English Riding
Information and Videos
English Riding: The links on this page will take you to each specific style and explain those disciplines in more detail along with videos so you can see them in action. To learn more about instructional rider position and safety, refer to the horse riding page. English riding comes in many disciplines and is recognized all over the world. All styles feature a flat English saddle which are designed to allow a horse freedom for optimal movement for their given discipline.
Most English bridles have a type of cavesson noseband and closed reins.The required clothing consists of boots, breeches or jodhpurs, a shirt/tie, helmet, and a jacket. Common among English disciplines is the "post" to the trot and keeping both hands on the reins. The major subdivisions that are recognized Internationally include; dressage, classical dressage, show jumping, eventing, endurance, polo, polocrosse , and horse racing. Dressage, show jumping, and eventing are recognized in Olympic competition. In the U.S. and Canada, English riding is separated into two categories: hunt seat and saddle seat.
Hunt seat describes forward seat English riding over fences and on the flat. Saddle seat is a discipline to show high-stepping breeds such as Tennessee Walkers and Morgans. Eventing consists of three phases in competition which include; Dressage, cross-country or endurance, and show jumping. It is performed over a three day period and is an Olympic event. Dressage is an Olympic sport where the horse and rider go through a test of specific movements and are judged on the horse's obedience, bridle acceptance, and the rider's aides. Also judged are the horse's gaits, impulsion, and the horse and rider's harmony together as a team. Dressage is a French word meaning "training".
Visit the Dressage Video Page to learn more about this discipline
Show jumping is also an Olympic sport where the horse and rider go through a course of jumping obstacles. Show jumping differs from working hunter classes in that , show jumping is based entirely on a score determined by the horse attempting the obstacle, clearing it, and finishing the course in a set time. Hunters are judged on movement, style, and manner.
Visit the Show Jumping Video Page to learn more about this discipline
Endurance or cross-country riding tests the horse's speed, endurance, and ability to jump over different terrains and obstacles. The horse and rider must complete the course on time and with as little penalties as possible.
Visit the Eventing Video Page to learn more about this discipline
Polo is an equestrian sport that consists of teams with four riders and horses. Players score by using a long-handled mallet to hit a small white wooden or plastic ball through the opposing teams goal. It is played on a grass field up to 300 yards in length.
Visit the Polo Video Page to learn more about this sport
Polocrosse is a combination of both Polo and Lacrosse. The players use a cane stick with racket head that carries a ball made of sponge rubber approximately four inches wide. The goal is to throw the ball between your goal posts.
Visit the Polocrosse Video Page to learn more about this sport
Horse racing is done on a flat, oval track and based on the speed and stamina of the thoroughbred. A race is typically ran on dirt, synthetic, or turf. Thoroughbred racing can be on the flat or over jumps; as steeplechasing or over hurdles. Harness racing is when horses pull two-wheeled carts called sulkies at a specific gait. Harness racing is done with the Standardbred breed of horse.
Visit the Horse Racing Video Page to learn more about this sport
Hunt Seat refers to forward seat riding and, along with Dressage, is one of the two forms of English riding. Hunt Seat can be used to describe any form of forward seat riding; such as, show jumping and eventing.Hunt Seat competition includes: show hunters, both over the flat and fences, which judge the horse's movements and form; and equitation where the rider's ability is judged over the flat and fences. Types of Hunt Seat classes include; flat or hunter under saddle, English pleasure, over-fences, equitation, and in-hand classes.
Visit the Hunt Seat Video Page to learn more about the various classes
Hunter Hack classes are done on the flat at a walk, trot, canter, and hand gallop-then jump two low fences. The horse is judged on manners, gait, conformation, and their ability to jump with even stride and arc.
Visit the Hunter Hack Video Page to learn more about this discipline
Saddle Seat is an English style of riding that shows off the high-trotting breeds of horses; such as, Tennessee Walking horses and Morgan horses. The goal of Saddle Seat competition is to show off a horse's extravagant gaits, mostly the trot.
Visit the Saddle Seat Video Page to learn more about this discipline
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