What is Western Pleasure Horse Riding

Key features of Western Pleasure riding

Key characteristics of this western discipline include: 

1 . The smoothness of the ride

The primary judgement within the discipline is the movement of the horse. Horses must present smooth, controlled movements, with very little effort from the rider to control or influence these things. 

2. The horse’s gait

‘Gait’ refers to the sequence and speed of a horse’s footfall. Each horse will have a natural gait, and each gait differs between a walk, a jog, and a lope, but it is vital that in competition these are smooth, fluid, and consistent for judges to be impressed, effectively showing them that a horse would be a pleasure to ride.

3. Appearance and posture 

Despite the main aspect of the discipline being the quality of movement, both horse and rider should appear professional, confident, and relaxed. The horses head should be carried naturally, and riders typically opt for traditional Western dress.

4. The demeanour and attitude of the horse

A relaxed and calm demeanour is valued in the discipline, alongside a willingness to respond to a rider’s cues with very few signs of resistance.

Western Pleasure Competition

In this specific western discipline, rider and horse performs the three gaits within a show arena, moving along the rail in one direction. They then do the same moving in the opposite direction, and finally, at one point, they’ll be required to back up. 

What is Western Pleasure judged on?

Because of the apparent ‘simplicity’ of Western Pleasure, lots of riders enter an event not really knowing what distinguishes them between 4th place and 1st place. And, judging is much more complicated than it looks. Some of the key things that judges look out for include: 

• Is the horse’s gait natural, consistent, and smooth?
• Is there any ‘lift’ to the horse’s shoulders?
• Are movements easy and controlled? 
• Does the horse have a natural head carriage? 
• Is the horse’s frame consistent throughout the performance? 

The discipline is judged mostly on the three gaits performed.

1 . Walk

A walk is a four-beat gait – a slower, more relaxed footfall – with each foot hitting the ground independently. The order of the footfall is usually: left hind, left front, right hind, right front. The gait should be flat footed, and a good walk is typically relaxed, with a deliberate but slower flow and pace. 

2. Jog

Versus a walk, the jog is a two-beat gait, with the horse’s diagonal pairs of legs moving together, for example the left front and the right hind moving in unison. Whilst the pace is picked up, the gait should still be characterized as smooth and steady, and riders should experience minimal bounce in the saddle to maintain a comfortable ride. 

3. Lope

A lope is similar to a canter with a three-beat gait, but it is slightly slower and should be more relaxed to show off a horse’s control. In a lope, all four legs should, in a brief moment, be off the ground at once.

Penalties can be given for breaking gait, stumbling, being too fast or too slow in their gait, the head being carried too high, and much more.

What are the most common Western Pleasure horses?

When competing in Western Pleasure, typically rider’s look for horse breeds that are known to have a calm temperament and natural, graceful movements. Some common breeds popular in Western Pleasure include: 

• The American Quarter Horse: this breed is known for its muscular but compact build, which allows it to perform smooth, balanced gaits naturally. They’re also known to be calm in temperament which is why they’re one of the most popular breeds in Western Pleasure. 
• The American Paint Horse: Known for their distinctive colour patterns, these horses have a very similar build to the American Quarter Horse and, typically, are responsive in nature, making them an obvious choice for the discipline. 
• The Appaloosa: this breed is characterised by gaits that are comfortable for riders and responsiveness, hence their popularity within the discipline. They can be recognised by their unique spotted coats. 

Eager to learn more about Western Riding disciplines? Check out our other guides to popular western performance and rodeo events, like Barrel Racing, Reining, and Cutting.