Pleasure Equitation...

[Mikki]

I was almost sure there was already a thread on this but nothing came up when I searched. Okay, so what exactly is the difference between Pleasure Equitation and Equitation? Is it just the horse? Or are there differences in the rider too? Also, where are the rules for Pleasure Eq.? I have looked but can't find. Thanks!:taz:

[ASB_EQ_Gal]

If I am correct pleasure equitation is more so about the horse. Pleasure horses are shown in pleasure equitation so you do not have a trimmed horse. They will also ask you to do the same show procedure as in a pleasure class. Such as backing and halting. I don't know if USEF has anything on pleasure equitation you might want to try looking there.

I know though that you can find rules such as for the Pleasure Olympics, Pleasure Medallion, and UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup.

[wstrngrl]

Backing is not required in any Equitation class, if asked for it is considered a workout. Halting (on the rail) is also not a required element. (except in S&B Medallion, where judges are apparently encouraged to, but not required to, ask for a stop and back on the rail)

The rules for Pleasure Equitation are in the USEF rule book:
http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/11-EQ.pdf

They start at page 11; the specs for Pleasure Equitation start at page 13, at the bottom...

The only difference I can see between regular Equitation and Pleasure Equitation is Pleasure Equitation is limited to riders on Pleasure Horses

[Jrchloe]

A Pleasure Equitation rider rides only a pleasure horse (CP or SP) in equitation if they want to go to the pleasure equitation finals (Olympics, PL UPHA, Medallion) but can show in the open finals as well. An Open Equitation rider shows a trimmed 3 gaited horse so they can only show in the Open Equitation finals (UPHA, Good Hands, Medal). A pleasure equitation class will require a flat walk and in an open equitation class a bounce walk is not penalized even though its not prefered. A pleasure equitation rider can not wear a tux in a night pleasure equitation class only an informal as in a "performance" pleasure class. A pleasure equitation rider as a rider is the same as an open rider as in form, showmanship and skill.

[El422]

I have ridden in both Pleasure Eq and trimmed eq. I think the only difference is that one class has a mane on their horse and the other doesn't. Pleasure Eq is equitation on a pleasure horse. It is not supposed to judge the horse, more of the horsemanship of the rider; like in trimmed eq. The reason that this class originated was so people that did not have quite has fancy horses, or did not have a horse that could be trimmed could ride in eq.
In pleasure eq, you can be asked to halt and back, and show as a "brisk" trot, but this has only happened to me but once in the show ring. Ususally the judges treat the class much like a trimmed eq class.

[El422]

Oh and the rules for pleasure eq....you can not ride a trimmed horse in an equitation class during that show season and ride back in a pleasure eq class. So say I borrow a trimmed horse to show in the medal at Lextington. I could not ride in any other pleasure eq class for the rest of the year. But say I borrow a horse with a mane for the medal at lexington. This means I can still ride in pleasure eq. A pleasure eq rider can ride in a trimme eq class, but not on a trimmed horse.

[Jrchloe]

The rule is if you ride a trimmed horse in an equitation class you can still show in pleasure equitation classes you just can not go to the pleasure equitation finals or show in the pl finals qualifiying classes.

16. SADDLE & BRIDLE’S AMERICAN SADDLEBRED PLEASURE EQUITATION MEDALLION.
Eligibility to compete in the Saddle & Bridle Medallion is limited to those riders who
show only American Saddlebred Pleasure horses in equitation during a given show
season.

(5) UPHA PLEASURE CHALLENGE CUP.
Eligibility to compete in UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup classes is limited to those riders who show ONLY pleasure equitation horses of the Saddle Seat breeds during a given
competition year.

[Blondie55]

I have ridden in both Pleasure Eq and trimmed eq. I think the only difference is that one class has a mane on their horse and the other doesn't. Pleasure Eq is equitation on a pleasure horse. It is not supposed to judge the horse, more of the horsemanship of the rider; like in trimmed eq. The reason that this class originated was so people that did not have quite has fancy horses, or did not have a horse that could be trimmed could ride in eq.
In pleasure eq, you can be asked to halt and back, and show as a "brisk" trot, but this has only happened to me but once in the show ring. Ususally the judges treat the class much like a trimmed eq class.

I agree, the biggest difference in the mane. It started as a division for the pleasure horse equitation rider to have a chance, since not too long ago if your horse had a mane you were pretty much ignored in open eq. In my 10+ years in equitation I saw it totally change, and by my last year plenty of people were bringing maned horses to big shows and doing well (Kelsey Nicole Smith immediately pops into my mind). I went to Louisville and I went to the pleasure equitation finals (5 years ago, gasp!) and at that level, the pleasure eq horses were nearly equivalent to the open eq horses in terms of "fanciness." I don't think the horse is judged any more or less in one division; as much as it sucks the horse is judged in eq! I felt like people were getting more open minded as time went on, but maybe that was just out in California....?

[Jrchloe]

Mikki are you planning on showing in Pleasure Equitation or did you just want some clarification?

[High Stakes]

Another thing to keep in mind is that "pleasure equitation", like "saddle seat equitation", is open to horses of any saddle seat breed. Certain finals, like S&B's Medallion Championships restrict the horse to an ASB. But other saddle seat breeds can and occassionally do compete in pleasure eq classes. One doesn't see it often, but I saw a couple Morgan riders in pleasure eq classes this past season.

The pleasure eq and eq divisions are judged just the same. Pleasure eq riders don't show in formals at night in pleasure eq classes but that's about it. Top pleasure eq riders like Kelsey Nichole Smith, Emily Abbott, Nick Maupin, Victoria McHenry, Deanna Lannigan and many others have narrowed the gap - despite competing on "pleasure horses" these people can equitate with anybody. Emily and Victoria are on the World Cup team.

Still, I think it's easier at the entry level to start out in pleasure eq. Anyone who wants to compete seriously in equitation has to be dedicated and hardworking.

[Mikki]

Thanks. JrCloe...Yes I am thinking about showing in Pleasure Eq. I have a keep at home Country Pleasure horse that I would show. I used to show in Eq. when I was younger but since I got my "new" 3 yr. old, I have stopped focussing on my form and more on him. So, considering I can work on my form and get it back and that I can get my horse to do some patterns, I plan on showing in that class. Sorry, that was probably a little confusing lol.

Also, where do you find the patterns at? I know there are some on JrCloe's website. Is there a list of them that the judges are allowed to pick from? If so, where? When I did Eq., it was just in academy so it wasn't full blown Eq. But we took it so serioiusly I might as well have been. :D

[wstrngrl]

I take it you didn't read the USEF Equitation rules I posted the link to; the pattern elements judges can choose from are in there ;)

I have some patterns on my Webshots that you can look at.

http://pets.webshots.com/album/45856200ToXArB

In general the most popular patterns are various forms of a serpentine and figure 8s. So if your horse can manage those; especially cantering them and doing the lead changes; and otherwise be willing and able to start and stop any gait, and halt, from anywhere in the ring; you should be good...

[Jrchloe]

EQ119 Tests. BOD 1/13/08 Effective 4/1/08 From the rule book:

Tests from which judges must choose. Tests may be performed either individually or collectively but no other tests may be used. Instructions must be publicly announced. All circles and turns must be performed on correct diagonals and leads. On left diagonal, rider should be out of saddle when horse’s left front leg is in the air; on right diagonal, rider should be out of saddle when horse’s right front leg is in the air. On left lead, horse’s left leg reaches further than the right; on the right lead, horse’s right leg reaches further than the left. All changes of lead must be a simple change whereby the horse is brought back into a halt or walk and restarted into the canter on the opposite lead. In Medal and Championship classes individual workout instructions must be written down by the judge and delivered to the announcer at the beginning of the class. Instructions can be posted at the judge’s discretion provided it is announced and posted at least one hour prior to the session in which the class is held. Competition management is encouraged to post the workout more than one hour prior to the session if possible.
1. Address reins-the process of laying down reins and picking up reins (only in line up).
2. Circle at a trot. When circling clockwise, rider should be on left diagonal; when circling counterclockwise rider should be on right diagonal.
3. Performance on the rail at a walk, trot, or canter using the correct leads and diagonals only.
4. Performance around the ring at a walk, trot, or canter using the correct leads and diagonals only.
5. Feet disengaged from stirrups. Feet engaged. In the line-up only.
6. Change of diagonals on or off the rail. The judge must specify diagonal changes to be
executed and the beginning diagonal.
7. Execute serpentine at a trot. A series of left and right half circles off imaginary line where correct diagonals must be shown.
8. Back for not more than eight steps.
9. Figure eight at trot demonstrating change of diagonals. Unless specified, it may be
started either facing the center or away from the center. If started facing the center, it must be commenced from a halt.
10. Circle at the canter. When circling clockwise, horse should be on right lead; when circling counterclockwise, horse should be on the left lead.
11. Execute serpentine at a canter.
12.Figure eight at canter. Unless specified, it can be started either facing the center or away from the center. If started facing the center it must be commenced from a halt. Figures are commenced in center of two circles so that one lead change is shown.
13.Canter a straight line, on or off the rail, with or without demonstrating simple change of lead. The judge must specify lead changes to be executed and the beginning lead.
14.Ride without stirrups for a brief period of time, at any gait requested (for not more than one minute at the trotting phase). Riders may be asked to disengage or engage stirrups at a halt or walk or any gait requested by the judge.
15.Demonstration ride of approximately one minute on own mount. Movements must be
selected from Tests 1-14 above. Rider must advise judge beforehand what ride he plans to demonstrate. To be used only in Championship and/or Medal Classes. Riders must have with them two copies (one for judge and one for announcer) of a written one minute workout in case the judge asks for this test. The test must be stopped at the end of one minute but the rider will not be penalized for not completing it.
16. Exchange horses. This test is to be used only after four or more of the top riders have been tested. Only one pair of riders to exchange. Saddles can be exchanged. The attendant for each horse being exchanged must be allowed in the ring only to facilitate the change. The purpose of this test is to break a tie.



If you would like explaination on all of the patterns and expert advice on how to perform them let me know.

[GraceMorgn]

While knowing the pattern elements is useful, when you are comfortable with each piece it is important to string them together into an actual pattern. That is what you will be asked to do at a show and where things can be more difficult for some riders and horses. Start by putting two to three elements together. Such as the UPHA pattern.

Execute a four loop serpentine and return to the lineup at a show trot.

Or trot down the rail showing two diagnol changes. Stop at the end of the straightaway and execute a circle at the canter. Pivot and return to the lineup at a trot.

Once you are comfortable with small patterns, start putting 8-10 pieces together. You will need to stop at different points of the rail, go across the arena, stop in different places in the arena, use straight and diagnol lines and incorporate stirrupless work. The patterns are getting more intricate and more difficult every year, so be creative and challenge yourself. It can feel like a memory test or simon says, but you will get the hang of it. The more you practice at home, the more comfortable you will be in the show ring. Just start out slowly and build on the patterns.

Also remember to change up your patterns often. Many horses are so smart that will "learn" the pattern and start anticipating what you want them to do. Keep them guessing so they are listening to you and not thinking too much on their own. In addition, have a medium length pattern that you and your horse do really well. Something the two of you can do in your sleep. Use that for your "pocket pattern," which is rule #15. Keep two copies in the pocket of your coat at all times. We have had the pattern called on us 2 or 3 times over the last couple years and it is so nice to know where it is and to be confident you can execute it.

Good luck!

*ASHLEY*

[Jrchloe]

By the way on the Equitation website there are all of the patterns from the rule book that you would have to know (pocket pattern left out since it is not another pattern you must learn just something that might be called). Along with patterns from the Morgan Equitation Judging manual and then patterns from different horse shows. I totally agree with GraceMorgn you need to get good at the basics before you start doing the more difficult patterns. Make sure you know how to excute a perfect circle (16-20 strides) and half circle (8-10 strides). Understand a 4 loop serpintine and a straight line (if you know how to do a straight line you can do a diagonal line). Know where your points are on the rail and understand how to split up the rail into sections. Know how to address your reins correctly in your sleep. Start two pointing (cprrectly) with and without irons and then move into trotting without them. The Equitation website is a great resource for this.

[chelseab2005]

Oh and the rules for pleasure eq....you can not ride a trimmed horse in an equitation class during that show season and ride back in a pleasure eq class. So say I borrow a trimmed horse to show in the medal at Lextington. I could not ride in any other pleasure eq class for the rest of the year. But say I borrow a horse with a mane for the medal at lexington. This means I can still ride in pleasure eq. A pleasure eq rider can ride in a trimme eq class, but not on a trimmed horse.

Since the whole "not baing able to show in Pleasure Eq. the rest of the year" was already addressed, I'll leave that alone. As for borrowing a horse, this is common practice, but not necessary. You can show your pleasure horse in the Open classes if a pleasure class is not provided, e.g. The Royal or Louisville. A Pleasure Equitation horse may be used in the Open Finals, as well. However, most people don't want to do this because they don't think a Pleasure horse can compete with the Open horses. This is bull. I've gone in several qualifiers on my Pleasure Eq horse without a problem and won a UPHA Challenge Cup qualifier, a USEF Medal qualifier, a Good Hands qualifier against Open Eq riders, and the Saddle & Bridle Pleasure Medallion in the same year. This can be used to your advantage. Pleasure Eq riders can cross qualify while Open Eq riders can't.

[wstrngrl]

Actually there is no rule prohibiting a rider from showing both a Pleasure horse and a Trimmed horse in Equitation in the same season. You just can't show both at the same show.

However, IF you want to show in the Saddle & Bridle Medallion; you cannot show a Trimmed horse in Equitation that year.

But if you're not competing in S&B Medallion classes; you can show both Pleasure and Trimmed horses in Equitation classes in the same year.

[Jrchloe]

An equitation rider can show whatever kind of horse they want in any equitation class. Its just if that rider wants to show in the Pleasure Equitation Finals (Olympics, PL UPHA, Medallion) they must show a pleasure horse in any equitation class they show in.

[wstrngrl]

To qualify for Olympics, points are only earned from the Equitation (or Pleasure Equitation obviously) classes where they show Pleasure horses.
Only pleasure horses are allowed in Pleasure UPHA classes; and the S&B Medallion requires that the rider only show Pleasure horses in Equitation classes.

Oh, wait, the UPHA Pleasure Cup only allows riders who only show Pleasure horses all year too...

So as long as you're not planning to show in the S&B Medallion or the UPHA Pleasure Cup (the Olympics have no restriction on showing Trimmed horse during the year); it doesn't matter if you rider a trimmed horse in an Equitation class :P

[JohnDeere]

I might add that Pleasure Equitation is unbelievably fun and challenging...I hadn't shown in equitation for about five plus years until this winter when I got a new equitation horse. It has been a long road but worth every second! I am very much looking forward to the Saddle & Bridle, UPHA, and MHSA Pleasure Eq. Finals! :)

[chelseab2005]

Only pleasure horses are allowed in Pleasure UPHA classes; and the S&B Medallion requires that the rider only show Pleasure horses in Equitation classes.

Oh, wait, the UPHA Pleasure Cup only allows riders who only show Pleasure horses all year too...

So as long as you're not planning to show in the S&B Medallion or the UPHA Pleasure Cup (the Olympics have to restriction on showing Trimmed horse during the year); it doesn't matter if you rider a trimmed horse in an Equitation class :P

That's because UPHA offers classes in both disciplines. So, they can afford to not allow those who show both. Also, there's no point to riding both kinds of horse if a Pleasure Eq horse can show in both classes. Well, you can show in any qualifier except regular UHPA if a Pleasure qualifier is offered and in the open classes if they don't differentiate in classes.

Like I said before, I used to show in every equitation qualifier under the sun with no problems. In fact, when I was a junior exhibitor I would have been better off in Open Eq rather than Pleasure. Would have had more of a chance. There were just too many riders swarming to Pleasure from Open. :glare:

[wstrngrl]

For those riders who have their own horse, or a regular horse to borrow; it probably doesn't matter whether they can switch between a Trimmed horse and a Pleasure horse.

But I know alot of Equitation riders who only get to show on borrowed horses; and it would be bad if they think they can't show a Trimmed horse in an Equitation class because it would disqualify them from showing in Pleasure Equitation classes the rest of the year.

For THOSE riders; knowing what the rules actually are is very important :)