AQHA vs other shows?

Nixxy373 · 08-02-2008, 03:35 PM

So I teach some english (various disciplines) and western pleasure riders at this farm in NH. I do it free lanced. Well the stable came up to me the other day and mentioned they were looking for another instructor. I've been debating on taking another part time job because things have been really hard financially. I also really like the owners and the facilities. They're looking for some one to teach western pleasure, which I have a lot of experience with. They have a HUGE number of students/boarders showing western pleasure, mostly AQHA. I have SOME experience with AQHA as far as competitions and what not go, but I really don't know oodles about it. They know this about me, and would be happy to do a learn by doing, but I like to know what I might be getting myself into.

So talk to me about the AQHA!

WPGirl · 08-02-2008, 05:04 PM

Well, AQHA is really competitive. The judges look for a horse that really gets under himself, drives for the behind, lifts his shoulder, is flat up front (not much knee action), has a level headset (tips of ears level with his withers or slightly higher), and looks calm and relaxed. AQHA is definatly more about the movement of the horse vs. open shows. The horses are moving out more than they used to and are going at a constant 3 beat lope (still not fast by any means). The horses that win (in western pleasure) are bred and built to do western pleasure. To be competitive at local AQHA wp you need atleast a $15,000- $20,000 horse (finished), you can get a horse that isn't finished for around $10,000+. To be competitive at world/congress level you need to spend around $50,000+. That is different than at open shows where most show horses cost $15,000 and under (the majority are $4,000-$10,000).

HUS_WP_lovr · 08-02-2008, 05:09 PM

Okay I agree with WPgirl about everything except prices.Im not sure where she is getting them from.

That is totally not true.

Nixxy-what exactly are you looking for? How they are run, what the horse needs to be able to do, how to train? Please specify

Nixxy373 · 08-02-2008, 05:29 PM

Honestly everything! Mostly the big differences between that and any other horse show. "How they are run, what the horse needs to be able to do, how to train?" How is it different from any other WP show? Or any other discipline for that matter. It's been a long time since I've done AQHA just because I sort of teach western as a "fun" thing and the students I teach a very talented, but just happen to be more into the local smaller shows. It's hard when I don't know the area super well to judge what coaching a set of girls, where a number of them are very focused on AQHA, is going to be like.

WPGirl · 08-02-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUS_WP_lovr

Okay I agree with WPgirl about everything except prices.Im not sure where she is getting them from.

That is totally not true.

I got the prices from the trainer that I take lessons with, she's won several AQHA world championships in western pleasure and other western show events. She's taking a couple students to AQHYA world this week. The prices are pretty true around here anyways. You can still get a horse to do "decent" at an AQHA show for less than $15,000, but they aren't going to win everything.

It's hard to tell somebody over the internet how to train a wp horse for AQHA shows. It's a lot of hard work and has more to it than going around in circles. The best thing to do would probably be go and watch some local AQHA shows (the classes and the warm up pen) and maybe talk to some of the trainers. You could also look at some pictures online from AQHA world shows or congress to get an idea of how the horses look and are moving (you can also look at videos from the shows).

Lopinslow · 08-02-2008, 07:22 PM

Nixxy, i don't know your experience, but from the sounds of it, you might not be ready to train that level of horse until you get more current experience, as it is VERY , VERY competitive! even in the novice classes, you need a good mover that is BROKE, BROKE and BROKE! for the regular and ammy classes, you need a GREAT mover and they also need to be SUPER broke!

besides movement, "brokeness" you pretty much need to be able to put them on a full draped rein, and put them around the pen both directions, in all gates without ever lifting that hand. so, your lope transitions, full drape, and they will rock back, lift their shoulders and step off beautifully... without any help in the face at all. you need to be able to rate their speed with your seat and legs. push them into an extended jog, and bring them back to a slow jog without raising your hand. and all the while, they need to stay SLOW and CORRECT!

if you add in horsemanship, equitation, etc a horse needs a flying change, to do spins, extend their trot, into a gallop and back to a slow lope.

shyxpony · 08-02-2008, 08:04 PM

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said... breed shows are MUCH more competetive than open shows, a good friend of mine that usually cleans up at open shows at the highest level only just moved up to novice for AQHA. Also thought I'd add that for AQHA presentation is very important. That means clean, shiny, hoof black/polish or at least clean hooves, untangled tail, clean tack, etc. etc. Whereas you could grab your old working saddle and head to an open show and win

That's just been my observation over the years... I don't show AQHA so I can't help a whole lot, but I have noticed the difference in presentation between open & AQHA.

08-02-2008, 03:35 PM	#1
Nixxy373 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stow/Tewksbury, MA Posts: 264 Images: 30	AQHA vs other shows? So I teach some english (various disciplines) and western pleasure riders at this farm in NH. I do it free lanced. Well the stable came up to me the other day and mentioned they were looking for another instructor. I've been debating on taking another part time job because things have been really hard financially. I also really like the owners and the facilities. They're looking for some one to teach western pleasure, which I have a lot of experience with. They have a HUGE number of students/boarders showing western pleasure, mostly AQHA. I have SOME experience with AQHA as far as competitions and what not go, but I really don't know oodles about it. They know this about me, and would be happy to do a learn by doing, but I like to know what I might be getting myself into. So talk to me about the AQHA! __________________ Phoenix Rising Royal Flush is Lucky

08-02-2008, 05:09 PM	#3
HUS_WP_lovr Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SW FL Posts: 6,225 Images: 312	Okay I agree with WPgirl about everything except prices.Im not sure where she is getting them from.That is totally not true. Nixxy-what exactly are you looking for? How they are run, what the horse needs to be able to do, how to train? Please specify __________________ SPLAT! I just got snowballed!

08-02-2008, 05:29 PM	#4
Nixxy373 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stow/Tewksbury, MA Posts: 264 Images: 30	Honestly everything! Mostly the big differences between that and any other horse show. "How they are run, what the horse needs to be able to do, how to train?" How is it different from any other WP show? Or any other discipline for that matter. It's been a long time since I've done AQHA just because I sort of teach western as a "fun" thing and the students I teach a very talented, but just happen to be more into the local smaller shows. It's hard when I don't know the area super well to judge what coaching a set of girls, where a number of them are very focused on AQHA, is going to be like. __________________ Phoenix Rising Royal Flush is Lucky

08-02-2008, 07:22 PM	#6
Lopinslow Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MN Posts: 877 Images: 25	Nixxy, i don't know your experience, but from the sounds of it, you might not be ready to train that level of horse until you get more current experience, as it is VERY , VERY competitive! even in the novice classes, you need a good mover that is BROKE, BROKE and BROKE! for the regular and ammy classes, you need a GREAT mover and they also need to be SUPER broke! besides movement, "brokeness" you pretty much need to be able to put them on a full draped rein, and put them around the pen both directions, in all gates without ever lifting that hand. so, your lope transitions, full drape, and they will rock back, lift their shoulders and step off beautifully... without any help in the face at all. you need to be able to rate their speed with your seat and legs. push them into an extended jog, and bring them back to a slow jog without raising your hand. and all the while, they need to stay SLOW and CORRECT! if you add in horsemanship, equitation, etc a horse needs a flying change, to do spins, extend their trot, into a gallop and back to a slow lope. __________________ Quality AQHA Western Pleasure Horses The Naughty Version, Goallthewaymay & Unzipped n Naughty

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08-02-2008, 05:04 PM	#2
WPGirl Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA Posts: 28	Well, AQHA is really competitive. The judges look for a horse that really gets under himself, drives for the behind, lifts his shoulder, is flat up front (not much knee action), has a level headset (tips of ears level with his withers or slightly higher), and looks calm and relaxed. AQHA is definatly more about the movement of the horse vs. open shows. The horses are moving out more than they used to and are going at a constant 3 beat lope (still not fast by any means). The horses that win (in western pleasure) are bred and built to do western pleasure. To be competitive at local AQHA wp you need atleast a $15,000- $20,000 horse (finished), you can get a horse that isn't finished for around $10,000+. To be competitive at world/congress level you need to spend around $50,000+. That is different than at open shows where most show horses cost $15,000 and under (the majority are $4,000-$10,000).

08-02-2008, 08:04 PM	#7
shyxpony Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,528 Images: 1	I agree with pretty much everything that's been said... breed shows are MUCH more competetive than open shows, a good friend of mine that usually cleans up at open shows at the highest level only just moved up to novice for AQHA. Also thought I'd add that for AQHA presentation is very important. That means clean, shiny, hoof black/polish or at least clean hooves, untangled tail, clean tack, etc. etc. Whereas you could grab your old working saddle and head to an open show and win That's just been my observation over the years... I don't show AQHA so I can't help a whole lot, but I have noticed the difference in presentation between open & AQHA.