Equestrian Sports for Beginners
You might be surprised to know that there are more equestrian sports than just racing. In fact, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), the international governing body of equestrian sports, recognizes eight disciplines within equestrian sports. Whether you’re a beginner interested in learning more about equestrian sports or considering what sport you want to start competing in, here are the eight disciplines you need to know:
Dressage
Dressage is one of three equestrian sports that is showcased in the Olympics. In dressage, riders and horses perform a series of predetermined movements from memory. The sport is seen as a way to demonstrate the high level of training that both the horse and rider have achieved. Riders and their horses should perform fluidly together, with the horse responding smoothly to the rider’s minimal aids.
Show Jumping
Show jumping is perhaps one of the most recognizable and popular equestrian sports, aside from horse racing. Jumping is one of the three Olympic equestrian sports. Show jumping tests the ability of the horse and the rider to jump over a series of obstacles inside a riding ring, and an emphasis is placed on height and width. The horse and rider have a set time in which they must finish and penalties are given for knocking down rails and other faults.
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Eventing
Another equestrian sport recognized by the Olympics is eventing. In eventing, riders compete in three types of races: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, all in a single competition. Eventing is held over three days and it tests the endurance and skill level of a horse and rider.
Combined Driving
Combined driving tests a driver’s ability and their horse’s obedience, speed, and athleticism. With a carriage in tow, the horse and driver partake in three events: dressage, marathon, and cones.
Endurance Riding
Endurance riding tests the stamina and the athlete’s discipline and horsemanship skills as they compete in races over long distances; in fact, most endurance rides are either 50 or 100 miles (160 km) long. During an endurance ride, the rider and horse must periodically stop to pass a veterinary check to ensure that the horse is still in good health and fit to continue.
Reining
Reining is a western riding competition where riders guide their horses through a precise pattern of movements including spins, circles, and stops. The sport shows off the skills and athletic abilities that are necessary for a working ranch horse.
Equestrian Vaulting
Equestrian vaulting is best described as gymnastics and dance performed on horseback. Competitors are judged on their strength, flexibility, and balance as shown through compulsory movements and the technical difficulty and artistic expression of their routines.
Para-Equestrian
Para-equestrian competition provides opportunities for those with disabilities to compete in competitions like dressage and driving. To ensure a level playing field, each rider or driver is classified according to his or her functional ability.