Probably the neck reining. He looked nice, but i think most judges (unless it’s a JR horse class) go with the one conforming most to the WP ideals, which include neck reining.
I think we lost on a multitude of levels including neck reining, bit, speed, and most importantly bling! 
On the bright side he is a great hunter and a 2’6 packer so we will just stick to what we know 
Dont get to down on yourself! Your little english pony makes a lovely WP horse. But WP is a VERY competative division and its very specialized. Honeslty your little horse has potential. A couple lessons with a GOOD WP trainer (not all of them want peanut rollers and four beaters) and your quickly pull top ribbons from your other half =p
I think you horse is very typey for Western Pleasure too! So I would not pass on WP based on the results of one class. Western Pleasure is a difficult discipline to master.
Why don’t you try a Tom Thumb snaffle (shanked snaffle) for a couple of weeks and then move to a ported or mild correction bit. Since you horse appears to such a solid citizen, I don’t think he will have an issue transitioning to a mild shanked bit. Some horses travel a little better - more collected - in a shanked bit. However, before you change bits continue to work on moving him off your leg in response to rein pressure so that he gets the concept of neck reining. I also ditto the suggestion about getting a few lessons from a trainer. Good luck!! And you have a really nice horse!!
[QUOTE=RougeEmpire;5910335]
Dont get to down on yourself! Your little english pony makes a lovely WP horse. But WP is a VERY competative division and its very specialized. Honeslty your little horse has potential. A couple lessons with a GOOD WP trainer (not all of them want peanut rollers and four beaters) and your quickly pull top ribbons from your other half =p[/QUOTE]
Totally agree Just a few tweaks… and you’ll be putting your blues up and consoling him on his reds lol.
Looks like you had fun, and you’re a great pair! Are you going to try the WP route again?
[QUOTE=OveroHunter;5910288]
I think we lost on a multitude of levels including neck reining, bit, speed, and most importantly bling!
On the bright side he is a great hunter and a 2’6 packer so we will just stick to what we know :)[/QUOTE]
I agree, bling is probably like 50% of score in a Western pleasure class. :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=alterhorse;5910981]
I agree, bling is probably like 50% of score in a Western pleasure class. :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
it depends. Bling can help make your horse much more memorable to the judge. Depending on your ride… that can be very good or very bad lol.
[QUOTE=smokygirl;5910989]
it depends. Bling can help make your horse much more memorable to the judge. Depending on your ride… that can be very good or very bad lol.[/QUOTE]
If we ever show WP again, I plan on having so much bling that I blind the judge so he can’t see when we screw up!
