Equitation

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Equitation refers to those classes of competitive horse riding in the United States where judges assess the rider, not the performance of the horse. Equitation classes occur in the Huntseat, Saddleseat, and Western disciplines. A general description of good equitation is that the rider always appears to be in good balance with the horse. The rider should appear commanding, at ease, and be able to direct the horse's gaits and path with nearly invisible gestures (aids or cues); thus, to say "Her equitation is good" means that the manner in which she rides a horse is pleasing and effective.

In competitions involving horses, an "equitation class" means that a rider's position and skill are judged, rather than the actions or behaviors of the horse.

In the United States, the largest organizer of equestrian competitions is The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The equitation classes under the USEF umbrella are hunter seat (the manner of riding used over fences), saddle seat, and Western. The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), is the second-largest competition sponsor. AQHA shows offer equitation classes under the titles "Western Horsemanship" and "Hunt Seat Equitation". As there is little cross-over between the two, it is not clear whether or not a hunter seat riding style that would win at a USEF competition would be judged as excellent at an AQHA competition.

Saddle seat is a uniquely American form of riding that grew out of the Southern plantations. Now it is seen almost entirely at horse shows organized for exhibitors of the American Saddlebred, Morgan Horse, Arabians and the National Show Horse. There is now an international competition, the Saddle Seat World Cup.

Hunt seat equitation classes are of two types: "on the flat" and "over fences". "On the flat" means that the horse and rider do not attempt any fences, but are judged on the rider's position and effectiveness at walk, trot, and canter in both directions. Typically there are a number of riders in the ring at the same time. The judge watches and evaluates the competitors as they move around the arena at the judge's direction. In "Over fences" classes, there is a "course"—an assigned path around a series of obstacles (fences). The competitors enter one at a time, jump round the course, and exit. Typically, the "on the flat" and "over fences" are separate classes, so for example, a competitor could conceivably win a flat class and not even place in the over fences, or vice versa.

Western and saddle seat equitation competitions never include jumping, but may include specific patterns to ride

The specific bodily postures and relationship between the bit, rein, and the rider's hand varies depending upon what the horse is called upon to do. The position of the rider's trunk relative to the vertical is also dependent upon the discipline—typically inclined more forward in hunt seat, more vertical in Western, and even slightly behind the vertical in some parts of saddle seat riding.

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Categories: Wikipedia cleanup | Equestrian sports

Equitation

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