Equitation refers to a rider's position while mounted, and encompasses a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids. In competitions, this is judged in equitation classes, or classes at horse shows that mainly judge the rider's performance and control of the horse, as opposed to the performance of the horse. Equitation classes occur in the Hunt seat, Saddle seat, Dressage, and Western disciplines. Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American Horse Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds Dressage (pronounced dress-ahhzh /ˈdrɛsɑʒ/ (a French term most commonly translated to mean "training" is a path and destination of competitive Horse training A good equitation rider is always in balance with the horse, maintains a correct position in every gait, movement, or over a fence, and possesses a commanding, but relaxed, presence. They are effective riders, able to direct the horse with nearly invisible aids. Riding aids are the cues a rider gives to a horse to communicate what they want the animal to do
In the United States, the largest organizer of equestrian competitions is the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States. The organization offers equitation classes at its recognized shows, including those in hunt seat, dressage seat, saddle seat, and Western.
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Hunt Seat Equitation
The Hunt seat style of riding is derived from the hunt field. Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American Horse Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American Horse Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking chase and sometimes killing of a fox traditionally a Red fox, by trained Foxhounds or other Scent hounds
In equitation competition, flat classes (those that do not including jumping) include judging at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions, and the competitors may be asked to ride without stirrups. The canter is a controlled three-beat gait performed by a horse For the bone see Stapes. For other uses of the word stirrup see Stirrup (disambiguation. It is correct for the riders to have a light and steady contact with their horse's mouth the entire ride. Loss of a stirrup or dropping the reins are also faults, and may be cause for elimination. For the bone see Stapes. For other uses of the word stirrup see Stirrup (disambiguation. Reins are items of Horse tack, used to direct a Horse or other animal used for riding or Driving.
In over fences classes (classes in which the horse and rider jump obstacles), the competitor rides over a course of at least six jumps (usually more). Fence height may go up to 3'9". Classes often require at least one flying lead change, and one or more combinations. A lead change refers to an animal moving in a Canter or gallop, changing from one lead to the other A combination, when referring to an obstacle jumped by horses is when two or more fences are placed within 1-3 strides of each other The rider is judged not only on position and effectiveness of aids, but should also maintain an even, forward pace and meet each fence at an appropriate distance.
At the highest level of hunt seat equitation are the national Maclay finals and USEF Medal classes. These championships and their qualifying classes may include bending lines, roll back turns, narrow fences, and fences with a long approach to test the rider. Fences must be at least 3'6" and may be up to 5' wide, and the course must have at least eight obstacles and at least one combination. A combination, when referring to an obstacle jumped by horses is when two or more fences are placed within 1-3 strides of each other However, the course may not include liver pools or open water elements. Water is often used in equestrian events as an obstacle for jumping most notably in the cross-country phase of Eventing, as well as in Show jumping. Water is often used in equestrian events as an obstacle for jumping most notably in the cross-country phase of Eventing, as well as in Show jumping.
Equitation tests may be chosen by the judge to help place the top riders. These tests are required in the Medal classes. Tests may include a halt for several seconds, rein back, demonstration of the hand gallop, figure-8 at the trot or canter with correct diagonals or leads (simple change of lead or flying), trotting or cantering low fences (up to 3'), jump obstacles at the walk (up to 2'), jumping fences on a figure-8, oral questions regarding tack, equipment, conformation, and basic horsemanship, riding without stirrups, performing a turn on the forehand or haunches, and a serpentine at the trot or canter with flying changes. The rein-back is a Dressage term to indicate the Two-beat movement in which a Horse is asked to back up The trot is a two beat diagonal gait of the Horse where the diagonal pairs of legs move forward at the same time The canter is a controlled three-beat gait performed by a horse Riding figures are figures performed in a riding arena, usually for training purposes Riding figures are figures performed in a riding arena, usually for training purposes Riders may also be asked to switch horses at higher levels of competition, such as at a national final. Switching of horses is no longer common at smaller competitions due to the risks involved.
An equitation round in 2004 callbacks
Saddle Seat Equitation
- see also Saddle seat
Saddle seat is a uniquely American form of riding that grew out of a style of riding used on Southern plantations, with some European influences from "Park" or Sunday exhibition riding of high-stepping horses in public venues (often literally, city parks). Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds Fundamentally a plantation is usually a large Farm or estate, especially in a tropical or semitropical country on which Cotton, Tobacco Today it is seen most often at horse shows organized for exhibitors of the American Saddlebred, Morgan, Arabian, Friesian horse and the National Show Horse. The Arabian horse is a breed of Horse with a reputation for Intelligence, spirit and stamina The National Show Horse, (NSH originated as a cross between an American Saddlebred and an Arabian horse. It is also sometimes seen in competition for Andalusian horses. There is now an international competition, the Saddle Seat World Cup that includes the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa. Other national saddle seat equitation competitions include the NHS Good Hands Finals and the USEF (US Equestrian Federation) Finals held at the American Royal Horse Show in November. The American Royal in Kansas City Missouri is a Livestock show, Horse show and Rodeo held each year in October and November at Kemper
Gaits shown in Saddle Seat classes include the walk, trot, and canter. Some competitions may call for extended gaits, particularly the trot. In some cases, breeds who can perform five gaits add equitation classes that require two additional gaits: the "slow gait" and "rack. " All classes require Rail work, where competitors show and are judged as a group going both ways of the arena. Saddle seat equitation may include individual tests or a pattern to be ridden. Tests may include backing up, mounting and dismounting, riding without stirrups, "addressing" the reins (i. e. picking up the four reins correctly), figure eights, serpentines and straight line patterns done at any gait. At the canter, only simple changes of lead are required when changing directions. It is possible to have a "ride-off," where two or more riders are asked to perform additional work to determine the winner.
Correct position for the rider is to have the shoulder, hip, and heel in a line. He/she is also to have a straight line from knee to toe, and from elbow to wrist to the horse's bit. The rider's back should be straight yet relaxed, and the legs and arms are to remain virtually motionless.
The informal dress for saddle seat equitation includes a coat and Kentucky jodhpurs of a dark, conservative color, e. Jodhpurs are tight-fitting Trousers that reach to the ankle where they end in a snug cuff and are worn primarily for horseback riding. g. , herringbone, pin stripes, black, blue, grey, dark burgundy, dark green or beige; a white or pastel collared shirt with a tie; derby or soft hat; and jodhpur boots. Derby (pronounced "dar-bee" /dˈɑːbɪ/ is a city in the East Midlands of England. A fedora is a soft Felt Hat that is creased lengthwise down the crown and Pinched in the front on both sides Riding boots are Boots made to be used for horseback riding. The classic boot comes high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the Saddle from Vests and gloves are optional. After 6 p. m. formal wear is required. This habit includes a tuxedo-style jacket, pants and vest with bow tie and formal shirt, and top hat.
Pleasure equitation is another form of saddle seat equitation in which a rider is required to wear informal dress (coat, jodhpur pants, derby or soft hat, all in a dark color) in the day and evening and ride a horse that has a full mane and tail which is not set.
The value given to rail work and pattern work varies from qualifying competition to championship competition.
Western Equitation
Western equitation (sometimes called Western horsemanship, stock seat equitation, or, in some classes, reining seat equitation) competitions are judged at the walk, jog, and lope in both directions. WesternClassjpg|thumb|200 px|Modern competitors in western equipment lined up at a horse show class awaiting results]] Western riding is a style of horseback riding which evolved Western Pleasure is a western style competition at Horse shows that exhibits the manners and suitability of the Horse for appropriate gait cadence Riders must sit to the jog and never post.
Riders must use a Western saddle and a curb bit, and may only use one hand to hold the reins while riding. Western saddles are used for Western riding and are the Saddles used on working Horses on Cattle Ranches throughout the United States A curb bit is a type of bit used for riding Horses that uses leverage Two hands are allowed if the horse is ridden in a snaffle bit or hackamore, which are only permitted for use on "junior" horses, defined differently by various breed associations, but usually referring to horses four or five years of age and younger. A snaffle bit is the most common type of bit used while riding Horses. A hackamore is a type of headgear for a Horse which does not have a bit. Horses are not allowed to wear a noseband or cavesson, nor any type of protective boot or bandage, except during some tests that require a reining pattern. A noseband is the part of a horse's Bridle that encircles the nose and jaw of the Horse. A noseband is the part of a horse's Bridle that encircles the nose and jaw of the Horse.
Riders are allowed two different styles of reins: 1) split reins, which are not attached to each other, and thus the rider is allowed to place one finger between the reins to aid in making adjustments; and 2) "romal reins," which are joined together and have a romal (a type of long quirt) on the end, which the rider holds in his/her non-reining hand, with at least 16 inches of slack between the two, and the rider is not allowed to place a finger between the reins. A Romal (pronounced ro-MAHL is a type of long Quirt attached to the end of a set of closed Reins that are connected to the Bridle of a Horse A quirt is a forked type of stock whip which usually has two falls at the end (like the tails on some Tawses.
The correct position for this discipline, as in all forms of riding, is a balanced seat. This is seen when a bystander can run an imaginary straight line that passes through the rider's ear, shoulder, hip, and heel.
The Western style is seen in a long stirrup length, often longer than even that used by dressage riders, an upright posture (equitation riders are never to lean forward beyond a very slight inclination), and the distinctive one-handed hold on the reins. Dressage (pronounced dress-ahhzh /ˈdrɛsɑʒ/ (a French term most commonly translated to mean "training" is a path and destination of competitive Horse training The reining hand should be bent at the elbow, held close to the rider's side, and centered over the horse's neck, usually within an inch of the saddle horn. Due to the presence of the saddle horn, a true straight line between rider's hand and horse's mouth is usually not possible.
Dressage Seat Equitation
Dressage seat equitation is a relatively new class offered at dressage shows. Dressage (pronounced dress-ahhzh /ˈdrɛsɑʒ/ (a French term most commonly translated to mean "training" is a path and destination of competitive Horse training Unlike a dressage test, the horse's gaits are not judged, but rather it is the rider who is evaluated. Also, instead of a single competitor in the ring, there are several riders in the ring at one time.
The rider is judged on a proper classical position. This includes evaluating leg position, seat, hands, balance, and rhythm. The rider is to be relaxed and not interfere with the horse's movement, but able to make full use of all riding aids. Riding aids are the cues a rider gives to a horse to communicate what they want the animal to do The rider and horse should have unity, and the rider should use the aids correctly and efficiently.
The United States Equestrian Federation outlines the rules for Dressage Seat Equitation [1]
See also
External links
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States. For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description Dressage (pronounced dress-ahhzh /ˈdrɛsɑʒ/ (a French term most commonly translated to mean "training" is a path and destination of competitive Horse training Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American Horse Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping" or "jumpers" is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes Reining is a Western riding competition for Horses where the riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles spins and stopsDapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic