The term side saddle is an equestrian term used to refer both to a riding style and to a particular type of saddle. When riding side saddle, the rider sits aside rather than astride the horse, meaning that both legs are tucked to the same sidesi of the horse’s body, rather than positioned so that [...]
Show jumping competitors use a very forward style of English saddle, most often the “close contact” design, which has a forward flap and a seat and cantle that is flatter than saddles designed for general all-purpose English riding or dressage. This construction allows greater freedom of movement for the rider when in jumping position and [...]
Discipline is to cause an unpleasant experience for the horse when he misbehaves, in an attempt to correct the behaviour. The horse must learn from the experience, or it is not discipline.
Shouting and hitting is the easiest and most recognised form of discipline by humans, however not by horses. Horses are very sensitive to the [...]
Dressage is one of many equestrian sports. Equestrian sports generally, are heavily based on tradition, including the kind of dress allowed. No other group of sports have such strict rules on dress and turnout. Dressage in judged subjectively, so the correct turnout and the right impression is even more important.
In competition Dressage riders wear white [...]
It may surprise you to find out that one of the keys to developing the high, slow jump so beautiful to watch is not specifically in just more jumping practice. It is certainly not to continue to increase the height of the jump in an effort to increase performance either.
In reality the best way to [...]
Endurance Riding is one of the newest and fastest growing equestrian sports.
Endurance riding is a sport based on controlled long distance races. It is one of the international competitions recognised by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
Endurance Rides are races over a trail of 50 to 150 miles. Terrain can be varied and challenging and [...]
Horses are a social species. When allowed to live as they would in the wild, they group themselves with other horses and they form herds. Like other prey animals, being part of a herd makes them feel safe. It improves their chances of survival. A horse’s natural desire to be with other horses is very [...]
The cross country event is the ultimate equestrian challenge, relying on horse endurance and speed, requiring horse and rider to trot, gallop and jump a variety of obstacles in a timed event.
In cross country the lowest score wins. Each combination of horse and rider has to try to complete the course with as few penalties [...]
Bending
This is one of the most popular races. The pony and rider start with a baton and gallop in and out of 5 poles turning tight at the top and return to the start to hand the baton to the next rider who then repeats the procedure.
Mug Shuffle
This again is a fast race where the [...]
Mounted Games is a branch of equestrian sport in which very fast races, exciting for participants and spectators alike, are performed by excellent riders on well-trained ponies.
They require a high degree of athletic ability, good riding skills, hand-to-eye coordination, general determination to see things through to the end no matter what and a competitive spirit [...]
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