| If you have just started riding, you may just be happy | | | | competitive in the English pleasure ring. Many pleasure |
| to be on a horse. But, eventually you will probably want | | | | riders, though, only ride horses for their own enjoyment, |
| to specialize your riding. To do this, you need to | | | | hacking along roads or fields rather than worrying |
| understand the different disciplines of riding, and decide | | | | about competition. |
| which best suits your interests. | | | | * Saddle Seat - Saddle seat riding is generally limited to |
| To begin with, there are two basic types of riding: | | | | specific breeds, but can be quite popular. The horses |
| English and Western. English riders ride in a small | | | | are trained to step lively and show off their gaits while |
| saddle which gives the rider a lot of contact with the | | | | the rider sits upright, working the horse in the classic, |
| horses. If you are interested in jumping, you would | | | | old Park style. |
| need to learn to ride English. Western riders ride in a | | | | Western riding also has a range of disciplines. |
| large saddle with a horn at the front. If you are | | | | * Pleasure - This is what many people think of when |
| interested in the types of events you see at rodeos, | | | | they think of a Western rider. A Pleasure rider can be |
| you would need to learn to ride Western. | | | | a show rider, or just someone who rides for their |
| In English riding there are several disciplines. Each | | | | enjoyment. Western pleasure is very competitive, and |
| discipline has its own pros and cons, but fortunately, | | | | requires a specific type of horse and way of going. |
| many are interchangeable if you decide to switch later | | | | * Reining - Reining is the Western equivalent of |
| in life. Here are some of the most common English | | | | dressage. Horses are required to do movements such |
| disciplines: | | | | as sliding stops and roll backs. A well trained reining pair |
| * Hunter - Hunter riders ride their horses over fences in | | | | can be fascinating to watch. |
| the show ring. The horses are judged for how nice | | | | * Working Cattle - There are a range of Western |
| and smooth their rounds are, and for how well they | | | | events that specifically work with cattle. Cutting and |
| jump the jumps. Generally the jumps are not | | | | Team Penning are some of the more popular events. |
| excessively high and the courses are easy to learn. | | | | * Gaming - One of the most fun Western disciplines is |
| * Jumper - Jumpers are the speed events of the | | | | gaming. Many gaming horses are specialists, and work |
| jumping world. The jumps are bigger and brighter than | | | | best at their specific events. Some popular Western |
| hunter jumps and the horses are judged on how | | | | games include barrel racing, pole bending and the |
| quickly and cleanly they can jump the jumps. | | | | keyhole race. |
| * Dressage - When riding dressage, you strive to | | | | * Competitive Trail - Competitive trail has horses |
| perfect your riding so that you and the horse become | | | | working through trail classes where horses negotiate a |
| as one. You ask the horse to perform a variety of | | | | series of obstacles to complete their course. |
| paces and movements around the ring according to a | | | | Another discipline that is not English or Western is |
| test that you memorize. There is no jumping in | | | | Endurance riding. Endurance riders use whatever tack |
| dressage. | | | | is most comfortable for the purpose to take their |
| * Eventing - An event rider not only must be good at | | | | horses on long treks across the countryside. It can be |
| dressage, but must also manage the jumper ring. | | | | highly competitive, and is tons of fun at the lower levels |
| Additionally, the horses and riders must compete over | | | | for riders of all kinds. |
| a cross-country course of obstacles. | | | | No matter what discipline you choose, be aware that |
| * The Hunt - Field hunting is quite different than riding a | | | | you can always learn a new one later in life. All |
| show hunter. Field hunters follow the hounds to chase | | | | disciplines take time and effort to learn, and all have |
| fox across the countryside. Usually riders join a hunt | | | | their loyal followers. Take your time and try anything |
| club and participate in hunts with that club. | | | | that interests you. Nothing prevents you from enjoying |
| * Pleasure Riding - There is riding for pleasure, and | | | | them all, if you have the time and the interest. |
| pleasure riding for show. Some breeds are very | | | | |