Riding Disciplines
Welcome to Riding Disciplines which covers every English and Western riding style! The English riding covers Dressage, a ballet on horseback, Driving which features both the beautiful horses and the carriages they pull, Foxhunting, Eventing, Jumping, Saddle Seat, and even the sport of Polo.
The Western riding category includes Pleasure, Reining and all Rodeo events involving a horse, so look for Barrel Racing, Bronc Riding, Chuck Wagon Racing, Cutting, Pole Bending and Roping.
Want to know the date of your favorite horse show or rodeo? Don’t miss it! Dates and locations are included in the in both the Calendar of Events for English Riding and the Calendar of Events for Western Riding. Are we missing a category or event? Please use the useful feedback link and let us know!
by Paul Belasik
When we were young, my siblings and I could get into some pretty vicious games. I can’t remember how many times my father would head out into the yard to calm things down. We would always hear the same refrain: In exasperation, he’d shout,
“Can’t you kids do anything without keeping score? Just play the game for the fun of it!”
When you see certain trends in your personality repeat, you wonder how much of this was deep inside you, written in your own DNA, and how much was trained into you. The more I became involved in dressage, the more I came to understand what my father had been trying to say. My affinity for concepts of Zen Buddhism seemed to take more hold. Early in college, when I first became aware of Zen advice—maybe because of the way I was raised, maybe because of who I was—it resonated deeply with me. Do a thing for the love of doing it. It seemed to validate my natural curiosity and give me a reason not to be too concerned with approval.
Read more: Can We Ride for the Fun of It? - Excerpt from "Dressage for No Country"
These polo-esque equestrian sports have been the life and blood of the Middle Eastern sports fanatic for the better part of the past millennium.
Since times immemorial, the Middle-East has been more or less the battlefield of the world. With regular conquests by the European Empires like Alexander’s Greek expedition or the Roman Empire’s conquests of invading the flatlands to the much recent American invasion of Afghanistan, the area has seen constant conflicts. Warding off the foreign invaders sooner or later, the Muslim rulers of the region have maintained a strong foothold over the region. One of the greatest strengths of the Ottoman/Persian armies was the exceptional performance of their cavalries. At one point in time, the Middle-East touted to have the best horsemen in the world. The durable and powerful Arabic horses complimented the riders’ ability perfectly.
Moreover, the constantly looming threat of foreign incursion has genetically imprinted a tenacious side on the perennial inhabitants of central Asia, the Turkic Nomads. Being on war campaigns which sometimes stretched out from months to years, the commanders of these large armies of the Ottoman/Persian had to find out viable ways for entertaining thousands of their fighting men. Sports like wrestling and boxing amongst others were relative hits amongst the troops but the community that enjoyed horse riding to a much greater extent felt a need to develop games which also involved the magnificent beast. Gradually, equestrian games which can be best described as archaic versions of Polo gained prominence in the Middle-east and were enjoyed in war times as well as during times of peace.
Most of the games, along with the various traditions involved, have withstood the wrath of time and are still prevalent to this day. The most notable ones, which often make appearances on various international media platforms, are described:
Buzkashi
Considered as one of the most dangerous sports of the world, Buzkashi, is definitely not a game for the weak nor for viewership of the faint-hearted. The sport was so brutal that Afghanistan’s biggest organized militia, the Taliban, banned the sport during its reign, terming it as too barbaric. Stylistically, the gameplay is extremely similar to Polo. The only minor alteration just to make the play a little more interesting is the replacement of the play ball with an animal carcass.
Riding effectively can mean many things to many people. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word "effective" to mean: "producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect"
But in riding horses, it's often difficult to know which part is the horse's doing, and which part is the rider's.
Or is it?
As riders, we are occasionally lucky enough to have a more skilled rider (or trainer) get on our horse. Then we can begin to understand the power of effective riding, because suddenly, our own horse develops far advanced skills - in a matter of minutes! That's when we witness for ourselves the effect the rider has on the horse.
For many, this "journey" toward effective riding is what drives them to keep practicing, keep learning, step out of their comfort zones, try new things, listen to new people, and essentially, try to become better riders. I don't think we can ever reach perfection when it comes to developing skills.
by Tyler Lewis
Competitive Trail Riding measures the fitness of a horse or pony as they travel over a marked trail of 20 to 120 miles. Horses are examined thoroughly before, on the trail and after finishing, by qualified judges and veterinarians. The events are strictly timed and penalties are given for finishing too early or too late.
Horses are judged by how quickly their heart rates drop and other physical and metabolic measurements. The horses who show the highest level of physical fitness win. Most events have different divisions for junior riders and riders of different weights. There is often a division for novice horses and riders with more time or a shorter distance.
What Is the Goal?
The goal is to condition your horse to the highest level of fitness and take care of it so that the horse completes the ride with as little stress as possible. Prizes are awarded according to the fittest horses in each division.
by Maxwell Hauptman
Lamoine, Maine — Dance and gymnastics seem hard enough, given the physical strength, flexibility and coordination demanded. Now picture doing both on the back of a moving horse.
Through Aurora Vaulters, their nonprofit organization, mother and daughter Deb and Cynthia Andrews coach the international equestrian sport at Starlight Horse Farm off Route 184 in East Lamoine.
Their “gentle giant” Rosie, a 13-year-old draft horse, serves as the firm platform for these equestrian gymnasts to execute the mount, basic seat, flag and other compulsory moves.
“Equestrian vaulting is gymnastic dance performed in harmony with a moving horse,” said Deb. As the lunger or trainer, she uses a longe line (a French term meaning long tether) to guide Rosie around a 15-meter circle.
Read more: Equestrian Vaulting is Finding a Foothold Among Children
- The Making of a Barrel Race Champion
- Three Ways the Judge Can Be Your Ally
- 9 Things You Need to Know if You Want to Ride Horses
- How to Design an Equitation Course
- Up & Coming Young Professional: Geoffrey Hesslink
- Career in Three-Day Eventing for The Pamplemousse
- How Can I Stop Bouncing In The Saddle?
- America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred, Old Tavern, a Brave Polo Pony with Nerves of Steel
- A Horse With a Different Gear
- When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynamics
- Three Secrets to Show Ring Success
- My Memorable Mentor
- North American Western Dressage gets punchy with Ranch Horse Western Dressage tests
- Jennifer Malott Kotylo - Movement & Body Awareness Specials for Equestrians, Introductory Video (1:33)
- Mario Dino Di Salvo at the Saratoga Polo Club
- OMR Sisters Gallop to Glory
- Horse Carriage Driving Enthusiasts Compete on Brean Beach
- Boyd Martin Sets Record at Jersey Fresh International Three Day Event
