1.
Pony
–
Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. The word pony derives from the old French poulenet, meaning foal, a young, immature horse, but this is not the meaning, unlike a horse foal. However, on occasion, people who are unfamiliar with horses may confuse an adult pony with a foal, the ancestors of most modern ponies developed small stature because they lived on the margins of livable horse habitat. These smaller animals were domesticated and bred for various purposes all over the Northern Hemisphere, ponies were historically used for driving and freight transport, as childrens mounts, for recreational riding, and later as competitors and performers in their own right. During the Industrial Revolution, particularly in Great Britain, a significant number were used as pit ponies, ponies are generally considered intelligent and friendly, although sometimes they also are described as stubborn or cunning. Properly trained ponies are appropriate mounts for children who are learning to ride, larger ponies can be ridden by adults, as ponies are usually strong for their size. In modern use, many organizations define a pony as a horse that measures less than 14.2 hands at the withers. Different organizations that use a strict measurement model vary from 14 hands to nearly 14.3 hands, many breeds classify an animal as either horse or pony based on pedigree and phenotype, no matter its height. Some full-sized horses may be called ponies for various reasons of tradition or as a term of endearment, for many forms of competition, the official definition of a pony is a horse that measures less than 14.2 hands at the withers. However, the pony can be used in general for any small horse. Furthermore, some breeds may have individuals who mature under that height but are still called horses and are allowed to compete as horses. In Australia, horses that measure from 14 hands to 15 hands are known as a galloway, people who are unfamiliar with horses may confuse an adult pony with a young, immature horse. While foals that will grow up to be horse-sized may be no taller than some ponies in their first months of life, a pony can be ridden and put to work, while a foal is too young to be ridden or used as a working animal. Foals, whether they grow up to be horse or pony-sized, can be distinguished from adult horses by their long legs. Their heads and eyes also exhibit juvenile characteristics, furthermore, in most cases, nursing foals will be in very close proximity to a mare who is the mother of the foal. While ponies exhibit some neoteny with the wide foreheads and small size, ponies originally developed as a landrace adapted to a harsh natural environment, and were considered part of the draft subtype typical of Northern Europe. At one time, it was hypothesized that they may have descended from a wild subspecies of Equus ferus. The usefulness of the pony was noted by farmers who observed that a pony could outperform a draft horse on small farms, by the 20th century, many pony breeds had Arabian and other blood added to make a more refined pony suitable for riding
2.
Horse
–
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus. It is an ungulate mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature, Eohippus, into the large, humans began to domesticate horses around 4000 BC, and their domestication is believed to have been widespread by 3000 BC. Horses in the subspecies caballus are domesticated, although some domesticated populations live in the wild as feral horses. There is an extensive, specialized vocabulary used to describe equine-related concepts, covering everything from anatomy to life stages, size, colors, markings, breeds, locomotion, and behavior. Horses anatomy enables them to use of speed to escape predators and they have a well-developed sense of balance. Related to this need to flee from predators in the wild is an unusual trait, female horses, called mares, carry their young for approximately 11 months, and a young horse, called a foal, can stand and run shortly following birth. Most domesticated horses begin training under saddle or in harness between the ages of two and four and they reach full adult development by age five, and have an average lifespan of between 25 and 30 years. There are more than 300 breeds of horse in the world today, horses were historically used in warfare, from which a wide variety of riding and driving techniques developed, using many different styles of equipment and methods of control. Many products are derived from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, humans provide domesticated horses with food, water and shelter, as well as attention from specialists such as veterinarians and farriers. Specific terms and specialized language are used to describe equine anatomy, different life stages, colors, depending on breed, management and environment, the modern domestic horse has a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years. Uncommonly, a few animals live into their 40s and, occasionally, the oldest verifiable record was Old Billy, a 19th-century horse that lived to the age of 62. In modern times, Sugar Puff, who had listed in Guinness World Records as the worlds oldest living pony. The exception is in endurance riding, where the age to compete is based on the animals actual calendar age. The following terminology is used to describe horses of various ages, Colt, a common terminology error is to call any young horse a colt, when the term actually only refers to young male horses. Filly, A female horse under the age of four, foal, A horse of either sex less than one year old. A nursing foal is sometimes called a suckling and a foal that has been weaned is called a weanling, most domesticated foals are weaned at five to seven months of age, although foals can be weaned at four months with no adverse physical effects. Gelding, A castrated male horse of any age, mare, A female horse four years old and older
3.
Equestrianism
–
Equestrianism, more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding, refers to the skill of riding, driving, steeplechasing or vaulting with horses. This broad description includes the use of horses for practical working purposes, transportation, recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercises, Horses are trained and ridden for practical working purposes such as in police work or for controlling herd animals on a ranch. They are also used in sports including, but not limited to, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving. Some popular forms of competition are grouped together at horse shows, Horses are used for non-competitive recreational riding such as fox hunting, trail riding or hacking. There is public access to trails in almost every part of the world, many parks, ranches. Horses are also used for therapeutic purposes, both in specialized paraequestrian competition as well as non-competitive riding to improve health and emotional development. Horses are also driven in harness racing, at shows and in other types of exhibition, historical reenactment or ceremony. In some parts of the world, they are used for practical purposes such as farming. Horses continue to be used in service, in traditional ceremonies, police and volunteer mounted patrols. Riding halls enable the training of horse and rider in all weathers as well as indoor competition riding, though there is controversy over the exact date horses were domesticated and when they were first ridden, the best estimate is that horses first were ridden approximately 3500 BC. Indirect evidence suggests that horses were ridden long before they were driven, however, the most unequivocal early archaeological evidence of equines put to working use was of horses being driven. Chariot burials about 2500 BC present the most direct evidence of horses used as working animals. In ancient times chariot warfare was followed by the use of war horses as light, the horse played an important role throughout human history all over the world, both in warfare and in peaceful pursuits such as transportation, trade and agriculture. Horses lived in North America, but died out at the end of the Ice Age, Horses were brought back to North America by European explorers, beginning with the second voyage of Columbus in 1493. Humans appear to have expressed a desire to know which horse were the fastest. Gambling on horse races appears to go hand-in hand with racing and has a history as well. Thoroughbreds have the pre-eminent reputation as a breed, but other breeds also race. Under saddle, Thoroughbred horse racing is the most popular form worldwide, in the UK, it is known as flat racing and is governed by the Jockey Club in the United Kingdom
4.
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
–
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports is the international governing body of equestrian sports. The FEI headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland, an FEI code of conduct protects the welfare of the horses from physical abuse or doping. Jumping, Dressage and Eventing have been a part of the Olympics since 1912, para-Equestrian Dressage has been part of the Paralympic games since 1996. The FEI has organized the FEI World Equestrian Games every four years since 1990, the idea of the World Equestrian Games came into being in the mid-1980s and was strongly supported by HRH Prince Philip, who was then FEI President. The WEG encompasses the World Championship titles in all the FEI global disciplines, the FEI World Cup is an indoor series and takes place throughout the world with qualifying leagues leading to a final in each of the disciplines. The FEI World Cup series began with Show jumping in 1978 and has since extended to the disciplines of Dressage. Today, there are 134 National Equestrian Federations affiliated with the FEI, there have been 13 different presidents of the organization. Major Jhkr Karl F. Quarles van Ufford is the individual to have served twice. Nowadays, a President can serve for a maximum of two terms, since 2014, the President of the FEI is Ingmar De Vos from Belgium. Official website FEI TV, Official Video Website Official Facebook Page
5.
Combined driving
–
Combined driving is an equestrian sport involving carriage driving. In this discipline, the driver sits on a vehicle drawn by a single horse, the sport has three phases, dressage, cross-country marathon and obstacle cone driving, and is most similar to the mounted equestrian sport of eventing. It is one of the ten international equestrian sport horse disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the FEI classification system denotes driving competitions as Concours dAttelage, which may be either National or International. A National Event is limited to competitors of that nation, who take part according to the regulations of their National Federation. Foreign athletes may take part by invitation, an International Event must be organised under the FEI Statutes, General Regulations and Sport Rules, and may be open to competitors of all NFs. CAIs are primarily for individual athletes, however, at World Championships, competitions for national teams of three or four members run concurrently with the individual competition. There are two categories of international competitions – CAI-A and CAI-B, the CAI-A category denotes a higher level of organisation and facilities provided. Normally, it is assumed that a CA classified competition is for horses, if pony classes are involved, the letter P is added to the classification. Numbers denote the arrangement of horses in the class, World championships are denoted as Championnat du Monde Attelage. There are three World Championships for horses – Singles, Pairs and Four-in-Hand and these are held every two years, with Single Horse and Four-in-Hand Championships in an even-numbered year and Horse Pairs every odd year. In addition, a World Combined Pony Championships are held every odd-numbered year, FEI World Cup Driving, is a series of competitions for four-in-hand horse teams. Introduced in 2001, it provides a style of competition which takes place in an indoor arena. The course combines marathon and cone driving obstacles, five or six drivers, each with a team of four horses take turns to drive the course against the clock. World Cup Driving events are classified as CAI-W and take place throughout the winter months, competitions for drivers with disabilities are classified as CPEAI and the championships are held in every odd-numbered year. At the National level the sport is governed by each countrys National Federation, sometimes through a body, which will have rules based on the FEI Rulebook. Most countries hold their own National Championships, most people will start driving by joining a local organisation or club, who organise training sessions and one- or two-day competitions. Keen drivers can qualify to take part in events from which they may put themselves forward to be selected to represent their country at international competitions or World Championships. Because a driver needs a groom, its possible to take part as such
6.
Dressage
–
Dressage is a highly skilled form of riding performed in exhibition and competition, as well as an art sometimes pursued solely for the sake of mastery. Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the Olympic Games, at the peak of a dressage horses gymnastic development, the horse responds smoothly to a skilled riders minimal aids. The rider is relaxed and appears effort-free while the horse performs the requested movement. The discipline has a history with ancient roots in the writings of Xenophon. Much about training systems used today reflects practices of classical dressage, in modern dressage competition, successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of tests, prescribed series of movements ridden within a standard arena. A score of 9 is very good and is a high mark, all riding horses can benefit from use of dressage principles and training techniques. The most popular horse breeds seen at the Olympics and other international FEI competitions are warmblood horses bred for dressage, in classical dressage training and performances that involve the airs above the ground, the baroque breeds of horses are popular and purposely bred for these specialties. There are two sizes of arenas, small and standard, each has letters assigned to positions around the arena for dressage tests to specify where movements are to be performed. Cones with letters on them are positioned on the sidelines of the arena for reference as to where a movement is to be performed. The small arena is 20 by 40 m and is used for the levels of eventing in the dressage phase. Its letters around the edge, starting from the point of entry. Letters also mark locations along the line in the middle of the arena. Moving down the line from A, they are D-X-G. The standard arena is 20 by 60 m, and is used for tests in both dressage and eventing. The standard dressage arena letters are A-K-V-E-S-H-C-M-R-B-P-F, the letters on the long sides of the arena, nearest the corners, are 6 m in from the corners, and are 12 m apart from each other. The letters along the line are D-L-X-I-G, with X again being halfway down the arena. There is speculation as to why these letters were chosen, most commonly it is believed because the German cavalry had a 20 × 60-meter area in-between the barracks which had the letters posted above the doors. At the start of the test, the horse enters the arena at an opening at A, ideally this opening is then closed for the duration of the test, however, this is not always logistically possible, particularly at smaller competitions with few volunteers
7.
Endurance riding
–
Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. It is one of the international recognized by the FEI. There are two types of long-distance riding, competitive trail riding and endurance rides. In the United States, most endurance rides are either 50 or 100 miles long, shorter rides, called Limited Distance rides, are organized for new riders to the sport or young horses being trained. However, LDs have evolved into a competition of their own, in more experienced riders. There are also longer, usually multi-day, rides as well, as with human marathon running, many riders will participate to improve their horses personal best performance and consider finishing the distance with a proper vet completion record to be a win. In the USA, the American Endurance Ride Conference sanctions endurance rides, in the UK, Endurance GB is the governing body. Winning riders can complete 100-mile rides in 14 to 15 hours, any breed can compete, but the Arabian generally dominates the top levels because of the breeds stamina and natural endurance abilities. Endurance rides and races can be any distance, though they are rarely over 160 km for a one-day competition. Organized endurance riding as a sport began in 1955, when Wendell Robie. They followed the historic Western States Trail and this ride soon became known as the Tevis Cup, and it remains the most difficult of any 100-mile ride in the world because of the severe terrain, high altitude, and 100-degree temperatures. Endurance riding first was brought to Europe in the 1960s, before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian to ensure they are fit to perform in the ride. Riders may be given a map or GPS waypoints for the course, which shows the route, the places for compulsory halts, the trails frequently are marked with colored surveyors tape ribbons at regular intervals with additional ribbons or small arrow markers at turns in the trail. The ride is divided into sections, with different names, depending on sanctioning organization, after each section, horses are stopped for a veterinary inspection, where they are checked for soundness and dehydration, with their pulse and respiration taken. The riders time keeps running until their horses reach the required target, any horse deemed unfit to continue is eliminated from further competition. After the veterinary inspection, the horse must be held for a hold time. If the veterinary inspection is on the rather than at base camp, ride management usually delivers to the inspection location a cache of riders personal gear, food. While riders may compete without additional aid, sometimes referred to as riding cavalry, in upper level competition this is particularly important to efficiently prepare the horse for the vet as well as care of both horse and rider during the mandatory hold times
8.
Eventing
–
Eventing is an equestrian event where a single horse and rider combination compete against other combinations across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding, Eventing was previously known as Combined Training, and the name persists in many smaller organizations. The term Combined Training is sometimes confused with the term Combined Test which refers to a combination of just two of the phases, most commonly dressage and show jumping. Eventing is a triathlon, in that it combines three different disciplines in one competition set out over one, two, or three days, depending on the length of courses and number of entries. This sport follows a format in Australia, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom. The test is judged by one or more judges who are looking for balance, rhythm, suppleness, and most importantly, obedience of the horse and its harmony with the rider. The challenge is to demonstrate that a fit horse, capable of completing the cross country phase on time, also has the training to perform in a graceful, relaxed. The tests may not ask for Grand Prix movements such as piaffe or passage, therefore, if one movement is poorly executed, it is still possible for the rider to get a good overall score if the remaining movements are very well executed. The marks are added together and any errors of course deducted, if all four feet of the horse exit the arena during the test, this results in elimination. If the horse more than 20 seconds during the test. This phase consists of approximately 12–20 fences, or 30–40 at the higher levels, sometimes, particularly at higher levels, fences are designed that would not normally occur in nature. However, these are designed to be as solid as more natural obstacles. Safety regulations mean that some obstacles are now being built with a frangible pin system, speed is also a factor, with the rider required to cross the finish line within a certain time frame. Crossing the finish line after the optimum time results in penalties for each second over, at lower levels, there is also a speed fault time, where penalties are incurred for horse and rider pairs completing the course too quickly. For every disobedience a horse and rider incur on course, penalties will be added to their dressage score, after four disobediences altogether or three disobediences at one fence the pair is eliminated, meaning they can no longer participate in the competition. A horse and rider pair can also be eliminated for going off course, if the horses shoulder and hind-quarter touch the ground, mandatory retirement is taken and they are not allowed to participate further in the competition. If the rider falls off the horse they are eliminated, however, in the US this rule is currently being revised for the Novice level and below. The penalties for disobediences on cross country are weighted relative to the other phases of competition to emphasize the importance of courage, endurance
9.
Horseball
–
Horseball is a game played on horseback where a ball is handled and points are scored by shooting it through a hoop with a diameter of 1m. The sport is like a combination of polo, rugby, and it is one of the ten disciplines officially recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. The sports predecessor, pato, originated in Argentina in the early 1700s and it was outlawed in 1790 due to high mortality among players. In 1941 the Federacion Argentina de Pato was created, in 1953 was declared as Argentinas national game. The name of the game derives from the use of a live duck instead of the six-handled ball which is used in the modern sport. The game as its known today, including the use of a instead of an animal, was defined in the 1930s. It gained success and has spread across Europe and overseas, the International Horseball Federation has eighteen members including eight outside of Europe, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Kyrgyzstan and Mexico. The basic rules involve a team of 4 players making a minimum of 3 passes between 3 different players of their team and then scoring a goal through a vertical hoop goal, the game is played on a soft, non slip surface, usually sand. The pitch is rectangular, approximately 65m x 25m, a match begins with a pick up, the rules for the first pick up are simple, the horse has to be cantering. In this situation, each rider must remain seated in the saddle, if both stay seated and the defender manages to keep hold of the ball for 3 seconds then their team earns a penalty. Simple tactics of the game involve the attacking team going towards goal crossing paths as this helps to manoeuvre the defence. Players can return home if they feel an attack is failing, when the ball is dropped or falls to the ground, anyone can pick it up so long as they are travelling in the same direction as play was when the ball was dropped. This is to avoid any riders coming head on whilst someone is picking up, whilst picking the ball up during the game the player must not come to a stand still. This is a teams tournament. There have been seventeen editions of this tournament with Saint-Lô2013, France is the only national team to have won this tournament, the Portuguese team has the most Silver, and Belgium the most Bronze. Currently the titles are, Gold for France, Silver for Spain, the European Lady Championship is the female only tournament, the first was in 2003 in Abano Terme 2003. There have been eight editions of this tournament with Saint-Lô2013, France is again the only national team to have won this tournament, tied for most silver are Belgium, Germany and Spain, and tied with the most bronze are Belgium, Great Britain and Spain. Currently the titles are, Gold for France, Silver for Spain, the European Under-16 Championship is the youth tournament with mixed-sex teams, the first was in 2004 in Lamotte-Beuvron 2004
10.
Paralympic Games
–
There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which since the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea, are held almost immediately following the respective Olympic Games. All Paralympic Games are governed by the International Paralympic Committee, the Paralympics has grown from a small gathering of British World War II veterans in 1948 to become one of the largest international sporting events by the early 21st century. Paralympians strive for equal treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes, but there is a funding gap between Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Given the wide variety of disabilities that Paralympic athletes have, there are categories in which the athletes compete. The allowable disabilities are broken down into ten eligible impairment types and these categories are further broken down into classifications, which vary from sport to sport. The first athlete to do so was German American gymnast George Eyser in 1904, hungarian Karoly Takacs competed in shooting events in both the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics. He was an amputee and could shoot left-handed. The first organized athletic day for disabled athletes that coincided with the Olympic Games took place on the day of the opening of the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, the first games were called the 1948 International Wheelchair Games, and were intended to coincide with the 1948 Olympics. Dr. Guttmans aim was to create a sports competition for people with disabilities that would be equivalent to the Olympic Games. The games were again at the same location in 1952. These early competitions, also known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, have described as the precursors of the Paralympic Games. There have been milestones in the Paralympic movement. The first official Paralympic Games, no longer open solely to war veterans, was held in Rome in 1960,400 athletes from 23 countries competed at the 1960 Games. Since 1960, the Paralympic Games have taken place in the year as the Olympic Games. The Games were initially only to athletes in wheelchairs, at the 1976 Summer Games, athletes with different disabilities were included for the first time at a Summer Paralympics. With the inclusion of more disability classifications the 1976 Summer Games expanded to 1,600 athletes from 40 countries, the 1988 Summer Paralympics in Seoul, South Korea, was another milestone for the Paralympic movement. It was in Seoul that the Paralympic Summer Games were held directly after the Olympic Summer Games, in the same host city and this set a precedent that was followed in 1992,1996 and 2000. It was eventually formalized in an agreement between the International Paralympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee in 2001, and was extended through 2020
11.
Reining
–
Reining is a western riding competition for horses where the riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. All work is done at the lope, or the gallop, the horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Cattle were moved, branded, doctored, sorted, and herded, often on open range without the benefit of fences, a good cowboy needed a quick and nimble horse, one that could change directions quickly, stop on a dime, and sprint after an errant cow. Other nations with traditions of herding livestock on vast areas, such as Australia and Argentina, the reining pattern includes an average of eight to twelve movements which must be executed by the horse. Patterns require the following movements, Circles, the horse must perform large, fast circles at a near-gallop and smaller and they should be perfectly round, with the rider dictating the pace of the horse. There should be an easily seen change of speed as the rider transitions from the large, fast to the small, most circles incorporate changes of direction that require a flying change of lead. Flying lead change, the horse changes its leading front and hind legs at the lope mid-stride, the horse should not break gait nor change speed. Rundown, the horse gallops or runs along the side of the arena. A rundown is a required movement prior to a sliding stop, the back should be raised upward and hindquarters come well underneath. A particularly powerful stop may, depending on conditions, produce flying dirt. The movement should finish in a line, and the horses position should not change. This movement is a favorite, along with spins. Back or Backup, the backs up quickly for at least 10 feet. The horse must back in a straight line, stop when asked. It is judged on how quick, smooth and straight the line is, rollback, the horse immediately, without hesitation, performs a 180-degree turn after halting from a sliding stop, and immediately goes forward again into a lope. The horse must turn on its hindquarters, bringing its hocks well under, spins or Turnarounds, beginning from a standstill, the horse spins 360 degrees or more in place around its stationary inside hind leg. The hind pivot foot remains in essentially the same throughout the spin, though the horse will pick it up. Spins are judged on correctness, smoothness, and cadence, speed adds to the difficulty and will improve the score of a correctly done spin
12.
Show jumping
–
Show jumping, also known as stadium jumping, open jumping, or simply jumping, is a part of a group of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are seen at horse shows throughout the world. International competitions are governed by the rules of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, Show jumping events have hunter classes, jumper classes and hunt seat equitation classes. Hunters are judged subjectively on the degree to which they meet a standard of manners, style. Jumper courses tend to be more complex and technical than hunter courses because riders. Courses often are colorful and at times, quite creatively designed, hunters have meticulous turnout and tend toward very quiet, conservative horse tack and rider attire. Hunter bits, bridles, crops, spurs, and martingales are tightly regulated, formal turnout always is preferred, a neat rider gives a good impression at shows. In addition to hunters and jumpers, there are classes, sometimes called hunt seat equitation. The equipment, clothing, and fence styles used in more closely resemble hunter classes. Jumper classes are held over a course of show jumping obstacles, including verticals, spreads, the intent is to jump cleanly over a set course within an allotted time. Time faults are assessed for exceeding the time allowance, Jumping faults are incurred for knockdowns and blatant disobedience, such as refusals. Horses are allowed a number of refusals before being disqualified. A refusal may lead to a rider exceeding the time allowed on course, placings are based on the lowest number of points or faults accumulated. A horse and rider who have not accumulated any jumping faults or penalty points are said to have scored a clear round. Tied entries usually have a jump-off over a raised and shortened course, and the course is timed, if entries are tied for faults accumulated in the jump-off, the fastest time wins. In most competitions, riders are allowed to walk the initial course, going off course will cost time if minor errors are made and major departures will result in disqualification. The higher levels of competition, such as A or AA rated shows in the United States, or the international Grand Prix circuit, present more technical and complex courses. Not only is the height and width of an obstacle increased to present a challenge, technical difficulty also increases with tighter turns
13.
Tent pegging
–
Tent pegging is a cavalry sport of ancient origin, and is one of only ten equestrian disciplines officially recognised by the International Equestrian Federation. Used narrowly, the term refers to a mounted game with ground targets. More broadly, it refers to the class of mounted cavalry games involving edged weapons on horseback. Cavaliers have practised the specific game of tent pegging since at least the 4th century BC, as a result, the games date and location of origin are ambiguous. In all accounts, the sport evolved out of cavalry training exercises designed to develop cavaliers prowess with the sword. However, whether tent pegging developed cavaliers generic skills or prepared them for combat situations is unclear. However, other sources suggest that the sport originated earlier in Central Asia or the Middle East and was later on popularised in India. However, there are few accounts of a cavalry squadron ever employing such tactics. The specific game of tent pegging has a mounted horseman riding at a gallop and using a sword or a lance to pierce, pick up, the broader class of tent pegging games also includes ring jousting, lemon sticking, quintain tilting, and Parthian archery. Today, tent pegging is practised around the world, but is popular in Australia, India, Israel, Oman, Pakistan, South Africa. The Olympic Council of Asia included tent pegging as a sport in 1982. From the results of the 2008 International Tent Pegging Championships, the three leading national teams are currently Canada, India, and Oman. Members of cavalry regiments and mounted police forces remain dominant in world-class tent pegging, the United States Tent Pegging Federation is working on introducing tent pegging on the sidelines of polo in the United States. In late 1990s, many efforts were mostly solo efforts by individuals like H. E Prince Malik Ata Khan and Maharaja of Dunlod. EFI tent pegging pioneers provided much encouragement to export tent pegging to the USA, also H. E Prince Malik Ata Khan, the icon of modern-day tent pegging supported the idea of formation of a Tent Pegging as an organized sport in the USA. All of their thrust was to establish an organization in the United States so that USA could represent itself on the international front, at present the USTPF, working hard to promote Tent Pegging in the USA. The promotion efforts include two Tent Pegging Training Clinics initiated in October 2014 and June 2015 to compete in the international Arena, the USTPF was recognized by the USEF as Alliance Partner in 2015 and an NGB for Tent Pegging in the USA. The USEF granted the Alliance Partnership to the USTPF with permanent Alliance Partnership number 5347848, New and emerging national tent pegging associations have helped spread the sports popularity
14.
Equestrian vaulting
–
Equestrian vaulting, or simply Vaulting, is most often described as gymnastics and dance on horseback, which can be practiced both competitively or non-competitively. Vaulting has a history as an act at circuses. It is open to men and women, and is one of ten equestrian disciplines recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. Therapeutic or interactive vaulting is also used as an activity for children and adults who may have balance, attention, gross motor skill, vaultings enthusiasts are concentrated in Europe and other parts of the Western world. It is well established in Germany and Switzerland and is growing in other western countries, Vaulting was first introduced in the United States in the 1950s and 60s but was limited only to California and other areas of the west coast. More recently, it is beginning to gain popularity in the United States northeast and it is believed by some that the origins of vaulting could be traced to the ancient Roman games, where acrobats usually displayed their skills on cantering horses. Others, however, believe that vaulting originated in ancient Crete, in either case, people have been performing acrobatic and dance-like movements on the backs of moving horses/animals for more than 2,000 years. Renaissance and Middle Ages history include numerous references to vaulting or similar activities, the present name of the sport/art comes from the French la voltige, which it acquired during the Renaissance, when it was a form of riding drill and agility exercise for cavalry riders. Modern vaulting developed in post-war Germany as an initiative to introduce children to equestrian sports, in 1983, vaulting became one of the disciplines recognized by the FEI. European championships were first held in Ebreichsdorf, Austria in 1984, Vaulting was included in the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm in 1990 and in all subsequent editions of the games. It was demonstrated as an art during the 1984 and 1996 Olympic Games events and it has been included in the Inter-Africa Cup since 2006. The first World Cup Vaulting competition was held in Leipzig on 29–30 April 2011, in competitive vaulting, vaulters compete as individuals, pairs, and teams. Beginning vaulters compete at the walk or trot while experienced vaulters compete at the canter, the vaulting horse moves in a 15-metre circle and is directed by a lunger who stands in the center. In competitive vaulting, the rider will first be judged on a score from 1 to 10, if two competitors tie, then the horse is judged. Vaulting competitions consist of compulsory exercises and choreographed freestyle exercises done to music, there are seven compulsory exercises, mount, basic seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand and flank. Each exercise is scored on a scale from 0 to 10, horses also receive a score and are judged on the quality of their movement as well as their behavior. Vaulters compete in team and individual freestyles, an individual Kur is a 1-minute freestyle and team is 4 minutes. They are both choreographed to music, the components of a freestyle vaulting routine may include mounts and dismounts, handstands, kneeling and standing and aerial moves such jumps, leaps and tumbling skills
15.
Equestrian at the Summer Olympics
–
Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It disappeared until 1912, but has appeared at every Summer Olympic Games since, the current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping. In each discipline, both individual and team medals are awarded, women and men compete together on equal terms. Equestrian disciplines and the component of Modern Pentathlon are also the only Olympic events that involve animals. The horse is considered as much an athlete as the rider, the International Governing Body for equestrian sports is the Fédération Équestre Internationale. The 1924 Olympics were the first at which equestrian competitions were held under the authority of the FEI, equestrian events were first held at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, although it did not include any of the disciplines seen today. There were 4 different equestrian events, the polo competition consisted of 4 teams made up of players from Britain, France, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. Grand Prix Jumping, which was similar to show jumping event, for which 45 competitors entered. The first and second place was taken by riders from Belgium, while a French rider, Louis de Champsavin, on his mount Terpsichore, got the third place. However, Constant van Langendonck and Extra Dry were able to clinch the gold in the Long Jump competition, clearing a distance of 6.10 meters. Trissino and Oreste won the silver, clearing 5.70 meters, equestrian competition was dropped from the 1904 Olympic Games, and owed its return to Count Clarence von Rosen, Master of the Horse to the King of Sweden, for bringing it back. The 1906 IOC Congress agreed to his proposal to add dressage, eventing, however, due to problems with the newly formed International Horse Show Committee, they were not introduced until the 1912 Games in Stockholm and only a polo event was held in 1908. These three disciplines would be held at every Summer Olympic Games through to the present day, in 1952, however, all men were permitted to compete in all equestrian disciplines, and women were permitted to compete in Dressage. Women were later permitted to compete in Jumping in 1956 and in Eventing in 1964, since then, equestrianism has been one of the very few Olympic sports in which men and women compete with and directly against one another. Following the 1900 Olympic Games, polo would be held an additional 4 times, at the 1908 London Games, the 1920 Antwerp Games, the 1924 Paris Games, the 1908 Olympics had just 3 polo teams, all representing Great Britain. The 1920 Games included a team from Belgium, Great Britain, Spain, and it was not until 1924, after Argentina sent a team to Paris, that the gold changed hands. Argentina also won gold at the 1936 Olympic Games, vaulting was only held once, at the 1920 Antwerp Games. Vaulting included both a team and a competition, with the entrants having to perform movements at the canter and at the halt
16.
Pony Club
–
Pony Club is an international youth organization devoted to the educating youths about horses and riding. Pony Club organizations exist in over 30 countries worldwide, Pony Club began with the organisation that was formed in Great Britain in 1929 when the Institute of the Horse formed a youth branch of their organization, The Pony Club. It was formed to encourage children to start riding, while providing them opportunities in the field that they would not be able to reach on their own. The group grew rapidly, from 300 members in 1930, to over 10,000 in 1935, when the Institute of the Horse joined with National Horse Association of Great Britain to form The British Horse Society, Pony Club was incorporated into the new group. The success of Pony Club in Britain sparked the formation of Pony Clubs in other nations, Australia has the largest pony club membership in the world with just under 55,000 financial members. Each national Pony Club organization has the ability to define its own structure, there is no strict international governing body, however, national Pony Club organizations often work together for international competitions and exchanges. The core unit of any national Pony Club organization is the local club, local clubs vary in size, but are generally confined to members within a relatively small geographic area. Multiple local clubs may conduct joint mounted and unmounted meetings, ages of participants range from eight to twenty-five. Because of this vast age range, older Pony Clubbers are able to provide assistance to younger members, and younger members are able to be mentored. The Pony Clubs internal structure consists of many ability levels - from the Beginner, D1, D2, and D3, to the intermediate, C1, C2, and C3, followed by the Advanced, HB, B, HA, and A. Further structuring is dependent upon the national organization, but most local clubs belong to regions. Pony Club manuals are books which all the information needed to earn certificates. They have a range of information from buying a horse to looking after it. It will teach pony club members the responsibility and hardships and positive outcomes of owning a horse, new Zealand Pony Clubs Association Pony Club Australia The Pony Club United States Pony Clubs The Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship. Canada, Canadian Pony Club Republic of Ireland, Irish Pony Club Europe, Euro Pony Club China, Hong Kong Pony Club United States of America, Pony Club
17.
English riding
–
English riding is a form of horse riding seen throughout the world. There are many variations, but all feature a flat English saddle without the deep seat, saddles within the various English disciplines are all designed to allow the horse the freedom to move in the optimal manner for a given task, ranging from classical dressage to horse racing. Riders generally post or rise to the trot, English riding is promoted in organizations for youth, such as Pony Club, and is the basic style of riding seen in the various events at the Olympics. English saddles also are used by many pleasure riders for everyday riding, the major subdivisions of the English riding genre are, Forms of competition and exhibition seen throughout the world. This is the style most commonly associated with the term English riding, the other major style is Saddle seat, a discipline created in North America to exhibit dramatic, high-stepping breeds of horses. Saddle seat style riding is seldom seen outside North America, though it has a following in South Africa. In North America, dressage sometimes is loosely lumped into the hunt seat category by Saddle Seat and non-English riders, at some shows, a sidesaddle division is offered as well. Equestrianism English saddle Bridle Horse show United States Equestrian Federation International Federation for Equestrian Sports Equestrian helmet
18.
4-H
–
4-H is a global network of youth organizations whose mission is engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development. In the United States, the organization is administered by the National Institute of Food, 4-H Canada is an independent non-profit organization overseeing the operation of branches throughout Canada. Throughout the world, 4-H organizations exist in over 50 countries, each of these programs operates independently but cooperatively through international exchanges, global education programs, and communications. The 4-H name represents four personal development areas of focus for the organization, head, heart, hands, as of 2007, the organization had over 6.5 million members in the United States, from ages 5 to 21, in approximately 90,000 clubs. The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning programs and a positive youth development approach. Though typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today focuses on citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering, the 4-H motto is To make the best better, while its slogan is Learn by doing. The foundations of 4-H began in 1902 with the work of people in different parts of the United States. The focal point of 4-H has been the idea of practical and hands-on learning, early programs incorporated both public and private resources. 4-H was founded with the purpose of instructing rural youth in improved farming and farm-homemaking practices, by the 1970s, it was broadening its goals to cover a full range of youth, including minorities, and a wide range of life experiences. So rural youth programs became a way to introduce new technology to the adults. Club work began wherever a person did something to give rural children respect for themselves and their ways of life. Instances of work with boys and girls can be found all throughout the 19th century. Graham started one of the programs in Clark County, Ohio, in 1902. The first club was called The Tomato Club or the Corn Growing Club, dad Erickson of Douglas County, Minnesota, started local agricultural after-school clubs and fairs also in 1902. Jessie Field Shambaugh developed the clover pin with an H on each leaf in 1910, early 4-H programs in Colorado began with youth instruction offered by college agricultural agents as early as 1910, as part of the outreach mission of the Colorado land grant institutions. The Smith-Lever Act formalized the 4-H programs and clubs began in the midwestern region of the United States. Although different activities were emphasized for boys and girls, 4-H was one of the first youth organizations to give attention to both genders. By 1924, these clubs became organized as 4-H clubs, the first 4-H camp was held in Randolph County, West Virginia
19.
United States
–
Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
20.
Australia
–
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. It is the worlds sixth-largest country by total area, the neighbouring countries are Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and East Timor to the north, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to the north-east, and New Zealand to the south-east. Australias capital is Canberra, and its largest urban area is Sydney, for about 50,000 years before the first British settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who spoke languages classifiable into roughly 250 groups. The population grew steadily in subsequent decades, and by the 1850s most of the continent had been explored, on 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated, forming the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia has since maintained a liberal democratic political system that functions as a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy comprising six states. The population of 24 million is highly urbanised and heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard, Australia has the worlds 13th-largest economy and ninth-highest per capita income. With the second-highest human development index globally, the country highly in quality of life, health, education, economic freedom. The name Australia is derived from the Latin Terra Australis a name used for putative lands in the southern hemisphere since ancient times, the Dutch adjectival form Australische was used in a Dutch book in Batavia in 1638, to refer to the newly discovered lands to the south. On 12 December 1817, Macquarie recommended to the Colonial Office that it be formally adopted, in 1824, the Admiralty agreed that the continent should be known officially as Australia. The first official published use of the term Australia came with the 1830 publication of The Australia Directory and these first inhabitants may have been ancestors of modern Indigenous Australians. The Torres Strait Islanders, ethnically Melanesian, were originally horticulturists, the northern coasts and waters of Australia were visited sporadically by fishermen from Maritime Southeast Asia. The first recorded European sighting of the Australian mainland, and the first recorded European landfall on the Australian continent, are attributed to the Dutch. The first ship and crew to chart the Australian coast and meet with Aboriginal people was the Duyfken captained by Dutch navigator, Willem Janszoon. He sighted the coast of Cape York Peninsula in early 1606, the Dutch charted the whole of the western and northern coastlines and named the island continent New Holland during the 17th century, but made no attempt at settlement. William Dampier, an English explorer and privateer, landed on the north-west coast of New Holland in 1688, in 1770, James Cook sailed along and mapped the east coast, which he named New South Wales and claimed for Great Britain. The first settlement led to the foundation of Sydney, and the exploration, a British settlement was established in Van Diemens Land, now known as Tasmania, in 1803, and it became a separate colony in 1825. The United Kingdom formally claimed the part of Western Australia in 1828. Separate colonies were carved from parts of New South Wales, South Australia in 1836, Victoria in 1851, the Northern Territory was founded in 1911 when it was excised from South Australia
21.
Equestrian Australia
–
Equestrian Australia is the national governing body for equestrian sports in Australia. These sports include the FEI-recognized disciplines of dressage, eventing, show jumping, equestrian vaulting, endurance riding, reining, para-equestrian, EA also develops and enforces the rules for other events at horse shows. The body was founded in 1951 as the Equestrian Federation of Australia and was affiliated with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports in May of that year. On 14 November 2008, the Equestrian Federation of Australia changed its name to Equestrian Australia Limited, with the trading name of Equestrian Australia
22.
Equine Canada
–
Equestrian Canada, formerly known as Equine Canada and commonly known by its acronym, EC, is Canada’s comprehensive national governing body for equestrian sport. It also governs relations between the government of Canada and Canadian equestrian athletes and professionals, EC governs eight FEI disciplines, dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, Para-equestrian, and vaulting. Two of the FEI disciplines have remained independent of EC, horseball, EC also governs the following non-FEI disciplines, hunt seat, pony club sports, saddle seat, and some breed-specific sports. It does not regulate the non-FEI disciplines of dressage, horse racing, polo. The organization serves recreational riders by certifying riding coaches and instructors, publishing national riding tests and standards, EC acts as the representative of Canada’s horse breeders and breeding registries to Canada’s federal government. It also promotes Canadian-bred horses internationally, the organisation changed its name and logo in June 2016 in an effort to clarify its mandate to the horse community and the general public. EC’s teams at the 2008 Olympics won one gold and one silver medal, eC’s team at the 2008 Paralympics also won one gold and one silver medal. This represents the highest Canadian equestrian achievement at any Summer Games in the history of the Olympic movement and this same study determined that horse use by these individuals was partitioned equally among recreation, sport and breeding. EC quickly issued a clarification on Gallaghers press release
23.
United Kingdom
–
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country in western Europe. Lying off the north-western coast of the European mainland, the United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that shares a land border with another sovereign state—the Republic of Ireland. The Irish Sea lies between Great Britain and Ireland, with an area of 242,500 square kilometres, the United Kingdom is the 78th-largest sovereign state in the world and the 11th-largest in Europe. It is also the 21st-most populous country, with an estimated 65.1 million inhabitants, together, this makes it the fourth-most densely populated country in the European Union. The United Kingdom is a monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance. The monarch is Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned since 6 February 1952, other major urban areas in the United Kingdom include the regions of Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. The United Kingdom consists of four countries—England, Scotland, Wales, the last three have devolved administrations, each with varying powers, based in their capitals, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, respectively. The relationships among the countries of the UK have changed over time, Wales was annexed by the Kingdom of England under the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. A treaty between England and Scotland resulted in 1707 in a unified Kingdom of Great Britain, which merged in 1801 with the Kingdom of Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Five-sixths of Ireland seceded from the UK in 1922, leaving the present formulation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, there are fourteen British Overseas Territories. These are the remnants of the British Empire which, at its height in the 1920s, British influence can be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies. The United Kingdom is a country and has the worlds fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP. The UK is considered to have an economy and is categorised as very high in the Human Development Index. It was the worlds first industrialised country and the worlds foremost power during the 19th, the UK remains a great power with considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific and political influence internationally. It is a nuclear weapons state and its military expenditure ranks fourth or fifth in the world. The UK has been a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council since its first session in 1946 and it has been a leading member state of the EU and its predecessor, the European Economic Community, since 1973. However, on 23 June 2016, a referendum on the UKs membership of the EU resulted in a decision to leave. The Acts of Union 1800 united the Kingdom of Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved self-government
24.
Mountain and moorland pony breeds
–
Mountain and moorland or M&M ponies form a group of several breeds of ponies and small horses native to the British Isles. Mountain and moorland classes at shows in the British Isles cover most of the breeds, however. Traditionally the modern mountain and moorland ponies have been regarded as including nine breeds, however, in recent decades at least two further types have been recognised, the Eriskay and the Kerry bog pony. Larger native British Isles horses are not regarded as belonging to the mountain, Mountain and moorland ponies are generally stocky in build, with flowing mane and tail. They are very hardy and are good doers, needing relatively little food to live on and they are prone to obesity and if allowed to graze freely on lush forage may develop related health problems, including laminitis. The various types range from about 11 hands to over 14 hands, Shetlands are smaller, not to exceed 10.2 hands. Some breeds, such as the Exmoor, are uniform in colour and pattern, however, the Shetland is the only M&M breed that can be skewbald or piebald, though even Shetlands cannot be spotted. Several types of mountain and moorland ponies still live in a state on unenclosed moorland or heathland. These areas are usually unfenced common land, on local people have rights to graze livestock. Generally the mares are turned out for the year, living in small groups, which often consist of an older mare, several of her female offspring. Small numbers of stallions are allowed to join the mares for a few weeks in spring or early summer, each stallion then gathers a harem of mares and their foals to form a larger group of up to twenty or so. The foals and mares are rounded up in autumn, when the colts, the remaining fillies are usually branded to indicate ownership. Some geldings may also be turned out, ponies still kept in this way include New Forest, Exmoor, Dartmoor and Welsh. Each of these also has a population kept as fully domesticated animals. In horse shows mountain and moorland classes are divided into two subsections, small breeds and large breeds, although the four Welsh types are shown in their own classes instead. They are overseen by the relevant breed society, and by the British Show Pony Society, Shetland pony, from the Shetland Isles off the northern tip of Scotland. Exmoor pony, from Exmoor in Somerset and Devon in south-west England, Dartmoor pony, from Dartmoor in Devon in south-west England. Welsh Mountain pony and Welsh pony, from Wales Eriskay pony, formerly more widespread, and perhaps largely absorbed into the Highland
25.
Show hunter (British)
–
The show hunter is a type of show horse commonly seen at equestrian events across Britain. The British show hunter is primarily on the flat, while the working hunter must also jump a series of rustic fences. The governing body that oversees show hunter horses is Sport Horse Breeding, horses competing in SHB affiliated ridden and in-hand hunter classes must be registered with Sport Horse. Horses competing in unaffiliated classes do not need to be registered, Show hunter ponies are overseen by the British Show Pony Society. Show hunter horses are divided into three weight sections - lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight, the lightweight hunter should be able to carry up to 12 st 7 lb, stand around 16 to 16.2 hands and have about 8 1⁄2 inches of bone under the knee. The middleweight hunter stands around 16.3 hands, can carry between 12 st 7 lb and 14 st and has 8 3⁄4 to 9 inches of bone. The heavyweight stands around 17 hands, has 9 inches of bone under the knee and is capable of carrying over 14 st, in addition to the three weight sections, hunters may compete in small hunter, ladies hunter or working hunter classes. The small hunter must look like a miniature middleweight, the maximum height is 15.2 hands, and small hunters should have relatively short legs with a deep body. The ladies hunter may be small, lightweight, middleweight or heavyweight and it should have an elegant appearance, perfect manners and give a smooth ride. Show hunter horses should be shown with plaited and ears, faces. Between nine and 13 plaits is traditional, although the number may vary depending on the horses conformation, tails may be pulled or plaited, although most professionals prefer to pull. Tack should be workmanlike, with bridles having a flat noseband, handlers should wear tweed jackets, shirt and tie, buff or canary breeches and black leather boots with garter straps. Show hunters should have a straight, ground-covering movement with little knee action and they should be able to show a good gallop, and come back to canter when asked. Working hunters can be of any of the classes, but are expected to jump a course of natural-looking fences in addition to performing the usual short show on the flat. Working hunter tack also varies from traditional rules, martingales, flash nosebands and grackle nosebands are permitted, although in the event of a tie-break, the horse wearing more traditional, simple tack will win. Plain black or brown boots are allowed in the jumping phase only, riders may wear body protectors in the jumping phase only. Show hunter pony classes were first introduced in 1984, ponies are shown in height classes - up to 12 hands 12 to 13 hands,13 to 14 hands, and 14 to 15 hands. Ponies over 148 cm but under 158 cm may enter Intermediate Show Hunter Type classes, which are open to riders under the age of 25
26.
Show hack
–
The show hack is a type of ridden show horse, exhibited to a standard first established in England. Affiliated showing and breeding of the show hacks in the United Kingdom is overseen by the British Show Horse Association, in the USA and Canada, show hack is solely a form of competition open to various breeds and overseen by the USEF and Equine Canada. The Canadian form of competition is more closely modeled on the British standard than that of the USA, Show hacks in the UK are divided into two height classes - small hacks are 148 to 154 cm and large hacks are 154 to 160 cm. In Canada, there are also height divisions, at the discretion of show management, other classes may include pony hack ridden by a child, lady’s Galloway or Hack, gents Galloway or Hack, educated hack, sidesaddle, pleasure and heavyweight hacks. Hacks in any nation must be of elegant appearance, and show excellent self-carriage, in the UK, they are usually full or part-bred Thoroughbreds. Anglo-Arabians are particularly successful in these classes, Hacks in the UK must have straight movement and move with pointed toes. Individual shows do not need to show a gallop, but should show rein back alongside the usual requirements of halt, walk, trot and canter. Workouts in Australia are similar to the UK however, a horse is asked to show lengthening in the trot and canter. In North American classes, the hack is to show at extended, regular and collected versions of the walk, trot and canter, as well as performing a hand gallop, halt. Particular emphasis is placed on gait transitions and obedience, while fluid, smooth gaits are always desired, a more dressage-like frame is favored. Some show hack classes for specific breeds, particularly those for the Arabian and Morgan, encourage some animated knee action, though in Canada, in Canada, riders may be asked to dismount and remount their horses, and horses may have their saddles removed for conformation judging. Conformation scores may be used to break a tie, worldwide, manners are particularly important in the judging of hacks, and any animal behaving badly will be severely penalized in the judging. Hacks in the UK are shown in lightweight bridles with coloured browbands, quarter marks may be applied to the haunches of the horse, often in a chequerboard or triangular pattern. Riders should wear buff or canary breeches, navy jackets, shirt and tie, tall riding boots, in the USA, the attire and turnout for Show Hacks are modeled on dressage competition. Whips are permitted, spurs are optional, coloured browbands are not allowed, though dressage-style browbands with some ornamentation are acceptable. Kimblewick and Pelham bits are allowed in addition to traditional snaffle bits, horses are usually shown with a braided mane and the tail is left unbraided or lightly pulled on the upper portion of the dock in a manner similar to dressage competition. Canadian turnout rules are somewhat in-between the US and UK rules, riders are to wear a black or dark jacket, white or tan breeches, and may wear any type of English riding hat, including a top hat, derby. or hunt cap. Tweed jackets may be allowed at the option of show management, whips are not allowed, spurs are optional
27.
Equitation
–
Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship. More specifically, equitation may refer to a position while mounted. In horse show competition, the rider, rather than the horse is evaluated, such classes go by different names, depending on region, including equitation classes, rider classes, or horsemanship classes. The performance of the horse is not judged per se, but a poorly performing horse is considered to reflect the ability of the rider, Equitation classes occur in the Hunt seat, Saddle seat, Dressage, and Western disciplines. In the United States, the largest organizer of equestrian competitions is the United States Equestrian Federation, the organization offers equitation classes at its recognized shows, including those in hunt seat, dressage seat, saddle seat, and Western. The hunt seat style of riding is derived from the hunt field and it is correct for the riders to have a light and steady contact with their horses mouth the entire ride. Incorrect leads, break of pace, and wrong diagonals are penalized, loss of a stirrup or dropping the reins are also faults, and may be cause for elimination. In over fences classes, the competitor rides over a course of at least six jumps. Equitation over fence classes rarely have fences higher than 3 feet 6 inches, classes for more accomplished riders may require at least one flying lead change, and one or more combinations. The rider is judged not only on position and effectiveness of riding aids and 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 36 and may be up to 5 wide, the course may include liverpool or open water elements, depending on the class specifications. Equitation tests may be chosen by the judge to place the top riders. These tests are required in the medal classes, 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 competitions, usually only championships. Today it is seen most often at horse shows organized for exhibitors of the American Saddlebred, Morgan, Arabian, Tennessee Walking Horse, and it is also sometimes seen in competition for Andalusian horses. There are open and breed-specific national championships as well as a championship held every other year. Gaits shown in Saddle Seat classes include the walk, trot, 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 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
28.
Show hunter
–
The hunter-jumper division is a branch of competitive horseback riding that is judged on the horses performance, soundness and when indicated, conformation, suitability or manners. A show hunter is a horse that competes in this division, Show hunters, ideally, show many qualities that were rewarded in the fox hunting field such as manners, fluid movement, and correct jumping style. They are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, in the United States, show hunters are primarily exhibited over fences, with a few additional classes offered for horses shown in-hand or on the flat. In the United Kingdom, competition over fences is called Working Hunter, the show hunter should have a balanced frame, where they are ‘round’ in their top line and ‘on the bit’ softly. They should have a long, sweeping step that covers maximum ground per minimum effort, ideally, the majority of the movement occurs from the horses shoulder and hip, and there is minimal flexion in the horses joints. The frame of the show differs from that of dressage horses, eventers. Its frame is more stretched out than horses competing in dressage, eventing, or show jumping, but the horse should not be on its forehand. The riders of show hunters often ride on a slightly looser rein than seen elsewhere to facilitate this type of movement, Although the horse is in a long and low frame, it should still be able to collect its stride when asked. The horse must also be proficient at lengthening its canter stride while maintaining its tempo. The walk of the hunter is free and ground-covering, the trot should be balanced. The canter should be moderately collected, the horse should have a long galloping stride, but it should still be balanced and rhythmic. A good show hunter must possess an excellent jumping form, the forearm should be parallel or higher with the ground, and the knees and lower legs should be even. The horse should not be lazy with its legs, but should tuck them under its forearm as it clears the fence, clearly bending its fetlocks. The horse should not throw its body or legs to one side, a good show hunter should show a great bascule, or roundness over a jump. This is often described as the taking the shape of a dolphin jumping out of the water, with the horses back up. Show hunters are well groomed for show, clean with a shiny coat, the horse is to be bathed before the competition, with special attention paid to white markings. Depending on the level of show, show hunters may need to be braided, horses are to be braided on the right side of the neck for hunters with yarn that matches the color of the mane. Braids are to be small, neat, and tight, lower level shows do not require braiding, however higher rated shows frown upon unbraided horses and might penalize for their informality
29.
British Horse Society
–
It currently has more than 92,000 members, with a further 34,000 members affiliated through a British Riding Club, making it the largest equine membership organisation in the United Kingdom. It is one of the 19 organisations which form part of the British Equestrian Federation, the BHS was founded in 1947 in the amalgamation of two organisations - the Institute of the Horse and Pony Club, and the National Horse Association of Great Britain. Mary Colvin was its first president, since then, the numbers have grown considerably, with more than 440 affiliated clubs, over 50 affiliated riding centres, and over 34,000 members, each coming within one of 23 administrative areas. Each riding clubs membership is open to everyone, from leisure riders to competitors, the aims of BRC are to help people ride, compete and train together at national competitions, training and social events. The President of the Society is Martin Clunes, the Patron of the Society is Her Majesty The Queen. The BHS also maintains a Register of Instructors in the UK, the BHS Access and Rights of Way department works to improve the bridleways network throughout England, Scotland and Wales. It has created the National Bridleroute Network of long distance routes, incorporating bridleways, byways and minor roads. This work is supported by a network of committees and regional groups. The BHS is consulted about proposed legislation, government planning guidance, Definitive Maps and road schemes, the BHS challenged this decision by BMW in court and subsequently lost and were ordered to repay legal costs to BMW. Some questioned BHS managements application of limited resources to the cause. The good intent of the BHS was recognised by many, as the loss of bridleways across the country has eroded the freedom of those participating in horseriding activities. A protest against the decision, supported by a local councillor, was unsuccessful. The BHS Safety Department promotes the improvement of horse and rider safety. This includes campaigning for recognition and safe conditions for riders on Britains roads, education of motorists and riders is a high priority. The Riding and Road Safety test is taken by more than 4,000 candidates every year and this helps to educate riders in road safety and to minimise the risks involved when riding on the road. The Society runs a dedicated to safety advice and reporting safety incidents. The data collected is used to lobby for better conditions for equestrians, in the sites first two years, the BHS saw a 250% increase in road accidents reported to them, and incidents involving dog attacks helped influence changes to the Dangerous Dogs Bill. The BHS Welfare team aims to prevent cases of cruelty and neglect through education and this is achieved through its network of welfare volunteers, advisory literature, and a dedicated team at the Societys headquarters
30.
Welsh Pony and Cob
–
The Welsh Pony and Cob are a group of four closely related horse breeds including both pony and cob types, which originated in Wales in the United Kingdom. Welsh ponies and cobs are known for their temperament, hardiness. Native ponies existed in Wales before 1600 BC, and a Welsh-type cob was known as early as the Middle Ages and they were influenced by the Arabian horse, and possibly also by the Thoroughbred and the Hackney horse. In 1901, the first stud book for the Welsh breeds was established in the United Kingdom, and in 1907 another registry was established in the United States. Today, the modern Welsh Pony and Cob breeds are used for many competitive disciplines, including showing, jumping and driving, as well as for pleasure riding, trekking. The smaller types are popular childrens ponies, the Welsh also crosses well with many other breeds and has influenced the development of many British and American horse and pony breeds. Evidence suggests that a native pony existed in Wales before 1600 BC, the original Welsh Mountain Pony is thought to have evolved from this prehistoric Celtic pony. Welsh ponies were primarily developed in Wales and their ancestors existed in the British Isles prior to the arrival of the Roman Empire, bands of ponies roamed in a semi-feral state, climbing mountains, leaping ravines, and running over rough moorland terrain. They developed into a hardy breed due to the climate, limited shelter. At some point in their development, the Welsh breeds had some Arabian blood added, the Welsh Cob existed as a type as early as the Middle Ages, and mentions of such animals can be found in medieval Welsh literature. During this time they were known for their speed, jumping ability, before the introduction of large, coldblood draft horse breeds, they were used for farm work and timbering. In 1485 the Welsh Militia, riding local animals presumed to be ancestors of the modern Welsh Cob, during the 15th century, similar small horses were also used as rounceys, leading war horses known as destriers. On the upland farms of Wales, Welsh ponies and cobs would often have to do everything from ploughing a field to carrying a farmer to market or driving a family to services on Sunday. When coal mining became important to the economy of England, many Welsh ponies were harnessed for use in mines, above, in the 18th century and 19th century, more Arabian blood was added by stallions who were turned out in the Welsh hills. Other breeds have also added, including the Thoroughbred, Hackney, Norfolk Roadster. Before the car was developed, the speediest mode of transportation in Wales was the Welsh Cob, tradesmen, doctors and other businessmen often selected ponies by trotting them the 35 uphill miles from Cardiff to Dowlais. The best ponies could complete this feat in three hours, never breaking gait. Formal breeding stock licensing was introduced in 1918, but before this, in 1901 English and Welsh breeders established a breed registry, called the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, and the first stud book was published in 1902
31.
Arabian horse
–
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with evidence of horses in the Middle East that resemble modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years. Throughout history, Arabian horses have spread around the world by both war and trade, used to other breeds by adding speed, refinement, endurance. Today, Arabian bloodlines are found in almost every breed of riding horse. The Arabian developed in a climate and was prized by the nomadic Bedouin people, often being brought inside the family tent for shelter. Selective breeding for traits including an ability to form a relationship with humans created a horse breed that is good-natured, quick to learn. The Arabian also developed the high spirit and alertness needed in a used for raiding. This combination of willingness and sensitivity requires modern Arabian horse owners to handle their horses with competence, the Arabian is a versatile breed. Arabians dominate the discipline of endurance riding, and compete today in other fields of equestrian sport. They are one of the top ten most popular breeds in the world. They are now worldwide, including the United States and Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, continental Europe, South America, and their land of origin. Arabian horses have refined, wedge-shaped heads, a forehead, large eyes, large nostrils. Most display a distinctive concave, or dished profile, another breed characteristic is an arched neck with a large, well-set windpipe set on a refined, clean throatlatch. This structure of the poll and throatlatch was called the mitbah or mitbeh by the Bedouin, in the ideal Arabian it is long, allowing flexibility in the bridle and room for the windpipe. Other distinctive features are a long, level croup, or top of the hindquarters. The USEF breed standard requires Arabians have solid bone and standard correct equine conformation, well-bred Arabians have a deep, well-angled hip and well laid-back shoulder. Within the breed, there are variations, most have a compact body with a short back
32.
British Equestrian Federation
–
The British Equestrian Federation is the national governing body of equestrian sport in Great Britain and represents the country at the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. The BEF is an organisation for equestrian sport in Great Britain. Together with the British Horseracing Authority and the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, each BEF chairman stands for a period of three years, with a maximum of two terms. The current chairman is Keith Taylor, with previous chairmen including Badminton Horse Trials organiser Hugh Thomas, the BEF is formed of eighteen independent member bodies who represent the various equestrian sports
33.
British Dressage
–
British Dressage is the organisation which oversees all affiliated dressage competitions and training in the United Kingdom. British Dressage is a member of the British Equestrian Federation, in addition to the usual dressage competitions, British Dressage also oversees the British Young Riders Dressage Squad and all para-equestrian dressage. Dressage as a sport in the UK was first organised by the British Horse Society in 1961 under the BHS Dressage Group. In its first year it had 123 members and held eight competitions, British Dressage as a separate organisation was set up in January 1998, and now has over 14,000 members and organises more than 2,000 days of competition per year. The current chief executive office of British Dressage is Jason Brautigam, the current president is the Duchess of Richmond, and the current vice-president is Desi Dillingham
34.
British Showjumping Association
–
The British Showjumping Association or BSJA is the Great Britain governing body for the equestrian sport of showjumping. It provides the competitors for Team GBR in international competition and sets the rules under which affiliated competitions are held and it is one of the 16 organisations which form part of the British Equestrian Federation. In 2013, former Olympic bronze medallist David Broome was appointed BSJA president
35.
British Eventing
–
British Eventing is the Great Britain governing body for the equestrian sport of eventing, which combines a single rider and horse pairing competing in dressage, showjumping and cross country. The organisation both regulates the sport and organises nearly 200 affiliated events across the country, in Great Britain, the eventing season runs from March to October every year, weather conditions permitting. There are all sorts of different levels from BE80 to 4* eventing, which is badminton level British Eventing is responsible for Team GB selection for the Olympics and other international events. It forms part of the umbrella body, the British Equestrian Federation. Based at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, it has over 11,000 members, formerly known as the British Horse Trials Association, the organisation changed its name at the start of 2001, as the term horse trials was gradually being replaced across the globe. Eventing combines three phases, dressage, showjumping and cross country, BE has a Board and Committee responsible for such areas as major events, rules, training, safety and team selection. The body also employs five regional coordinators, each responsible for the events take place in their respective geographical areas. The current chairman is Amanda Ratcliffe, the management comprises Mike Etherington Smith, who is the Chief Executive, and Wendy McGowan the Finance Director. Eventings fatal attraction, Badminton starts today in the glare of the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, a Sport that is Never Less Than an Event
36.
United States Equestrian Federation
–
The United States Equestrian Federation is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States. It began on January 20,1917, as the Association of American Horse Shows, in 2001, the organization changed its name to USA Equestrian and, in 2003 it merged with the United States Equestrian Team. In 2017, USEF rebranded as US Equestrian, US Equestrian keeps track of yearly points accumulated at individual horse shows throughout the year and gives awards based on these points at the end of the year. Horse shows governed under the USEF are given an AA, A, B, Shows with an AA rating are the most prestigious and often offer the most prize money, whereas shows with a C rating are more local, usually awarding less prize money. Competitions recognized by the USEF must follow its rules and bylaws and their intention was to unite in order to assure clean competition in the show ring. They formed the Association of American Horse Shows, which by its first annual meeting on January 29,1918, the association incorporated in June 1918. Membership grew to list 35 member shows in 1919, and 67 shows by 1924, by the time of Mr. Vanderbilts death in 1925, the organization had enrolled almost 70 shows as members of the organization. Maclay was the individual elected president. Early in his term, in 1927, the association printed its first set of rules, the rules were revised continually and have been added to throughout the history of the association. When Maclays term ended in 1936, membership included 183 shows, maclay was followed by Pierre Lorillard as president. He served a year before Mr. Adrian Van Sinderen was elected, under Van Sinderen, the office was relocated to 90 Broad Street in Manhattan. By the end of Van Sinderens tenure in 1960, the book had grown to one hundred. The need for show stewards, representatives of the association to be present at and it was not until the 1948 rule book that stewards were written in, however, and not until the 1960 rule book that licensing of stewards was in place and recognized in the rules. In February 1933 the original name, the Association of American Horse Shows, Inc. was changed to the American Horse Shows Association, at the same meeting, individual members were recognized in addition to show members. The transfer of membership took place after the 1936 Summer Olympics, and after that, in the United States, by this time, AHSA membership had grown to include 183 members and shows. By 1937, the new rule book reflected the growth of the association by dividing the United States into five zones, each with a vice president and a five-member regional committee. In 1939, the association began publication of the magazine, Horse Show. By this time there were 187 recognized shows, and 800 individual members, in 1960, the association began sending licensed stewards to each affiliated show to report and verify that the show was following the associations rules
37.
Cutting (sport)
–
Cutting cattle are typically young steers and heifers that customarily range in size from 400 to 650 lb. They are of Angus or Hereford lineage or possibly a mix of crossbred beef cattle with Charolais or Brahman lineage. A contestant is required to make at least two cuts from the herd, one of which must be a cut from deep inside the herd while the other can be peeled from the edges. Once the selected cow has been clear of the herd. Judges score a run on a scale from 60 to 80, from the open range to the indoor arena, cutting has grown into a widely recognized sport with sanctioned events, some of which offer added monies and awards comprising million dollar purses. Cutting horse competition is governed by the rules and regulations established by the National Cutting Horse Association located in Fort Worth. There are also NCHA affiliates in Australia and Europe, however, independent entities may request NCHA approval for their cutting events provided the classes offered meet the qualifications and adhere to the rules established by the NCHA. A cutting horse possesses an ability to anticipate or read a cows intended moves. The harder a cow tries to get back the herd, the skill, athleticism. The best equine athletes stop hard and turn sharply, almost synchronously as the cow turns, a common analogy is a basketball point guard holding off a defender. Local cutting competitions were held among ranchers and cowboys to earn bragging rights for having the best cutting horse, in 1898, the first cutting horse competition was held in Haskell, Texas. In 1918, the Fort Worth Stock Show hosted the worlds first indoor rodeo, Cutting events hosted by the National Cutting Horse Association are open to all registered and non-registered horses regardless of breed, although Quarter Horses are most commonly used. Breed associations may host competition limited to a single breed, Cutting events consist of individual runs in each class within their respective divisions. Each contestant is allowed 2½ minutes to show their horse to a panel of judges, a contestant is required to make at least two cuts from the herd, one of which must be a cut from deep inside the herd while the other can be peeled from the edges. At that point it is almost entirely up to the horse to prevent the calf from returning to the herd, a job the best horses do with relish, savvy, judges will score a run on a scale from 60 to 80, with 70 being an average score. A performance is judged on a number of factors in which points are added or subtracted, points are added for courage, eye appeal, herd work, controlling the cow, degree of difficulty, time worked, and loose reins. A rider can be disqualified for using illegal equipment, leaving the area before the time limit is reached. A breast collar and back cinch are optional, a bridle is also required with varying options for bits and curb chains as long as they meet competition guidelines
38.
American Quarter Horse Association
–
The American Quarter Horse Association, based in Amarillo, Texas, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse. The association sanctions many competitive events and maintains the official registry, the organization also houses the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum and sponsors educational programs. The organization was founded in 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas, the AQHA approves of horse slaughtering as a last resort for unwanted animals. The American Quarter Horse Association was born at a meeting on March 15,1940 in Fort Worth, the original idea had come from articles published by Robert M. Denhardt during the 1930s about the history and characteristics of the quarter horse. About seventy-five people met in Fort Worth to discuss the proposals, thirty-six people bought stock at the initial meeting. A board of directors and officers were selected, other disputes included the fact that AQHA only allowed stock owners to vote, and some breeders felt that this arrangement kept too much power in too few hands. Another contentious issue was racing, and how the association would support the needs of breeders and owners who raced their Quarter Horses, the racing interests formed the American Quarter Racing Association on February 1,1945. This group mainly was concerned with the operation of racetracks and their efforts were limited to what was needed for identification for racing purposes. They set the standards for racing, and set up a Register of Merit system to help with handicapping racing and they registered horses that were in AQHAs stud books, as well as Thoroughbreds. Even Paint horses, which at this time had no registry, painted Joe, a foundation stallion with the American Paint Horse Association, was registered with the AQRA and ran against many of the early Quarter Horse racers. Individuals who believed AQHA was too restrictive in its registration and membership policies formed the National Quarter Horse Breeders Association in December 1945, registration criteria in the NQHBA were much less stringent than AQHA, but yet were not exclusively focused on racing like AQRA. For example, Thoroughbred crosses were freely registrable in NQHBA, within AQHA, there was a recognition that three organizations were sapping the strengths of the Quarter Horse breeders and owners, and within all three organizations there were efforts to merge. In July 1949, AQHA offered to merge with both AQRA and NQHBA, the AQRA voted to merge with AQHA in September 1949, and the NQHBA did likewise in November 1949. AQHA absorbed both organizations and moved their records to AQHAs recently established headquarters off Interstate 40 in Amarillo, AQHA now registers the offspring of other American Quarter Horses in its numbered stud book. However, AQHA does not maintain a closed stud book. Horses produced by means of artificial insemination or embryo transfer may be registered, parentage now is verified by means of DNA testing. In recent years, registration requirements for AQHA have significantly changed, in the past, horses with too much white or with cremello traits were not eligible for registration. There was also belief that excess white indicated impure breeding with non-Quarter Horses, today, modern DNA testing has now made verification of parentage possible, and also permits the detection of certain genetic diseases such as lethal white syndrome
39.
Western riding
–
American cowboys needed to work long hours in the saddle over rough terrain, sometimes needing to rope cattle with a lariat. Though there are significant differences in equipment, there are differences between English and Western riding than appear at first glance. Western Riding is also the name for an event within western competition where a horse performs a pattern that combines trail. The needs of the job required different tack than was used in English disciplines. Thus, the most noticeable equipment difference is in the saddle, the western saddle features a prominent pommel topped by a horn, a deep seat and a high cantle. Depending on the geography, tapaderos cover the front of the stirrups to prevent brush from catching in the stirrups. To allow for communication with the horse even with a loose rein, the biggest difference between English and Western bridles is the bit. Young horses are usually started under saddle with either a snaffle bit, or with the classic tool of the vaquero. The clothing of the Western rider differs from that of the English style dressage, practical Western attire consists of a long-sleeved work shirt, denim jeans, boots, and a wide-brimmed cowboy hat. Usually a rider wears protective leather leggings called chaps to help the stick to the saddle. Clean, well-fitting work clothing is the usual outfit seen in rodeo, cutting and reining competitions, especially for men, some competitive events may use flashier equipment. Unlike the English traditions where clothing and tack is quiet and unobtrusive, saddles, bits and bridles are frequently ornamented with substantial amounts of silver. The riders shirt is replaced with a jacket, and womens clothing in particular may feature vivid colors and even, depending on current fads. In some breed competitions, a judge may ask for an extended canter and/or a hand gallop, and, less often, the horse must remain under control on a loose rein, with low head carriage, the rider directing the horse with nearly invisible aids and minimal interference. Cutting - this event highlights the cow sense prized in stock horses, the horse and rider select and separate a cow out of small herd of 10-20 animals. When the cow tries to return to the herd, the rider relaxes the reins, depending on the level of competition, one to three judges award points to each competitor. Working cow horse - also called Reined cow horse, a judged competition that is something of a cross between cutting and reining. A horse and rider team work a single cow in an arena, Western Riding Western Riding is a class that judges horses on a pattern, evaluating smooth gaits, flying lead changes, responsiveness to the rider, manners, and disposition
40.
Hunt seat
–
Hunt seat is a style of forward seat riding commonly found in North American horse shows. Along with dressage, it is one of the two forms of English riding. The hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting, the term hunt seat may also refer to any form of forward seat riding, including the kind seen in show jumping and eventing. Hunt seat is a form of riding in the United States, recognized by the USHJA and the United States Equestrian Federation. While hunt seat showing per se is not an Olympic discipline, many show jumping competitors began by riding in hunter, the Hunt seat is also sometimes called the forward seat. Ideally, a hunt seat rider has a secure position. This includes proper leg position, weight in heels, soft hands, good posture, balanced seat, eyes up and, riders usually employ a two-point position while jumping fences, depending on the type of course and height of fences. The position is so named because the rider has two points in contact with the saddle. The rider supports his or her body using leg and stirrup, keeping the heels down, closing the hip angle, and lifting the buttocks out of the saddle while keeping the head and shoulders up. On the flat, or when used on course between jumps, the two-point position allows the horse to have a deal of freedom of movement because the riders weight is lifted off its back. Position in two-point varies according to the task, Hunter riders generally have a very upright two-point, as they usually show on very level footing and at slower speed. Eventers may have a more crouched position, usually with the slightly more forward while riding cross-country. Hunt seat competitions are divided into three horse show categories, hunters, equitation, and jumpers. Show hunters as a group are judged on manners, way of going, turnout, the presentation of horse and rider, are often taken into account as well. Jumpers are judged by how quickly a horse can complete a course of jumps with the fewest errors, equitation riders are judged on the confidence and form of the rider, and the smoothness and overall appearance of the horse and rider as a team. Horses used in hunter over fences and hunter under saddle classes are called show hunters, and are judged on their movement, way of going, manners, Conformation is judged to some extent as well. Thus, smooth, quiet-moving, well-built horses with good temperament are desired, although a somewhat different style of horse than the classic hunter may be shown, the goals of good manners, performance, quality and conformation are still emphasized. Horses shown hunt seat may be of any breed, although those of Thoroughbred and Warmblood type are most common, regardless of breed, the horse should have a long stride with very little knee action, good jumping form with correct bascule, and should be well-mannered
41.
Saddle seat
–
Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its form in the United States. To a much lesser extent, it is ridden with American action horse breeds in Europe, the goal of the saddle seat riding style is to show off the horses extravagant gaits, particularly the trot. Saddle seat riding began as a style within the broader group of English riding disciplines developed in the United States from two sources. The first was the Plantation tradition of the American South, where smooth-moving, high-stepping horses were used by owners and overseers to travel across the fields. The horses had to be smooth riding and comfortable enough for hours of riding while overseeing the plantation, hence, the term park horse is still used today to describe competitions where the action of the horse is of paramount importance. Saddle seat is a style of English riding that differs considerably from other such as hunt seat. To the casual observer the rider sits back in the saddle. Riders in equitation classes are penalized for leaning forward to any significant degree, however, like any other riding discipline, the position of the rider reflects the desired position of the horse. The rider must make the riding look effortless, and stay still and well-formed on the horse, sitting upright, with back and posting that is graceful. Horses that naturally have a neck with high head carriage, as well as animated gaits. They should be very energetic but still remain responsive to the riders aids, several breeds do well in this discipline, with the most well-known being the American Saddlebred. Other breeds commonly exhibited in saddle seat style are the National Show Horse, Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses, Morgans, and Arabians. In addition, Hackneys, Dutch Harness Horses, Paso Finos, Missouri Foxtrotters, less often, Friesians and Andalusians are exhibited. Classes under saddle may include, Three-Gaited, Open to American Saddlebreds, shown at the walk, trot, and canter. Five-gaited, Open to American Saddlebreds, shown at the walk, trot, and canter, as well as the four -beat ambling gaits known as the rack, Plantation Walker, Open to Tennessee Walking Horses, shown at the flat walk, running walk, and canter. Park, A class designation used in Saddlebred, Arabian, and Morgan competition, where horses are shown at a walk, trot, and canter, judged on their brilliant, high action. Pleasure, An English pleasure class designation used in almost every breed, designated classes where good manners, most pleasure classes require horses to show at a walk, trot and canter, often calling for extended gaits
42.
Sport horse
–
A sport horse or sporthorse is a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term is applied to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. In the United States, horses used in hunt seat and show hunter competition are often classed as sport horses, Horses used for western riding disciplines, Saddle seat, or any form of horse racing are generally not described as sport horses. Sport horses are bred for specific qualities in their conformation, movement, the purpose and breeding of sport horses across the world varies little, but the exact definition of a sport horse differs slightly from country to country. In the United Kingdom, the sport horse refers to any horse suitable for dressage. In the USA, the definition is broader, sometimes encompassing horses used in any of the hunt seat disciplines, worldwide, the breeding of sport horses is overseen by the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses. The WBFSH acts as a connection between sport horse breeding organizations and the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, characteristics common to quality sport horses include the following, Conformation, most sport horses have similarities in their conformation. These include a shoulder, turned-over neck, and uphill build. Conformation has direct effects on the movement and jumping ability. Movement, although movement may vary between disciplines, most sport horses are bred for a long, athletic stride and movement that uses the whole body, the trot and canter should have good suspension, and the horse naturally reaches under his body with his hind legs. This movement makes it easier for the rider to teach the horse to engage, collect, and extend his stride, jumping ability, horses bred for the jumping disciplines also possess good jumping form, with tight lower legs and good bascule. They are also bred to have conformation that allows them to jump higher, temperament, because of the great deal of training needed to produce a successful sport horse, they are generally bred for trainability and willingness to work. Many Warmblood breeds were developed for use as sport horses, particularly for use in dressage. Thoroughbreds are also used as sport horses, particularly in eventing. Such Thoroughbreds tend to have a sport horse build, rather than the leaner conformation of a race horse. However, there have also been instances of former race horses being retrained as successful sport horses. Thoroughbreds are often crossed with warmbloods and draft horses to create sport horses, one example is the Irish Sport Horse, a cross between the Thoroughbred and Irish Draught breeds. Representatives of many different breeds have been successful at the highest levels, although in international competition, Warmblood Equestrian at the Summer Olympics
43.
English pleasure
–
English pleasure is generic term for a number of different English riding classes seen at horse shows in the United States, where the horse is ridden in either hunt seat or saddle seat tack. In the average English pleasure class, the horses perform as a group, exhibiting the natural gaits of the walk, trot, and canter, horses are judged on their manners, performance, quality and conformation. The horse is to give the impression of being a pleasure to ride, in the show hunter and hunt seat world, pleasure-type classes where the horses are not to jump are sometimes referred to as flat classes or Hunter under saddle. In a variation on the class known as Hunter hack. The horse should move straight, with a rhythm and a free. The horse should not come behind the bit, or travel too fast, Hunter type movement is preferred for hunter style horses. High action is preferred for English pleasure horses ridden saddle seat, English riding Hunt seat Saddle seat English saddle Horse show Pleasure riding
