In This Chapter
- Investigating the different disciplines
- Understanding breed shows
- Checking out trail events
- Getting the scoop on jumping competitions
- Looking at combined training
- Having fun with competitive driving
Competing with your horse as your
partner is one of the most fun and rewarding things you can do. When you show
your horse, you put your best feet forward (both your own and your horse’s),
telling the world “Hey, look what we can do!”
Equine sports run the gamut from
simple stuff you can do with just about any horse to complex events that
require teams of horses. Some are easy to participate in; others call for a
considerable investment of money and time. To find the sport that’s best for
you — and your horse if you already have one — you need to do some research
along with some soul-searching. You can begin your search for the right
competition for you and your horse by reading the descriptions we provide in
this chapter. The descriptions should give you a good idea of what’s out there.
Keeping Traditions in Hunt Seat
Hunt seat is extremely popular in
the United States and is the discipline you most often see when people are
described as “riding English.” These riders always use a hunt-seat saddle, with
a seat that is inclined slightly forward (see Chapter Getting
into Gear with Horse Equipment for details on the
hunt-seat saddle and other hunt-seat gear).
Protocol
The apparel worn in hunt-seat classes is based on British tradition, too. A hunt cap, hunt jacket, breeches, and high boots are the apparel judges expect to see in the show ring. This extremely traditional sport discourages individuality in appearance, so nearly all riders at a given show are dressed in almost exactly the same way.
Hunt seat is primarily an arena
sport, offering both jumping and flat classes. The latter are
classes that don’t involve jumping. (Check out “Getting a Leg Up on Jumping
Competitions” later in this chapter for details about events focusing just on
jumping.) If you choose to compete in hunt seat, you’ll compete in a variety of
classes. Equitation is one of these classes, where your riding form is
judged either “on the flat” or “over fences.” In hunters, your horse’s
form and style over a course of fences is judged. The fences range anywhere
from 2 to 4 feet in height, depending on the class. These classes are staged
within different divisions, based on the age and expertise of either the horse
or the rider.
Remember
You can ride and compete on just about any breed in hunt-seat classes, although judges typically favor Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred-type horses, because these horses are the types traditionally used in the sport of fox hunting. Because jumping is an integral part of hunt-seat showing, you must become a proficient rider over fences.
Performing Precisely in Dressage
One of the oldest equine
disciplines in the world, dressage dates back to training methods
developed in ancient Greece. One of the Olympic disciplines, dressage has been
a traditional favorite in Europe for centuries and is gaining considerable
popularity in the United States.
Dressage, an English discipline,
consists of a series of subtle maneuvers that are meant to emphasize the
horse’s natural movement. Horse-and-rider teams perform in a rectangular-shaped
arena marked with a series of letters. These letters act as targets for
particular movements during the dressage test. Think of dressage movements as
the compulsory exercises in figure skating, with the letters functioning as
spatial indicators of correct positioning of horse and rider.
Protocol
Dressage riders at the lower levels of competition can wear the same type of clothing seen in the hunt-seat arena: a hunt cap, hunt jacket, breeches, and boots. In the upper levels, however, protocol dictates that dressage riders wear a black derby, white breeches, a black jacket, black high boots, and a white stock tie.
In dressage, horse-and-rider teams compete at different levels depending on their expertise. Judges score dressage participants on how close to perfect the horse-and-rider team performs precise movements. The scores of competing riders are compared at the end of each competition, and the riders with the highest scores in each level receive awards. Though riders technically are competing with each other in these events, most are more concerned with improving their own individual scores from one show to the next than they are about beating out the other riders.
Remember
You can show horses of any breed in dressage, as long as they are physically and mentally capable of performing the required exercises. Thoroughbreds are popular in the sport, although warmbloods are most common in the higher levels of dressage competition because of their extraordinary athleticism.
Being Flashy in Saddle Seat
Saddle seat is one of the English
disciplines, although the saddle for this type of riding is much different than
hunt-seat or dressage saddles. Show saddles, as saddle-seat saddles are called,
have a flatter seat than other English saddles. The saddle’s construction
forces the rider to sit far behind the horse’s withers (the rise on the horse’s
back at the base of the neck), thus taking the rider’s weight off the front
part of the horse and encouraging the animal to show off the high action of his
front legs.
Judging in saddle-seat classes typically
is based on the horse’s action or the rider’s position in the saddle, depending
on whether the class is a pleasure class, in which the horse is judged,
or an equitation class, in which the rider is judged. The class you
prefer to enter depends on a number of factors, including your and your horse’s
abilities. Many riders enter both types of classes.
For a horse to be successful in
this discipline, he must be a flashy creature with animated gaits. In fact,
horses in this event often have the charm of Cary Grant, the grace of Fred
Astaire, and the energy of Robin Williams.
Protocol
A saddle-seat horse usually is ridden with a double bridle (see Chapter Getting into Gear with Horse Equipment for a description of the double bridle) because it enables the rider to exert more control over the position of the horse’s head. Saddle-seat riders are expected to wear derbies, jackets, and jodhpurs (special riding pants) in the show ring.
Competitions in the saddle-seat
discipline most commonly are seen at breed shows at which competitors are
riding gaited horses, such as the American Saddlebred, the Tennessee Walking
Horse, and the Racking Horse. Some all-breed shows and single-breed shows also
stage saddle-seat classes for Arabians, Morgans, and some other high-stepping
breeds. You also see classes for saddle-seat riders at shows for gaited breeds,
and at many single-breed and all-breed shows. A variety of different
saddle-seat classes usually are offered, depending on the breed and type of
show.
Working with Special Skills in Western
The western discipline developed
more than a hundred years ago in America from the cowboy’s need for a safe and
comfortable way to ride horses among vast herds of cattle. This legacy is not
lost in the modern world today: Many
Protocol
In most western classes, you see a very specific type of horse. You won’t find many lanky Thoroughbreds or cobby Welsh Ponies here. The Quarter Horse dominates this discipline, although other western-type breeds like the Paint and Appaloosa also are common.
The following sections describe
the most popular classes in western riding.
Pleasure classes
Western pleasure, along with its
cousins western horsemanship and western equitation, are the most popular
classes in western showing. In these events, riders demonstrate their own
riding skills and the abilities of their horses. Horses in these events are
expected to carry their riders quietly, comfortably, and obediently, all on a
loose rein.
In western pleasure classes,
horses are judged for their slow, steady movement and ability to carry their
necks at the same level as their backs. The horse’s conformation (the way he’s
physically constructed) weighs heavily in the judging because only horses built
a certain way are capable of the movement required of a western pleasure horse.
In western equitation classes, however, the emphasis is on the rider’s riding
skills and position in the saddle, rather than on the horse’s conformation and
movement. In horsemanship classes, riders must demonstrate that they can
efficiently put their horses through a series of gaits and maneuvers. Horses in
horsemanship classes must be obedient, responding quickly to their riders’
cues.
Protocol
Western riders must be good riders to be successful, and they must enjoy wearing a western hat! Both horse and rider apparel are important in these classes, especially in western pleasure. Expensive, silver-laden saddles and bridles are common, and riders are expected to wear a hat, fringed chaps, western boots, and a western vest or riding jacket.
Showmanship
Many of the riders who compete in
pleasure and horsemanship classes also participate in western showmanship
classes. In western showmanship, competitors don’t actually ride the horse.
Instead, they handle the horse from the ground and present him to the judge.
The judge evaluates the handler’s ability to show off the horse (make him look
his best). The horse’s conformation is not judged, although having an
attractive and obedient horse certainly is helpful.
Protocol
Any western-type horse can compete in western showmanship. Horses wear a special show halter, and handlers are expected to wear a western hat, a western vest or show jacket, long pants (jeans or special slacks made just for this class), and western boots.
Gymkhana
The faint of heart need not apply
for the exciting, fast-paced sport of gymkhana (or gaming, as it’s known in
some parts of the United States). If you decide to compete in gymkhana, you’ll
find yourself galloping at top speed across arenas, making sharp turns while
trying to beat the clock.
You typically see two gymkhana
games at horse shows and rodeos, where gymkhana is especially popular: barrel
racing and pole bending.
- In barrel racing classes, metal or plastic barrels usually are set up in a clover pattern. The horse-and-rider team runs through the pattern at top speed, making a complete turn around each barrel as they pass it.
- In pole bending classes, a series of poles are set up in a straight line, and the horse-and-rider team weaves in and out of the poles at a gallop.
Competitors ride the barrel
racing and pole bending patterns one horse-and-rider team at a time. To pull
off these feats, gymkhana horses are trained to make balanced turns and respond
quickly to their riders, all the while going as fast as they possibly can.
Remember
Gymkhana is a popular sport for good reason: Not only is it exciting to perform and to watch, but it’s also accessible to many equestrians. Although it can be more dangerous than some of the other tamer western events, kids, especially, love gymkhana because it’s so much fun. Gymkhana horses don’t have to be expensive or highly trained to be successful at local events and costly tack and attire are not necessary, because no dress code is enforced in the ring. Rider and horse simply need to be athletic and dedicated to the sport to succeed.
Reining
The sport of reining is a
western event that arose from the discipline’s working legacy. Originally used
as a way to maneuver horses around cattle, reining has become a challenging
sport that requires substantial training for horse and rider. Reining horses
are asked to perform spins, circles, and sliding stops at the slightest cue
from the rider.
Reining horses are judged on
their ability to execute the various reining maneuvers with ease and grace. In
traditional reining classes, the horse-and-rider team performs maneuvers and
patterns alone in an arena before a judge. A newer event called freestyle
reining requires the horse-and-rider team to perform to music. A popular
favorite among spectators, the horse-and-rider teams sometimes wear costumes
that coincide with the rider’s musical theme. For example, at one Quarter Horse
show, a freestyle reining horse and rider were both dressed like Madonna
and performed their reining pattern to the song “Vogue.” In freestyle
reining, spectators usually decide which team wins the class with the help of
an applause meter.
Other than the costumes for
freestyle reining, reining horses and their riders require no special attire.
Neat, well-cared-for tack and western clothing is all that judges expect in the
show ring.
Trail class
Good trail horses are willing to
negotiate just about any obstacle you put in their way. This concept is the
basis for the trail class that you find at many western shows. In this arena
event, horses have to cope with a variety of objects that can possibly show up
on the trail.
Trail class exhibitors compete
one at a time in an arena that is set up with an obstacle course. Typical
obstacles include a gate to open and close; a mailbox to open; and a tarp, a
small bridge, and wooden poles laid on the ground to walk over.
Remember
For a horse to be successful in trail classes, the animal must be very obedient, responsive, and willing to trust the rider’s judgment. The horse must also be proficient at a maneuver called the side pass, which enables the horse to move in and around pole obstacles by walking sideways. Good trail horses also are skilled at backing up on command.
Trail classes require no special
apparel, although successful horse-and-rider teams usually wear show tack and
western show attire.
Cow classes
A number of different cow classes
exist. Some require no direct contact with the cow, but others are
rough-and-tumble events that cause the cow quite a bit of angst (and which get
many animal rights activists up in arms) and sometimes result in broken bones
for the rider. If you’re interested in showing in cow classes, gauge each sport
individually and pick the one that’s best suited to you. Following is a review
of the most popular cow classes that are commonly seen at horse shows and
rodeos. Keep in mind that Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, and Appaloosas dominate
these sports.
Tip
Because cow classes are based on the working cowboy tradition, fancy tack and clothing are not expected in the ring. All that cow classes require are good working gear and typical western clothing.
Cutting
Cutting is one of the
gentlest of the cattle classes, requiring no direct contact with the cow. The
sport has its roots in the 19th century, when the task of cutting individual
cattle from the herd was part of a cowhand’s job. In those days, cutting was a
basic skill for every cowboy and his horse.
Today, cutting has been refined
to a delicate art. The horse-and-rider team is placed in a pen with a small
herd of cattle and asked to separate a cow from the group. Because cattle stick
together at nearly any cost, separating one of them from a herd is a real
challenge for the team. The horse and rider are judged on how fast and
effectively they move the designated cow away from the group. Judges look for
horses that are athletic and have innate cow sense, which is almost a
psychic ability to know what the cow is going to do next.
What’s interesting about this
sport is that the rider’s primary job in cutting is to not interfere with the
horse. The rider simply tells the horse which cow to cut, and the rest is up to
the horse. After the horse knows which cow needs working, the rider lets the
horse do his job.
Team penning
Team penning is an exciting event
that is rapidly growing in popularity. Unlike other western events, team
penning calls for cooperation between several horse-and-rider teams. In
team-penning classes, three teams must sort three designated cows from a small
herd and pen them in a paddock located at the opposite end of the arena while
making the fewest number of errors in the process. The penning is timed, and
the fastest, most accurate team wins.
Much of the growing popularity of
team penning is attributable to the fact that just about any horse can
participate, as long as the horse is fast, obedient, and has good cow sense.
Calf roping
Calf roping is another cow
class that sprung from the cowboy’s job. In the Wild West, cowboys used ropes
to capture and restrain calves at branding time out on the range. These days,
most calf roping goes on in the performance arena at rodeos, where it is a
timed event.
Riders can choose from two types
of roping: single roping and team roping.
- In single roping, a horse-and-rider team chases down a calf in the arena until the rider gets a rope around the calf’s neck. After the rope lands on the calf, the rider ties her to the saddle horn, the horse stops short, and the rider leaps off, runs to the calf, and ties three of her legs together.
The object is to accomplish the task in the shortest amount of time possible.
Another version of single roping, called breakaway roping, doesn’t require the rider to tie the calf. As soon as the rope becomes snug on the calf’s neck, it breaks away from the saddle horn and the timer stops the watch.
- Competitive team roping is performed by two horse-and-rider teams. One team is considered the heeler, the other the header. The heeler’s job is to rope the calf’s back legs, while the header gets the rope around the calf’s neck.
Reined cow horse
Tradition is celebrated in reined
cow horse competitions, where horses older than 3 are put to the test. In
honor of the renowned California cow horse that served as the mount of the
Vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) in the 1800s, reined cow horse contests illustrated
the instincts and talents of today’s western breeds.
Reined cow horse contests consist
of three events, which must be performed by the same horse: herd work, rein
work, and cow work.
- Herd work consists of cutting (covered earlier in this chapter), where a single cow is removed from a herd and kept separate for a period of time.
- Rein work involves performing a reining pattern and calls for deep training in this discipline (see the earlier section on reining for details).
- Cow work is the part of the competition that requires the horse to control the movements of a single cow along a fence.
Cowboy mounted shooting
If you ever wanted to be a cowboy
(or cowgirl), a sport called cowboy mounted shooting was made for you. This
activity utilizes the tools of every well-respected cowboy and cowgirl: a good
horse, a sure shot, and a penchant for excitement. Although cowboy mounted
shooting is a competitive event, it is so much fun that it belongs in the
category of pure enjoyment.
Cowboy mounted shooting is growing in popularity, in large part because the sport attempts to capture the excitement and spirit of the days of the Old West. Almost as fun to watch as it is to participate in, mounted shooting features skilled riders dressed in authentic 1800s cowboy apparel with their fast horses trained to run patterns at top speed. Riders use guns that are reminiscent of the type used by cowboys and cowgirls in the days of the Wild West. Just about any breed can be used in this sport.
Cowboy mounted shooting
participants race against one another on horseback. The rider attempts to pop
as many balloons as possible using a .45 caliber pistol loaded with blanks,
while traversing a designated pattern on his steed at a dead run. Cowboy
mounted shooters race each other two at a time, with the winner of each race
advancing to compete with the winners of other match races until the two
fastest and most accurate horse and rider teams battle it out for all the
marbles.
Competitors participate in one of
four divisions: men’s, women’s, seniors’ (for folks ages 55 and older), and
wrangler (for children 11 and younger). Children who participate in the sport
use Hollywood-style cap pistols instead of real guns when they’re on horseback,
although they are allowed to fire .45 caliber pistols when shooting
targets on foot and accompanied by a parent.
To be a part of cowboy mounted
shooting, your biggest asset will be a penchant for speed, a desire to step
back in time, comfort handling a gun, and good horsemanship.
Educating Yourself at Breed Shows
Remember
One of the benefits of owning a registered purebred horse is the opportunity that it gives you to compete in breed shows. Regional breed clubs, representing just about every popular breed, stage local shows at least once a year. These club shows are a great way to meet people in your area and educate yourself about your chosen breed (see Chapter Perusing Popular Horse Breeds to find out more about different horse breeds).
The classes that breed shows
offer depend quite a bit on the particular breed being exhibited. Clubs
emphasize different aspects of their breed’s history and style. Breed shows
proffer a wide variety of classes, each of which is specific to the type of
horse being shown.
Although we don’t have room here
to name every possible class you’ll see at a show for a particular breed, a few
popular classes are seen at a variety of different breed shows.
Halter classes
In halter classes — some
of the most popular events at breed shows — horses are led into the ring
wearing nothing but a fancy show halter. They are asked to stand and trot in
front of the judge without a rider as the judge evaluates their conformation
and movement.
Judges use a breed standard when
evaluating horses in a halter class. The breed standard specifies the physical
characteristics of a theoretically perfect example of the breed. We say
theoretically perfect, because in real life, you won’t find a perfect horse —
every horse has faults. The judge has this standard committed to memory, and
mentally compares each horse in the ring to this ideal.
Halter classes typically are
broken down by age and gender. Horses as young as 4 months of age are shown in
weanling classes that are divided by sex. Mares are judged together, as are
stallions, and also geldings (see Chapter Preparing
to Make Your Purchase for an explanation of these terms).
Some shows even stage Get of Sire and Get of Dam classes, in
which several offspring of a particular stallion or mare are brought into the
ring for evaluation, with the award going to the parent horse.
Heritage classes
One of the most exciting breed
classes for spectators and exhibitors alike is the heritage class. In heritage
classes, horse and rider are decked out in dress that represents the
breed’s history.
Not all breeds have these
classes, but the ones that do make the most of the event. In Appaloosa heritage
classes, for example, riders wear Native American regalia, while the horses are
tacked up in authentic Native American saddles, bridles, and other trappings.
At Arabian breed shows, the heritage class features horses and riders wearing
the spectacular native dress of the Bedouins. The cast of Lawrence of Arabia
had nothing on the participants in these classes.
The pitfalls of horse competitions
Horse shows, without question, are plenty of fun,
but some not-so-great stuff comes along with showing your horse. Pressure is
one of these unfortunate side effects. No matter how casual you are about
your show career, you’re still under considerable stress at times. Stress comes
with assorted show-related pressures: getting your horse ready to show,
getting to the show on time, and performing well after you get there. This
kind of stress may not be what you’re hoping to experience in your spare
time! After all, most people have enough pressure in their jobs without
inviting it into their weekends, too. Showing costs money — sometimes a lot
of money. If you want to achieve a modicum of success in the show ring, you
need an above-average horse, show tack, special apparel, and a way to get
your horse to the show grounds.
You can opt not to deal with the down side of showing
and still have a good time with your horse. In fact, many people who don’t
show claim that they share a greater bond with their horses than show
riders do with their horses. Without the pressures of showing,
horse-and-rider teams often form more uncomplicated attachments.
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Some of the other breeds that
feature heritage classes at their shows include Andalusian (Spanish tack and
apparel); Morgan (early American tack and clothing); Paso Fino (South American
or other Hispanic tack and costume); and Pony of the Americas (Native American
tack and regalia).
Tip
In heritage classes, the emphasis is on the authenticity and attractiveness of the tack and dress. People usually make their own apparel and horse clothing for these classes, because no stores sell ready-made heritage class garb (although some specialty catalogs can provide many of the bangles and fabrics you need).
Enjoying the Great Outdoors at Trail Competitions
Not all equine competitions
happen in a show ring. In olden days, most horseback riding took place out in
the wilderness, on trails that had been forged by mounted travelers or by
migrating game. Riding on these trails was both exciting and challenging, and
only the toughest horses and riders survived the harshest journeys.
Decades later, horse people who
appreciate this legacy developed several events that celebrate trail riding
while also adding a competitive factor: endurance riding, Ride and Tie, and
competitive trail riding. This section looks at these sports, which do not
require any formal apparel or specific tack.
Endurance riding
The sport of endurance riding has
grown in popularity during the past 20 years. The sport’s most noteworthy
event, the Tevis Cup, takes place annually in Northern California and receives
international coverage. Hundreds of smaller, local events are conducted around
North America every year.
The object of endurance riding is
to cover a given number of miles on horseback in the shortest amount of time.
Endurance competitions often consist of 50- to 100-mile-per-day rides, or
multiday rides that usually cover 50 miles per day over a period of from four
to six days. The horse-and-rider team that gets to the finish line first is the
winner. (Mandatory veterinary checks are given throughout the competition, and
only horses that are considered physically fit are allowed to finish the
event.)
Remember
Endurance riding calls for a horse-and-rider team that is extremely fit and athletic. A team must undergo serious training in the form of conditioning over a period of months before it can compete in an endurance ride. This rigorous type of riding calls for a horse that is extremely well conditioned and comfortable on the trail. Riders must be fit, too. Imagine sitting in the saddle for 100 miles with only a few short breaks in between. Achieving that kind of muscle strength and stamina takes considerable work.
All lighter-weight horse breeds
can participate in endurance competition, although Arabians dominate the sport
because of their great capacity to travel long distances. Horses in endurance
rides are dressed in any type of tack that the rider prefers, although most use
specially made endurance saddles and halter/bridle combinations (see Chapter Getting
into Gear with Horse Equipment for details on riding equipment).
Ride and Tie events
Ride and Tie events are an
exciting sport that requires two humans and a horse to make up a team. An
endurance race of sorts (see the previous section), Ride and Tie competition
requires one person to be on horseback while the other is on foot. The human
team members take turns riding and running across courses of 20- to 40-miles in
length. Vet checks are conducted periodically to ensure the horse’s safety.
In Ride and Tie, human team
members must alternate riding and running, but the amount of time that one team
member can spend riding is almost unlimited. As long as both riders spend a
given amount of time on horseback, they can break up the running and riding
however they prefer.
In Ride and Tie, the winning team
is the one that finishes first with a sound horse. This sport requires
considerable conditioning by horse and human.
Competitive trail riding
Another sport that takes place on
the trail is an event called competitive trail riding. Competitive trail
riding is for riders who enjoy conditioning their horses for trail riding
and want to hone those skills to a fine art. Competitive trail events consist
of approximately 25- to 50-mile-per-day rides through various terrains. Unlike
endurance riding, competitive trail events are not races. Instead of using time
as a determining factor, judges evaluate horses primarily on their physical
condition, but their obedience to the rider along the trail also is a
determining factor in many events. Speed is not important, as long as the horse
and rider complete the ride within the minimum and maximum time limits. A
veterinarian and a lay judge periodically examine the horses throughout the
ride to determine their fitness as the day progresses.
Just about any breed can
participate in competitive trail riding. The rider determines the type of tack
he or she uses, but most riders use endurance saddles and halter/bridle
combinations.
Getting a Leg Up on Jumping Competitions
Jumping on horseback is one of
the most exciting ways to compete with your equine companion. A few events call
for jumping, which requires considerable skill and training on the part of both
the horse and the rider.
Cross-country jumping
The practice of jumping on
horseback started centuries ago when horses were the only form of
transportation, and tree-strewn trails were the only avenues of travel.
Cross-country jumping most resembles the type of jumping riders practiced
before automobiles and paved roadways became a part of everyday human
existence.
In cross-country jumping, horse-and-rider
teams are expected to travel over a given distance and negotiate a series of
jump obstacles in a specified amount of time. The obstacles on cross-country
courses can be daunting: Trenches filled with water, huge wooden fences, and
combinations of the two are only some of the obstacles placed in the horse’s
way. The animal is expected to jump over whatever he encounters without the
least bit of hesitation.
Remember
Just about any breed of horse can compete in cross-country jumping, as long as the animal is athletic and possesses considerable jumping ability. No formal rider apparel is required for this sport.
Cross-country competitions can be
staged on their own or in conjunction with combined training events, because
cross-country actually is the second phase of combined training (covered later
in this chapter).
Show jumping
Show jumping is an Olympic
discipline for daredevils. Horse and rider have to be courageous to excel in
this sport, because show jumping demands that horse and rider teams negotiate
some pretty high fences.
In show jumping, horse-and-rider
teams are expected to jump a series of fences — ranging anywhere from 3 feet 6
inches in the novice classes to 6 feet
Horses shown in show jumping are
outfitted with close contact jumping saddles (a version of the hunt-seat
saddle). Riders wear hunt caps, hunt jackets, breeches, and high boots. The
color and styles of apparel in this class are not important and tend to vary
from rider to rider.
Remember
Show jumping is an Olympic sport, and at the top levels, warmblood breeds (see Chapter Perusing Popular Horse Breeds for more information about warmbloods) often compete with great success in this event. At smaller local or regional shows, you may see other breeds in show jumping, too. Basically, any horse that is athletic enough to take the jumps can compete in this sport, regardless of breed. As a rider, you must also be athletic and pretty darn fearless.
Checking Out Combined Training
Combined training, one of the
Olympic disciplines, also is known as eventing and three-day
eventing. By any name, this activity is a challenging marathon that
requires horses and riders to display a variety of skills. Many in the horse
world consider this exercise to be the most difficult of all equine sports.
Combined training events consist
of three days of competition.
- On the first day, horse and rider perform a dressage test.
- On the second day, horse and rider negotiate a cross-country jumping course that consists of a series of obstacles laid out over a set distance through the countryside.
- On the third day, the team confronts a show-jumping course.
Because each of these days of
competition exacts a toll on the horse-and-rider team’s skills and energy
level, combined training requires considerable stamina and versatility from
horse and rider. (We cover all these individual events earlier in this
chapter.)
Remember
To compete successfully in combined training, rider and horse must be well trained, well conditioned, and eager to compete. A variety of good jumping breeds, like the Thoroughbred and warmblood breeds, are most often seen in combined training events.
The type of clothing that riders
wear depends on the phase. The dressage and show jumping phases call for dress
typical for these sports, although the cross-country phase allows riders to
utilize tack and apparel that suits the individual team. (Safety helmets always
are worn in the cross-country and show jumping portions of this sport.)
Steering Yourself Toward Competitive Driving
For equestrians who prefer to be
behind the horse instead of on top of him, driving is an attractive sport. Older
riders and physically challenged equestrians are especially drawn to
competitive driving because it requires less athleticism than the riding
disciplines.
Driving competitions call for one
or more horses to pull a two- or four-wheel rig. Most driving competitions in
the United States call for one or two horses to a rig, but draft breeds often
show in six- to eight-horse hitches (see Chapter Perusing
Popular Horse Breeds for information on draft
breeds).
Many breed clubs encourage
driving, and usually offer driving classes in their shows. The Morgan, American
Saddlebred, Miniature Horse, and Arabian are some of the light breeds that can
be shown in breed-specific driving classes, while all the draft breeds are
routinely shown with heavy hitches.
The judging of driving, or
harness, classes occurs in a variety of ways, depending on the type of rig and
breed of horse. Arena classes usually are made up of flashy, animated horses.
This type of driving generally features gaited horses because of their high-stepping
movements.
Driving marathons, which are the
harness equivalents of cross-country jumping without the jumping (see
“Cross-country jumping” earlier in this chapter) demand that horse teams pull
rigs through a countryside course dotted with obstacles they must negotiate.
Driving marathon teams must be extremely well conditioned.
Combined driving — another
driving event — is an Olympic discipline that consists of three phases much
like the combined training sport (see “Checking Out Combined Training” earlier
in this chapter). In combined driving, a team of two to four driven horses
performs the following:
- Presentation and arena dressage on the first day, which consists of walking and trotting patterns
- Marathon driving on the second day, which consists of traversing a six-mile course
- Negotiating an arena obstacle course on the final day, which consists of cones set up in various patterns
Warning!
To compete in driving classes, horses must be specially trained to pull a rig. If you are serious about showing in this discipline, you must invest a good amount of money in a quality harness and rig in which to present your horse.by Audrey Pavia with Janice Posnikoff,DVM
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