can anyone suggest what I would need to know to go western pleasure with my hunter hack? My niece wants to show my horse who is an old irish fox hunter. It's a small local show. What type of western saddle? (just western pleasure? can I get away with a wintec western?). What should she wear? What should she keep in mind for his gaits at the job and lope? Nothing serious, just having some fun.

If she's just showing for the fun of it, you might get away with a wintec western, but a nice clean leather saddle would be better. You don't need all the bling on it, but make sure it looks like its in good shape. As for clothes, she needs a cowboy hat and chaps. She could get away with jeans and a western shirt, nothing too fancy would be neccessary. They do require the hat though and it's show ring courtesy to have your hair pulled back if its long. Just like in Hunters. As for the horse, he will probably have to show in a curb bit with a simple western headstall. You could use a snaffle style bit with shanks too. At the jog, she would want him to be slower and collected. The lope can be pretty natural, but good collection is best. She shouldn't be afraid of passing anyone, a hunter is going to have a longer natural stride. But for him to pass off as a pleasure horse, work on shortening his stride at the jog and she'll have to sit it. No posting in western pleasure! English riders are used to posting so that can be a hard habit to break.