SHW451. Western Riding

SHW451. WESTERN RIDING. The horse is judged on quality of gaits, lead changes at the lope, response to the rider, manners and disposition. The horse should perform with reasonable speed, and be sensible, well-mannered, free and easy moving. Credit shall be given for and emphasis placed on smoothness, even cadence of gaits (i.e., starting and finishing pattern with the same cadence), and the horse's ability to change leads precisely, easily and simultaneously both hind and front at the center point between markers. In order to have balance, with quality lead changes, the horse's head and neck should be in a relaxed, natural position, with his poll level with or slightly above the level of the withers. He should not carry his head behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance. The horse should have a relaxed head carriage showing response to the rider's hands, with a moderate flexion at the poll. Horses may be ridden with light contact or on a reasonably loose rein. The horse should cross the log both at the jog and the lope without breaking gait or radically changing stride.

WESTERN RIDING PATTERN 1

1. Walk at least 15' & jog over log
2. Transition to left lead & lope around end
3. First line change
4. Second line change
5. Third line change
6. Fourth line change lope around the end of arena
7. First crossing change
8. Second crossing change
9. Lope over log
10. Third crossing change
11. Fourth crossing change
12. Lope up the center, stop & back

 

WESTERN RIDING PATTERN 2

1. Walk, transition to jog, jog over log
2. Transition to the lope, on the left lead
3. First crossing change
4. Second crossing change
5. Third crossing change
6. Circle & first line change
7. Second line change
8. Third line change
9. Fourth line change & circle
10. Lope over log
11. Lope, stop & back

 

WESTERN RIDING PATTERN 3

1. Walk halfway between markers, transition to jog, jog over log
2. Transition to the lope, on the left lead
3. First crossing change
4. Lope over log
5. Second crossing change
6. First line change
7. Second line change
8. Third line change
9. Fourth line change
10. Third crossing change
11. Fourth crossing change
12. Lope up the center, stop & back

 

WESTERN RIDING PATTERN 4

1. Walk, transition to jog, jog over log
2. Transition to the lope, on the right lead
3. First line change
4. Second line change
5. Third line change
6. Fourth line change
7. First crossing change
8. Second crossing change
9. Third crossing change
10. Lope over log
11. Lope, Stop & back

 

WESTERN RIDING PATTERN 5
*Recommended For Small Arenas*

1. Walk, transition to jog, jog over log
2. Transition to the lope, on the left lead
3. First line change
4. Second line change
5. Third line change
6. Fourth line change
7. First crossing change
8. Lope over log
9. Second crossing change
10. Third crossing change
11. Fourth crossing change
12. Lope, Stop & back