2008 AQHA YOUTH WORLD CUP

WHAT A PLEASURE!

BY TONYA RATLIFF-GARRISON, FIELD EDITOR 

AQHA Pro Horseman Suzy Jean of Valley View, Texas, told the Youth World Cup riders they were lucky to be in such a positive window in the development of western pleasure.

Emilie Laversin of Team France jogs her horse for evaluation in the western pleasure clinic.

For the all-around horse, western pleasure is the first event in his long show career.

"It is the foundation for all the other classes he will eventually show in," AQHA Pro Horseman Suzy Jeane told participants in the Youth World Cup western pleasure clinic on Tuesday, July 8. "All of you are fortunate to be in a positive window for the development of western pleasure. But to really understand western pleasure, you need to read the AQHA rulebook."

Co-clinician Gord Wadds then read the description of a western pleasure horse from the "AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations."

"A good pleasure horse has a free-flowing stride of reasonable length in keeping with his conformation. He should cover a reasonable amount of ground with little effort. Ideally, he should have a balanced, flowing motion, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits are a major consideration. He should carry his head and neck 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. His head should be level with his nose slightly in front of the vertical, having a bright expression with his ears alert. He should be shown on a reasonably loose rein, but with light contact and control. He should be responsive, yet smooth, in transitions when called for. When asked to extend, he should move out with the same flowing motion. Maximum credit should be given to the flowing, balanced and willing horse that gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride."

"If you can just picture this and keep this in your mind, it will help you immensely," Suzy said. "This description is exactly what the judge are looking for -- a horse that is a pleasure to ride."

Suzy stressed though that the youth riders, who are riding unfamiliar horses, need to be pleasant and patient with their mounts.

"These horses are giving us all they've got," she said. "You need to make sure you are giving them all you've got. You need to develop a trust between the two of you."

Suzy told the participants to remember that western pleasure, unlike many other AQHA classes, is not an individual event.

"Most of the time, the judge only has like 11 seconds to evaluate your performance," she said. "So that first impression when you come into the arena is so very important. You must present a pleasing picture and a happy horse."

AQHA Pro Horseman Scott Carmichael added, "You need to keep your eyes up as you're moving forward and really show off that horse. It's all about being relaxed and being a team."