ok i've always shown english pleasure at little shows (my horse is NOT a hunter lol) although he is just starting to learn to get into the bit and not be on his forehand too much..carries himself ALOT nicer, i think. but definetly not a hunter. he usually places pretty well seconds or thirds and occasionally a first. at the biggest schooling show i went to he got first, second and reserve champ. (he was tossing his head the whole time! yet placed rly well!) anyway i am going to this show again at the end of this month (its annual) and i, REALLY set on getting atleast one first and grand or reserve champ (i show in junior pleasure and they have three classes...w/t...w/t/c...and jumping 2'3"). i am confident since i did rly well last year and my horse and i have improved tons, but part of me feels like we are going to do worse. any tips on showing english pleasure? what do judges look for? anything helps! thanks so much!!
i am motivated to work really really hard. oops and i meant the show is the end of september
do they look for that flowy hunter trot?
i was surprised myself tht i placed lol because of the headset



im doing a walk/trot class
a w/t/c class
and a 2'3" jumping class
^^all of that is in the junior pleasure division

It has been my experience that in open shows, you are expected to show to your breed standard. That being said, it has also been my experience that showing to quarter horse standards is usually most beneficial (i.e. long and low). But since this is a junior class, a consistent headset and gait is scored highest.

I grew up showing in these types of shows, and as it is true that every judge has a different opinion, it has just been my experience that "english pleasure" is most easily with AQHA's hunter under saddle classes.

Don't wory so much about the ribbons, have fun and do your best. That is what breeds great horsemen and women!

okay... if it is pleasure rather than equitation you can ride a little off if it helps him get his movements and headset because they are judging your horse more.. every judge is different. my most recent hunt seat judge didnt care where the horse's headset was as long as it stayed consistant, and looked more at the trot than any other gaits.. he wanted horses to take their time and make the trot look and feel gorgeous. dont rush your horse through anything, make sure you get quick transitions [2 step transitions are best] without making a huge disturbance to your horse's style and your riding posture.. do your best however your horse is acting.. just ride through anything.. good luck and have fun!

i love showing pleasure and one thing my instructor always told me was that in pleasure, they basically want the horse to be able to do most of it, so the judges look "pleasure" is that the rider doesnt have to do as much, the horse does most of the work.

Each judge is different, They all like too see different things. Though usually they want to see a nice open trot, some what of a headset (they wont want to c ur horse tossing its head the whole time). Basically they want to c u riding the horse!

Just a question how are you doing walk/trot and walk/trot/canter at a show (they don't allow it)? Do you mean W/T/C pleasure and W/T/C under saddle?