Ali Brady ABCENTRE Do you prefer to ride bosal horses or bridle horses? Why? I have always had a passion for starting the babies, so I would have to say a bosal. I love getting a clean slate and building a strong rapport and trust with each horse. However, I do love the bridle horses as well. It is very rewarding to see the growth and maturing of horses with their amateur owners long-term. How do you make a pleasure horse look like it’s a pleasure to ride? What traits must they have? I like my horses to be happy and comfortable, I feel it shines through in their performance. I like ears forward, quiet tail, and free flowing movement. I listen to my horses and address any issues they may have that makes them act less than pleasurable. What is the key to a good warm up prior to a class? I like to do my homework before the warm up. If they need to be made a little sharp, or work on their energy level, I work on that beforehand. I want to leave the warm up as short and stress-free as possible. How important do you feel the AWPA class is for breeding? I feel the AWPA program has added substantial value and marketability of western horses for the breeders. It has also heightened the awareness and appreciation of the western discipline by adding much needed sheer entertainment for the people in the stands. What is one thing you would like to see changed or improved regarding the western pleasure horse? The Arabian is by far the most beautiful western pleasure horse of any breed. I believe it is important to keep the focus on proper gaits and movement. The overall picture of a beautiful western horse is the softness and the cadence of his stride as much as it is hooked off the bridle. I feel it is important to not sacrifice one for the other, the whole picture needs to have proper balance. What horse past and present, exemplifies the western pleasure discipline? I will never forget watching the beauty and grace of Clarisse PR and Gary Dearth riding to their U.S. National Reserve Championship Western Pleasure Jr. Horse win in 2008. It was a vision of elegance, softness, and ease that I will forever strive for. Presently, I believe combining the power, balance, and substance of Khadraj NA with the trainability, length and shape of neck, and size of Sundance Kid V has elevated our breed standards to a new level.
Do you prefer to ride bosal horses or bridle horses? Why? It is always fun to watch the young horses grow in the bosal, but nothing beats a great bridle. The connection and precision that you can achieve with a good bridle horse can feel like the ride of a lifetime. How do you make a pleasure horse look like it’s a pleasure to ride? What traits must they have? The horse needs to be smooth gaited and a willing partner. It needs to look like the horse and rider could do it longer than the few minutes required in the class. What is the key to a good warm up prior to a class? A good warm up will vary between horses and riders, but the key is to put the horse and rider team in the best position to be successful in the ring. For some that may mean a quick warm up before they head to the in gate; for others it may require more time for the rider to get comfortable and work off any pre-show jitters.
Steven Scoggins LONG MEADOW ARABIANS
Tell us about your favorite pair of boots. Any boots that feel broken in on day one. What horse past and present, exemplifies the western pleasure discipline? Monaco Jullyen V. Ar abian Horse Times | 64 | Western 2023
