The roots of sidesaddle riding are hundreds of years old, although the riding technique is restricted primarily to women riders. In European tradition, although women rode horses, it was considered improper for them to ride astride. As early at the 11th century, women rode in specially designed sidesaddles which resembled armchairs, with a wooden plank to rest their feet on. These saddles were probably lacking in safety, and the design was refined in the 15th century to make riding both more comfortable and more safe. The design has changed little since then, although most modern equestriennes prefer to ride astride, because of the safety issue.

A side saddle has two pommels, one oriented slightly off center, and another below it. Traditionally, a side saddle is designed to for riders to sit on the left hand side of the horse, although either side is technically correct. The top pommel is also known as the horn and the rider swings his or her top leg over the horn, while the lower leg is tucked under the leaping horn, or second pommel, which is curved to enclose the top of the leg. The lower leg is placed into a stirrup, and the rider is ready to ride.

Learning to ride side saddle takes some training in riding technique. The rider must carry a whip to use on the off side of the horse for cues, and must also learn to hold a balanced, even seat. The horse must also be trained to carry a side saddle rider, as the off centered weight can be a strange sensation for a horse accustomed to more conventional riding. The fit of the saddle to horse and rider is also very important, as an improperly fitted sidesaddle can resort in saddle sores and other discomfort for both parties.

Although women are no longer expected to ride side saddle, some riding organisations exist to promote side saddle riding and many horse shows offer a side saddle class or allow side saddle riders to compete in regular classes. A skilled side saddle rider can hunt, jump, and practice dressage with ease, often to the amazement of conventionally trained riders. Side saddle riders also tend to wear a traditional riding habit, which consists of a full apron to cover the riding jodhphurs worn underneath. The apron is not actually a full skirt, but it is designed to look like one until the rider dismounts, at which point the open back will become apparent.

At international levels, saddle pads are usually white and square in shape, allowing the pair to display a sponsorship, national flag, or breeding affiliation. (In contrast, riders in show hunters and equitation often use “fitted” fleece pads that are the same shape as the saddle.) Girths vary in type, but usually have a contour to give room for the horse’s elbows, and many have belly guards to protect the underside of the horse from its shoe studs when the front legs are tightly folded under.

Bridles may be used with any style of cavesson noseband, and there are few rules regarding the severity of this equipment. The figure-8 cavesson is the most popular type. Bits may also vary in severity, and competitors may use any bit, or even a “bitless bridle” or a hackamore. However, the ground jury at the show has the right, based on veterinary advice, to refuse a bit or bridling scheme if it could cause harm to the horse.

Boots and/or wraps are worn by almost all horses, due to the fact that they may easily injure their legs when landing or when making tight turns at speed. Open-fronted tendon boots are usually worn on the forelegs, because they provide protection for the delicate tendons that run down the back of the leg, but still allow the horse to feel a rail should it get careless and hang its legs. Fetlock boots are sometimes seen on the rear legs, primarily to prevent the horse from hitting itself on tight turns.

Martingales are very common, especially on horses used at the Grand Prix level. The majority of jumpers are ridden in running martingales, as these provide the most freedom over fences. Although a standing martingale (a strap connecting directly to the horse’s noseband) is commonly seen on show hunters and may be helpful in keeping a horse from throwing its head up, it can also be quite dangerous in the event of a stumble, restricting a horse from using its head to regain its balance. For this reason, standing martingales are not used in show jumping or eventing. Breastplates are also common, used to keep the saddle in place as the horse goes over large fences.

A showjumping saddle

Shouting and hitting is the easiest and most recognised form of discipline by humans, however not by horses. Horses are very sensitive to the body language of those around them. A very talented trainer could control, discipline and reward a horse by body language alone.

By imitating how horses communicate together, you can send very clean message to a horse. Used with judgement, skill and timing, discipline is a form of communication that the horse understands and an aid to learning which will increase the level of respect shown to you by your horse.

Say ‘No’ in a firm (not loud) voice.

Bring the horse under control (usually by stopping him) and make him stand quietly. When you are ready, carry on with what you were doing.

Put a light pressure on the horse’s head collar and ask ‘down’. Lowering the head is a submissive gesture, and it also helps the horse calm down.

Put a hand on the horse’s chest and ask ‘back’. Not only is it unpleasant for the horse to move backward, it’s also another submissive gesture.

Move right into the horse’s space and then ask the horse to move out of your space, by asking ‘back’ or ‘over’. This is another submissive gesture.

Raise and/or stomp your foot. This is a threat to kick.

Watch for a positive reaction from your horse. This could be a submissive act or an attempt to follow your directions.

Stop immediately. Calm yourself down. Soften your body language and voice, and invite the horse back into your space.

Repeat this every time the horse performs the same act. Be consistent.

In competition Dressage riders wear white breeches, often full-seat leather to help them “stick” in the saddle, with a belt, and a white shirt and stock tie with a small pin.

Gloves are usually white, although less-experienced riders or those at the lower levels often opt for black, as white gloves tend to accentuate the movement of a less-experienced rider’s unsteady hands.

The coat worn is usually solid black with metal buttons, although solid navy is also seen. Dressage coats differ from traditional hunt coats in that dressage coats have four buttons, while hunt coats have three. In upper-level classes, the riders wear a shadbelly with a yellow vest or vest points instead of a plain dressage coat.

Riders usually wear tall dress boots, although field boots may be worn by riders at the lower levels. The European design, which are taller, have overtaken the more traditional hunting boots. The outside of the boot is extended to partially cover the knee. This gives the leg a longer appearance.

Spurs are required at the upper levels and riders must maintain a steady lower leg for proper use. A whip may be carried in any competition except in a CDI or a national championship and the length is regulated. Whips are not permitted in eventing dressage.

If the dressage rider has long hair, it is typically worn in a bun with a hair net or show bow. A hair net blends in with the rider’s hair color, whereas a show bow combines a barrette or hair tie with a small bow and thick hair net, and is usually black.

Lower-level riders may use a derby, hunting cap, or an approved riding helmet. At the upper levels, a top hat that matches the rider’s coat is traditionally worn, though in some competitions, a approved helmet is show legal.

In reality the best way to help your horse jump higher and slower is to increase their control, balance, flexibility, position and centeredness both going into the jump, impulsion and the landing. With increasing athletic ability and mental focus on the jump your horse can and will become better and better.

Gymnastic jumping is a simple and very low cost addition to your jumping routine that will achieve all the goals listed above. By placing ground poles, short jumps and obstacles specific distances from each other the horse and rider too, are forced to focus on balance and position to hit the pole or jump correctly aligned. It also allows the horse to gain confidence in his or her foot position and allows them to reposition their weight on the move for a more effective jump.

In most basic terms gymnastic jumping allows the horse to actually shift or rock back on his or her haunches, providing more impulsion and launching the horse higher. This in turn allows the speed to and over the jump to be more controlled, since the horse isn’t scrambling to try to make the jump. The centeredness of the rider through gymnastics helps to establish the cues that help the horse in the arena for those beautiful, showy jumps.

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 events are commonly held over one to three days. Every effort is taken to ensure the health and saftey of the horses and horses are checked by qualified veterinarians before, during and after the ride.

The winning horse is the first one to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal in good health and “fit to continue.” For many the goal is to ride the distance and have their horse finish sound and healthy. The mantra for long distance riders is “to finish is to win.” In order to win you must generally maintain a fast past of over 10 miles an hour.

Additional awards are usually given to the best-conditioned horses who finish in the top 10 for distances of 50 miles (80 km) or more. The Best Conditioned award is considered more prestigious than finishing first, as it is determined by a combination of speed, weight carried, and veterinary scores. Thus, a horse finishing fourth, but carrying a heavier rider than the first place finisher and with equal vet scores, still has a good chance to win the Best Conditioned prize.

In the UK, Endurance GB is the governing body. Winning riders complete 100-mile (160 km) rides in about 10-12 hours. In the United States, most endurance rides are either 50 or 100 miles (160 km) long.

Almost any breed of horse can compete in Endurance competitions. Heavy horses and ponies may be suitable as long as they are not pushed to travel too fast. Arabian horses tend to be the most suited and generally dominate the top levels because of the breed’s stamina and natural endurance abilities.

For more information visit www.endurancegb.co.uk

Horses form strong emotional attachments to their herd members. If removed from the herd, even to be placed with another herd, many can become anxious and distressed. People who keep horses traditionally call a horse who has this kind of reaction “herd bound.” Some horses, instead of becoming attached to a herd in general, form very strong bonds with one specific horse. This feeling of attachment may or may not be shared by the other horse. Unfortunately, a horse who has a strong attachment to another horse will often have extreme reactions when separated from that individual. Horse people sometimes call a horse who becomes upset when separated from a specific companion “buddy sour.”

How a horse is separated from other horses she’s bonded with can affect the way she responds. Some horses are only distressed when left alone while another horse is led or ridden away from them, but they’re not distressed if they’re the one being led or ridden away. The location of the separation can also determine the way a horse reacts. One horse might only become distressed when left alone in the barn but not outside in the pasture, while another might be less upset when she’s left in her stall than when she’s left alone outdoors.

Alternating pasture mates may also help horses overcome strong attachments to particular horses. This strategy can also prevent problem attachments from forming.

It’s important that you don’t expect your horse to be able to walk all the way to the stable—or even out of the pasture—just because you have treats with you. Her herd may be more important to her than food. Because of this, if you know that your horse starts to object when she gets to the pasture gate, begin your treatment there. If you know that she doesn’t even like to be led away from the herd, begin your treatment by simply attaching the lead, turning her head toward the gate and giving her treats. Don’t wait to give her the treats until she won’t lead or is calling to her buddies.

Put a lead on your horse while she’s in the pasture and walk her toward the gate. As soon as she’s out of sight of her buddies—even if it’s simply that her back is to them—give her treats, such as carrots, apples or grain. Wait a couple of minutes while she eats. Then, while she’s still calm, return her to the herd. Some horses may not be willing to lose sight of their herd, even for a moment. If this is the case with your horse, begin by leading her around where the other horses are grazing. Turn her in a small circle so you can feed her treats while she’s not looking at the other horses. Next time, make the circle bigger.

Gradually increase the distance you take your horse away from her herd. Your goal may be to get her to the stable, but you will need to start small. The gate will likely be a trouble point, so lead her up to the gate and treat her there. Then walk back to the herd, let her graze a minute or two, and, when you are sure she’s calm, start again. When you get to the gate this time, open it. If your horse starts bobbing her head or trying to see the other horses, make her wait at the gate and move through it yourself. Then, instead of bringing her through the gate, turn and face her on an angle (never stand directly in front of an agitated horse), and feed her treats while she’s turned away from the herd but still in the pasture. After your horse eats the treats, lead her back to the herd and let her graze again. Next time, take her through the gate.

Practice your separation exercises twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. With this schedule, your training sessions will be close to feeding times. When you can get your horse to go into the stable, you can feed her a meal and she’ll get an extra reward when removed from the herd.

If you choose to provide animal companionship for your horse, be aware that 1) the companion shouldn’t be left in the stable with your horse until the two animals have been supervised through two or three feedings so you’re reasonably sure that your horse won’t injure her companion, and 2) you must take time to introduce the new companion to your horse, particularly if the new companion is a different species. To introduce your horse to a new friend, pasture them adjacent to each another or walk them next to each another for a few days until neither shows fear or distrust around the other.

Unfortunately, companions aren’t always feasible for horses, and some horses react aggressively to other species. For these horses, another solution is to provide mirrors in their stables. Choose a mirror that is large enough for your horse to see her own reflection (approximately 4½ by 3 feet). Make sure the mirror is acrylic and made specifically for horses.  Mount the mirror so your horse can see into it at a natural, relaxed head height—about 1½ feet above the ground. Avoid hanging the mirror near the feed manger to prevent your horse from competing with her own reflection for food.

Products avaliable to treat separation distress

Herbal remedies are commercially available and usually include ingredients such as St. John’s wort, valerian root, chamomile flowers and Bach flowers. They are sold in swab, spray, liquid, powder and capsule form.Pheromones

Pheromones are chemicals made inside an animal that trigger natural responses in other members of the same species. Most people are aware that animals can give off chemical scent signals to indicate when they’re ready to breed, but animals also use pheromones to send alarm signals, greeting signals and “I was here” signals. Scientists have found that some horse pheromones are calming to other horses. Equine Appeasing Pheromone is a commercially available synthetic pheromone based on a natural pheromone secreted from specialized glands. This pheromone is dispensed as a mist that you can spray directly into your horse’s nostrils to help calm her when she’s in new, exciting or stressful situations. If you choose to try this kind of pheromone, first make sure that your horse won’t react fearfully to you spraying her face and nostrils.Medication

A veterinarian may prescribe a medication for an anxious horse, but there are no medications specifically labeled for horses experiencing separation distress.

In cross country the lowest score wins. Each combination of horse and rider has to try to complete the course with as few penalties as possible.

How are the penalties incurred?

• Refusals / crossing tracks
• 1st refusal / crossing tracks (riding a circle) in front of an obstacle is 20 penalties per obstacle.
• 2nd refusal or crossed tracks at the same obstacle is 40 additional penalties.
• 3rd refusal or crossed tracks at the same obstacle result in elimination.
• 4th refusal or crossed tracks on the entire course also results in elimination.

Errors

• Jumping obstacles in the wrong order is an elimination.
• Jumping a fence in the wrong direction results in elimination.
• Omission of a jump or compulsory passage causes elimination.
• The only time a competitor may jump an obstacle twice in a row is if a refusal occurs at a second element (B) and the rider can not approach “B” without re-jumping “A” .
• The horse is only allowed to jump from a standstill if the obstacle’s height is no higher than 30 cm. Jumping any other obstacles from a standstill counts as a refusal.
• Horses that take a step back are deemed to have refused.

Falls

• As of late 2008, the first fall of rider no longer results in automatic elimination.
• Second Fall of Rider: Elimination.
• Fall of horse (quarters and shoulder touches ground): Mandatory retirement.
• Note: riders may dismount at anytime on course without penalty, but the dismount must not be related to an obstacle.

Time faults

• Every second commenced above the optimum time, rounded up to the nearest second: 0.4 penalties/sec.
• Exceeding the allowed time (2× the optimum time): elimination.
• Trying to increase one’s time, or “willfull delay,” to avoid speed faults (circling, serpentining, walking, or halting between the final fence and the finish): 20 penalties.

Other reasons for elimination

• Rider without headgear or a fastened harness strap.
• Improper tack (for example, riding with a running martingale and no rein stops).
• Overtaking another rider on course in a dangerous manner.
• Willful obstruction of an overtaking competitor.
• Failure to stop on course when signalled.
• Horses head and front shoulder outside of the flags.

British Eventer Mary King in action during the Cross Country Phase

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 rider has to move a mug from pole 1 to pole 2 and from pole 3 to pole 4 The next rider then repeats the sequence.This is a difficult game as the rider needs to steer a pony at full speed whilst placing an object correctly.

Sword Lancers

This is a race where the rider has to gallop up the poles collecting metal rings on the end of a sword. This can be very challenging as the rings make a noise when collected and some ponies are scared and will spook.
The rider hands the sword to the next rider who repeats this process. The more rings collected, the heavier and noisier the sword becomes. This race dates back to medieval times. In another race called “joust” , targets are set up and each rider is equipped with a 4 ft. 8 in long lance. The aim is to ride at the targets and knock them down with the lance. The Jousting race is frequently seen at Mounted Games displays.　

Bottle Shuttle

In this race the rider starts with a bottle, rides to the top of the arena, places the bottle on an upturned bin, rides back down the arena collecting another bottle on the way. The “new” bottle is passed to the next rider who repeats the procedure. The bottles are weighted to avoid the wind taking them and some riders shake the bottle as the noise encourages the ponies to go faster.　

Litter Race

This race requires a lot of skill. The “litter” takes the form of empty washing up bottles (or similar) with the tops removed. Competitors ride down the arena, pick up the litter on the end of a 4ft cane then ride past a bin and put it in. The top riders make it look so simple but you must be able to turn the pony and pick the litter up at the same time – that is when the art of neck reining helps!

Pony Pairs

In this race the rider rides down the arena leading a partner with a small rope. They then collect the next rider and return to the start. This game requires skill in riding and leading but the ponies must work as a pair and not be aggressive towards each other as this could cause disaster!

Association Race

This is a pyramid building race. Riders collect lettered boxes from the end of the arena and place them on a bin further down the games field. The letters spell out the initials of the association, for example in Britain M, G, A, G and B are used as they stand for the Mounted Games Association of Great Britain.
The letters must also be stacked in the right order!

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 which nevertheless requires an ability to work together with other riders and a willingness to help one another.

Mounted Games were first developed in India and were played by adults. They were known as “Gymkhana” games. The most popular was tent pegging which was a popular pastime among the British Army and to this day they still use it in demonstrations, although the Army now use horses rather than camels and mules.

When the army returned to Britain they brought the idea of Gymkhana back with them. The games proved so popular that they still continue to this day. Mounted Games were the inspiration of H.R.H. Prince Philip. When Col. Sir Mike Ansell was Director of the Horse of the Year Show, Prince Philip asked if he could devise a competition for children who could not afford an expensive, well-bred pony, and in 1957 the Horse of the Year Show, then at Harringay Arena in North London, England, staged the first Mounted Games Championship for the Prince Philip Cup – it was an immediate box office success.

The sport of Mounted Games as it exists today was founded by Norman Patrick. His aim was to extend the sport, previously age-restricted by Pony Club, for wider participation, and for this reason, in 1984, he established the Mounted Games Association of Great Britain. In the years which followed this landmark his continued support and patronage ensured that the sport spread across Great Britain and beyond.

Types of Mounted Games

No spurs

No bad or un-sporting behaviour

The Riders

Riders range from children of 3 years old, to young adults in their 20’s. Until recently there was an uper age limit of 21 years. However, this has now been relaxed. The sport can be enjoyed by competitors of all ages and all abilities. The only limits are those posed by the competition organisers to ensure that each event is fair and competitors have equal abilities. The sport does however attract younger riders due to the agility and athletic ability required.

A highly-priced aristocratic pony is not necessary to learn the games.That can come later if the rider chooses to persevere to a higher level.

Any pony will learn the tricks of the trade quite quickly, and many really good Mounted Games ponies are “rejects” from other branches of equestrian sport. In order for these ponies to succeed, however, the rider must be an experienced games rider and be able to teach the pony exactly what is required.