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Saddleseat
Saddleseat riding is one of several events that make up the discipline of
English riding. This event is either called saddleseat equitation, in which the
rider's performance is judged, or saddleseat pleasure riding, in which the horse's
leg action is judged. In both events, the rider sits in a more shallow saddle
which forces the rider farther back on the horse. This allows the horse to pick
up its front legs with more animation. Gaited horse like the Tennessee
Walking Horse and high-stepping horses like the Morgan are often used in
saddleseat events, and they generally wear a double bridle. The rider
wears a derby, jacket and jodhpurs. Saddleseat riding is incredibly popular
because it is a graceful yet lively event.
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Western
Western riding has been popular since the 1800's, and evolved
as a way for cowboys to entertain while practicing the skills necessary to
their trade. Western riding is a broad category that covers events like the
rodeo, cutting, reining and Western pleasure riding. What makes an event Western
is not only the style of riding, but also the clothes and saddle required for
the horse and rider. A western saddle is constructed to protect the rider from
danger - something necessary when you're riding a bucking bronco! The saddle
has a deep seat with a horn on the front for the rider to hold on to, and it
also has a high cantle that prevents the rider from falling off backwards.
Riders in Western events wear cowboy hats, jeans with chaps, western boots and
long-sleeved shirts.
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Driving
The discipline of carriage driving initially developed out of the sport of
chariot racing, but it also has a strong connection to the history of
transportation. A horse-drawn carriage was once the main form of transportation
for the wealthy, but when the automobile became popularized, the need for
carriages decreased. Left with unusable carriages and quite a few unemployed
horses, carriage driving became a pastime of pleasure instead of a daily
necessity. Carriage driving has become very popular, and competitions have been
held annually since the early 1970's. Drivers in carriage events are
generally costumed in elaborate clothing which hearkens back to the time when
riding in a carriage was a form of transportation instead of the magnificent
entertainment it is today.
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Roadster
The Roadster horse belonged to the country doctor and the
itinerant preacher in days gone by. Famous for its fast trot and ability to
go long distances, it was the forerunner of the harness horses you see on
the racetrack today. He is shown at a jog trot, road gait, and then at speed
hitched to a two-wheeled cart (bike) or under saddle. The driver or rider
is dressed in stable colors. Road horses are judged on
performance, speed, quality and manners. The roadster enters the ring the
wrong way, and when the class reverses you will sense the
excitement as they "turn it on" as if on the racetrack.
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