More Western questions from the Eventer!

Ok, so I want to learn more about western events, all of them! So what do judges look for in stuff like Trail, WP, Reining etc.? Thanks for your time in advanced!

Oh dear, Sorry to say but you might have a hard time getting too many responses on this one... a lil too vague with your questions, you could just as easy google each event(what reining judges look for or reining judging for example)...

I can go into specifics.... I just wanted to know from people who acctually do these events

Uh, ok gotcha.

Um... Well, I'm going to link you to wikipedia, and then if you have further questions, just ask and I'll try to respond before I leave for XMAS... Like honeysuga said, you're a little vague... LOL, I have a hard time answering when I don't really know the question. But if you have any random questions after reading the wikipedia articles, feel free! Good luck! Western's way fun!

Reining - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trail riding - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Western pleasure - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cutting (sport) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Equitation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There you go!

In reining, what do they mean by "bouncing it's rear?" Never heard that tem before!
Also, why do horse's stick out their noses in the spins? I saw Stacy Westfall's Roxi do it, and the horse on Wikapedia is doing it, but why?

This is a more general question, but is there any reason why western riders like curbs? Is it just because of the neck reining?

I don't get why the spur stop is such a bad thing. It's like saying that doing the opisite is the only right way.

Thanks!

I don't ride western, but i'll have a stab. Happy to be corrected :]

I think the main reason - is speed. They spin very fast - Try spinning in a circle really fast with your arms held in close, and then do the same with them stretched out - it is a lot less effort and concentration to have them out. I think it would be physically very hard or even impossible to produce a competition level spin with the head in a more rounded frame - that would put massive amounts of stress on the neck and back muscles.

Also, the horse needs to be free through it's body - A tense horse won't be able to perform the spin correctly - And to maintain a rounded frame during the high speed spins would require a lot of bracing in the body.

Neck reining, one handed riding, and refinement I believe. If you watch a reining pattern - Any movement of the riders hand is nearly imperceptable. Yet the slightest movement is communicated through the reins and picked up by the curb where it probably wouldn't in a snaffle. It simply allows for more refined cues from rider to horse - Reining is similar to dressage in that you want the movements to look effortless and harmonious - And a curb bit takes away the need for busy hand or reins.

Well said wild spot

I tihnk the others have given good answers for your specific questions, ut I have one more thing to add:

When you spin, the judges like it when the horse puts its head down. Make sure your horse is crossing its front legs and planting the back foot. Most ofthe time correct movements are favored over fast sloppy ones.

There is so much to it but here is some info
Reining, A horse and rider preform a pattern the patterns start with a score of 70 you either increase or decrease threw the pattern. So if you got a 64 that's good if you got a 70 or higher that's really good. The movments are all about perfection and the amount of training is outstanding.

WP. The horse is to preform three basic gaits, walk, jog and lope with a low head set and controlled speed basically the horse should look like a pleasure to ride.

Trail - A range of obstacles that a horse is to respond as if he was on a trail. The judges look for a lot of control coming from your movements.
Hope this helps!