English pleasure
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"English pleasure" is the generic term for a number of different English riding classes seen at horse shows in the United States, where the horse is ridden in either hunt seat or saddle seat tack.
In the average English pleasure class, the
In the
The horse is usually ridden on contact with the rein, and the horse is penalized if it must be ridden on strong contact, gapes its mouth, does not respond willingly to light aids, or does not travel in balance. The horse should move straight, with a steady rhythm and a free and flowing stride. The horse should not come behind the bit, or travel too fast.
Hunter type movement (long and low) is preferred for hunter style horses. High action is preferred for English pleasure horses ridden saddle seat.
When showing in an English Pleasure or Hunt Seat class, the rider must be wearing the proper attire. This includes an English style jacket. The jacket can be different colors, depending on the style of riding. Most jackets are a dark grey, navy blue, or black. Underneath the coat the rider must have a collared shirt. Some shows and different events allow colored shirts, but the standard is a white or neutral color. The shirt can be either long or short sleeved. The rider must wear breeches. Depending on the show and event, the color of the breeches can vary from different shades of tan, gray, or white. English boots are also a requirement. Spurs are optional. Another requirement of the rider's attire is a helmet, or hunt cap. The style can vary depending on the event. Some styles of riding also require gloves to be worn, but for others gloves are optional.