Ranch Horse Pleasure tack question

[JumpQH]

I have read the rules about tack for AQHA Ranch Horse Pleasure and feel for this class, a good working saddle and bridle would be best. However, my two work saddles aren’t appropriate for showing in, and that leaves my old show saddle, which is a Blue Ribbon full of silver, which I also feel isn’t appropriate for showing in. What would you recommend based on the below saddles?

1. 1960’s roping saddle that’s in good shape, but doesn’t fit me very well.
2. Old Billy Cook equitation saddle (complete with bump!) that has holes from where silver was, and also some old silver still left on it, not in the best shape.
3. Blue Ribbon show saddle with all the bells and whistles, hardly used, in perfect shape, but with LOTS of silver.

Thanks!

[saddleup]

According to the AQHA silver on saddles and bridles is “discouraged”. I think I’d go with another saddle. It sounds to me like they’re specifically trying to keep it a working-type class, without any of the trappings of pleasure classes.

Of course, you could scope out a show or two and see what exhibitors are doing/wearing/using. I’ve done some of the pattern work at home and it’s a lot of fun, but haven’t seen an actual class yet.

[Sacred_Petra]

If you’re talking the Ranch Horse Pleasure that is one of the parts of a Versatility Ranch Horse class, I think saddle number 1 would be your best choice. When I was showing in ASHA VRH I used my plain wade tree saddle that is a true working type saddle, absolutely nothing on it that isn’t for a function, I just made sure it was clean and appeared in good working order.

I would go for the one with as minimal silver as possible, thats clean and in good repair. IME, they’re looking for the kind of saddle that you would see a working cowboy using, and they much prefer function over looks.

I just went over to the Western Pleasure thread, and a few posts down VaqueroToro posted a video of the Stock Horse of Texas judges corner for the ranch pleasure class, and it has a lot of good close ups of the kinds of tack they’re using.

[JumpQH]

[QUOTE=Sacred_Petra;6597752]
I just went over to the Western Pleasure thread, and a few posts down VaqueroToro posted a video of the Stock Horse of Texas judges corner for the ranch pleasure class, and it has a lot of good close ups of the kinds of tack they’re using.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I’ll check it out!