Western Country Pleasure Division

ASB 6.3 Western Country Pleasure Division In Western Pleasure and Trail classes, a lower head carriage should not be penalized. The Western equipment horse should be heavier bodied, especially in the rear, have prominent withers and be close-coupled. As with all Purebred Saddlebred/Half Saddlebred divisions, the emphasis is on presenting the best quality specimens of the breed. Western Country Pleasure horses must be plain shod or unshod. Permissible shoeing includes a shoe (inclusive of caulks), which may be thicker at the heel. Toe clips and side clips are allowed. An eggbar shoe is also permissible. A ¼” thick leather rim pad, no wider than the shoe, is allowed to maintain the integrity of the hoof wall. Not allowed as plain shod are full pads of any kind, wedges, bands, bars, lead, springs, any addition below the bottom of the shoe, and any foreign substance not named as permitted. The entire sole and frog of the foot must be visible. Horses with prohibited shoeing will be disqualified from further competition at that show and forfeit all entry fees and winnings. Horses must be shown with a full mane and tail. Tails must not be put in any device (such as a tailset, bustle, or brace) that alters their carriage while on the grounds. However, participation is not excluded if a horse's tail has once been set. Braids and artificial manes are prohibited, though discretely applied hair in the tail is permitted. If judges need to inspect bridles, it is their duty alone to carry out this task. They may assign a steward to perform bridle checks at the exit gate, necessitating riders to dismount. Professionals are eligible to participate in American Saddlebred division classes labeled as Open in Western Country Pleasure Prospect, Junior Horse, Maiden/Novice/Limit Horse, and Western Country Pleasure categories, provided that two additional Western classes exclusive to amateurs are available at the same event. Entries are expected to demonstrate a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope with a reasonably slack rein, emphasizing good manners and suitability as a pleasure mount. Smooth and effortless transitions between gaits are encouraged. Tack & Apparel Entries will be penalized for incomplete Tack & Apparel but do not have to be disqualified. Attire for riders includes a Western hat, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket with a collar, and a necktie, kerchief, or bolo/bow/peddle/rosette-tie or pin used as a tie. Trousers or pants are required, with chaps, shotgun chaps, or chinks and western-style boots also mandatory. Optionally, a vest, coat, or sweater may be worn. Protective headgear with a harness is optional in all classes and does not have to be Western-style. Spurs are at the discretion of the rider, while whips are prohibited except for those riding side saddle. Side Saddle: For side saddle riders, an apron of closed or button type with a belt under loops is mandatory. It is recommended to use an apron with a waistband cut similarly to chaps and double thickness in classes where chaps are compulsory. Entries must be shown with a western stock saddle, with silver equipment not factored into judging decisions. A side saddle is considered legal equipment, while tapaderos are prohibited, hobbles and riata are not required. In terms of bridles and bits, there should be no bias against any standard Western bit. A standard Western bit is defined with specific measurements for the shank and mouthpiece (see appendix). Prohibited bits include slip or gag bits, rigid donut mouthpieces, and flat polo mouthpieces. Mouth controls are allowed. Curb chains may be wrapped. The use of snaffle bits and hackamores is permitted in certain circumstances, with strict guidelines provided for their use. Judges do not have the authority to modify the specified standard equipment. Gaits Exhibitors are expected to demonstrate a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope with a reasonably slack rein, emphasizing good manners and suitability as a pleasure mount. Smooth and effortless transitions between gaits are encouraged. Standards of Judging Entries should exhibit obedience with prompt transitions, with a particular emphasis on maintaining a true, flat walk. Upon request, horses must halt and stand quietly on the rail in both directions of the ring. Additionally, they must stand calmly and back willingly in the lineup. Undesirable behaviors such as head tossing, pulling,laboring action, sideways movement, and tail-switching will be penalized.

WESTERN COUNTRY PLEASURE CLASSES OFFERED Western Country Pleasure For classes such as Open, Amateur, Masters, Maiden, Novice, Limit, Mares, Geldings, Junior Horse, OTR, Ladies, Gentlemen, Juvenile Exhibitor, and Youth, exhibits are expected to demonstrate a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope. They should stand quietly and back readily. Riders are permitted to use only one hand on the reins, and hands must not be switched except when necessary to navigate an obstacle in a Trail Horse Class. The rider's hand should encircle the reins. In cases where the split reins' ends fall on the side of the reining hand, one finger between reins is allowed. However, when using a romel or holding the ends of split reins with the hand not used for reining, no finger between reins is permitted. The rider may hold the romal or the ends of split reins to prevent swinging and adjust their position, provided there is at least 16 inches of rein between the hands. Entries will be evaluated based on manners, performance, quality, and conformation. Western Country Pleasure - Walk/Jog For riders aged 12 and under, horses will be shown and judged following the guidelines of other Western Country Pleasure classes, with the exception that horses will not be required to halt on the rail or back. Riders in this category must not have previously participated in any class that involved cantering or loping. Headers will be allowed in the lineup and will be announced by the announcer after the class has lined up and before judging commences. Each horse may have one attendant without a whip to assist with heading during the lineup. Western Country Pleasure - Prospect This class is exclusively open to horses competing in their first or second competition years as Western Country Pleasure horses, as verified by ASHBA records. Exhibitors may include professionals, amateurs, or Juvenile Exhibitors. Hackamores and snaffle bits are allowed. Horses are expected to demonstrate a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope, and should stand quietly and back readily. Only one hand may be used on the reins, except for riders using hackamores and snaffle bits, who are permitted to use two hands. Hands must not be changed during the performance. The rider's hand should encircle the reins, with one finger between the reins permitted when the split reins' ends fall on the side of the reining hand. However, when using a romel or holding the ends of split reins with the hand not used for reining, no finger between reins is allowed. Riders may hold the romal or the ends of split reins to prevent swinging and adjust their position, provided there is at least 16 inches of rein between the hands. Exhibits will be evaluated based on manners, performance, quality, and conformation. Western Country Pleasure - Championship This class is reserved for horses that have participated in the Amateur, Masters, Juvenile Exhibitor, and Youth Western Country Pleasure classes. To qualify, the horse must have been entered, shown, and judged in a specified qualifying class. Exhibitors are expected to demonstrate a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope with a reasonably slack rein, without undue restraint (ridden with one hand on reins). They should stand quietly and back readily. Judging criteria will include manners, performance, quality, and conformation. Western Show Pleasure This class is reserved for entries in the Amateur, Masters, Juvenile Exhibitor, and Youth. This class will be presented at a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope, with riders using only one hand on the reins. Judging will be based on a 75% assessment of manners, performance, presence, and quality, with the remaining 25% attributed to overall conformation. Shatner Western Pleasure Please refer to the website for “Saddle & Bridle” Magazine at www.saddleandbridle.com. Shatner Working Western Pleasure Please refer to the website for “Saddle & Bridle” Magazine at www.saddleandbridle.com. Western Trail Exhibits will navigate a minimum of five obstacles and demonstrate a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope with a reasonably slack rein, without undue restraint. Only one hand may be used on the reins, with hands not to be changed except when negotiating an obstacle in a Trail Horse Class (two hands are permitted for Hackamores and snaffle bits). Judging will be weighted 75% on manners, performance, presence, and quality, with the remaining 25% focused on total conformation. Western Pairs Exhibits will be presented at a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope, with riders using one hand on the reins, as specified. The judging criteria will emphasize manners, performance, presence, quality, and conformation, accounting for 75% of the evaluation. Additionally, 25% of the assessment will consider the uniformity and neatness of attire. Western & English Versatility Horses will be presented first with Western Equipment, demonstrating a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope in both directions of the ring. Subsequently, they will transition to English Equipment, showcasing a flat walk, trot, extended trot, and canter in both directions of the ring. The change of equipment for both horse and rider will occur in the ring. Each phase of the competition will be weighted equally at 50%. The prize list will specify whether riders must remain the same for both phases of the class.