AQHA Clarifies Western Pleasure Statement Announced at Shows

While it appears that the western pleasure class is improving, some judges have expressed that the majority of competitors are still not presenting their horse in the correct manner. These exhibitors are continuing to exhibit their horses at too slow of a pace and that their moderate extension of the jog should, in fact, be their regular jog. 

There appears to be some confusion surrounding the judges’ requests. 

“An exhibitor at a show thought that we were asking for a lengthening of strides as another test for gaits on the rail,” AQHA Judge, Cyndi Hershey Brown told GoHorseShow. “I explained to the exhibitor that the lengthening of strides was asked for because most of the exhibitors were not showing their horses properly for the particular gaits originally called for.”

While there seems to be some improvement in these areas, some exhibitors have expressed that certain judges are still placing over-canted horses and penalizing the horses that are passing the slower horses on the rail.

“I have been to several shows where they have read that statement,” says Austin Gooding, who is an assistant trainer with Bauer and Gooding. “I like the judge’s intentions, but it still seems they penalize the horse passing more than the slow, big hocked horse whose outside front leg is extending beyond their inside front leg while loping. I think that is what confuses people.”

Youth Hillary Roberts of Edmond, Oklahoma says that she understands what the judges are trying to do to improve the western pleasure classes and appreciates it when the judges lengthen the strides in the class. 

“I feel that to be successful in the pleasure arena, a horse must be able to perform each gate at a natural pace that is comfortable for him,” says Roberts, who won the AQHYA World Championship in western pleasure this year with her horse, Whatscookingoodlookin. “I am happy with the way the pleasure pen looks today and I think that the request for extension is an added bonus for horses and exhibitors that can execute it well!” (pictured above)

AQHA’s Statement on Western Pleasure that has been announced at many shows is as follows:

“In order to properly demonstrate the gaits as stated in western pleasure rules, judges are requesting exhibitors to show their horses with complete, natural strides at all gaits.

If this requirement is not being met, judges will ask for a lengthening of the stride, at any or all gaits. This request does not necessarily mean an increase in speed, but simply a demonstration of complete, natural, straightforward strides at the walk, jog, and lope. If an exhibitor feels he or she is already performing the gaits correctly, no change is needed.

Exhibitors not conforming to the rules will be penalized accordingly.”

GoHorseShow asked AQHA Executive Director of Judges, Alex Ross, to clarify and expand on this statement. We have broken down the statement into five parts with Ross expanding on each section.

PART ONE
“In order to properly demonstrate the gaits as stated in western pleasure rules, judges are requesting exhibitors to show their horses with complete, natural strides at all gaits.”

Alex Ross: All gaits, means the walk, jog, moderate extension of the jog and the lope. In most western pleasure classes, the moderate extension of the jog is a required gait. It is not an option for the exhibitor and it should be judged like any other gait in the class.

PART TWO
“If this requirement is not being met, judges will ask for a lengthening of the stride, at any or all gaits.”

Alex Ross: Most of the time, the judges will ask for the lengthening of the stride at the walk, or the lope, or both. The moderate extension of the stride suffices for the lengthened stride at the jog.

PART THREE
“This request does not necessarily mean an increase in speed, but simply a demonstration of complete, natural, straightforward strides at the walk, jog, and lope.“

Alex Ross: Again, we are usually talking about the walk and lope. Judges are looking for an even cadenced walk with no interrupted strides. The horse should be relaxed with a definite four beat gait. The interrupted walk should be severely penalized. At the lope, the horse should be demonstrating the self-carriage needed to stay balanced and be able to hold a three beat gait while maintaining a relaxed mental attitude. A horse demonstrating these traits normally has terrific engagement behind which allows him to lift his shoulder and be soft over the ground. If the majority of the horses are not demonstrating these gaits, the judges may ask for a lengthening in stride.

PART FOUR
“If an exhibitor feels he or she is already performing the gaits correctly, no change is needed.“

Alex Ross: The only exception to this is the moderate extension of the jog. If called for, it is required.

PART FIVE
“Exhibitors not conforming to the rules will be penalized accordingly.”

Alex Ross: At the shows I have seen this year it appears the exhibitors are showing their horses in a slightly more forward fashion. They are certainly not out of control but they seem to have slightly more flow and self-carriage. In fact, the western pleasure class at the AQHYA World Show was one of the best western pleasure classes I have ever seen. The exhibitors did an excellent job of “showing to win” and I think the best movers, who were being shown by the rules of the class, were rewarded appropriately.

We would love to hear your thoughts about this topic. Have you been to a show where the announcer has read this statement before the western pleasure classes? Do you think it is helping? Have you seen an improvement in the overall quality of movement? Do you think people are understanding what the judges are asking? Please leave your opinions and suggestions in the comment section of this article.

Photos © Eric Mendrysa and The American Quarter Horse Journal