Western Pleasure

Western pleasure is an equestrian sport that evaluates horses on manners and suitability of the horse for a relaxed and slow but collected gait cadence, along with calm and responsive disposition. The horse is to appear to be a "pleasure" to ride, smooth-moving and very comfortable.

The horses used in Western pleasure riding are typically those that are bred for their smooth gaits and easygoing temperaments. Some of the most popular breeds used in Western pleasure include:

• Quarter Horses
• American Paint Horses
• Appaloosas
• Morgans
• Tennessee Walking Horses
• Saddlebreds

In a Western pleasure competition, horses are judged on their way of going, which includes their gaits, their way of carrying themselves, and their responsiveness to the rider. Horses are also judged on their overall appearance, which should be neat and tidy.

Western pleasure is a popular equestrian sport that is enjoyed by riders of all ages and skill levels. It is a great way to show off your horse's natural talents and to have some fun in the saddle.

Here are some additional details about Western pleasure riding:

• The gaits that are judged in Western pleasure are the walk, the jog, and the lope.
• The walk should be smooth and rhythmic, with the horse's head held high and its back level.
• The jog should be a comfortable, collected gait with a four-beat rhythm.
• The lope should be a smooth, flowing gait with a three-beat rhythm.
• The rider's position is important in Western pleasure. The rider should sit deep in the saddle with a long stirrup, and they should use quiet and subtle rein signals to guide the horse.
• Western pleasure is a judged event, and the horses are scored on their way of going, their appearance, and their responsiveness to the rider.

Western Pleasure - Associations

• National Snaffle Bit Association, Inc.

Western Pleasure - Events

• Super Sires

Western Pleasure - Sales

• Dale Brown Performance Horses, Inc.
• Dana Hokada Quarter Horses
• Gervasio Pleasure Horses
• Jeff Williams Quarter Horses
• Lazy Loper
• Mark Shaffer Show Horses
• Simons Shows Horses

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