Equitation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A rider's equitation is her/his ability to ride correctly with a strong, supple position and effective aids. This is judged in equitation classes, or classes at horse shows that mainly judge the rider's performance and control of their horse, as opposed to the performance of the horse. Equitation classes occur in the Hunt seat, Saddle seat, Dressage, and Western disciplines. A good equitation rider is always in balance with the horse, maintains a correct position in every gait, movement, or over a fence, and possesses a commanding, but relaxed, presence. They are effective riders, able to direct the horse with nearly invisible aids.
In the United States, the largest organizer of equestrian competitions is the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The organization offers equitation classes at its recognized shows, including those in hunt seat, dressage seat, saddle seat, and western.
Contents |
[edit] Hunt Seat Equitation
Hunt seat riding originated in the hunt field. Unlike the more common hunter classes, hunt seat equitation judges the rider rather than the horse (except refusals, which always count against the rider). However, a poor performance by the horse is usually a result of the rider it was given, and so a bad take-off spot may be penalized if the judge feels it was due to rider error. Loss of a stirrup or reins are also severe faults, and may be cause for elimination.
Flat classes include judging at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions, and the competitors may be asked to ride without stirrups. The riders are required to have a light and steady contact with their horse's mouth the entire ride.
Over fences, the competitor rides over a course of at least 6 obstacles (usually many more). Fence height may go up to 3'9". Classes often require at least one flying change and one or more combinations. The rider is judged not only on effectiveness of aids, but should also maintain an even, forward pace and meet each fence at an appropriate distance.
At the highest level of hunt seat equitation are the Open, Maclay, and Medal classes. These classes may include bending lines, roll back turns, narrow fences, and fences with a long approach. Fences must be at least 3'6" and may be up to 5' wide, and the course must have at least 8 obstacles and at least one combination. However, course may not include liver pools or open water elements.
Equitation tests may be chosen by the judge to help place the top riders. These tests are required in the Medal classes. Tests may include a halt for several seconds, rein back, demonstration of the hand gallop, figure-8 at the trot or canter with correct diagonals or leads (simple change of lead or flying), trotting or cantering low fences (up to 3'), jump obstacles at the walk (up to 2'), jumping fences on a figure-8, oral questions regarding tack, equipment, conformation, and basic horsemanship, riding without stirrups, performing a turn on the forehand or haunches, and a serpentine at the trot or canter with flying changes. Riders may also be asked to switch horses at higher levels of competition, such as at a National final. Switching of horses is no longer common at smaller competitions due to the risks involved.
An equitation round in 2004 callbacks
[edit] Saddle Seat Equitation
- see also Saddle seat
Saddle seat is a uniquely American form of riding that grew out of a style of riding used on Southern plantations, with some European influences from "Park" or Sunday exhibition riding of high-stepping horses in public venues (oftern literally, city parks). Today it is seen most often at horse shows organized for exhibitors of the American Saddlebred, Morgan, Arabian, Friesian horse and the National Show Horse. It is also sometimes seen in competition for Andalusian horses. There is now an international competition, the Saddle Seat World Cup that includes the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa. Other national saddle seat equitation competitions include the NHS Good Hands Finals and the USEF (US Equestrian Federation) Finals held at the American Royal Horse Show in November.
Gaits shown in Saddle Seat classes include the walk, trot, and canter. Some competitions may call for extended gaits, particularly the trot. In some cases, breeds who can perform five gaits add equitation classes that require two additional gaits: the "slow gait" and "rack." All classes require Rail work, where competitors show and are judged as a group going both ways of the arena. Saddle seat equitation may include individual tests or a pattern to be ridden. Tests may include backing up, mounting and dismounting, riding without stirrups, "addressing" the reins (i.e. picking up the four reins correctly), and figure eights, serpentines and straight line patterns done at any gait. At the canter, only simple changes of lead are required when changing directions. It is possible to have a "ride-off," where two or more riders are asked to perform additional work to determine the winner.
Correct position for the rider is to have the shoulder, hip, and heel in a line. Also to have a straight line from knee to toe, and from elbow to wrist to the horse's bit. The rider's back should be straight yet relaxed, and the legs and arms are to remain virtually motionless.
The informal dress for saddle seat equitation includes a coat, jodphur pants, derby or soft hat and jodphur boots of a dark, conservative color i.e. herringbone, pin stripes, black, blue, grey, dark burgundy, dark green or beige. After 6 p.m. formal wear is required. This habit includes a tuxedo-style jacket and vest and top hat.
Pleasure equitation is another form of saddle seat equitation in which a rider is required to wear informal dress (coat, jodphur pants, derby or soft hat, all in a dark color)in the day and evening and rides a horse that has a full mane and tail which is not set.
The value given to rail work and pattern work varies from qualifying competition to championship competition.
[edit] Western Equitation
Western equitation (sometimes called western horsemanship, stock seat equitation, or, in some classes, reining seat equitation) competitions are judged at the walk, jog, and lope in both directions. Riders must sit to the jog and never post.
Riders must use a western saddle and a curb bit, and may only use one hand to hold the reins while riding. Two hands are allowed if the horse is ridden in a snaffle bit or hackamore, which are only permitted for use on "junior" horses, defined differently by various breed associations, but usually referring to horses four or five years of age and younger. Horses are not allowed to wear a noseband or cavesson, nor any type of protective boot or bandage, except during some tests that require a reining pattern.
Riders are allowed two different styles of reins: 1) split reins, which are not attached to one another, and thus the rider is allowed to place one finger between the reins to aid in making adjustments; and 2) "romal reins," which are joined together and have a romal (a type of long quirt) on the end, which the rider holds in their non-reining hand, with at least 16 inches of slack between the two, and the rider is not allowed to place a finger between the reins.
The correct position for this discipline, as in all forms of riding, is a balanced seat. This is seen when a bystander can run an imaginary straight line that passes through the rider's ear, shoulder, hip, and heel.
The western style is seen in a long stirrup length, often longer than even that used by dressage riders, an upright posture (equitation riders are never to lean forward beyond a very slight inclination), and the distinctive one-handed hold on the reins. The reining hand should be bent at the elbow, held close to the rider's side, and centered over the horse's neck, usually within an inch of the saddle horn. Due to the presence of the saddle horn, a true straight line between rider's hand and horse's mouth is usually not possible.
[edit] Dressage Seat Equitation
Dressage seat equitation is a relatively new class offered at dressage shows. Unlike a dressage test, the horse's gaits are not judged. There are several riders in the ring at one time.
The rider is judged on how she conforms to the classical position. This includes judging the rider's balance of weight, rhythm, spring in their joints as they absorb the horse's motion, and a certain amount of frictional grip with the saddle. The rider is relaxed and does not interfere with her horse's movement as she sits, but is free to manipulate her aids. The rider and horse should have unity, and the rider should use her aids correctly and efficiently.
For judging of dressage seat equitation, see [1]
