energy) and a zealous spirit (attitude).  Their gaits result from a balanced,  At the trot, high action is expressed in the cadenced motion. front limb motion in two basic styles  Cadence expresses the quality of depending on the individual's locomotion in which the steps follow in a conformation, training, breeding and/or uniform sequence, rhythm and measure. attitude. Some fold their front limbs  Cadence is the sequence of well- tightly by flexing their elbow, knee, fetlock regulated steps. The steps are resolute, and coffin joints acutely resulting with lively, even and progressive in purpose. their front legs rising and falling in a  When strides are cadenced, they are "marching" type movement. pronounced, clear, decisive and elastic.  Others seem to roll from the shoulder They are even and regular. more causing a somewhat open leg to reach more with full extension occurring BALANCE: just prior to the foot's contact with the  They should be balanced in all aspects: ground resulting in a "floating" type conformation, gaits and disposition. motion.  Balance is the horse’s bodily poise, the  Either style is acceptable as long as the state of equilibrium or equal relationship horse is performing the trot correctly with front to rear. The equality of movement balance and cadence. between the front end and rear end is of great importance. WILLINGNESS AND OBVIOUS EASE  The English pleasure horse must never  These individuals are athletes with the give the impression of traveling downhill physical talent to do their tasks with or on the forehand. The rear legs must strength and finesse, the good never behind. The shoulders should English Pleasure effective 12/1/19 6 be light and free with easy motion and MODERATE COLLECTION lift. There should be proper engagement  Impulsion created by the hindquarters and impulsion from the hindquarters to generates the energy for the strong, carry the horse. elastic movement in their shoulders and  Balance and cadence are sacrificed and front legs to implement the range of gaits become impure and inconsistent motion that takes place. when the horse is pushed too fast or  When properly collected the horse’s back forced to collect or elevate beyond its is supple and rounded allowing both hind own natural capabilities. legs to step further under the horse’s center of gravity. The hindquarters are SMOOTHNESS: then able to carry more weight and  Having a stride that allows them to propel the body powerfully upward and comfortably move forward with authority forward. grace and elegance. Smoothness comes  Because the center of gravity is shifted from a relaxed, supple back and the back the haunches or hindquarters carry horse’s own easy way of going. more weight. This shift of weight allows  A supple back allows the horse to propel the horse’s hind legs to step under and itself upward and forward from the push the horse’s forehand upward, hindquarters without resistance in the lightening, and freeing the shoulders. back and neck.  The forehand is lightened enabling the  Resistance results in a stiff horse. If the horse to elevate with its neck arched and horse’s back is stiff, the neck and mouth the head carried elegantly. will become rigid, resulting in tension  With the hindquarters carrying the between the horse and rider; uneven, weight, the forehand is lifted and the stiff and choppy gaits. knee elevation increases with the degree  Relaxation, ease of movement and of collection and the horse’s own natural suppleness in the back and neck allow talent and strength. smoothness in the gaits and transitions. GREAT PRESENCE: ENGAGEMENT:  Ultimately, these horses have a great deal  Engagement is the connection from the of power and charisma, giving the horse’s hindquarters through the back and impression of being exciting and a real neck to the bit and rider’s hand, with light pleasure to ride. contact on the bit.  Presence is the manner in which a horse  Engagement gives the horse’s forward carries itself or its bearing. It is in a word, movement a sense of energy. The “style”. The outstanding individuals make hindquarters should be nicely engaged their own “space”, even in a crowded with the hind legs working well under the arena. horse’s body with considerable power, not strung out behind or trailing behind. FAULTS OF THE ENGLISH PLEASURE  This engagement is the energy created by HORSE the hip, stifle and hock. How deeply the horse reaches its hind legs under the body BAD MANNERS depends on its conformation, training,  Bad manners includes wringing tail, pinned confidence and relaxation in the back. ears, rigid, open, bad or gapping mouth, Lack of engagement results in short, to the center of arena, balking, uneven steps, rear legs following rather bolting, rearing, kicking, bucking, not than stepping under and pushing. responding to the rider. English Pleasure effective 12/1/19 7  Bad manners must be severely penalized or hip areas. as they are a risk to the rider and others in 4. Illegal Equipment/Appointments. the arena; remember judges are required 5. Unnatural Tail Carriage. It is the to excuse unruly horses from the ring. directive of the EEC that horses with unnatural tail carriage be BAD PERFORMANCE placed either last on the card or  Bad performance includes wrong leads, eliminated from judging break of gait, resistance, rough or abrupt consideration and not placed in transitions, heavy on the rider’s hands, the class. and lack of response to the rider’s aids. 6. The use of glitter on or in the mane, tail, hair or hooves. BAD ATTITUDE 7. Violations of shoeing regulations.  Bad attitude includes sour ears, swishing 8. Any horse leaving the ring without the tail, avoiding contact with the bit, fussy exhibitor’s volition is deprived of an award mouth, rigid mouth, not performing with in that class. ease, smoothness and confidence, stress, 9. Failure to be serviceably sound and in agitation or showing resistance. good condition (horse). 10. Horses shown with artificial appliances. UNTRUE GAITS 11. Abuse.  Untrue gaits include uneven gaits, skipping, pacing, racking, loss of cadence, CONCLUSION: and moving too fast to maintain balance  Judging is not an absolute. It is a matter of and cadence. observation and evaluation.  Judging is based on certain established POOR MOVEMENT criteria and rules. However, in judging  Poor movement includes out of balance performance everything is relative. front to rear, falling out of form, forced,  Each horse must be judged against the labored or artificial looking, choppy or performance of the others in the class. rough. Other criteria, such as manners, attitude and quality, must also be considered. HORSE NOT SUITABLE TO RIDER  All of the faults should be considered  A horse not suitable to rider is too much according to their severity and the depth for the rider to control or handle of competition. comfortably, a horse not willingly guided  Good judging depends upon correct or controlled, a horse that spooks or bolts, observation of the finer points and the rears or bucks, and a horse which selection of the best horses for the jeopardizes the rider’s safety or the safety purpose of the class. The best horse, of others in the arena. performing the most correctly as established by the class criteria and CAUSES FOR ELIMINATION specifications, should be the winner. 1. Showing (horse) aggression or discontent toward rider or any other person in the arena. 2. Whip marks. Note: Judges must excuse from the ring, not just eliminate from consideration. 3. Clear evidence of fresh blood in the mouth, nose, chin, shoulder, barrel, flank,

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