Western Explained

What is Western Riding? Well, most people who have never experienced Western Riding or Western Equitation as the serious riders would like to call it, think that the main attributes to riding Western are throwing on a western saddle and bridle, vaulting onto your horse, screaming Yeeeee Haaaa! and galloping off into the sunset!! They could’t be more wrong.

Of course we have all seen the ‘Wild West’ movies where cowboys do as I have just described, but at the end of the day the cowboy films are only films and the people in them are, in the main, actors who really don’t ride well. Although some of the early actors were riders and of course cowboys before they went into film.

However, without these cowboys and their need for working horses that were agile and responsive to their every request, we wouldn’t have Western riding today and it is indeed one of the oldest forms of equitation to survive to the present day.

Around the early 1500’s the Spanish conquistadors entered the New World and introduced the horses, riding style, tack and stock raising knowledge. The cowboy came into the New World with the conquistadors and he’s still there. From here came this particular style of riding that lends itself to a great many everyday riders – although taken further into Western competition, for example, it can become one of the most technically interesting, rewarding and practical disciplines in the riding world.

A western trained horse is one that moves under weight transference, away from leg pressure, and is supple through it’s head, neck, shoulder, rib cage and hip. One that ultimately would be so light and responsive that it could be ridden one handed, stopped in an instant from any pace without pulling on the reins, and yet perform correctly enough that a man’s life could depend on that horse working with his rider as a harmonious team.

Movements and Gaits

WALK A four beat gait, which is purposeful yet relaxed.

JOG A two beat diagonal gait equivalent to a slow English sitting trot.

LOPE A three beat gait, again equivalent to a slow English canter.

Western Classes

SHOWMANSHIP

In this non-riding class the handler is judged on their ability to produce themselves and the horse in a clean and smart manner. The way in which the horse is shown to the Judge is also considered, conformation is not taken into account although grooming and trimming is.

PLEASURE

A good pleasure horse has a flowing stride of reasonable length in keeping with his conformation. He should be responsive yet smooth, in transitions when called for. Maximum credit is given to the flowing, balanced and willing horse, which gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride.

WESTERN RIDING

Competitors are required to ride a pattern as set out in the rule book in jog and lope. The horse is judged on quality of gaits, lead changes at the lope, response to the rider, manners and disposition. The horse should perform with reasonable speed be sensible and free and easy moving.

TRAIL

This class requires the horse and rider to negotiate a number of obstacles in a calm and relaxed manner. These obstacles include gates, walking over poles, reversing in a confined area. The horse is judged on his attitude in dealing with each element of the course and how well each item is negotiated.

REINING

Each horse and rider performs a set "Reining Pattern" at the lope, no jogging is allowed. The pattern will include circles, large and small, flying changes, stops, spins, rollbacks and backup. The reining horse should be wilfully guided with little or no resistance and dictated to completely where his every movement is in the rider’s control. All deviations from the exact pattern must be considered lack of or temporary loss of control and therefore faulted according to the severity of deviation. Credit will be given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority in performing the various manoeuvres while using controlled speed.

Showmanship

Pleasure

Trial

Reining