tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841045598995993346.post3667926317068945215..comments2016-02-19T02:31:20.700-08:00Comments on The Redheaded Standardbred: Western Pleasure for the Standardbred2HorsePowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05750774098578115570noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841045598995993346.post-45940869772919074492016-02-19T02:31:20.700-08:002016-02-19T02:31:20.700-08:00I'm watching the Scottsdale Arabian horse show...I'm watching the Scottsdale Arabian horse show this week and the class that disgusts me the most is Western Pleasure. I've seen what looks like crippled horses win, "dust kickers" whose feet scuff the dirt forward ahead of the horse each jog step, false gaits (not a trot, but not a walk!), constantly bumping the horse in the mouth with the bit to no noticeable effect....however one shining moment came - a horse with true gaits and fluid forward movement won a class. (But the crippled one got 2nd, ugh). Western Pleasure has gone astray, what will it take to bring it back to being a pleasure?<br /><br />I love the Show Ring tips here "try going deeper into the corner" - absolutely, and it's another thing that is making me cringe this week as I watch. The riders are refusing to use the rail, almost running down the judges. I know what it's like to want to stay in the judge's view, but riders need to respect the rules.lythahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719586193059362084noreply@blogger.com