Western Pleasure is a style of equestrian competition in the United States and Canada that judges horses based on cadence, speed, appearance and disposition. Riders usually wear traditional western cowboy attire while competing.

It is a western style competition at equestrian shows that highlights the manners of the horse for appropriate gait cadence and speed, along with a suitable disposition. Equine conformation and temperament play a key role in this event. Most light breeds from the United States and Canada can compete in this event in either open competition, or shows limited to a single breed.

The goal of western pleasure is to earn a higher score from the judges than the other riders by performing techniques as called out by the judges.

Riders and horses follow slowly follow the silver rail on the outside of the event arena as judges call out different moves that must be performed. Riders should not pass the horse ahead of them, and should maintain an appropriate distance.

Open-Faced Bridle (without a Noseband)
Western Saddle
Western Tack and Attire

Due to the importance of horse temperament to the competition, horses with a quiet disposition are best. It is also important to select a horse that can trot and lope very slowly without breaking gait. Horses should be groomed to accentuate the head and neck by clipping the mane short or braiding

Conformation - the correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other

Gait - a manner of walking or moving

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_pleasure