Friesian Amateur Western Pleasure Class 2005

Friesian Western Pleasure Class at the Nationals in Lexington Virginia. It's kind of long but if you are a Western Friesian person you'll like it!

[@LynelleHinkley]

I wish all western pleasure could be like this. This looks natural and not fake at all. Lovely.

[@ExpectingStorms]

WOW! A WP class that the horses actually look like a pleasure to ride! Very easy to watch!! **LOVE**

[@ainahorse555]

thats so cool i never knew there was western pleasure for friesians

[@fancigal]

What a beautiful friesian... I have to show this to my boyfriend, he is in love with friesians and when he sees yours riding western he will go crazy for it!

[@LiSa88360]

it looks much more pretty when the horses don't have their head down! Thank you for showing that!

[@ChanceGetsLucky]

yay for Lexington!!! Absalutly beautiful!!!

[@Lythaera]

Love the natural headsets!

[@biffybilliamson]

Great job friesians look good at a lot of things. depends who's riding. It's not a waste of talent. If I had a horse like that and I entered western pleasure classes. I'd use a friesian or any breed. Great control. I like your loose rein I love seeing that. Loose rein equals happy horse!

[@asqrss3233]

It's nice to see a real walk,trot and cantor,also horses that move at a more natural way,to me this is the real western plasure,at least the horses don't look all depressed.

[@cailanericrice6947]

Western pleasure horses are NOT supposed to trot or canter. They're supposed to jog and lope, which are much softer gaits than trots and canters, with a lot less movement. they're also supposed to have a lower head carriage, more relaxed. These horses do NOT look comfortable to ride all day.

[@hanoverianjumpers101]

Look at my 3rd video, uploaded tonight. My horse can't lope to save his life, he's not built quite right and I didn't train him, but we are working on getting it more natural. His jog is PERFECT. No wogging or troping going on there. And his head? Mostly level with his withers, if just a bit below. I don't put it there, he keeps it there. He LOVES english, loves to jump, loves to run. He's a happy horse.

[@sophie-qt3cc]

The horse is magnicient

[@kaisenji]

I have to agree. I discounted most of the QH breed because its like riding a huge tank on VW tires. Some are really beautiful and do their job but it seems to me they aren't so much about ranch work any more. Yay for seeing Friesians in classes other than english.

[@SarahK293]

And those Friesians sure can rock the pink outfits ;)

[@SymbolsOfSaturn129]

both of you are so correct!!!! I know, i have paint and she's trained dressage. so a friesian doing western is not weird.

[@DeerJumper101]

i know when you get older you will be come worlds champion just need to work much more longer and harder just believe in your self and your horse. WTG!

[@MSALLENCPA]

@LeeAnne151 I agree - I stopped doing WP years ago, if there heads hung any lower they would stumble over themselves. They are not collected like these horses are - just forced down with martingales. The point of having the head on the vertical is that if they do that their hindquarters are engaged. If you watch the WP videos they are not on the vertical - just carrying there head at there knees.

[@CallyMatherly]

Well thankyou so much! I remember that day- it was my 3rd time ever showing so I was a little nervous! But if you watch again- the gal who won 1st waited for me to go by her, then asked her horse to canter- as the first time her horse would not canter when cued. My husband trained Cervantes and he did do a nice job keeping him light. If I were a better rider it may have looked better but I tried! Check out "Sailing Friesian Style" video- same horse- GREAT rider who was 16 years old- bareback!

[@ExpectingStorms]

Oh and what? Tails that move?! Awesome!

[@JB-zw5zc]

I think it's wonderful to see Friesians in the western world. And for those Western critics, sit a Friesian extended trot and you'll improve your riding!

[@horsesLcool]

@AQHAluverr exactly, WP is supposed to be on a loose rein and its supposed to be quiet.

[@purple11thug]

@hanoverianjumpers101 u freakin rock!!!!! i have been trying to say this but hasnt came out in those words i have a QH and show western and they just fit the diciplin

[@kellieh1231]

Why can't western pleasure be like this in the AQHA :(

[@hanoverianjumpers101]

And I am showing in Quarter Horse shows now. Friesians and Arabians have their jobs, and QHs have theirs. I work cows with my pleasure horse; he enjoys it. My Arabian is a joy to show in halter and dressage, and is the greatest trail horse ever. I have respect for ALL disciplines, as I ride (or have tried) most of them. Winning WP horses don't have crippled gaits or their heads in the dirt. EDUCATE YOURSELF PEOPLE. I think this class is great, for the breed. Stop comparing QHs and other breeds!

[@SarahK293]

This is beautiful and looks like an amazingly fun ride! I'm a big supporter of "showy" breeds (Friesians, Arabs, Andalusians) doing WP, it's so much prettier IMO. I have an Arab mare who does WP and hunter pleasure and her gaits are so comfortable and smooth which I think is in part because of the western training :)

[@CallyMatherly]

The winner wouldn't canter unless someone cantered right in front of her- watch again and you'll barely see her wait for number 2 to go past first. I was happy with 2nd place for my 2nd time ever showing personally- and it was on a 5 year old stallion. He's quite a good little horse now. I'll put a video link to the same horse the following summer with a much better rider.

[@MichellsAdventures]

I agree, it' strange to see a Friesian under western tack. They are just a "do it all with a smile on their face" kinda breed. But the "boring stock type" is why I don't show anymore. Most western folks have forgotten how to breed an all around good horse. Working/gaming/pleasure combo. Thats where the fun is. A horse that will get up and boogie, but when asked, will slow down so the grand kids can ride. "Classic Quarter Horses" are really great. It's a shame to see what they have become.

[@hanoverianjumpers101]

@purple11thug Thanks haha!

[@obscuredmelody]

@4x4Girl14 I grant that you have a point to a certain degree. But Quarter Horses can still jump and carry out the point of the class. Whereas the entire build of a Friesian counter acts the ideal of a Western pleasure horse. It would be like showing a QH in a park class.

[@LaWrennie]

Yay! Friesians doing Western Pleasure, now no one can make me learn hunt seat!! Haha. BTW guys, any breed of horse can pretty much do western as long as they can shorten and lengthen their strides, Friesians just look dang awsome in whatever they do anyway :p

[@MysweetAnnabelle53]

@swNapoleon16 (cont.) Also, I was just trying to "diversify" my argument with the whole, "Saddleseat" thing- and I have to say I have seen the bad, and good sides of the riding style. Both WP and SS have ups and downs. I love walking horses, and have met some incredible ones. I don't really think it's funny, but again, that's your opinion, and I never meant to pick a fight. I just am sick of ill-informed people judging my style of riding (I'll bet you can relate) and get a little trigger happy.

[@mammothdonkeyrider]

I have to agree. QH pleasrue horses are meant to be ridden along fencelines for long hours. I don't agree with the peanut roller frames seen in the rings though. I can't see the Friesian being comfortable for that. That being said. I absolutely love Friesians for their collection and spirit. But who would listen to my opinion anyway? For the last 5 years I've trained and shown a Mammoth Jackstock (donkey) gelding at horse shows and such. If you want to show a Friesian then show a Friesian!

[@boskox]

I think this is a cool video. I also think that the western jog and lope and head set is NOT natural for a horse and looks ridiculas, and can cause problems later. I think this fresian western pleasure class is nice and allows the horse to be natural in their gates. Not to mention these are fresians, big beautiful horses, with a bigger stride to them so it would be really hard for them to have an un natural head set and lope and gait like they put on horses for the pleasure class.

[@shiiuza]

That's so cool! :D To all the people saying that friesians shouldnt be doing western pleasure, get a life!!! QH's aren't the only horses that can do western. That's like me saying that QH's shouldn't do english.... BS!!

[@hannahfan9871]

What size gullet for your saddle do you need for your friesian?

[@MysweetAnnabelle53]

ha, i didn't know Fresian's could do Western pleasure! Pleasant suprise though, becouse I think it's a beautiful breed. I ride QH's and arabs, so, you know, I don't see a lot of Fresians at shows :)

[@HorseAnimeLover]

did u go to nationals this year?

[@romymorgenstern1581]

(heart)

[@obscuredmelody]

Oh my goodness, wonderful job displaying how ignorant people are on what Western Pleasure is about. Western Pleasure is about having a consistent, cadenced, flat kneed, and relaxed horse. The ideal Western Pleasure horse should be shown on a loose rein while executing walk, jog, and lope transitions. The horse should have a soft expression and give a smooth and easy to ride appearance. Geez, and I don't even show stock or pleasure type Western Pleasure.

[@kisherwood8]

@kisherwood8: ...developed from Iberian, Arabian & Barb stock brought 2 what is now the SE U.S. by the Conquistadors.

[@purple11thug]

@hanoverianjumpers101 yes thank you some one who finaly agrees i show AQHA western pleasure and slow stuff like tht and i am tierd of every 1 dissing it and its greaat tht u tried every thing cause i want to so bad! :)

[@KJDean1968]

whatever, haters! I am SO sick of people saying QHs and Paints are the BE ALL of WP!! Get a life! ANY horse should be able to do well in ANY discipline, if the trainer knows what the hell they're doing. The Freisians look great!

[@MysweetAnnabelle53]

@swNapoleon16 Calm down a little...True, lot of trainers I have seen doing WP are very cruel and make the horses move awkwardly. I don't train that way, and I only make the horses move slow enough to be relaxed, but not crippled. Depending on who you rode with, and such, you may have had different experiences than me, therefor your opinions are different. I think it is a bit irrational to cut out all WP horses and trainers, but if that's how you feel, I am not trying to change your opinion.

[@SarahK293]

@allegroequine14 i completely agree! i have an arab who's built like a western horse but i show english cause she's too old for working cows or reining and there's now way to make her go that slow for WP... but she can canter on a loose rein and stay collected and i believe thats all WP should be about =( see any cowboy's horses loping like they're crippled? i don't!

[@SarahK293]

@obscuredmelody So qh's jumping and doing hunter pleasure is an oxymoron too, right? They weren't "bred" for it. Though I've seen stock horses jumping as well as english breeds. Hmm.

[@LeeAnne151]

@Moontail37 Nerve blocking should be illegal. Sadly it is done at the highest level of competition. The reiners at the World Equestrian Games were clearly nerve blocked. It is disgusting.

[@jenseju]

You know, a Western saddle is a LOT closer to a medieval knight's saddle... so I guess it should be a NATURAL for these horses! Nice to see some naturally-moving horses. QH pleasure really depresses me, and Arab WP is getting pretty weird too.

[@Pro3110]

Although I don't go for WP, if I were to ride this style, this is how it should be done! Not like the QH crowd. I've read to much about the dope, the cutting of tendons in the ears and tails, and so one that that crowd does to have a calm looking horse.

[@obscuredmelody]

Paints do just fine competing in the Hunter/Jumper shows as they do the Pleasure ring. Find a better example, please!

[@CrazyLady7782]

if a horse is show as what breed it is it can be show in anything but don't try to make a horse move like a different breed these horses did great they moved like big horses not like QH or paints they worked like friesians and they did amazing.

[@romymorgenstern1581]

3

[@mckennarules9]

aren't they going a little fast for a western pleasure show?

[@hanoverianjumpers101]

While I adore Friesians and Arabs (I have an Arab, and I looked into getting a Friesian last week), I don't think that either breed is uniquely built for WP like a quarter horse is. And I see everyone saying "Oh their heads are in the dirt and they have crippled gaits.".. Just don't. It's not cool to bash other disciplines just because you don't agree with it. I used to hate any judged events other than halter until I started riding it. Now I've sold my barrel horse, gotten a pleasure horse...

[@LeeAnne151]

What is really sad is that winning Western Pleasure Quarter Horses, Paints and Appaloosas all used to carry their heads as high as these Friesans do and used to walk and lope as freely too. Somehow a terrible fad got started for them to hang their heads low and go really really slow and it just has not died....

[@XXHorseGallyXX]

It dosen't really matter if Im teenager or not 2 tell u the truth I got a little offended by your comment b/c western personally is what I ride & enjoy doing it. So you can think & have your own thoughts but every1 has there own opion i guess. Just don't diss western b/c its really not ridiculas.

[@52149atticus]

@livelovehorses97 Right, that's just YOUR opinion Arabs and Friesians look SO much happier and better than nay quarter horse looks!

[@annaedwards6004]

I have nothing against fiesians or western pleasure or western riding in general. Any horse can be taught to follow neck reining and wear a big western saddle, but some breed just don't fit the western style. Friesians is one of those breeds, they're meant for English riding.

[@obscuredmelody]

Oh dear. I know "Friesians are athletic" and all, but they are not designed for Reining. I've taken classes on how to judge Reining and I've NEVER seen any breed besides Stock types excel in Reining in the NRHA.

[@XXHorseGallyXX]

It does not look ridiculas & it does not cause problems later. WP is a relaxed, easy 2 ride horse who moves slow & clean. Most of the time itz their natural gaits so think b4 you speak. I have nothing against english riders but dressage looks lik it can cause problems so can jumping so chill out & let people do what they want. Personally I ride western but I lik englidh aswell...Its just diffrent styles of riding.

[@MysweetAnnabelle53]

@swNapoleon16 I am not trying to be mean (Despite being horrificly offended) but I train/ride western pleasure and unlike english, all of my horses are ridden on a very loose reign, and if you actually knew how to ride a western pleasure horse, you would know that the key to getting them to go slow is getting them to relax, unlike saddleseat. Don't judge people with your misinformation- This was offensive, cruel, and unnecesary.

[@Saartje05]

It´s weird to see Friesians (and not Fresians!!) used in western riding. And no, they're not just carriage horses. They were used in de middle ages by Knights and they've Always used as riding AND carriage horses.

[@boskox]

you have missed my point. but I will allow that seeing as though you sound like a teenager .

[@swNapoleon16]

@MysweetAnnabelle53 can you please explain to me how i was being cruel and offensive?? the unneccesary was the person who had to be rude and ugly back to my opinion... i should not have to defend my self on simply stating i think the horse looks unhappy... are you going to critizice that person for their opinion too?? because if your going to do this to me you should do it to them.. and i believe in MY OPINION that WP horses dont look happy... i stopped riding WP because i got tierd of the

[@swNapoleon16]

@MysweetAnnabelle53 incredibly slow moving artificial gaits.. when i saw people training there horses to do this i didnt like it.. and my horses are ridden on a lose reign as well... i show walking horses but i never pull on her reins... and were did saddle seat come in?? i dont do that im a walking horse light shod... completly different discipline lol and i wasnt judging anybody at any time thats what i think is funny about this... i was being attacked with my opinion on WP

[@obscuredmelody]

I've been told assumptions make an ass of the person that made them. I'm beginning to believe it. You don't know me, you don't know the horses I own or ride and the disciplines I show. Who are you to say I'm on a beaten trail?

[@boskox]

I dont diss western itself , I ride western I ride english, I did how ever diss how the horses head and gaits are un natural in the pleasure classes it's not normal for a horse, Im really sad when they ride in a jog over a jump too , it looks so unnatural. I think this fresian video is great, it shows how nice a horse can move collected and on a lose rein with out having there head below their knees or a funny gait.

[@horselvr26]

i thought friesians were dressage and english only but hey

[@DK578]

(cont) I hate when people rag on the pleasure horses when they really dont know much about them. Most videos people watch on wp are the back-yard yahoo riders that think you can just throw western tack on a horse and......VIOLA! You've got a pleasure horse. Sorry guys but its not that easy. If you watch a true wp horse they really are a pleasure to ride! I wish people would take the chance to watch a real wp horse.....EVERYONE who doesnt believe me, go look up the qh mare Vital Signs Are Good :)

[@retsas1d]

well they don't look terribly comfortable. cool to watch though.

[@purple11thug]

u know most of u guys r dissing AQHA way of western pleasure and r saying tht u dont we just have a diferent way of riding and quite franquly we think this way of riding is horrible looking and u say the same to us its best to keep the thought to our selfs because its just opions and its just going to turn out to be one way does it so unnaturaly and the others just need to get control and i have to agree.SO GET CONTROL or u will just put harm in others way!

[@swNapoleon16]

@danimals0921 were in my sentence did it say anything about a lope?? hmmm i didnt see anything did u look? and i know the difference btween the 2 thank you very much. i have worked w/ western pleasure girls, rode in gaited classes, and western races. i know the difference btween NUMEROUS gaits and stop arguing with others opinions its what they think so leave 'em alone! im sure theirs disciplines you dont like but im not going to sit here and argue with you and say your opinion is wrong!

[@swNapoleon16]

@danimals0921 HAHA NO .... did any of that sentence say i want their head in the sky??? hhmmmmm NO it said "i believe that all WP horses should look a little but more happier" In the sky is a little ridiculous thats just as hard as getting them to lower their head... i know i have trained horses them w/ their heads so low looks sad and un-natural... i belive they should look normal and happy and no my opinion isnt stupid

[@kisherwood8]

Y would you waste the Majestic Friesian's talents on WP? Of course they perform like marvels in WP, how hard is it to walk/run (not a Discipline-all horses have this ability)? They R wonderful movers, in Dressage, which requires Far More Skill than WP. While often used as Carriage horses, their true talents were carrying heavily armored knights into battle throughout ancient history. W. horses R mainly Q. horses w/compact bodies 4 tight turns & short stops...4 cutting cows...

[@Indiancreekstable]

leave western pleasure to quarter horses...

[@swNapoleon16]

I believe that WP horses should look a little more happier like these friesians did. I can't stand the whole head in the dirt thing or the look imma limp to do a trott those poor horses it looks sad to me... These friesians look happy Doing this and I believe all WP horses shud look like that. That's jus my opinion

[@Kayla_irl]

i think its gorss to see friesians in western :/ they look better in english. atleast [[THANK GOD]] they actually move...not lope and drag their legs and sniff the ground.

[@purple11thug]

@boskox not to be dis respectful but i show novice pleasure and i have a quarter horse and we ride with a lose rain and its head is down and collected all we do is slow its canter down and make shore they rare using them self this is NOT unnatural and we dont have are heads 'below their knees' simply level or a little lower ... this friesian pleasure just looks horible... also the 'funny gait' is thus you see from and inexperiensed rider

[@kisherwood8]

They ARE not bred solely as carriage horses. Get your facts straight. Friesians' talents trace back through ancient history where they were used in battle. Later they were used as work & carriage horses but also have a Natural Talent 4 dressage. W. horses Do Not. They R a cross breed developed by crossing imported English thoroughbreds w/assorted "native" horses, various breeds developed by Native Americans w/horses descended from Spain...con't.

[@LulitaInPita]

Friesians belong to dressage! not WP! =P

[@obscuredmelody]

LOL. I'm sorry, I'm trying to not be a "hater", but I doubt whatever I say will be taken seriously. A Freisian competing in Western Pleasure is an oxymoron! Freisian's are designed to exhibit knee action, where as WP is looking for a flat kneed jog. Hence why there are only THREE competing in a National level class. I don't care if they are competing in a Western Class, just call it something other than Western Pleasure. Please, you guys are just asking to be ridiculed.

[@califred17]

what a difference between the AQHA... all of AQHA WP horses look lame.

[@obscuredmelody]

Friesians are bred for flashy gaits are they not? Why show a horse bred for knee action in a class judged on a lack of knee action. I wouldn't try and show a Quarter Horse in a Park Class, why? Because that class is an oxymoron to the breed.

[@DK578]

I dont know what western pleasure horses everybody has been watching but they must not have been very good ones lol. I will agree that some western pleasure horses do have funky, crippled-looking gaits but those are not TRUE western pleasure horses.......You can look up western pleasure classes from qh congress or paint/quarter world and the winning do not move that way at all!!! You dont want their head down by their knees.....you want them to carry it level from their withers.

[@swNapoleon16]

@danimals0921 thats rude and its ugly.... if you hate walking horses good for you i could care less its your opinion and i dont care. my opinion on WP is they dont look happy and i think the gaits are ugly and stupid, and the horses posture doesnt LOOK HAPPY.. low set heads like that dont LOOK happy to me.. wether the horse is happy or not idk but thats what it LOOKS like to me and thats MY THOUGHTS. AND MY OPINIONS

[@swNapoleon16]

low and slow doesnt look natural... western pleasure should be the horse at his natural look moving nice and easy.... low head with a cripple looking gait isnt nice looking or comfy to ride.. how is that pleasureable??

[@Shicasava]

ähm.. das sieht irgendwie sehr lächerlich aus ^^

[@kisherwood8]

con't...Friesians' abilities go Far beyond the simple skills of Western horses. Just Google Friesian Breed Standards. No references to their being ideal for WP.

[@ritzgal96]

friesons arent very good at western, they kinda belong to hunter and dressage

[@saddlesforsale]

O god... what a waste of talent !!! : )))

[@manuelaredding1936]

terrible combination.. frisians need light bits and their head is naturally held high...but then western pleasure is bad for a n y horse!

[@libbyandlillyshorsetrainin4495]

No it’s not

[@HBrownHorseTraining]

You know, i think friesians are beautiful and all, but they arent even that great at dressage. Flashy yes, but they get strung out really easily. they are carriage horses (breed for it) and it think they just look a bit goofy outside of movies, carriages, or even dressage... nothing against western, but its sort of like buying a Shetland and wanting to show it saddleseat or showjumping or something... just not really practical... I mean you might find some good at it, but still...

[@rustyhorse545]

they really don't belong in a western saddle...they don't move like the western pleasure horses with there heads nice down relaxed small steps these ones...are just dressage horses period