Welcome the CCQHA we are a friendly club and so pleased to welcome you to the world of western showing. We have collected some resources that we think might be useful for new members, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Western performance classes are judged on quality of gaits, response to rider, manners and disposition. To be successful you need to be able to ride on a loose rein, with softness and collection. Western performance is challenging and trainers can help you develop trust and improve your partnership with your horse as well as improve your riding. Investing in professional training is investing in your success.
Lauren Louw
Lauren has been riding since age 11, competing on both quarter horses and paints. After working for TNT training stables here in Australia, Lauren moved to the USA and spent 5 years working for Ty and Karen Hornick. Lauren has multiple NSBA & Futurity wins as well as top 10 placings at the All American Quarter Horse congress & AQHA world show.
Michelle Bruce
Former World Champion and multiple National and State Champion, Michelle grew up with horses and master horseman Ian Bruce as her father. She has been riding since she was four, worked at El Cabalo Blanco, coached the Australian team and has been training horses and people for over 20 years with great success. Michelle has ridden many disciplines but mainly focused on the western industry, specialising in hunter under saddle with brilliant results. Michelle is also a personal trainer and has created a programme especially for horse riders. She greatly focuses on rider seat position and correct position - and the results from her pupils reflect this having much success with both youth and amateur owners. She is available for lessons in the Central Coast, Sydney and Tamworth.
https://www.facebook.com/michellebrucehorsetrainer
Ph: 0403047703
Dave Caleo Harmony Horse Training
Dave is based in Bargo NSW and able to assist with all your horse and rider training needs.
You can contact Dave via his Facebook page :
https://www.facebook.com/Harmony-Horse-Training-180580478801097/
GEAR FOR BEGINNER CLASSES
In-hand classes
Neat trousers or dark coloured jeans with a matching belt, along with a shirt either in solid or print fabric and a neat cowboy hat either in a neutral or coordinating colour.
Leather halters with a chain are typically used.
Western Pleasure and Trail
You need to present a neat and clean appearance. A neat shirt and jeans are fine for beginner classes. You can ride in a helmet and a snaffle bit is permitted.
Hunter Classes
A helmet is worn along with an English jacket in black, grey, green or navy. Breeches may be tan, fawn, olive, brown or any other neutral colour. Field boots should be worn. An all-purpose or close contact saddle and English bridle are normally used.
Where to buy gear
There are loads of buy, swap, sell pages on Facebook where you can source quality second hand gear (High End Western Show Clothing, Pre Loved Western Show Clothing, Western Clothing and Saddlery). We also run a car boot sale at our Crank up Day in August each year, where you can grab loads of bargains.
BEGINNER CLASSES
The CCQHA offers a range of walk/jog classes tailored for beginners. These classes are designed as an introduction to showing in a low pressure environment. Some of the available classes include: showmanship, which is a led class, western pleasure, western trail, hunter under saddle and hunter equitation.
OPEN CLASSES
Open events
are held where a Junior or Senior horse can enter and Amateur/Select Amateur/Novice
Amateur or Professional Trainer can also enter. You see these classes on most
programs. If you have a Junior horse (five years old and under) they must be
shown in either a hackamore, bosal or snaffle bit. If you have a Senior horse
(six years and over) they must be shown in a bit and ridden one-handed. You
must use the appropriate gear specified for each class (e.g. HUS – appropriate
English attire) and your horse can be any breed as long as the horse is
registered with papers. A copy of the Horse’s registration certificate must be
presented to the club.
BIT
References to a bit in western performance classes mean the use of a curb bit that has a solid or broken mouthpiece, has shanks and acts with leverage. All curb bits must be free of mechanical device and will be considered a standard western bit.
There are lots of different types of bits. The one pictured on the right is just one example taken from the AQHA rule book.
