Style of horse show class
"English pleasure"
is the generic term for a number of different
English riding
classes seen at
horse shows
in the
United States
, where the horse is ridden in either
hunt seat
or
saddle seat
tack.
In the average English pleasure class, the
horses
perform as a group, exhibiting the
natural gaits
of the walk, trot, and canter, and may also be asked to extend the
trot
or to perform a
hand gallop
. Horses are judged on their manners, performance, quality and
conformation
. The horse is to give the impression of being a pleasure to ride.
In the
show hunter
and
hunt seat
world, pleasure-type classes where the horses are not to jump are sometimes referred to as "flat" classes or "Hunter under saddle." In a variation on the pleasure class known as Hunter hack, riders may also be asked to have their horses jump two low jumps and
back
up.
Show hack
classes do not require jumping, but instead ask the horse to perform collected, regular, and extended versions of the walk, trot and canter, plus the hand gallop, usually attired in
Dressage
style equipment. In
American Saddlebred
breed competition, pleasure classes for
five-gaited
horses are sometimes offered, and at shows for
"gaited"
breeds such as the
Tennessee Walker
and the
Missouri Fox Trotter
, English pleasure classes substitute the breed's particular
ambling
gait for the trot.
The horse is usually ridden on contact with the
rein
, and the horse is penalized if it must be ridden on strong contact, gapes its mouth, does not respond willingly to light aids, or does not travel in balance. The horse should move straight, with a steady rhythm and a free and flowing stride. The horse should not come behind the bit, or travel too fast.
Hunter type movement (long and low) is preferred for hunter style horses. High action is preferred for English pleasure horses ridden
saddle seat
.
When showing in an English Pleasure or Hunt Seat class, the rider must be wearing the proper attire. This includes an English style jacket. The jacket can be different colors, depending on the style of riding. Most jackets are a dark grey, navy blue, or black. Underneath the coat the rider must have a collared shirt. Some shows and different events allow colored shirts, but the standard is a white or neutral color. The shirt can be either long or short sleeved. The rider must wear breeches. Depending on the show and event, the color of the breeches can vary from different shades of tan, gray, or white. English boots are also a requirement. Spurs are optional. Another requirement of the rider's attire is a helmet, or hunt cap. The style can vary depending on the event. Some styles of riding also require gloves to be worn, but for others gloves are optional.
See also
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References
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FEI
disciplines,
Olympic
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FEI disciplines, non-Olympic
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Horse racing
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Team sports
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Games with horses
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Driving
sports
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Working stock sports
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Weaponry
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Horse show
and
exhibition disciplines
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Regional and
breed-specific disciplines
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Field sports
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Related
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