463. WESTERN PLEASURE

(a) A good pleasure horse has a free-flowing stride of reasonable length in

keeping with his conformation. He should cover a reasonable amount of

ground with little effort. Ideally, he should have a balanced, flowing motion,

while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence. The quality of the

movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. He should

carry his head and neck in a relaxed, natural position, with his poll level with

or slightly above the level of the withers. He should not carry his head behind

the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out,

giving a resistant appearance. His head should be level with his nose slightly in

front of the vertical, having a bright expression with his ears alert. He should

be shown on a reasonably loose rein, but with light contact and control. He

should be responsive, yet smooth, in transitions when called for. When asked

to extend, he should move out with the same flowing motion. Maximum

credit should be given to the flowing, balanced and willing horse which gives

the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride.

(b) A show may have up to three western pleasure classes.

(1) If three western pleasure classes are to be held, they

shall be the following:

(A) Senior western pleasure shown with a bit.

(B) Junior western pleasure shown with either a bit,

hackamore or snaffle bit.

(C) Two-year-old western pleasure shown with hackamore

or snaffle. This class will not be approved prior to July 1 of the

year for which approval is requested.

(2) If two western pleasure classes are to be held, they shall

be the following:

(A) Senior western pleasure shown with a bit.

(B) Junior western pleasure shown with either bit,

hackamore or snaffle bit.

(3) If only one western pleasure class is to be held, it is to be for all ages.

(A) Horses six-years-old and older must be shown on a bit.

(B) Horses five-years-old and younger may be shown

in either bit, hackamore or snaffle bit.

(c) No horse may be entered in both junior western pleasure

and two-year-old western pleasure at the same show.

(d) Entries in the two-year-old class may be shown with one or

both hands on reins. If riding with two hands reins must be crossed

with the tails of the reins on the opposite side of the neck. The rider’s

hands should be carried near the pommel and not further than four

inches (10 cm) out on either side of the saddle horn. Rider’s hands

must be steady with very limited movement.

(e) This class will be judged on the performance, condition and

conformation of the horse.

(f) Horses must work both ways of the ring at all three gaits to demonstrate

their ability with different leads. At the option of the judge, horses may

be asked to extend the walk or lope, one or both ways of the ring. It is mandatory

that a moderate extension of the jog be asked for in at least one direction

with the exception of Novice classes, the youth 11 and under, the youth 13 and

under, Select Western Pleasure and two-year-old Western Pleasure. However,

the moderate extension of the jog remains optional in the above classes. A

moderated extension of the jog is a definite two beat lengthening of stride and

covering more ground. Cadenced and balanced with smoothness is more

essential than speed. Riders should sit at the moderated extension of the jog.

Lope with forward motion will become the only gait recognized as a lope.

However, never more than the top 12 horses may be asked to extend at the

lope. Horses are required to back easily and stand quietly. Passing is permissible

and should not be penalized as long as the horse maintains a proper and

even cadence and rhythm.

(g) Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail).

They may be required to reverse at the walk or jog at the discretion

of the judge, but shall not be asked to reverse at the lope.

(h) Judge may ask for additional work of the same nature from

any horse. He/she is not to ask for work other than that listed above.

(i) Rider shall not be required to dismount except in the event

the judge wishes to check equipment.

(j) Horses to be shown at a walk, jog and lope on a reasonably

loose rein or light contact without undue restraint.

(k) Faults to be scored according to severity:

(1) Excessive speed (any gait)

(2) Being on the wrong lead

(3) Breaking gait (Including not walking when called for.)

(4) Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum

(Resulting in an animated and/or artificial gait at the lope.)

(5) Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for

(During transitions, excessive delay will be penalized.)

(6) Touching horse or saddle with free hand

(7) Head carried too high

(8) Head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers)

(9) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the

nose is carried behind the vertical

(10) Excessive nosing out

(11) Opening mouth excessively

(12) Stumbling

(13) Use of spurs forward of the cinch

(14) A horse which appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated,

drawn or overly tired

(15) Quick, choppy or pony-strided

(16) If reins are draped to the point that light contact is

not maintained.

(17) Overly canted at the lope. (When the outside hind

foot is further to the inside of the arena than the inside front foot.)

(l) Faults which will be cause for disqualification, except in

novice amateur or novice youth classes which shall be faults, scored

according to severity:

(1)Head carried too low (tip of ear below the withers consistently)

(2) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the

nose is carried behind the vertical consistently