GoHorseShow talked to several trainers and judges and asked them whether degree of difficulty in western pleasure should be considered when judging the class. For example: should a horse that is being shown in a bridle be given more credit than a horse being shown in a hackamore–especially in the Green and Junior Western Pleasure classes? Or is movement the most important aspect?
There is no question that degree of difficulty in classes like the reining, trail, western riding is very important and riding one handed could be higher credit earning, but there is not a clear-cut answer and differing opinions when it comes to the western pleasure. Vote at the end of the article and let us know your opinion.
Alex Ross, AQHA–We do not state in any of our rules that equipment should be considered in the evaluation of the run. I think this is especially true for the green classes. Green classes are designed for just what they say, “green horses”. Horses should be judged on their performance and not the type of equipment used on the horse. The horse that was Reserve World Champion in Jr. Trail was shown in a hackamore and looked great!
Jay Starnes –I don’t think it should matter. You need to show your horse in what he/she will perform the best in. I showed Strutin on the Range in a bosal when I won the Congress this year in the Green Western Pleasure. I had only shown him once before, and I felt more comfortable riding him two-handed. I believe movement should be the most important aspect of the class.
Shane Young –I think that in the Junior Pleasure a horse should be shown in a bridle. It is a higher degree of difficulty. I would use it as a tie-breaker if I had two horses that were close—it is a lot harder to get a horse to drape his head in a bridle and stick his neck out there than being able to ride two handed and be able to “cheat” and flick your finger with the bosal. I really appreciate a trainer that is able to get a horse really broke and able to be shown one-handed.
Katy Jo Pickard–I don’t think it matters at all in the Green Western Pleasure. Especially because a lot of green horses are three and it’s a great way to get them shown and prepared for the futurity classes. I do think that in the Junior a bridle is more appropriate. They’re young broke horses at the top of their game. Hopefully, they’re ready to pack a bridle. However, depending on the horse, sometimes a hackamore has a higher degree of difficulty despite the fact that you get to use two hands. So, when it comes right down to it, a horse trainer has to decide what the best way it is to present the best package and hold the best frame. And if that means showing your Junior horse in a hackamore or your two year-old in a snaffle bit then so be it.
Steve Meadows –It is a higher degree of difficulty to get one shown one handed but I think the trainer needs to decide what works best with that animal. The rules make it legal to show both ways so we just need to judge the horse and not worry too much about what equipment that person is using as long as it is legal.
Adam Wainscott–This is a very good question. I think that whether or not you show in a hackamore or a bridle has many different scenarios. As far as your Junior Pleasure horses go, I think they should most of the time be through the ranks of being shown and seasoned and be ready to show in a bridle. Green pleasure horses–I think are a little different story. I think they are just that, green, and should be shown in whatever they are most comfortable in and can be seasoned to promote the horses longevity. In my opinion, we put too much pressure on horses that may need a little more time to mature and need to be shown where they are comfortable in order to be lasting show horses. I think the degree of difficulty should only be brought into play if you have two horses that are equal and one is in a hackamore and the other in a bridle.
Becky George–I think it is very helpful to show in the Green two handed. It helps in the Western Riding and Trail for those who were started later. As far as the Junior, I think the class is judged on movement, and it shouldn’t matter what we have on as a bridle. It is disappointing sometimes when a horse in a hackamore that is amazing gets beat by one in a bridle that is not as good, but it is that judge’s opinion.
Garth Gooding–I don’t think it matters, but most horses won’t stand up and lope as well in a hackamore in my opinion. To me, a horse usually can find their natural balance point in the bridle with their poll a little more elevated as compared to the hackamore. This makes it easier to achieve that rocked back uphill lope we all want.
