Senior Western Pleasure exhibitors

The rumors were true – in a cutting-edge move this past week, Senior Western Pleasure judges asked the exhibitors to show 10-20 feet off the rail during the Arizona Sun Country Circuit.  It brought murmurs from the crowd and rapt attention of everyone in the stands. As the week went along, the excitement seems to have grown not only on social media, but particularly at Sun Circuit, where exhibitors are eager to share their opinions about it.

“I think it’s wonderful,” comments Susan Knapp of Iowa, owner of multiple Congress and AQHA World Champion mare Cool Krymsun Lady. “It’s the direction that we should be heading, according to what we’ve been hearing AQHA say, and I agree with it.”

Susan Knapp

Those sentiments seemed to be echoed by exhibitors around the ring this week, as the move was perceived as progressive, and as a way to encourage forward motion. The action received support from Eric Mendrysa of Texas, who shows both AQHA and Half- Arabians. “I have an all-around foundation, so I personally prefer to see horses at a slightly more forward motion. This gives me a good idea of what they really move like, and I think it shows their natural ability much better,” reveals Eric.

Kim Garcia of California, who is no stranger to the show industry in her role as owner of Kimber’s Couture, was watching the senior pleasure on Monday when the surprise call was announced. “I thought it was great. If you can hold your horse off the rail and be consistent, isn’t that a plus? That means your horse is listening to you. Plus, I think we’re starting to see judges asking  the horses to move at a pace that’s comfortable for the horse. It really allows us to oversee the overall picture of the animal,” she explains.

Mike Fester

“I thought it was a great idea in a pen of Senior horses for a couple of reasons,” adds NSBA National Director Mike Fester, who also had the opportunity to watch the class. “First, in a class with that many great horses, it gave the judges the opportunity to look at the horses from a different perspective without the rail as a tool to position the horses. Second, I know the trainers appreciate the change of pace for these seasoned horses.”

But what did you think of the idea if you were a trainer or rider in that very pleasure class? ”We have to remember that our horses are riding to go on to do other things, which happen in the middle of the ring and not on the rail,” says Rusty Green, who exhibited in the class when the judge asked them to move off the rail. “All the additional maneuvering and calling of the gaits only makes it better. It was very positive, very fun, and it was a very good move for the industry.”