Western Riding Information and VideosWestern riding disciplines originated from the skills that Cowboy's used when rounding, sorting, branding, and caring for their cattle. It is these skills that are commonly seen in Western competitions today and include; reining, western pleasure, cutting, trail, team penning, halter, freestyle, roping, barrel racing, and pole bending. On this page you will find links to pages that give video demonstrations of these disciplines.
Western horses are taught to neck rein because the Cowboy needs a free hand to rope cattle. The horse is able to turn or change direction with light touch of the reins to the horse's neck. A good western horse is responsive to light rein contact.
Visit the Reining Video Page for great demonstrations and competitions on this discipline of riding
Western Pleasure riders must have superior control of their horse and the cue's given must be barely visible. During competition, the horse is shown at a walk, jog, and lope. The horse should carry his/her head low set, have an effortless stride, and cued with a loose rein.
Visit the Western Pleasure Video Page for demonstrations on this type of riding and competitions
Cutting competitions in Western riding, require a horse and rider to choose and separate a cow from a small herd. After the cow has been separated, it is the horse's job to prevent the cow from returning to the herd. In team penning, three riders compete against other teams for the fastest time. The goal is to separate a number of cattle from a herd and round them into a small pen.
Roping are timed events and include calf roping, team roping, and single steer roping. This type of competition is based on skill of the roping and fastest time.The picture on the left is of a steer roping competition. Roping is a rodeo event and team roping is the only rodeo event that men and women can compete equally against each other.
Visit the Roping Video Page to watch demonstrations and competitions on several styles of roping
Barrel Racing is a rodeo timed event where horse and rider follow a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels in their fastest time. The winner is the horse and rider team that has the quickest time without running off pattern, which results in disqualification. Time penalties are given for barrels being knocked over.
Visit the Barrel Racing Video Page to watch video demonstrations and competitions on barrel racing
Pole Bending is a timed event where horse and rider must weave six upright poles in a slalom-like course. Poles are twenty one feet apart and six feet tall.
Visit the Pole Bending Video Page to watch demonstrations and competitions in action
Western Trail is a timed event. The rider must follow a memorized course in a specified time. The horse and rider are judged on their ability and willingness to accomplish going over or through different obstacles. Western Halter and Halter Showmanship are similar types of competition. In halter, the horse is shown in halter and not ridden-judging is based on conformation, conditioning, and movement of the horse. With Halter Showmanship, the rider is judged on how they present their horse. The horse is lead through a pattern of walking, turning, backing up, and stopping in correct position. Western Horsemanship competition is based on the rider's ability to control their horse, proper riding position, and style. Freestyle competition is one of my personal favorites of Western riding. Horse and rider perform required moves to a piece of music that the rider chooses.
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The western saddle is large and wide to distribute the rider's weight more evenly over the horse's back, which also allows for a more comfortable ride when in the saddle for long hours over all types of terrain. A horn is present for anchoring a lariat.
