English Pleasure - Costume

[Stern]

In English Pleasure, the horse performs natural gaits of the walk, trot, and canter, and may also be asked to extend the trot or to perform a hand gallop. Horses are judged on their manners, performance, quality and conformation.

Riders are required to wear approved safety gear and come dressed in your best beachwear (preferably more than just a swimsuit).

Test

Enter arena and work collectively at a walk
Ride into centre, line up and halt
Ride back to the rail when number is called at a walk
1.Halt (4 to 6 seconds) and back up 4 steps
2.Hand gallop
3.Figure eight at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals.
3.Figure eight at canter on correct lead, demonstrating simple change of lead.
4.Ride without stirrups, riders must be allowed option to cross stirrups.
5.Dismount and mount.

Individually.
6.Turn on the forehand.
7.Figure eight at canter on correct lead demonstrating flying change of lead.
8.Execute serpentine at a trot and/or canter on correct lead demonstrating simple or flying changes of lead.
9.Change leads on a line demonstrating a simple or flying change of lead.
10.Canter on counter lead.
11.Turn on the haunches from the walk.
Return to line up for judges decision

Entrants:
*Kallistos Rolleston- Cupid's Alter Ego
*Jacey Taylor Davison - Mountain Viewing
*Martijn van der Berg - Sybren VDB
*Marguerite Girardeau - Amour Toujours
*Danielle A. St. George - Aladdin's Lamp

[Martijn van der Berg]

Tijn growled in frustration as Sybren shifted his weight again, "Would you just hold still!" He had almost finished with the gelding's costume, although it wasn't much of a costume. No, rather, he had designed a design, which he was now applying - er, trying to apply - to Sybren. He had already completed the gelding's body, golden yellow on the upper half, and mottled blue down the legs. A red crab at the shoulder completed the beach look. No, now it was just the mane and tail that needed a finishing touch. A glance at his watch told Martijn that he had an hour to go, which meant he had to finish soon, to have enough time for everything to dry.

Finally, the gelding's mane and tail were finished, colored white and blue like the surf of ocean waves. Nodding happily, Tijn stepped back to look over the horse, "Good enough. We'll see how it goes, yes?" Then he turned to his own preparations, leaving Sybren tied in his stall, where he wouldn't be in the way of other students getting ready. Heading to the bathroom, Tijn stopped by the tack room to grab the wearable towel he had gotten for his birthday a few years previously, from a well-meaning grandmother. It had finally found its use! He had decorated it with a crab, same as on Sybren's shoulders, along the back shoulder. After donning it and a pair of board shorts, Tijn grabbed his showing boots. There was no way he would ride in flip flops, but that didn't mean his boots were boring. No, instead, he had cut apart a pair of cheap flip flops and carefully wrapped the straps around the top of his black boots. He wasn't sure if they would stay on, since he'd attempted not to use any adhesive that might mess with his boots.

His own attire completed, Tijn returned to Sybren's stall, carrying the horse's tack. After checking to make sure that the wet chalk and sprays that he'd used to color his black horse had dried, he began tacking up. He started with his saddle pad, then tossed a colorful towel over it, straightening that before he added the saddle and threaded the girth through holes he had previously cut through the towel.

The bridle was easy, nothing fancy there, and then the gelding was ready. Martijn picked up his helmet (with straw hat tied to the top) and buckled it to his head. Finally, he grinned at Sybren, "Ready, boy?" He knew that the paint would start to get messy when the gelding started sweating, so he put off leaving until it was almost time for the English Pleasure class. He had signed up for it on a whim, going over what a hand gallop was and then starting on a costume for them. He wasn't comfortable enough with dressage to compete here, in front of everyone, yet, but someday, he would. For now, he was trying to get his feet wet in the world of in-saddle showing.

Once the pair had reached the outside of the barn, Tijn checked the girth one last time, then boosted himself into the saddle, glancing down at his 'flip flops' to make sure that they were still in place. Then, finally they headed towards the show rings, Martijn keeping his mount to a walk. He had already checked in, and so all that was left was to wait for them to be asked into the arena.

Finally, the pair entered the arena, falling into the line of competitors. They made their way to the center, where they halted, Tijn nudging Sybren until the gelding stood squarely. The group part of the competition went quickly, and then came the individual part. When he was asked to mount, Tijn did so, gathering up his reins and asking Sybren to turn, then going into the cantered figure eight. The changes of lead came well enough, Tijn thought, although he would have to wait for the judges to decide on that. When asked to counter-canter, Tijn had a moment of trouble, with Sybren not wanting to comply, but the gelding shifted to the counter lead after a few strides of being asked. Finally, the pair was allowed to return to the lineup, and Tijn relaxed just slightly when he had Sybren halt, enough to pat the gelding's neck, although he kept his position, not sure if he was still being judged, even though someone else was riding now.

[Danielle A. St George]

Dani had awoken that morning, her stomach filled with butterflies. It was going to be her first show in a year, and not only that, but her first show with Aladdin as well. She and the gelding had been practising almost daily, not only with their dressage and hunter-jumper, but also she had been putting in extra effort in making the gelding used to the saddle. That had been going well in general, he still moved away when he felt like it, but he was standing more and more now. It was just after five when she had woken up, and she dressed quickly and quietly to not disturb her roommate. Her canary yellow breeches were spotless, and she pulled on the black field boots over her white socks. Tucking in her white short sleeved shirt, she pulled on a light fleece jersey over to make sure that it doesn't stain.

Her jacket was still in the jacket bag, which she took down to the barn, smiling as sleepy horse faces greeted her. She set down her things at the cross ties, going to fetch Aladdin's tack, as well as the bag that held most of their fancy dress costume. She wasn't planning on painting the gelding, as they had a dressage class and hunter-jumper to get through, and she was just worried that she wouldn't be able to get the paint out. Aladdin looked quite displeased to be taken from his stall before breakfast, but he could eat in the cross ties while she worked on him.

Clipping him in, she brushed out the sawdust from his mane and tail, before starting to plait his mane, experience quickly taking over as she sewed the plaits into place. She stopped to feed him breakfast, and then proceeded to finish the costume. As it was beach themed, she had taken to desensitizing Aladdin to everything that would be on and around him. She had gone with a Disney Little Mermaid theme, with her buckskin gelding going as King Triton. She had fashioned a tail out of several towels and cheap padding, having sewed them together. It would clip onto the back of Aladdin's saddle, with a trident that she had found in a children's toy shop, that she could hold. On the gelding's reins, she had put white crepe paper, cut into strips, that would fashion as a beard, along with more paper that she would attach to the buckle on the noseband.

Her own outfit was basically her going as the sea, a skirt of green, white, and blue crepe paper. She used more white crepe paper to attach to a string, that would go around her helmet as a representation of sea foam. Around her arms, she had tied a sea creature mobile of sorts, with various little sea creatures attached. Once all the final touches were done, she put the saddle on Aladdin with litlle fuss, and did up the girth. He didn't seem quite so fussed about the saddle, as he did the mermaid tail. He stamped impatiently as Dani did up the buckles, but the tail still conformed perfectly to the gelding's haunches. Once his bridle was on, she tied on the final pieces of 'beard' to his noseband, grinning broadly.

She clipped him back in as she put on her gloves and helmet, taking her time with her own outfit, making sure everything fit over her jacket. Picking up the trident, she walked to the mounting block, and got on, making sure Aladdin stood still as she tightened the girth and got her feet in the stirrups. A brief warm up, and she went into the arena, smiling at the judges.

She made sure that Aladdin was standing square, and that he looked like he was paying attention, waiting for their number to be called. Dani had memorised the test, and when her number was called, she got a springy, and active walk from Aladdin to the rail. Halting, she waited a few seconds and then asked for a rein back, frowning as the gelding tossed his head in displeasure, not moving. She closed her hands more, and asked for the rein back again, releasing the pressure as soon as she got her four steps. She used the entirity of the arena for their hand gallop, as well as for the two figure of eight movements. She slipped her feet out of the stirrups at a trot, rising as she kept her heels down. Stopping in front of the judges, she dismounted, waiting for the judge's cue before mounting again.

Her individual test went a lot better. The figure of eight at canter, she felt the huge flying change that Aladdin gave her, really powering from behind as he changed lead. She smiled happily, knowing the gelding was really giving his best for her. Each time she asked for the lead change, he complied without a problem, but the counter canter confused him, and she only managed to get two decent counter canter strides out of him. Once they had finished their test, she returned to the line, once more with Aladdin standing square, and alert. The gelding had really tried his best, and Dani was happy, even if they didn't place.

<<Lyrics>> Flashlight - Jesse Jay
<<Lyric Banner>> Onzy
<<Image Credit>> Line @ Caution 2.0
<<Notes>>

[Kallistos Rolleston]

When he’d first heard about the costume class, Kall had phone his mothers and Siabh had jumped at the chance to help him out with an outfit. They had spoken on the phone for hours, talking about his measurements and what he already had, and what she would need to get sent to him. A week ago when a package had arrive from Miami, he was super excited.

Pleased that his show jumping and cross country rounds were finished, this was his last class and he was blissfully happy. Once he’d got Cue ready in his close contact saddle, shaped saddle pad and snaffle bridle, he left the gelding dozing in the cross-ties as he walked into the men’s bathroom to get changed. After he’d put his helmet on, he led the gelding out toward the arena where the class was to be held.

Swinging up onto the gelding’s back, Kall adjusted the mini sarong around his waist, pulled down the tankini top so that it was sitting nicely (he quite liked the pattern on it that made him think of rippling water), made sure that his blonde wig was sitting nicely under the helmet and hoped that the tiara sticker he had attached to the front of the helmet was still in place. Just to make sure that his outfit wasn’t completely risqué, he was wearing a pair of skin coloured footless tights under the spanky pants and sarong. The only part about the whole outfit that felt strange were the jewelled slippers he was wearing. He held his head high – as only a cheerleader in drag could – as they entered the arena at a walk along with the other competitors.

If asked later, he wouldn’t be able to say how he did in the group part of the class, other than knowing he must have done well as they hadn’t been signalled out or anything. When it was his turn for the individual part of the class, he knew exactly what he was supposed to do, and they approached it the same way they would a dressage competition – and they had chosen this class instead of dressage – and he was thrilled with the way the gelding threw in each flying change with skill.

When it was all over and done with, he felt the only thing they really needed to work on was the turn on the haunches – the gelding had done it well enough, but it had taken some convincing to get the gelding to do so.

[Marguerite Girardeau]

In terms of costuming, Meg had a little trouble with Normy. He was a big horse, she'd have a lot to cover with him. Luckily his quietness made it so that she could do just about anything she wanted. In the end, she went to the dollar store and brought back a collection of peachy things to strap to the horse. First she put some water wings on his front legs, making sure they wouldn't fall down. Then she draped a life vest over his neck, fastening the straps on the loosest setting so that it was secure enough to get them through the class. Finally she used a colorful beach towel as her saddle pad, knowing Normy wouldn't mind the difference. As for herself? She used one of her old ballet costumes, which had green and white tulle, and wore a seashell necklace. She taped a starfish to her helmet since she couldn't exactly wear it in her hair, and also painted some seaweed designs on her arms. She hoped to look at least a little bit like a mermaid or something. 

Once they were all dressed up she mounted up, arranging her skirt in the least obstructive way she could, and headed to the arena for her final class. Normy played with his snaffle bit lazily as they entered the arena at a walk. She hoped he looked as though he was working, he was mostly a one speed horse and his working walk and collected walk didn't have much difference to them, at least to her. When they were called in she steered Normy towards the center and halted him in line with everyone else. As each person's number was called the took the opportunity to admire everyone else's costumes. They all looked so good. Normy wasn't at all interested or bothered by the strange display, and was half asleep by the time their number was called. 

Meg kicked Normy and tried her best to get him moving as they walked back to the rail. He had to wake up, otherwise they'd never get anywhere! Once they'd walked at the rail a short amount of time she began her test, easily halting Normy and allowing him to stand. She knew waiting wasn't an issue, he'd happily stand there all night if he was asked too. Once 6 seconds were up she asked him back four steps. Now came the hard part, squeezing, kicking, and nudging with everything she had, she practically begged Normy to hand gallop. The big gelding complied, and 'took off' galloping as fast as he could, which wasn't particularly fast or graceful. Sometimes Meg imagined she was riding a big fat hippo instead of a horse. 

Normy happily slowed to a trot when Meg asked and they began their figure eight, Meg changing diagonals without any problem. She felt proud of herself for that, a year ago perhaps she wouldn't have been able to get it right. Now she was sure she had it. Cantering wasn't a big deal either, though Meg imagined if she had a different horse it might be. Normy picked up the correct lead on his own, so figure eights to change lead didn't bother him much. He did it, in his average, slow, meandering way, and performed the lead change automatically. Once that was completed she dropped her stirrups and finished her ride. Dismounting and mounting so quickly she felt as though she were vaulting. She didn't mean to, it was just easier than clambering onto the big horse. 

Halfway done, she slowed Normy down and asked him to turn on the forehand. She didn't exactly know how to do that, so he simply turned around the regular way. They performed yet another figure eight at the canter, which was exactly the same as the first time, before heading into a serpentine at the canter. Once again the lead changes posed no problem to Normy, which Meg was thankful for. However when it came time to change lead on a line as well as counter canter, Meg was a bit at a loss. She asked the way she thought was correct, but Normy didn't do it. Skipping that, she slowed to a walk, turning on the haunches and heading back to the line to wait for the judge's results, patting Normy for a job well done as they lined up.