Western Pleasure

Christine Harrison and her AQHA gelding "Good For The Ladys" (Red) in Escondido, California. Chris and Red show under the guidance of Tonya Brown Quarter Horses.

The Western Pleasure class is often the largest performance class at any horse show, be it real or model. This is a basic rail class with the horses competing in a group, at three different gaits and in both directions of the arena. The ideal pleasure horse should exhibit smooth, relaxed gaits and perfect manners. In other words, he should be a pleasure to ride! All of today's photos were taken at the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association's Youth and Amateur Show held last month at the…

Sunshine State Open Pleasure Show at the Florida Horse Park

Crossed arms

It's time western pleasure riders get the respect they deserve! Every time I post something about western pleasure it sparks a debate. Whether you love it

One of the hardest maneuvers to master in a horsemanship or equitation pattern is, ironically, one of the most simple concepts known to mankind: a circle. In the show pen we have seen them come out like eggs, squares, and footballs. We have also seen those exhibitors who seem to nail their circles every time. […]