About AQHA - Disciplines
Western

Western Pleasure is one of the most popular AQHA show events. A good Western Pleasure horse should be as the name implies: a pleasure to ride. Contestants compete as a group, travelling around the perimeter of the arena “on the rail” and are asked to walk, jog, lope and reverse the direction of their horses at the judges’ direction. Riders must hold the reins according to the head gear the horse is shown in i.e. Snaffle - horses are shown two handed while bridled horses are shown with one hand. A rider cannot change hands on the reins during the class. A rider cannot touch the horse or saddle during the competition with his/her free hand.

Western riding this class judges the abilities of a Quarter Horse to change leads precisely, easily and simultaneously, using both hind and front legs. Contestants enter the arena and follow one of two patterns consisting of a log and a series of pylons. The horse and rider must also change gaits - from a walk to a jog to a lope - throughout the course. Judges look for a horse that responds promptly to the rider’s commands, is well-mannered and has grace and a good disposition.

Western horsemanship is designed to test the horsemanship abilities of a rider using western tack. Designed for youth and amateur competitions, the class is divided into two sections. Riders must first follow a prescribed pattern of manoeuvres that test their horsemanship skills. Riders will be asked to walk, trot or lope their horses in a straight line, curve, circle or any combination, such as figure 8. Contestants may be asked to ride without stirrups. Finalists from the first portion of the class are then asked back into the arena as a group to show their horses at a walk, jog and lope around the perimeter of the arena or “on the rail”. Judges pay close attention to the rider’s body position, how he/she sit in a saddle and his/her ability to control the horse.

Photo: Courtesy of Karalinga