phanilah
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Posts: 4
(6/10/05 18:18)
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Mini Judging School - Western Pleasure
Although using a forum puts limits on the visuals that can be used later on, at least posting the rules and performance criteria is a good start for learning more about how to judge the class. Pay special attention to the detailed description of all of the qualifying gaits and the differences in class specifications between the different Western Pleasure classes.
Enjoy! Hopefully, this can bring about some good discussion. 
Beth
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www.usef.org/content/rule...Book/2005/ - for full rulebook
WESTERN PLEASURE – ARABIAN/HALF-ARABIAN/ANGLO-ARABIAN DIVISION
AR188 Qualifying Gaits.
The good western pleasure horse has a comfortable free flowing stride of reasonable length in keeping with the individual’s conformation. It should cover a reasonable amount of ground with little effort. Ideally, the horse should have a balanced, sweeping motion that requires no more than light contact by the rider. The head and neck serve as a balance arm and are carried in a relaxed, natural position appropriate for each individual’s own conformation. Maximum credit should be given to the responsive, confident, willingly guided horse that performs all the required gaits correctly with strength and finesse. The horse should be balanced in all aspects; conformation, gait and disposition. Such a horse is an athlete that goes softly and gives the appearance of being fit and capable of the tasks. Ultimately, the horse is very eye appealing and gives the impression of being a pleasure to ride. Light contact should be measured by a horse’s response to the rider’s hands, seat and legs and not merely by the tension in the reins. However, an excessively draped rein is just as undesirable as extremely tight rein. Subtle cues are desirable, while an absence of cues is not. The individual that willingly and quietly responds to subtle cues by the rider is performing with light contact. For performance criteria, see Chapter WS, Western Pleasure Chart.
1. Walk, a four-beat gait: True, flat footed and ground covering.
2. Jog-Trot, a two-beat gait: Free, square, slow and easy.
3. Lope, a true three-beat gait: Smooth, slow, easy and straight on both leads.
4. Hand Gallop: A real hand gallop, not merely an extended lope, extreme speed to be
penalized. There should be a distinct difference between the lope and the hand gallop.
AR189 Arabian Western Pleasure Class Specifications.
1. OPEN, MAIDEN, NOVICE, LIMIT, STALLIONS, MARES, GELDINGS. To be shown at a walk, jog-trot, lope and hand gallop. Extreme speed to be penalized. To be judged on manners, performance, substance, quality and conformation.
2. JUNIOR HORSE (five years and under). To be shown at a walk, jog-trot and lope. To be shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore (See AR187.3). To be judged on substance, quality, performance and manners.
3. ATR, JTR, AOTR, AAOTR, JOTR, SELECT, LADIES, GENTLEMEN. To be shown at a walk, jog-trot and lope. To be judged on manners, performance, suitability of horse to rider, substance, quality and conformation.
4. CHAMPIONSHIP. To be eligible, horse must have been entered, shown and judged in a designated qualifying class in the Arabian Western Pleasure section at that competition. To be shown at a walk, jog-trot, lope and hand gallop; extreme speed to be penalized. To be judged on manners, performance, substance, quality, conformation and attitude.
5. CHAMPIONSHIP - JUNIOR HORSE. To be eligible, horse must have been entered, shown and judged in a designated qualifying class for junior horses in the Arabian Western Pleasure section at that competition. To be shown at a walk, jog-trot and lope. To be shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore (See AR187.3). To be judged on substance, quality, performance, manners and attitude.
6. CHAMPIONSHIP - ATR, JTR, AOTR, AAOTR, JOTR, SELECT. To be eligible, horse must have been entered, shown and judged in a designated qualifying class in the Arabian Western Pleasure section for amateurs, owners or junior exhibitors at that competition. To be shown at a walk, jog-trot and lope. To be judged on manners, performance, suitability of horse to rider, substance, quality, conformation and attitude.
Edited by: phanilah at: 6/18/05 14:15
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