Styles of Riding

Dressage

“Horse Ballet” Max horse’s natural athletic ability & willingness to learn Respond smoothly to minimal aids Rider is relaxed and effort-free Tests- zero to ten Warmbloods Small & standard arena

Dressage Tests

Piaffe: elevated trot in place Passage: collected trot, pausing between putting down feet Extended gaits: trot & canter; lengthens stride Collected gaits: trot & canter, shortens stride Flying changed: changes leas at canter every stride Pirouette: 360 or 180 degree turn in place Half-pass: horse goes on a diagonal, moving sideways & forward at

same time

Horse Presentation

Dressage saddle No boots Braided mane Banged tail Bridle path Trimmed muzzle, face, ears, legs Hoof polish Foam

Rider Attire

Formal White breeches Belt, stock tie, white gloves White shirt Black hunt coat Dress boots Hair in bun or hair net Top hat

Hunt Seat

Fox hunting Flat & over fences Show hunter

Judge horse’s movement & form Equitation

Judge rider’s ability “Forward seat” 3 horse show categories

Hunt Seat Categories

Show Hunters Manners, way of going, conformation Presentation of horse & rider

Jumpers How quickly a horse can complete a course of jumps with the fewest errors

Equitation Confidence & form of rider Smoothness & overall appearance of horse & rider as a team

Horse Presentation

Close contact saddle White saddle pad Braided manes & tails Long body hair trimmed short

Fetlocks, jaw, ears Bridle path

Rider Attire

Conservatively Beige, tan, or gray breeches White or light pastel shirt

ratcatcher Black, navy, gray, hunter green, or dark brown hunt coat Approved equestrian helmet

Saddle Seat

Show off high trotting action All done on the flat Rider sits well back in the saddle Carries hand higher than other disciplines Make riding look effortless Natural upright neck with animated gaits & high action Energetic but responsive Three or five-gaited

Horse Presentation

Cutback saddle Double bridle Flat shod or padded Long, flowing mane First lock of mane braided with ribbon to match brow band Bridle path Long, flowing tail Tail set

Rider Attire

Business suits Conservative solid colors Kentucky jodhpurs Long, fitted coat Jodhpur boots Hat

Derby for women; fedora for men Vest, tie, dark gloves

Cutting

Judged on ability to separate a single cow from a cattle herd and keep it away for a short period of time

Horses have “cow sense” Quarter Horse Rider loosens reins and leaves it entirely to the hose to keep the cow

separated from the herd 2 ½ minutes Scale ranges from 60 to 80 How horse moves in relation to the cow

Horse Presentation

Cutting saddle Breast collar & back cinch optional

Splint or skid boots Bell boots Grooming DOES NOT matter

Rider Attire

Cowboy hat Long sleeve western shirt Jeans Chaps Cowboy boots

Barrel Racing

Cloverleaf pattern around 3 barrels Primarily rodeo event for women Horse’s athletic ability & horsemanship skills of rider Fastest time wins Five second penalty for a knocked barrel First barrel is “money barrel”

Horse Presentation

Barrel racing saddle Splint boots Bell boots Horse IS NOT judged on grooming

Rider Attire

Cowboy hat Western long-sleeve shirt (must be tucked in) Western cut jeans Cowboy boots

Competitors are required to abide by this dress code beginning one hour before the competition and lasting until after slack

Western Pleasure

Manners, slow speed of gait, calm & responsive disposition Horse is to be a “pleasure” to ride & very comfortable and smooth Minimal rein contact Little head & neck movement Compete at same time Walk, jog, lope Solely on horse

Horse Presentation

Western show saddle & bridle with silver Legs, ears, muzzles clipped Bridle path Shortened & thinned mane Banded mane Long & flowing tails

Tail extensions

Rider Attire

Western show shirt Cowboy hat Chaps (optional) Jeans or polyester dress pants Neckscarf Shirts & pants often brightly colored and “blinged out”

Racing

Flat racing & steeplechasing Thoroughbred most common Significant races categorized as group races or stakes races Gambling Regulated- drugs

Horse Presentation

Jockey saddle Colors of its owner

Color arrangements Blinders Splint boots

Rider Attire

Silks Colors Breeches Jodhpur boots Goggles Helmet Crop