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How to Compete in Western Pleasure

Western pleasure is an event that incorporates slow, controlled movements with precise body positioning and control for both the rider and the horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Chaps
  • Jeans
  • Long-sleeved Shirts
  • Vest
  • Warm Jackets
  • Western Reins
  • Western Saddles
  • Bridles
  • Headstalls
  • Saddle Pads
  • Snaffle Bit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get a Western pleasure horse. Typically stock horses are used for this event.

    • 2

      Select a horse that has a quiet disposition. Horses that are hot (high-strung and fast) don't make good Western pleasure horses.

    • 3

      Look for a horse that can trot and lope very slowly without breaking gait (coming out of the gait).

    • 4

      Dress up. Western pleasure events feature riders with glittering and sparkling outfits that include matching chaps, shirts, jackets or vests. Get yourself noticed.

    • 5

      Groom your horse to accentuate his head and neck by clipping the mane short or braiding it so the judge can see your horse's neck.

    • 6

      Sit tall in your saddle with your head up, shoulders back and back straight. Look forward.

    • 7

      Follow instructions. The judge or announcer will call out movements or gaits that are required to be performed.

    • 8

      Stay on the rail. Western pleasure riders follow each other around the outside of the arena. If you have to pass a horse, it means you're going too fast.

    • 9

      Make transitions from each gait smoothly and without the horse throwing his head or swishing his tail.

    • 10

      Ride with a quiet body. Don't make any unnecessary movements.

Tips & Warnings

  • Western pleasure is ideal for riders who don't like to go fast.

  • Western pleasure is a very showy event. Horses and riders get dressed up in their fanciest duds. Often you'll see silver conchas and trim on the saddles and headstalls.

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Comments

View all 58 Comments
  • FlickaBaby Sep 26, 2008
    When your asked to go into a faster jog, as in the trot. Do you post? Or do you have to sit threw it? I have an appy with a short mane and tail. I know I can get a fake one (I dont know where) but will I get marked down for having a short tail, or not the cleanest horse? I dont do this very often I do Barrel racing so I would like to make sure.
  • FlickaBaby Sep 26, 2008
    When your asked to go into a faster jog, as in the trot. Do you post? Or do you have to sit threw it? I have an appy with a short mane and tail. I know I can get a fake one (I dont know where) but will I get marked down for having a short tail, or not the cleanest horse? I dont do this very often I do Barrel racing so I would like to make sure.
  • Westerngirl17 Jul 19, 2008
    Step 8 perpetuates a common misconception about western pleasure. WP is NOT just about moving slow, it is about moving correctly. The horse in front of you may be 14 hands and your horse may be 16 hands. Your horse will naturally have a longer stride than the 14 hand horse and it is inevitable for you to have to pass the horse in front of you. It is in HOW you pass them that makes the difference; Move sideways off the rail, pass, check to make sure you're not cutting them off, then move sideways back into the rail. In Western pleasure, you want your horse to carry himself in his/her natural frame. For a good WP horse, this will be the level neck with nose just barely in front of the vertical. You want them to be collected and under them but to not be quick legged. They should move flat in front with good extension. Like was mentioned, WP is a showy event, but not to showy. Definitely
  • Westerngirl17 Jul 19, 2008
    Step 8 perpetuates a common misconception about western pleasure. WP is NOT just about moving slow, it is about moving correctly. The horse in front of you may be 14 hands and your horse may be 16 hands. Your horse will naturally have a longer stride than the 14 hand horse and it is inevitable for you to have to pass the horse in front of you. It is in HOW you pass them that makes the difference; Move sideways off the rail, pass, check to make sure you're not cutting them off, then move sideways back into the rail. In Western pleasure, you want your horse to carry himself in his/her natural frame. For a good WP horse, this will be the level neck with nose just barely in front of the vertical. You want them to be collected and under them but to not be quick legged. They should move flat in front with good extension. Like was mentioned, WP is a showy event, but not to showy. Definitely
  • azminniemouse Jan 04, 2008
    You should only have to braid a horses mane in english, unlike the directions. and, in 2008, big horses and hand tooled saddles are 'in'

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