Dana Hokana, top AQHA trainer, coach and exhibitor from California, spoke for all three days at the Mane Event on her favourite class — Western Pleasure.
 |
During her Western Pleasure clinic, Dana Hokana works with a 15-year-old rider and her 10-year-old horse.
Photo: Heather Grovet
|
"A few years ago Western Pleasure had turned into the ugliest event in the show pen. Competitors thought that going slow was more important than beauty. I'm hoping to change the way people view Western Pleasure by showing that a good pleasure horse can be free flowing with forward movement. And I want my horses to like their jobs as much as possible."
Dana discussed several critical topics for the Western Pleasure rider — how your hand position effects your horse's movement, how to use your seat to produce power and how to develop your neck reining skills.
"All riders have their own styles and personalities," Dana told the audience. "Also each horse is an individual. Therefore we must apply all our exercises to each horse differently. If the horse is worried and afraid you must handle him differently than if he is lazy and ignoring you."
Dana worked each horse and rider individually during her clinics, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. "Please don't be offended when I point out what I see," she told the riders. "By doing this I can improve the audience's 'eye' and help you determine the areas that you need to focus on."
"Speed should not be your number one goal," Dana reminded the group. "Quality movement, a proper top line, and the head and neck hanging in a natural position suitable for their conformation are much more essential than just moving slow."