Unleash the Spirit of Western Horsemanship

QUARTER PONIES IN THE UK! - The UK’s very own Western Performance Pony Association (WPPA) has now become an affiliate of the International Quarter Pony Association.

In the first of a series looking specifically at cattle and games classes, Philip Holliday introduces the Working Cow Horse.

The benefits of artificial insemination have long been acknowledged in the cattle and sheep industries, but only recently have horse breeders realised its potential.

A must-have western riding skill to enhance your balance and control on the horse is to ride one-handed. When you can ride one-handed, you have more possibilities when it comes to controlling your horse. In this article, Patrick will go over the fundamentals of one-handed riding, also known as neck reining.

Judge Dagmar Zenker talks us through one rider's pattern in an AQHA Horsemanship Class.

This class has always been one of my favourite classes. It is judged on a rider’s ability to perform harmoniously with the horse, the only other riding class that asks for this is Hunt Seat Equitation. In times where more and more horses are being produced to specialise in specific show classes, it is still possible to win a horsemanship class with an average horse shown by a good rider.

More important than a flashy horse with superior movement is a rider’s preciseness and smoothness in performing the designated pattern, as well as a balanced and correct body position in the saddle. The ‘correct’ position is accurately described in the AQHA Official Handbook (available at www.aqha.com). The pattern is chosen depending on the assumed quality of the riders and the level at which they are riding and is available before the class for competitors to learn.

In the third instalment from his trail class series, Lou Roper works with the gate. As told to Annie Haresign. Photography by Obi Igbo Photography. Make sure to watch the accompanying video at the end of this article!

In this article, we’re going to look at working the gate. It’s a very practical skill to have as you may need to use this while out on trail rides in the countryside. But for the show pen, the gate is an obstacle that demonstrates accuracy and control with an artificial gate - designed especially for trail class.