Would love to hear from anyone who has gone from dressage or any type of english riding to western. I’ve shown my QH through 2nd level dressage and really would like to try something new. I don’t think my horse and I would have any issues jumping right in to western dressage- I could continue to ride her in a snaffle and I think she’d certainly fit in. Only down side, currently can’t earn AQHA points in western dressage. I’ve watched a lot of classes, and think the ranch riding may be a possibility. Someone also suggested horsemanship. I’d have to get her used to going in a curb bit, but she does already neck rein. Could anyone give me input on classes that may be most appropriate for us? Her movement and way of going seems to resemble the horses I see in the ranch riding… she might be a touch too forward for horsemanship? Any advice and insight appreciated! Planning on working with a trainer in my area but would just love to hear from anyone out there who has made this change.
I can’t comment specifically on changing from dressage to AQHA…
Ranch riding would probably be a nice place for you to start and get your feet wet. Yup, you are right that your horse would need to be shown one-handed in a curb bit.
Horsemanship is possible but I do feel like the horses tend to have a more Western Pleasure-ish look to them (level neck, slower pace) compared to the ranch horse. However, it is a challenging classes with numerous flying lead changes.
I always like looking at the “judges perspective” series on YouTube for AQHA. Here’s one for ranch riding (in the youth division). At least then, it gives you an idea of what the judges are looking for. Personally, I don’t particularly care for how the rider leans WAY forward for the extended trot (because let’s face it, a REAL person riding on a ranch isn’t going to trot around like that) but I know that that is what some of the judges go for.
Here’s one for horsemanship.
These are really cool, thanks for sharing!
I show AQHA and perhaps horsemanship would be good for you? They like horses that are more on the bit and higher headed than the typical pleasure or ranch horses, and there’s speed required in most patterns. You would be alone in the ring for the pattern work, and then in a group for the flat work. Watch some of the horsemanship videos like beau159 suggested.
Those videos are great! I’ve watched a few of them, really helps give me an idea of what’s desired.
My next question is do you always have to do flying changes in horsemanship? For the level of dressage we were doing flying changes weren’t required so I’ve never really worked on them with my horse. I just want to get out there and get my feet wet like you said, and I’m pretty sure I’m eligible for the level 1 and rookie classes. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but in those classes I believe you have the option of performing a simple change instead of a flying change?
The way I understand this, you have an option, but a flying change will get you more points for being more difficult than a simple one.
Horsemanship patterns can specify either flying or simple changes (and deviating from what the pattern calls for would be penalized) or left up to the discretion of the exhibitor. An excellent simple change would receive more credit then a poorly executed flying change.
In Level 1/Novice Exhibitor/Rookie/Green Horse classes (Level 1 is the proper division terminology but some shows still use novice and green) horses may be shown two handed in a legal snaffle regardless of age. However if you show outside of those divisions (into the regular amateur or open) the horse would need to show in a curb one handed.
Feel free to pm any division or class questions…long time exhibitor and certified show manger so have experience from both sides of the entry process
If the pattern specifically calls for a flying lead change, you will score negatively on the maneuver if you do a simple change. You won’t be disqualified or anything, but it will lower your score.
If the pattern does not specifically call for a flying lead change (and leaves it open to interpretation), then you can do a simple change without being penalized negatively … but a nice flying lead change will still pin higher than a simple change.
Most of the AQHA patterns do specifically call for flying lead changes. Even with Level 1, most of the contestants seem to be doing flying lead changes. At least, around my area.
Now that doesn’t mean you can’t go try it and have fun! But if you don’t place, just know you don’t get as many points for doing a simple.
I totally agree with you on this … but it always depends on the judge. Now, this was at an open show (and not an AQHA show) last summer, but my horse (I thought) did a wonderful simple lead change and had a very, very nice ranch horse pattern but we did not place. However, someone who had their horse BUCK during their flying lead change placed in the class. I spoke to the judge after the class just because I wanted feedback on my ride and she did say she “dinged” me on the simple lead change even though the pattern was non-specific. (but clearly placed the bucking flying lead change higher than me)
So I was kinda discouraged on that, but it so depends on the judge!
The previous show, the judge just happened to pick the exact same pattern … and my horse and I won the ranch horse class. So it’s kinda crazy how you can win one time, and then not even place the next, in the judges eyes.
But I digress…
I showed h/j in my youth, dressage for 20 years (20s and 30s) and started riding western when in my early 40s. I’m now 60. The very hardest thing has been transitioning from contact with 2 hands to no contact and one hand. I’m still struggling with that one. Good western riding requires the horse to maintain balance/cadence and rhythm pretty much by itself. Western riders don’t tolerate some of the behaviors that English riders do either.
Based on my experience I have some suggestions.
- find a good western trainer/coach. Find out what’s required to be competitive. Although I’d been riding for a VERY long time, I didn’t know what the lope was supposed to look like, much less how to achieve it on one rein with no contact.
- go to some AQHA shows so that you can see what appeals to you. There’s lots of different stuff.
- Since you’ve been riding dressage, I think you’d like the pattern classes and trail more than the western pleasure class-which-btw I find very difficult!
- While a flying change is not required, my experience is that a simple change will do in a rookie class but to truly be competitive in L1 and/or Amateur, you MUST have a decent flying change. I spent an entire show season coming in behind every person who had a flying change. Every.single.time. So, no, I don’t believe a good simple is competitive with any flying change.
I’m having fun learning a new discipline. Good riding is good riding. Your dressage background will come in handy.
Have fun and enjoy yourself!
Search around for an all-novice show or I think they are referred to as aqha introductory shows now.
there is one in Massachusetts that is great. Many people who don’t show as regulars on the AQHA circuit can get their feet wet. And there are plenty of open classes.
ranch riding is a great intro class! You don’t have to go crazy with fancy tack and clothes. As a bonus, your horse will have the lengthenings down pat.
consider showmanship too. You don’t have to have a typical moving horse to do well in showmanship
she might be a touch too forward for horsemanship?
how about competitive trail? We used our western pleasure horses in NATRC which they enjoyed … your horse’s dressage background would give it an advantage as the required obstacles that are used to test a horse’s usability on a ride are sure easier to navigate with a flexible horse that understands commands
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
Now, could someone explain to me the format of a typical AQHA show? How many days does one show run, and if I have a few classes I plan on riding in, are certain classes only held on a certain day? Please also explain how points are earned. Does it depend on how many judges are judging a class?
Points are based on how many are in a class, you can get double points if multiple judges (I think). If there aren’t many in a class you may get points that are less than a full point, like a quarter of a point. All classes are usually every day of the show, shows can be 2 or 3 day show and occasionally 4 days. Depending on how big a show is they can run from 8:30 am to 4:30 am the next day. It can be a very long day if you have riding classes that run after midnight.
Unless something has changed drastically, the one day , one ring schedule is usually Halter and Showmanship in the morning, rail classes ( like pleasure) next, then Horsemanship followed by the pattern classes ( Reining, Western Riding, Trail) And cattle classes, if offered, wrapping it up. If they have Hunter Hack and Jumping they usually go after the Trail classes since they require setting up jumps and there’s stuff in the ring already for the Trail course, Often they will repeat that several days in a row as different shows so those who come can get 2 or 3 sets of points over that many days with a single haul…and it’s all about points and numbers in the class at a breed show.
Obviously that’s not etched in stone but it’s logical to start in hand and move to under saddle classes of increasing complexity as the day rolls on. Cows are messy and noisy, tear up the footing so they wrap it up or can be held on a seperate cow classes only day. Exposing your QH to live cattle is a pretty good idea if you want to show QH, They won’t always have them but when they do, the cows are not completely isolated from the rest of the show as they await their moment on stage.
Point depend on the number of CONTESTANTS. Not judges. It is in the AQHA rule book. Here’s a good summary.
However, some shows will have multiple judges so even though you are attending 1 show, you pay multiple entry fees to show under multiple judges, and possibly “rack up points” as if you went to multiple shows.
It really just depends on the show, on how many days they are spread out. They will specifically list which classes are held on which day, and in which arena.
For example, my nearest regional show is region 2. If you want to just take a peek at the website, it shows you schedule, contestants, patterns, etc. They also list results too.
For example, here’s the class schedule and shows what day each class is.
But again, it’s going to vary slightly from show to show.
You might want to post over on the Pleasurehorse.com forum. Nearly everyone there has an interest in breed level showing, and you might be able to connect with people in your area doing the breed shows. They will be able to explain the Leveling system as well.
If there are any AQHA shows near you, go and watch the classes not only to see what appeals to you but also how the show is run.
Reading the rule book, at least for the classes you want to show in, will be helpful.
Coming from dressage, you might enjoy showmanship. It’s definitely an art!
Have fun, and good luck!
I’ll try and answer a few questions. I have shown aqha for years in numerous events. I also go over to the hunter jumper world some.
Both ranch riding snd horsemanship would be appropriate for you. Might also look at hunt seat equitation. Horses can go in an up frame in contact without penalty. Biggest thing is if you combine either of these classes (or showmanship) with ranch riding to know you cannot have any hoof polish, paint, face grease, or an unnatural mane (ie babded or braided) and no fake tail in. You can do all these classes and be successful. My trainers daughter made the finals back to back this year st world ranch riding and horsemanship. She changed clothes after horsemanship, took out the fake tail and bands and went back in the pen for ranch riding. So it can be done. At all other shows she just doesn’t band.
In rookie and novice classes (not regular amateur or open classes) you can show in a sniffle bit regardless of the horses age. You don’t see it often and I would work on transitioning over to a curb one handed but you can start out there.
A flying change is NOT required. I hade never seen a class, even st the world show, in ranch or horsemanship where s flying was specified. Simple changes yes are often called for. But not flying. Often you will see it termed “change leads” and you pick what is best. I have won with both a simple and s flying in this circumstance. Work towards a flying, it will serve you well, but it is not required. Western riding and reining are the only two western classes where it is required.
Shows can have any schedule and any number of days you can imagine. I go from everything from 2 day single judged shows to 12 day 3 judges a day show. And the schedule is all over the place with class order. Most of the time now you show to 2 judges at s time and get placings from both judges. Sometimes will do one or three judges but never more than that.
If if you have other questions please feel free to ask me. Oh and I would not recommend going to pleasure horse forum. It’s not much help anymore and most people are over the top negative. Just my opinion though
Points are earned per horse in a class. Each judge gives out placings and their own points
for 3 horses first place gets 0.5 points
5 horses first gets 1 point second 0.5
10 horses first 2, second 1, and third 0.5
it goes up line this in increments of 5 horse until you get to 45 with a maximum of 9 points for first down to 0.5 for 10.
So…are the ranch riders made up like they are for the regular classes, or will a more natural look work?
My main surprise when I switched was how HARD it was. I never realized how much English riders micromanage with hands (soft). Good luck and let us know how you do!
