Western Pleasure Trainer

Western Pleasure is one of the most popular western disciplines. Horses are evaluated by judges on their quality of movement as riders are asked to walk, jog, and lope in both directions. Competitors ride with a loose rein to showcase the horse’s ability to remain calm and quiet. Judges actually penalize riders that fail to remain calm and well mannered during the movements. The sport highlights the beauty of western horse culture with the slow, casual movements and blingy tack. There has been controversy among Western Pleasure riders about the quality of movements of the horses, but the sport is all about showcasing a well mannered horse, not striving to move as slow as possible. Horses’ heads should hang naturally in alignment with their withers. When asked to walk, jog, and lope, the horses should show energy and suspension in each gait and any excessively slow movements are disqualified. In the battle of striving to showcase a well mannered horse without asking the horse to do anything particularly unnatural, Western Pleasure has evolved to be a discipline that focuses on the naturalness of the horse’s movements.

Like most equestrian disciplines, Western Pleasure is for any age group. Beginner riders often learn the Western Pleasure discipline before choosing to pursue a different western discipline. For riders that choose to stay with Western Pleasure can pursue being a professional by working to compete in Adequan Select World Championship Shows.

The American Quarter Horse Association has levels of work that horses and riders must be eligible for based on their records with AQHA. The levels are Rookie, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 and exhibitors are eligible for a level based on a handicapping system.

Riders that want to pursue Western Pleasure in the show arena need to make sure that their trainer is going to travel with them to shows. Additionally, trainers that specialize in Western Pleasure need to have records with the AQHA if riders desire to show.

Western pleasure riders should ask potential trainers if they can best assist you in achieving your goals in this sport. Make sure your trainer not only has the right training and horses, but can also help you accomplish your goals in the show ring.