English riding - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

English riding is a term used to describe a form of horse riding

Equestrianism

Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...

that is seen throughout the world. There are many variations in English riding, but all feature a flat English saddle

English saddle

English saddles are used to ride horses in English riding disciplines throughout the world. The discipline is not limited to England or English-speaking countries. This style of saddle is used in all of the Olympic and FEI equestrian disciplines, except for the newly-approved FEI events of...

without the deep seat, high cantle or saddle horn seen on a Western saddle

Western saddle

Western saddles are used for western riding and are the saddles used on working horses on cattle ranches throughout the United States, particularly in the west. They are the "cowboy" saddles familiar to movie viewers, rodeo fans, and those who have gone on trail rides at guest ranches...

nor the knee pads seen on an Australian Stock Saddle

Australian Stock Saddle

The Australian Stock Saddle is a saddle in popular use all over the world for activities that require long hours in the saddle and a secure seat...

. Saddle

Saddle

A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...

s within the various English disciplines are all designed to allow the horse the freedom to move in the optimal manner for a given task, ranging from Classical dressage

Classical dressage

Classical dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield, and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today...

to horse racing

Horse racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...

. English bridles also vary in style based on discipline, but most feature some type of cavesson noseband

Noseband

A noseband is the part of a horse's bridle that encircles the nose and jaw of the horse. In English riding, where the noseband is separately attached to its own headstall or crownpiece, held independently of the bit, it is often called a cavesson or caveson noseband...

as well as closed reins, buckled together at the ends, that prevents 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 or stock; a hat, cap, or equestrian helmet; and a jacket.

English riding is an equestrian discipline with many different styles, however, at the most basic level, most versions require riders to use both hands on the reins, rather than just one hand, as is seen in western riding

Western riding

Western riding is a style of horseback riding which evolved from the ranching and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy in the American West...

. Riders also frequently "post" or "rise" to the trot (rising and sitting in rhythm with each stride) in many circumstances, although there are also times when English riders may sit the trot.

Types

English riding is promoted in organizations for youth, such as Pony Club

Pony Club

Pony Club is an international youth organization devoted to the educating youths about horses and riding. Pony Club organizations exist in over 30 countries worldwide...

, and is the basic style of riding seen in the various events at the Olympics

Equestrian at the Summer Olympics

Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It disappeared until 1912, but has appeared at every Summer Olympic Games since. The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping...

. English saddles also are used by many pleasure riders for everyday riding. The major subdivisions of the English riding genre are:

International

Forms of competition and exhibition seen throughout the world.

Forms
Name	Description
Dressage (Classical) Classical dressage Classical dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield, and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today...	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. It is primarily associated with the Spanish Riding School Spanish Riding School The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses, which perform in the Winter Riding School in the Hofburg... of Vienna and similar programs.
Dressage (Contemporary) Dressage Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...	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 FEI and Olympic Equestrian at the Summer Olympics Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It disappeared until 1912, but has appeared at every Summer Olympic Games since. The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping... sport.
Dressage (Para-Equestrian) Dressage Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...	similar to contemporary competitive dressage, but with a grading system separating disabled riders into different classes based on the severity of their disabilities. A recognized FEI and Paralympic sport.
Endurance riding Endurance riding Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the FEI. There are endurance rides worldwide....	distance riding competition, wherein many styles of saddle are used, but English saddles are very common at international levels. A recognized FEI sport.
Eventing Eventing Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...	competition that combines Dressage, cross-country jumping Cross-country equestrianism Cross country equestrian jumping is an endurance test, and is one of the three phases of the sport of eventing; it may also be a competition in its own right, known as hunter trials or simply "cross-country" - these tend to be lower level, local competitions.The object of the endurance test is to... and show jumping, usually held over a three-day period. A recognized FEI and Olympic Equestrian at the Summer Olympics Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It disappeared until 1912, but has appeared at every Summer Olympic Games since. The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping... sport.
Horse racing Horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...	broadly speaking, a riding discipline that uses a very lightweight saddle based on an English design.
Horseball Horseball Horseball is a game played on horseback where a ball is handled and points are scored by shooting it through a high net . The sport is like a combination of polo, rugby, and basketball. It is one of the ten disciplines officially recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian...	often compared to "rugby on horseback", it involves two teams of four players each, who pass a ball from rider to rider and attempt to score by throwing the ball through a vertical hoop. A recognized FEI sport.
Polo Polo Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...	a team sport, which with the exception of western-style "cowboy polo Cowboy polo Cowboy polo is a variation of polo played mostly in the western United States. Like regular polo, it is played in chukkars with two teams on horses who use mallets to hit a ball through a goal... ," uses English-style equipment that is adapted for the sport.
Polocrosse Polocrosse Polocrosse it is a team sport that is played all over the world. It is a combination of polo and lacrosse. It is played outside, on a field , on horseback. Each rider uses a cane stick to which is attached a racquet head with a loose, thread net, in which the ball is carried. The ball is made of...	similar to polo with elements of Lacrosse Lacrosse Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh... added. Players use either English saddles or Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... n equipment originally adapted from English tack.
Show jumping Show jumping Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...	competition over fences where scoring is entirely objective. Scoring is based on the time elapsed and on the number of obstacles cleared without knockdowns. It is a recognized FEI and Olympic Equestrian at the Summer Olympics Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It disappeared until 1912, but has appeared at every Summer Olympic Games since. The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping... sport.
Tent Pegging Tent pegging Tent pegging is a cavalry sport of ancient origin, and is one of only ten equestrian disciplines officially recognised by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. Used narrowly, the term refers to a specific mounted game with ground targets...	a combat sport which has evolved from cavalry training drills, it involves a rider at a full gallop, on a timed course, using a lance or sword or other weapon, to hit a course of targets. It is a recognized FEI sport.

North America

In the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

and Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

, there are two broad categories of English riding: Hunt seat

Hunt seat

Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting...

, which is an overall term used in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

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. The other major style is Saddle seat

Saddle seat

Saddle Seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its modern form in the United States, and is also seen in Canada and South Africa...

, a discipline created in North America to exhibit dramatic, high-stepping breeds of horses. Saddle seat style riding is seldom seen outside North America, though it has a small following in South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

. In North America, dressage sometimes is loosely lumped into the "hunt seat" category by Saddle Seat and non-English riders, primarily to differentiate it from the Saddle Seat disciplines.

In addition to the international events listed in the previous section, the broad categories of English riding competition seen primarily within the United States and Canada are:

Categories
Name	Description
Show hunter Show hunter The show hunter is a type of show horse that is judged on its movement, manners, and way of going, particularly while jumping fences. The horses are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, though a hunter-style pony is also seen in youth classes... or Hunter	competition over fences where the horse's form, style and way of going is paramount. It includes Green, Working, and Conformation divisions and may include a "hunter under saddle" section that does not require jumping.
English pleasure English Pleasure English pleasure is generic term for a number of different English riding classes seen at horse shows in the United States, where the horse is ridden in either hunt seat or saddle seat tack....	classes in the United States on the flat (not to jump) where horses are evaluated on manners and way of going. It is seen in both hunt seat and saddle seat disciplines.
Show hack Show hack The show hack is a type of ridden show horse, exhibited to a standard first established in England.Affiliated showing and breeding of the show hacks in the United Kingdom is overseen by the British Show Horse Association....	a flat class seen frequently in Canada, and on a more limited basis in the USA, featuring horses of elegant appearance, with an excellent way of going and self-carriage. Dressage tack and attire is usually worn in competitions.
Hunter hack Hunter hack Hunter hack is a type of English pleasure class where exhibitors in Hunt seat tack and attire perform on the flat at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop, and then jump two low fences...	a hunter-style English pleasure class that combines flat work with a short pattern usually consisting of two jumps and a hand gallop.
Equitation Equitation Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship.More specifically, equitation may refer to a rider's position while mounted, and encompass a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids. In horse show competition, the rider, rather than the horse is evaluated...	competition in both hunt seat and saddle seat disciplines where the rider's form and ability to handle the horse is judged. Usually offered for youth riders, Dressage competitions will also occasionally offer an equitation division.

United Kingdom/Australia/New Zealand

"Show events" or Competition in the UK and Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

, in addition to the international events listed above, include other types of hack, riding, and equipment classes, such as:

Other types of hack, riding, and equipment classes
Name	Description
Riding Horse Riding Horse The Riding Horse is a type of show horse in the UK. Riding horses can be any breed, but are generally warmbloods or Thoroughbred crosses.The breeding and showing of riding horses is overseen by the British Show Horse Association.-Showing the riding horse:...	a flat class for horses between a hack and a hunter in type, and of show quality, substance, good bone, correct conformation, presence and true action.
Show hack Show hack The show hack is a type of ridden show horse, exhibited to a standard first established in England.Affiliated showing and breeding of the show hacks in the United Kingdom is overseen by the British Show Horse Association....	competition featuring horses of elegant appearance, with an excellent way of going and self-carriage.
Show hunter (British) Show hunter (British) The show hunter is a type of show horse commonly seen at equestrian events across Britain. The British "show hunter" is shown primarily on the flat, while the "working hunter" must also jump a series of rustic fences .The governing body that oversees show hunter horses is Sport Horse Breeding ,...	competition on the flat where horses are evaluated on manners and way of going.
Working hunter Show hunter (British) The show hunter is a type of show horse commonly seen at equestrian events across Britain. The British "show hunter" is shown primarily on the flat, while the "working hunter" must also jump a series of rustic fences .The governing body that oversees show hunter horses is Sport Horse Breeding ,...	competition over fences where the horse's form, style, and way of going is paramount. ("Working hunter" is also a subgroup of show hunters in the USA)
Campdrafting Campdrafting Campdrafting is a unique and very popular Australian sport involving a horse and rider working cattle. The riding style is like that of Western riding and the event is somewhat related to the American events such as cutting, working cow horse, team penning, and ranch sorting.In the competition, a...	campdrafting is an Australian competition in which a horse and rider team work individual cattle Cattle Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius... over a set outside course. Campdrafters use either English saddles or the Australian stock saddle Australian Stock Saddle The Australian Stock Saddle is a saddle in popular use all over the world for activities that require long hours in the saddle and a secure seat... that was adapted from English tack.

In addition, most of these disciplines in all nations feature an equitation

Equitation

Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship.More specifically, equitation may refer to a rider's position while mounted, and encompass a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids. In horse show competition, the rider, rather than the horse is evaluated...

division in which riders are judged on their form and style. At some shows, a sidesaddle

Sidesaddle

Sidesaddle riding is a form of Equestrianism that uses a type of saddle which allows a rider to sit aside rather than astride a horse, mule or pony. Sitting aside dates back to antiquity and developed in European countries in the Middle Ages as a way for women in skirts to ride a horse in a modest...

division is offered as well.

Types

International

North America

United Kingdom/Australia/New Zealand

See also