Some consider horseback riding not a sport. However, a plethora of horseback riding disciplines exist from which to choose. Some belong to the Olympus Sports category while others belong to more informal categories.
One must distinguish between Western and English styles before consideration of specific disciplines. Horse riding disciplines fall into one of these two categories. These differ in several ways: the tack, the way of holding the reins and how to use them, the rider gear and attire as well as the jargon and gaits.
English Style Riding Disciplines
Dressage
Dressage, often referred to as the ballet of horseback riding, exists under the jurisdiction of the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports). Dressage begins at the most basic level where riders walk, trot, and halt their horses as they continue through the Grand Prix that requires horse and rider perform complex skills such as piaffe and passage. At all levels, the horse’s suppleness, responsiveness, collection, and rhythm undergo evaluation. Riders ask their horses to perform different movements in a predetermined pattern.
Show Jumping
Show jumping, also an Olympic Sport, falls under the governance of the FEI. This event takes place when a horse and rider jump fences constructed of lightweight rails in an arena. The difficulty rises with the increasing height of the obstacles and complexity of the obstacles course’s layout. The width, shape, and make of the obstacles adds to the difficulty. For example, abrupt turns demand great flexibility and obedience of the horse while brightly colored or oddly shaped obstacles can be potentially intimidating to the horse. Riders receive penalty points for any rails knocked down during the round, any refusals (where the horse stops before an obstacle), and for exceeding the optimum time. Show jumping may be conducted as both individual and team events at an international level.
Hunt-Seat Riding (Hunter/Jumpers)
Hunt-seat riding challenges a horse and rider to complete a course of eight or more jumps in a ring. Hunt-seat competitions normally take place with divisions of three horse show categories: hunters, equitation, and jumpers. Show hunt judging takes place in a group format and evaluates manners, way of going, and conformation over a straightforward course. Judging comes about by how quickly a horse completes a complex course of jumps with the fewest errors. Judging of equitation riders takes place by evaluation of the appearance of the rider as well as the smoothness and overall look of the horse and rider as a team.
Eventing
Eventing exists as an equestrian triathlon that combines three different disciplines in one competition over one or three days. The three disciplines include:
Dressage
First, the dressage phase comprises an exact sequence of movements ridden in an enclosed arena. One or more judges evaluate balance, rhythm, and suppleness of the horse. Obedience of the horse and its harmony with the rider become of utmost importance. The challenge demonstrates that a supremely fit horse has the capability of completing the cross-county phase on time and the training to perform in a graceful, relaxed, and precise manner.
Cross Country
Cross-country occurs as the next phase that requires both horse and rider be in excellent physical condition, show bravery, and trust in each other. This phase consists of approximately 12-20 fences at lower levels and 30-40 fences at higher levels placed on a long outdoor circuit. These fences consist of solidly built natural objects (telephone poles, stone walls, etc.). Various obstacles such as ponds and streams, ditches, drops and banks, and combinations including several jumping efforts based on objects that would commonly appear in the countryside also exist. Horse and rider must complete the course in the correct pattern and in the optimum time.
Look at this video to experience a cross-country obstacle course from a riders’ perspective:
Show Jumping
Show jumping tests the technical jumping skills of the horse and rider. This event includes suppleness, obedience, fitness, and athleticism. In this phase, 12-20 fences set in a ring. These fences typically come in bright colors and consist of elements that can easily become dislodged unlike cross-country obstacles. This timed phase takes place with penalties assessed for every second over the allotted time. In addition to normal jumping skills, eventing show jumping tests the fitness and stamina of the horse and rider. Show jumping generally occurs after the cross-county phase.
In my next post, I will explain the different Western Style Riding Disciplines.
