The original western pleasure horse was capable of being ridden comfortably around the farm and on the road, providing an enjoyable experience for the rider as they walked, jogged, or loped. Over the course of many years and horse shows, these horses have become specialized to the point that most pleasure horses are specifically bred for this particular event and have not been exposed to a farm or trail since birth. The modern pleasure horse should possess a smooth and effortless stride, covering ground with ease. Ideally, the horse should have a level back while displaying smoothly flowing and rhythmic gaits. The horse should also be well-groomed and tidy, with grooming standards including the application of hoof polish and typically, a mane that is styled with bands. The use of tail extensions is allowed.
The gaits of the western pleasure horse consist of a flat-footed four-beat walk that is both natural and ground-covering. Additionally, there is a smooth, diagonal jog with even strides in the front and back, occurring in a two-beat rhythm. There is also a rhythmic three-beat lope with forward motion in the correct lead, where “forward motion” denotes ground-covering rather than excessive speed. Furthermore, horses should be capable of backing easily in a straight line without any resistance. Depending on the rulebook, some classes may require the judge to request moderate extensions of the jog, which riders must sit for. The ApHCC rulebook allows the judge to request extensions of the walk, jog, and lope if desired.
In the western pleasure class, all horses are allowed to enter the ring on the rail, starting in either direction. Each direction will require the horses to perform all three gaits, with the horses reversing at the walk to the inside of the pen. Once the rail work is finished, the horses may be asked to back either on the rail or from a center lineup. According to most rulebooks, the judge has the option to request additional work, although this is not commonly done. The rider will only be required to dismount if the judge wants to inspect the equipment.
The equipment necessary for riding includes a standard western saddle and bridle. The saddle and bridle should not have excessive silver adornments. A junior horse, which is five years old or younger, can be ridden with two hands using either a bosal or a snaffle bit. The bosal should be flexible and made of braided leather or rawhide without a rigid core. A senior horse, which is six years or older, must be ridden with one hand and a curb bit. Make sure to refer to the rulebook for accurate descriptions and measurements of legal snaffles and curb bits, as well as curb chains and straps. Additional optional equipment may consist of a rope or reata, hobbles that can be attached to the saddle, a breast collar, and spurs. Prohibited equipment includes boots, wraps and bandages, martingales, and nosebands. The required attire includes pants, a long-sleeved shirt, blouse, or jacket with a collar, a western hat, and western boots. Chaps are optional in most associations. In some associations, hard hats or safety helmets are now considered optional as well.
Faults are scored based on severity. These faults include excessive speed or slowness, wrong lead, breaking gait, failing to take the correct gait when called for, touching the horse or saddle with the free hand, carrying the head too high or low, overflexing (head behind the vertical), excessive nosing out, the horse opening its mouth excessively, stumbling, using spurs ahead of the cinch, the horse being sullen, dull, tired, or emaciated, choppy strides, too much drape in the reins, the horse being overly canted at the lope, bolting or bucking, and refusal to back.
The disqualifications include if the horse or rider falls, if prohibited equipment is used, if both hands are on the reins (unless a snaffle or bosal is being used), if the reins are changed from one hand to the other, if there is more than one finger between the reins with split reins, and if there is obvious lameness.
The divisions include all-ages or senior horse, junior horse, three-year-old (in Appaloosa and Paint shows with no cross-entry to junior horse), and two-year-old, along with youth, amateur (non-pro), novice amateur, and any other division provided by the breed association. It is prohibited to show two-year-olds under saddle before a certain date stated in the rulebook for each organization: January 1 for APHA, May 20 for ApHC, June 1 for ApHCC, and July 1 for AQHA. Always refer to your own rulebook for confirmation.
Advanced Western Pleasure
The walk is a natural four-beat gait that should maintain a four-beat rhythm, level topline, and relaxed appearance. The jog is a diagonal two-beat gait that should maintain a two-beat cadence, level topline, balance, and a horse that appears to touch the ground softly. The lope is an easy and rhythmical three-beat gait that should have a balanced three-beat rhythm, strong/deep stride, level topline, and relaxed appearance. Judges may request extended gaits for stock breed associations (walk and jog) and all gaits under USEF rules. Stock breeds will display a flat-swing to the front legs, while light breeds such as Morgan, NSH, and Arabian will show more bent-knee action during different gaits. TWH’s and MFT’s will perform their “special” gait instead of the jog. The Rocky Mountain horse will only perform the trail walk, show walk, and pleasure gait.
TACK: A western stock saddle with square or round corners is required, and the presence of silver equipment does not supersede the importance of a functional outfit. A western side-saddle is acceptable in western pleasure and western trail classes. To prevent direct contact between the saddle and the horse’s back, a saddle pad of adequate size must be used. The bridle options include a plain leather or silver headstall, with choices such as a browband, shaped ear (single or double), or split ear, and a curb-style bit with curb strap or curb chain. Junior horses are allowed to use standard snaffle bits and bosal-type hackamores. The reins may be either split or romal style.
The text can be rephrased as follows: Rope or riata and hobbles must be connected to the saddle. Tapaderos are banned under USEF and in working cowhorse classes, but they are not utilized in western pleasure classes. Spurs should not be used in front of the cinch. Additionally, a breast collar is required.
The following tack items are not allowed: protective boots, leg wraps or bandages, wire chin strap, noseband/cavesson (except for MFT’s and NSH’s), tie down, jerk line, tack collar, martingale, draw-reins, slip or gag bit, mechanical hackamore, roping/gaming-type reins, crop or whip.
The rider should have a highly polished appearance. The outfit can be as basic as jeans paired with western boots, a long-sleeved shirt, tie, and western hat. Women typically wear elaborate shirts, vests, or jackets. Shotgun chaps, if worn, are usually fitted and considered optional (although required in Arabian, Half-Arabian, Morgan, NSH, and ASB competition under USEF regulations). Batwing-style chaps are only observed in cutting classes and are also optional. While gloves are not typically worn in western pleasure classes, they are not prohibited.
In terms of technical details, split reins can be made of either leather or woven material. They are held in one hand, with the option of using either hand being acceptable. The “tails” of the reins should fall on the same side as the hand holding the reins. To properly hold the split reins, they should be brought into the hand from the top, over the index finger, across the palm, and then exit by the little finger. Moving on to Romal-type reins, they consist of an extension of braided material attached to closed reins. The rein portion is also held in one hand, with either hand being permissible. However, in this case, the “romal” portion is carried in the free hand. The “romal” should fall on the opposite side of the hand holding the reins. To properly hold the romal-style reins, the rein portion should enter the hand from the bottom, by the little finger, move up across the palm, and exit at the top between the index finger and the thumb. Lastly, it is worth noting that rear cinches are typically not used in western pleasure classes. However, if they are used, they must have a connector-strap to the front cinch in order to comply with the rules and regulations.
