When you own and ride a horse you have a number of various competitive sports that you can compete in.
Horse shows often group popular forms of competition together and you could compete in a variety of disciplines.
Various horse competitions for you to choose from include the disciplines of dressage, eventing, reining, endurance racing, show jumping, driving and rodeo to mention just a few.
Let's take a closer look to find one that suits you: Hunt Seat or Hunter Classes - Horses are judged over fences, judges look at the horses movement and form and note how suitable the horse is for work over fences.
Classes may also include judging the horse's performance, manners and movement without having to jump over fences.
Saddle Seat - (USA origin) is a competition for gaited breeds that have high-stepping movement, such as the American Saddlebred.
In Pleasure Classes the horse is judged for his style and grace and for how well he obeys your commands.
In Equitation Classes your seat (how you sit in the saddle and ride) and your ability to control your horse are both judged.
Dressage- Has varying classes in which horse and rider compete.
Both are judged on performance.
Horse and rider are judged on execution of commands.
The rider's movement and aids should be smooth and flow with the horse.
The horse should be able to perform the requested movement whilst maintaining a calm and relaxed manner.
To compete in dressage you should buy the basic tack for the level at which you are competing.
Tack includes a dressage bridle (snaffle bit only) and saddle.
As a beginner competitor in dressage you could wear tan breeches and a hunt cap.
As you advance in dressage competitions, you will need to compete in white breeches, a white shirt, stock tie and black dress boots with a black jacket.
You can always call the show grounds when registering for the competition and ask for the required attire if you are unsure.
Western competitions can be summarized into timed events, roping and 'rough stock' competitions.
Timed Events such as barrel racing, pole bending, steer wresting and goat tying are judged on speed and agility.
Roping- is developed from real-life duties of a working cowboy.
'Rough Stock' Competitions consist of Bronc riding where the cowboy is judged riding a bucking horse.
There are still more competitions to choose from that are not listed like show jumping and eventing.
Horse and rider can enter the ring and compete in any given discipline.
You simply have to have the desire to compete and the skill.
Riding lessons, any lessons are strongly recommended even for the beginner when you decide to compete in a discipline.
Invest in the correct tack and apparel to be correctly dressed and you really ought to give your horse a thorough groom before the competition so that you both put your best foot forward.
Horse shows often group popular forms of competition together and you could compete in a variety of disciplines.
Various horse competitions for you to choose from include the disciplines of dressage, eventing, reining, endurance racing, show jumping, driving and rodeo to mention just a few.
Let's take a closer look to find one that suits you: Hunt Seat or Hunter Classes - Horses are judged over fences, judges look at the horses movement and form and note how suitable the horse is for work over fences.
Classes may also include judging the horse's performance, manners and movement without having to jump over fences.
Saddle Seat - (USA origin) is a competition for gaited breeds that have high-stepping movement, such as the American Saddlebred.
In Pleasure Classes the horse is judged for his style and grace and for how well he obeys your commands.
In Equitation Classes your seat (how you sit in the saddle and ride) and your ability to control your horse are both judged.
Dressage- Has varying classes in which horse and rider compete.
Both are judged on performance.
Horse and rider are judged on execution of commands.
The rider's movement and aids should be smooth and flow with the horse.
The horse should be able to perform the requested movement whilst maintaining a calm and relaxed manner.
To compete in dressage you should buy the basic tack for the level at which you are competing.
Tack includes a dressage bridle (snaffle bit only) and saddle.
As a beginner competitor in dressage you could wear tan breeches and a hunt cap.
As you advance in dressage competitions, you will need to compete in white breeches, a white shirt, stock tie and black dress boots with a black jacket.
You can always call the show grounds when registering for the competition and ask for the required attire if you are unsure.
Western competitions can be summarized into timed events, roping and 'rough stock' competitions.
Timed Events such as barrel racing, pole bending, steer wresting and goat tying are judged on speed and agility.
Roping- is developed from real-life duties of a working cowboy.
'Rough Stock' Competitions consist of Bronc riding where the cowboy is judged riding a bucking horse.
There are still more competitions to choose from that are not listed like show jumping and eventing.
Horse and rider can enter the ring and compete in any given discipline.
You simply have to have the desire to compete and the skill.
Riding lessons, any lessons are strongly recommended even for the beginner when you decide to compete in a discipline.
Invest in the correct tack and apparel to be correctly dressed and you really ought to give your horse a thorough groom before the competition so that you both put your best foot forward.
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