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Equestrian Sports: Difference between revisions
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{{Useful Notes}}
Equestrian sports developed out of the various uses of horses in history, including military warhorses, hunting horses, and working cattle horses. Today there are two main categories of equestrian sports: "English" and "Western".
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''Hunter Jumping''
Whereas show-jumping focuses on speed and power, hunter jumping focuses on form, discipline, and teamwork. The jumps are no more than three-and-a-half feet high, so there are quite simply ''no'' excuses for sloppy riding here. The horse and rider are judged on how well they work together, how well they cleared the jumps, and if they completed the course within the time limit. Falling off is still a Very Bad Thing (and will disqualify you) and points are still deducted for knocking down poles.
''Dressage''
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'''''Western Riding'''''
Western riding developed out of the working cattle ranches of the American West. Although no Western riders compete in the Olympics, due to the sport largely being confined to the United States and Australia, reining has recently been added to the World Equestrian Games. The National Reining Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, National Paint Horse Association and National Cutting Horse Association are affiliated governing bodies and between the four of them largely govern Western riders.
In recent years reining has seen an absolute explosion in growth, becoming quite popular in Western Europe - indeed, the woman widely considered to be the world's best dressage rider, Anky van Grunsven, has recently begun competing in reining. Should Western events ever be added to the Olympics, this is likely to be the first to make it in.
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Demonstrates the abilities of the horse to cut (separate) a cow or calf from the herd and prevent it from rejoining for a given length of time. This discipline has obvious roots in stock management and requires a horse with agility, intelligence, and good balance. Ideally the rider will loosen the reins and give no direction once the animal has been cut from the herd. Good horses can not only read the animal's body language (a trait known as "cow sense") and be ready to counter any swerve or plunge, but will work with style, energy, and evident enjoyment.
''Roping''
Demonstrates the ability of the rider to rope and tie a calf in a maximum time - usually done with two people on a team.
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{{reflist}}
[[Category:Sporting Event]]
[[Category:Equestrian Sports]]
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