English riding
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
English riding is a term used in the United States to describe a form of horseback riding that is seen throughout the world. There are many variations in English riding, but all feature a flat English saddle without the deep seat, high cantle or saddle horn seen on a Western saddle nor the "poleys" seen on an Australian Stock Saddle. Saddles within the various English disciplines are all designed to allow the horse the freedom to move in the most optimal manner for a given task, ranging from Classical dressage to horse racing. English bridles also vary in style based on discipline, but most feature some type of cavesson or noseband as well as closed reins, buckled together at the ends, that prevent them from dropping on the ground if a rider becomes unseated. Clothing for riders in competition is usually based on traditional needs from which a specific style of riding developed, but most standards require, as a minimum, boots; breeches or jodhpurs; a shirt with some form of tie; a hat, cap, or safety helmet; and a jacket.
English riding is an equestrian discipline with many different styles. For further information, follow the wiki links to the articles on each type of riding listed below.
[edit] Types of English riding
The major subdivisions of the English riding genre are:
- Hunt seat: The overall term used to describe forward seat riding, used both on the flat and over fences. This is the style most commonly associated with the term "English" riding.
- Dressage: A term meaning training, a form of both training and competition on the flat that emphasizes natural training of the horse to perform calmly and quietly in complete obedience to the rider. A recognized Olympic competition.
- Show hunter: Competition over fences where the horse's form, style and way of going is paramount
- Show jumping: Competition over fences where scoring is entirely objective, based on time and on the number of obstacles cleared without knockdowns. A recognized Olympic competition.
- Eventing: Competition that combines Dressage, cross-country jumping and show jumping, usually held over a three-day period. A recognized Olympic competition.
- Classical dressage: Dressage as practiced in historic times, with principles and goals similar to competitive dressage, but with different breeds of horses used, additional (and more difficult) haute ecole ("high school") skills developed, and seen today primarily in exhibition, rather than in competition.
- Saddle seat: A discipline created in the United States to exhibit flashy, high-stepping breeds of horses.
- In addition, most of these disciplines feature an equitation division that judges riders on their form and style.
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. Horse racing saddles for jockeys are a form of extremely lightweight English saddle. English saddles are used by many pleasure riders for everyday trail riding, and are also commonly seen in the sport of endurance riding.
