Choosing a Riding Style or Equestrian Discipline - Pt 3

Western Pleasure and Western Events

All about the sparkles and the glitz and glamour. Appaloosas, Paints and Quarter Horses are mainly used, although Arabians are also used in western riding as well as a lot of other breeds. The horses are trained to be a pleasure to ride and throughout the years have been trained as peanut pushers to the older style to know, having a straight line across the neck form wither to poll, and working from the back end. This event is judged on both horse and rider, and isn't as easy as it looks. Riders are asked to walk, Jog (slow trot) and lope (a slow, 3 beat canter0, many horses 4 beat, and this is unnecessary and often marked down. Western riding also incorporates the events such as Trail, where the horse and rider are required to ride a course of obstacles often seen on the trail such as poles, bridges and opening a gate. Other western events include Reining, Western Riding, Showmanship (a halter event) as well as halter. Also Horsemanship and Equitation. The ladies wear shiny glitzy outfits and the males wear trendy shirts with neck ties or bolos. This event requires both skill and ability, in being able to control your horse without the use of your reins and being able to sit quietly and elegantly.

Hunter Riding

This event is also seen at Appaloosa, Quarter Horse and Paint Horse Shows, this style of riding is often referred to as the English Western. The horse is ridden two handed in an English bit. Riders wear English Jacket and breeches with tall field boots, and often ride in an All Purpose, or a close contact Saddle. Though an English event horses are required to travel with a bit more upbeat pace, while maintaining the light contact on the rein and easy paces. Other Hunter events include Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation.

Trail Riding

Also known as Hacking in England, a quiet horse is needed, and riders ride alone or in groups along bridle paths, in open fields or in hills and forests. This style of riding is relaxed and easy going, and often a great discipline for riders unable to go very fast or who ride an older horse that may be semi-retired.

Decide which event is best suited for you and your horse. You should research into local riding schools that may cater for the particular style you wish to try. If there are no schools that teach it, you need to look into getting lessons from a qualified coach or teacher, who is proficient in the event. A Rider who competes in the event isn't a good choice, as they may be riding a well-trained horse and often are unable to answer the questions asked.

Look at what equipment you already have available. You may have an English saddle and a few poles laying around the paddock, or you might have a paddock with a river or stream and some fallen logs. You can ride incorporating these things to get the feel of the discipline you wish to try or ride.

Buy new equipment if you need to. At some time you will need to buy the required equipment and saddlery if you are really interested in the discipline. If you're starting out or you are figuring out what style of riding you want to do, look into second hand saddles. In the case of Western, (all other events can be ridden in an English saddle), a training saddle is also good. You can eventually buy a new saddle when you are sure of the event and riding you're going to do.

Finalizing your decision is both a milestone for you and your riding career. Many times you will want to buy a new piece of equipment so you look better and perform better, this may include a new saddle, or a new bridle, a new piece of clothing, or simply a back number holder, or a set of spurs. Your discipline choice may change as you improve or change to unforeseen circumstances such as your horse getting injured or you getting to tall for your horse. You may also move into a higher group or level that you are not happy with and choose to try something new.