Sample Reasons for Pleasure Driving

Good Afternoon!

My placing of this morning’s Arabian Pleasure Driving Class was 1-4-2-3.

In reference to my top pair, 1 and 4, a fairly close decision, I place 1 at the top of the class and over 4 as 1 displayed a nicer blend of manners, quality, and execution. 1 showed more flexion at the poll, stayed under control, and was a bolder and prettier mover, being freer at the walk and more balanced at the trot. 1 extended more nicely from the normal trot to the strong trot, and stood more quietly. I admit 4 backed more readily and freely, but I fault 4 for raising his head on down transitions.

Moving to my middle pair, 4 and 2, I readily placed 4 over 2 as 4 displayed more style, and a more reaching walk. Additionally, 4 was more flexible in the spine and carried a higher, more lively tail. I realize that 2 was perhaps more even at the normal trot, yet I criticize 2 for lacking presence, displaying a low tail carriage, being sluggish at the walk and possessing a negative curvature to the spine while tracking right.

With regard to my last pair, 2 and 3, I had no problem placing 2 over 3 as 2 was a more relaxed performer displaying more cadence in the strong trot, working more quietly throughout the class and presenting a more relaxed back-up. I concede that 3 was a bolder mover with a brisker, snappier walk and exhibiting more style and presence, but I fault 3 for irregular hitching at the strong trot, throwing his head and fighting during the back-up, bolting on upward transitions, and continuous nervous chewing on the bit.

For the afore mentioned reasons I placed this class of Arabian Pleasure Driving 1-4-2-3.

Thank you!