The
week prior to the 2013 AQHA World Show, AQHA Senior Director of Judges, Alex
Ross discussed with GoHorseShow that he would like to still see improvement
as far as the movement of the horses in the western pleasure classes. Ross’
advice to exhibitors was “to follow the rules; show at true gaits and
illustrate a true lengthening of stride if asked for at the walk or lope and an
obviously lengthened stride when showing at the moderate extension of the jog.”
With
that in mind, we asked exhibitors, trainers and competitors what they thought
about the horses that specifically showed in the Junior Western Pleasure and
Amateur Western Pleasure at the AQHA World Show. We wanted to know whether these
exhibitors specifically had a plan to show their horse with more forward motion
and if that plan was different than how they had shown most of the year. We
also asked them if they thought they were penalized for passing and/or showing
off the rail.
Darcy Reeve –When we went into the finals, I wanted to show Vino at his absolute best. With him being 16.2 hands, it’s pretty hard to allow him to move out and stay on the rail the entire time, so I was prepared to show off the rail. I told my trainer, Karen Hornick before I went in to the finals that I planned on staying on the inside track! I am one hundred percent comfortable while passing mainly because I know Vino so well, and that he is extremely comfortable off the wall. I know when I watch, I would much rather a horse move at its natural gait and not tighten up to stay behind another horse. I can see how some people are afraid to pass, especially when there is so much on the line, but I do not think judges will penalize you for it as long as it looks comfortable and controlled. I like the push for forward motion because it shows off the horse’s natural ability.
Charlie Cole–Jason (Martin) watched the Junior Western Pleasure and said it was an excellent class and mentioned how well the horses were presented. I showed my horse (Cee Money) where I thought he moved and looked his very best. He also shows really well off the rail so passing wasn’t an issue for me. I didn’t feel the pressure to stay on the rail or wait for the horse in front of me to lope off. It was a fun class to show. I wasn’t worried at all that the judges would penalize me for being off the rail. My only regret was I wished we’d extended the lope longer than a half lap because my horse was really comfortable and good at it. I think AQHA and pleasure trainers should be proud of that class and pleasure horses in general because there is a definite improvement with the trainers and exhibitors. The pleasure horses are not just one dimensional; they are also the trail horses and western riders. It’s time we stop being so negative about western pleasure and appreciate the horses that are excellent movers and presented so well.
Rhonda Malone–The pleasure horses have never looked so good. No bloodied sides; level top lines–they look happy. I am still so afraid that some people will stop showing believing that they don’t have a shot at getting their horses names called–that would be bad for small breeders like myself. My biggest concern is that when I speak to judges; I get different answers for what we should be doing. Some say level top lines are crucial; moving forward is important some say; the walk, the jog or the lope will be what they are looking for; some say the line up and back ups. It’s all so confusing for me, and I’m sure for others as well. I’m sure some trainers are frustrated too. I am appreciative that I have a stallion that I love, and he is competitive, but I just feel sorry when the biggest show for AQHA is so small and concentrated. Some of the judges need to know more about what they are judging. Seriously, a working cow judge could be judging the showmanship. I think the judges that judge the cutting is all they judge. I think we could do better picking judges for each discipline.
Gil Galyean–I think the media has overblown everything with regards to the pleasure horses. Good movers are good movers no matter what speed they are going. There was a great set of pleasure horses in the Amateur and Junior Western Pleasure at the AQHA World Show. They all looked comfortable, had a level top line and exhibited self-carriage. I think the unrealistic expectations that some people expect for all the horses regardless of talent is unfair. Not all horses can be like A Certain Vino, yet it seems like many people in the industry expect all the horses to be as talented. We can only work with what we are given. I did not change my horses in anyway to prepare them to show at the World Show–I rode them at the pace I thought they felt the best to me. We are trying to make a living and hopefully pleasing our customers and I believe the pleasure horses today are more talented than ever before.
Katy Jo Zuidema–I’m never afraid to show off the rail. As a matter of fact, I look forward to coming to the AQHA World Show so that I know I can show my horse where he looks his best, even if its a bit faster than the pace of the class and not be penalized. I have always been a believer in what AQHA is trying to do with the western pleasure horse. I have also always been an aggressive showman so the style of this show really suits me and my horses. I feel like as soon as you lock a horse down too slow and get too much hock that your outside front leg gets ugly and their gate gets very man made. Maybe it’s the hunt seat girl coming out in me, but I like a little flow and I try and keep mine square and my top line steady no matter where I am. Tim (Zuidema, her husband) and I have made up our minds to try and show our horses where they look best, not what is trending. So for me, I love watching and showing the western pleasure classes at the world show. It’s really a pleasant experience.
Jenna Dempze–I think it all really boils down to the circumstance. If you are showing at a pace and cadence that best showcases your horse and you pass while maintaining the same pace and cadence in order to get yourself more space or a better spot, then, it shouldn’t hurt you or scare you to pass. On the other hand, if your horse is being inconsistent and you are on and off the rail, the whole picture of your ride is a negative one and you’ll probably be penalized. I also think because all our horses are different sizes and styles, you sometimes can’t help it and you have to go around a smaller, shorter strided horses. I personally am not intimidated by passing, and I feel like if my horse is doing what I’m asking then I’m not worried about passing. In the end, you have to be honest with yourself about your ride; if you had to pass was it because your horse wasn’t being good or was it to give yourself the best shot at showing off your horse?
Jessica Baird-Whitehead--I did not specifically have a plan to show off of the rail, but rather to show my horse, Cool Movin Lady, to the best of her ability. My trainers, Chris and Melissa Jones, and I discussed how important it is to show at a pace that is complimentary to her movement. If that means being in the passing lane a few times, I would much rather do that and keep a great quality of movement than try to stay stuck behind someone whose horse is much slower causing me to sacrifice her talent. I do not think there is a stigma regarding passing. As long as riders are passing with a purpose and are in control of the situation. Passing does not make me nervous simply because I know my horse so well. She shows no different in the passing lane than she does on the rail. I really think judges appreciate a rider who knows when to pass someone. If passing is going to allow you to show your horse at a better suited pace and rhythm, then I don’t feel like judges are going to penalize.
Ashley Lakins-– In my opinion, all the horses in the pen looked great before the increase in forward motion. To me, when they asked for more forward motion, a lot of the horses did not look better.
Jay Starnes–I just tried to show VS Flatline at his best, not necessarily with any more forward motion. I don’t think there is a stigma about passing; everybody has been showing there horses to the best of each horses ability all year from what I’ve seen. I’m also never concerned that a judge would penalize me for passing.
Melissa Jones–I thought the amateurs did a phenomenal job of showing their horses. The pace was just right, not too slow or too fast. I don’t think it’s about forward as much as it is about having a good cadence and overall balance. I only got to watch the prelims of the Junior. it was a nice group of horses, and I think the exhibitors did a good job of setting their own pace that best suited that particular horse.
GoHorseShow
would also like to hear the opinions of other spectators who watched these
classes what they thought about the movement of the horses. Let us know in the
comment section of this article or on the GoHorseShow Facebook page.
