Western

Western An American Original

What is Western? „

Includes all classes/divisions where the horse wears a western style of saddle

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Style was developed in order to make long rides and cattle work easier on the rider

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Has now been specialized to a point where it is sometimes difficult to see where the cow might have fit into the picture

Words to Describe Western Controlled „ Cadenced, Rhythmic „ “Between the Reins” „

Alice on Tony 1944

Tin Type

1895

Breeds Common to the Western Discipline „ „ „ „ „ „ „

American Quarter Horse American Paint Horse Appaloosa Arabian Morgan Saddlebred Color breeds: Palomino, Buckskin, Pinto

American Quarter Horse (AQHA)

Sam Savitt 1962

Orren Mixer

American Paint Horse (APHA)

Orren Mixer

Appaloosa (ApHC)

1950's, George Phippen 1981, Orren Mixer

Arabian

Top: Foxfire Arabians Left: Scottsdale 2007

Morgan

Lake Holiday Taboo

American Saddlebred

American Saddlebred

Palomino, Buckskin, Pinto

Buckskin vs. Dun

Buckskin vs. Dun

Right: Buckskin

Pinto vs. Paint

Terms to Know „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Level Topline (ears to withers) Rounded Topline Loop in the Reins Spur Stop Deep Hocked Flat Kneed Slow Legged Hooky Neck

Level Topline

Australian Quarter Horse Association web site

Rounded Topline

Rounded Topline

Very Rounded Topline

Loop in the Reins

Above: Alabama Amateur Quarter Horse Association Above: Bill Porcher Pleasure Horses

Spur Stop „

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Applying spur pressure to the sides of your horse tells the horse to stop Rider does not pick up on or shorten the reins

Right: Not a spur stop

Deep Hocked

www.silver-star-ranch.com

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Horse brings his hind legs deep underneath his belly, using his hind quarters to drive forward. Each time a hind leg comes forward, the hock swings deeply under the horse’s body. From Breed Show Hunters Under Saddle by Melissa Sexton

Deep Hocked „

Dylan

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"Dylan" is a very nice western pleasure horse. He would be ideal for a novice or amateur rider. He is super flat and deep hocked. Dylan's sire is Zippo Pine Chex. Priced at 10,500

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SOLD

www.stevehoffmantrainingcenter.com

Flat Kneed (Stock Breeds)

Flat Kneed (Stock Breeds)

Purely Zip 'N Rock & Frankie Hart

Ima Cuervo Cowboy & Caitlin Ferguson

Slow Legged „

A horse that carries himself in the correct frame, utilizes his body and his stride to the fullest.

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Because he uses the full length of his stride, rather than cutting it short with unnecessary small choppy steps, his stride is longer.

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His movement is soft and fluid. His legs almost appear to be in slow motion . „

It is much like the ice skater performing to slow music.

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From Breed Show Hunters Under Saddle by Melissa Sexton

Got the Glow „

2006 Sorrel 14.3 hand AQHA gelding. Money earner as a weanling and yearling in the Ohio and Pennsylvania Halter Futurities. This gelding is a phenomenal mover! He is just being started under saddle. He has been hauled all over to shows, so he is use to being primped, pampered, clipped, bathed, hauled, shown, etc... He has a gorgeous profile, flat

kneed, deep hocked, slow legged and will make someone an outstanding Western Pleasure horse. His price will go up with training. This gelding is the Real Deal! ....the natural ability is in his blood. http://www.hornyakranch.com

Knees Not Flat

Hooky Neck (Arabian)

Divisions „

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Open Classes are Divided into Jr. Horse (5 years and under) and Sr. Horse (6 and over) Novice Youth (limited number of points accumulated) Youth 13 and under and 14-18 Novice Amateur (limited number of points accumulated) also called non-pro in some breeds Amateur/non-pro Sr. Amateur/Select/Elite (Riders usually 55 and over)

Classes (just a sample) „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Jan Larsen Performance Horses

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Western Pleasure Working Cow Horse Trail Horsemanship Showmanship Reining Cutting Speed Events Roping Western Riding

Specialization „

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The “All Around” horse is still dominant as the youth horse or amateur horse—with most competitors riding a huge variety of classes competing for the all around title Most horses are specialized only doing a few compatible events (i.e. western riding and trail) Stock horse halter competitors, hunt seat horses, and reiners don’t even look like they share the same breed