Equestrian Events, Horse shows and Pony Clubs from around the World

Reining is a western riding competition for horses where the riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. All work is done at the lope (known more commonly worldwide as the canter) and gallop; the fastest of the horse gaits. Reining is often described as a Western form of dressage riding, as it requires the horse to be responsive and in tune with its rider, the aids should not be easily seen, the horse is judged on its ability to perform a set pattern of movements.

Origins
Throughout American history, ranchers needed to manage cattle from horseback. Cattle were moved, branded, doctored, sorted, and herded, often on open range without the benefit of fences, barns or other means of holding the animals. A good cowboy needed a quick and nimble horse, one that could change directions quickly, stop "on a dime," and sprint after an errant cow. The horse needed to be controlled mostly by legs and weight, ridden with only one hand and a light touch on the reins, so that the cowboy's attention could also be on tasks that could include handling a lariat (to rope cattle), opening a gate, or simply waving a hand, hat or rope to move along a reluctant herd animal. Informal demonstrations of these ideal characteristics amongst ranch cowboys and vaqueros evolved into the sport of reining, as well as the related events of cutting and working cow horse as well as several other horse show classes.

Other nations with traditions of herding livestock on vast areas, such as Australia and Argentina, developed similar traditions that have blended into the sport as it has expanded worldwide.

Movements
The reining pattern includes an average of eight to twelve movements which must be executed by the horse. Patterns require the following movements:
* Circles: the horse must perform large, fast circles at a near-gallop and smaller, slow circles at a lope. They should be perfectly round. Most circles incorporate changes of direction that require a flying change of lead.
* Flying change: the horse changes its leading front and hind legs at the lope mid-stride, during the suspension phase of the gait. The horse should not break gait nor change speed. While completing a change at speed can improve one's score, precision is the most important factor in judging.
* Rundown: the horse gallops or "runs" along the long side of the arena. A rundown is a required movement prior to a sliding stop or a rollback.
* Sliding Stop: the horse goes from a gallop immediately to a complete halt, planting its hind feet in the footing and allowing its hind feet to slide several feet, while continuing to let its front feet "walk" forward. The back should be raised upward and hindquarters come well underneath.
* Back or Backup: the horse backs up quickly. The horse must back in a perfectly straight line, stop when asked and hesitate a moment before the next movement.
* Rollback: the horse immediately, without hesitation, performs a 180-degree turn after halting from a sliding stop, and immediately goes forward again into a lope. The horse must turn on its hindquarters, bringing its hocks well under, the motion should be continuous with no hesitation.
* Spins or Turnarounds: beginning from a standstill, the horse spins 360 degrees or more in place around its stationary inside hind leg. The hind pivot foot remains in essentially the same location throughout the spin, though the horse will pick it up and put it down as it turns. The term Pivot is sometimes used to describe a turn on the hindquarters of up to 360 degrees where the horse has to keep a rear pivot foot stationary. In 4-H competition, pivots of 90, 180, or 360 degrees are sometimes used in pattern classes to introduce youth riders to reining concepts.
* Pause or Hesitate: the horse is asked to stand still for a few seconds to "settle" between certain movements in the reining pattern, particularly after spins. Pauses are not judged as a movement per se, but a horse that is ill-mannered or behaves with impatience when asked to wait will be penalized.


Scoring
The horse begins with a score of 70. Points are added or subtracted by 0.5, 1, and 1.5 point increments for each of the 7 to 8 maneuvers in the designated pattern. Each part of the pattern is judged on precision, smoothness, and finesse, and increased speed increases the difficulty of most movements and the potential for a high score. Significant errors, such as an overspin, will result in a "zero score". Major mistakes, such as a rider going off-pattern, result in disqualification, also called a "no score," which prevents the horse from earning any award, even if it is the only horse in the class.

Bit and Hackamore rules
Horses in most types of reining competition are required to perform in a curb bit, riders with a horse in a curb must give all rein commands with only one hand. Riders may use both hands when a horse is ridden with a snaffle bit or a bosal hackamore. Most of the time, with the exception of "freestyle" classes, snaffle bit and hackamore horses do not compete directly against curb bit horses. In the last thirty years, the snaffle bit is the more common headgear used on younger horses, but in the past, the hackamore was more common.

Sometimes reining classes at breed shows are split into "junior horse" and "senior horse" divisions. Depending on the breed, Junior horses are either 3, 4 or 5 years old, and allowed to show in a snaffle or bosal. Senior horses who are age six or over must be shown in a curb. The rules have changed over the years to reduce the stress on young horses. Junior horse devisions at one time were limited to horses that were only 3 and, sometimes, 4 years old. Though many western stock horse breeds are started under saddle at the age of two, they generally are not physically or mentally ready to be entered into any type of reining competition at that age and in some cases are prohibited from entering any performance class until at least 2-1/2 years old.

Reining competition
Individual divisions at a reining competition vary somewhat depending on whether they are sanctioned by the NRHA or another organization. However, standard classes include those limited to junior or senior horses, to horses of a specific age, classes for professional, "non-pro," or amateur riders, youth riders of various ages, adult riders over age 40 or 50, as well as open events for all competitors. Classes may also be limited by the experience level of the horse or the rider.

National
In individual nations where reining competitions are held, national organizations usually oversee the sport. For example, in the United States and Canada, where reining is quite popular, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is the lead organization, creating patterns and developing judging standards. It sanctions events open to all breeds. Breed organizations that sanction their own shows, including those for Quarter Horses (AQHA), Appaloosas (ApHC), and American Paint Horses (APHA) also work with the NRHA. Reining classes can be held at a stand-alone competition just for reiners, or as one category within many different classes offered at a horse show.

International
International competitions are regulated by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). Reining is growing in popularity around the world and is one of the world's fastest growing horse sports. Its popularity has spread to Europe and beyond, especially to Australia and Germany, and it is one of the latest additions to the World Equestrian Games, first included at the 2002 Games in Jerez, Spain

Freestyle
Freestyle reining allows a horse and rider team to incorporate reining movements into a three and one-half minute musical routine, similar to freestyle competition in Dressage. Under NRHA rules, costumes are allowed, though not required; riders may ride with one, two or even no hands on any type of NRHA approved bit; props, within limits, are allowed; and the show management may allow special arena lighting. Freestyle reining competitions have no specific rules as to saddle, though humane equipment is required. Allowing "no hands" means that some competitors may perform without a bridle, which increases the difficulty of the movements. The rider must include a specified number of spins, stops and flying lead changes in a performance. Rollbacks, rein backs and dressage type maneuvers such as the half-pass may be added and scored. Competitors are judged on technical merit and artistic impression.

Endurance rides
There are two main types of long distance riding, Competitive trail riding and endurance rides. In an Endurance ride, the winning horse is the first one to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal in good health and "fit to continue." In the United States, most endurance rides are either 50 or 100 miles long, though shorter rides are organized for beginners and a few longer, usually multi-day, rides exist. Winning riders complete 100-mile rides in 10-12 hours.

Any breed can compete, but the Arabian generally dominates the top levels because of the breed's stamina and natural endurance abilities.

Competitive trail rides are shorter, and factors other than speed are considered, horses may not come in under or over a certain time, and veterinary checks, rider behavior and other elements play a role in the placings.

History
Though the need to ride long distances has existed since domestication of the horse, Endurance riding as an organized activity was first developed in the United States as a test for cavalry mounts who were required to go on a 5-day, 300 mile (483 km) ride carrying at least 200 lbs. Its beginnings as a sport began in the 1950s, at the time when Wendell Robie rode from Nevada to California, following the route of the Pony Express, to finish in under 24 hours. Endurance riding first was brought to Europe in the 1960s.

Structure of the Ride
Before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian, to ensure they are fit to perform in the ride. Additionally, riders are given a map of the course, which shows the route, the places for compulsory halts, and any natural obstacles.

The ride is divided into sections, with different names depending on sanctioning organization. After each phase, horses are stopped for a veterinary inspection, where they are checked for soundness and dehydration, with their pulse and respiration taken. To continue the ride, the horse must pass the examination, including reducing its heart rate below that specified for the event, typically 64 bpm, although terrain and weather may require the ride veterinarians to set a different maximum target. The riders' time keeps running while they are in the vetcheck, so it is important that the horses recover as soon as possible. Any horse deemed unfit to continue is eliminated from further competition.


After the veterinary inspection the horse must be held for an additional time, at which time it is fed and watered.

Riders are free to choose their pace during the competition, adjusting to the terrain and their mount's condition. Therefore, they must have a great knowledge of pace, knowing when to slow down or speed up during the ride, as well as a great knowledge of their horse's condition and signs of tiring. Riders may also choose to ride, or may dismount and walk or jog with their horse without penalty. However, they must be mounted when they cross the starting and finish lines.

The terrain riders compete over varies greatly from ride to ride. However, natural obstacles, are marked on the trails with red flags on the right and white flags on the left. When so marked, riders must pass through the flags. In some areas, wilderness or undeveloped areas are difficult to find, in these places, no more than 10% of the route can be on hard-surfaced roads.

Determining the Winner
Under the rules of the FEI and AERC, the first horse to cross the line and pass the vet check as "fit to continue" is the winner. Under the rules of competitive trail riding and the endurance rules in some nations (though not international competition nor that in the USA), the winner is determined by a combination of speed and the recovery rate of the horse or to horses and riders that achieve a required standard.

Additional awards are usually given to the best-conditioned horses who finish in the top 10.

Equipment
Endurance is much less formal than many other equestrian competitions, with riders choosing clothes for comfort. However, riders are required to dress in a way that preserves the image of the sport. An equestrian helmet is required for nearly all sanctioned rides, including the AERC and FEI. At FEI competitions, riders must wear riding breeches or riding tights, correct footwear, and a shirt.



Endurance riders usually use a specialized saddle that is designed to be lightweight yet comfortable to horse and rider for long hours of riding. At the highest levels, it is usually a variation on the English saddle in shape, although it may have wider panels and stirrups with a wider tread. Regardless of design, endurance saddles are very light to ensure the horse does not have to carry unnecessary weight. Many endurance saddles have extra metal rings for the attachment of equipment. At lower levels, lightweight endurance designs based on western saddles are popular. Various experimental designs are also common, including treeless and flexible panel saddles.

Bridles for the horses may use a wide variety of bits or hackamores. Riders also often add a breastplate, to keep the saddle in place while traveling over rough terrain. Use of a crupper is not common, but sometimes seen, to keep the saddle from sliding forward on horses with a certain build. Protective boots may be used on a horse's legs, though boots also cause problems in some types of terrain.

Competitive Trail Riding (CTR)
Competitive trail riding is an equestrian sport where riders cover a marked trail for a distance that is usually between 15 and 35 miles per day. Some rides are only one day long, others may run as long as three days.

The goal of the competition is to demonstrate partnership between horse and rider. Unlike in endurance riding, factors other than speed are considered. If the ride is timed, it is a form of pace race. In a timed ride, horses may not come in under or over a certain time, and veterinary checks, rider behavior and other elements play a role in the placings. Each competitor is evaluated on factors that include physical condition of the horse, campsite, and horse management.

The horse evaluated on performance, manners, and related criteria. "Pulse and respiration" stops check the horse's recovery ability. There are many different organizations which sanction Competitive Trail Rides. Horsemanship also is considered at some competitions, depending on the sanctioning organization. Riders are evaluated on how they handle the trail, manage the horse, and present to the judges and veterinarians throughout the ride. Obstacles are also set up along the trail and the horse and rider are graded on how well they perform as a team.

Rides are often held on public lands, such as Forest Service, but are also held on private property. The terrain varies depending on the part of the country in which a competition is held, and lands available for the event. Unlike trail riding at a guest ranch, where inexperienced riders walk their horses most of the time and cover simple trails, riders who compete in competitive trail rides are asked to have their animals navigate a variety of terrain and use all gaits, especially the trot.

Similar events exist around the world, though often with wide variations in rules and distances. In all cases, the most obvious difference between an endurance ride and a competitive trail ride is that the winner of an endurance ride is the first horse and rider team to cross the finish line and pass a vet check that deems the horse "fit to continue," whereas competitive trail rides usually consider additional factors and penalize a horse and rider that finish in too little time.

Dressage

Dressage (French term meaning "training") is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can respond to a skilled rider's subtle aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Although the discipline has ancient roots, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit in the West during the Renaissance. The great European riding masters of that period developed a training system that has changed little since then and classical dressage is still considered the basis of trained modern dressage.

In modern dressage competition, successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of "tests." Judges evaluate each movement on the basis of an objective standard appropriate to the level of the test and assign each movement a score from zero to ten - zero being "not executed" and 10 being "excellent." A score of 9 (or "very good") is considered a particularly high mark, while a competitor achieving all 6s (or 60% overall) should be considering moving on to the next level.

Dressage horses:
Any riding horse can benefit from use of dressage principles and training techniques. However, horse breeds most often seen at the Olympics and other international FEI competitions are in the warmblood horse breeds category. Dressage is a sport in which all breeds are given an opportunity to successfully compete. Therefore, many other breeds are seen at various levels of competition.

The Arena:
There are two sizes of arenas: small and standard. Each has letters assigned to positions around the arena for dressage tests to specify where movements are to be performed.
The small arena is 20 m by 40 m, and is used for the lower levels of three-day eventing in the dressage phase. Its letters around the outside edge, starting from the point of entry and moving clockwise, are A-K-E-H-C-M-B-F. Letters also mark locations in the middle of the arena: Moving down the center line, they are D-X-G, with X in the center. Since the combination of Equine Canada (EC) and United States Dressage Federation (USDF) tests in 2003, the small size arena is no longer utilized in rated shows in North America.

The standard arena is 20 m by 60 m, and is used for tests in both dressage and eventing. The standard dressage arena letters are A-K-V-E-S-H-C-M-R-B-P-F. The letters on the long sides of the arena nearest the corners are 6 m in from the corners, and are 12 m apart from each other. The letters in the middle of the arena are D-L-X-I-G, with X marking the center.The dressage arena also has a centerline (from A to C, going through X in the middle), as well as two quarter-lines (halfway between the centerline and long sides of each arena).

At the start of the test, the horse enters at A. There is always a judge sitting at C, although for upper-level competition, there are up to five judges at different places around the arena-at C, E, B, M, and H-which allows the horse to be seen in each movement from all angles. This helps prevent certain faults from going unnoticed, which may be difficult for a judge to see from only one area of the arena.

Competitions
Dressage competitions often begins in local communities with Introductory level classes where horse and riders need only walk and trot. Horses and riders advance through a graduated series of levels, with tests of increasing difficulty at each level. The most accomplished horse and rider teams compete at the Grand Prix levels and international competition, such as the Olympic games.

Dressage consists of the lower levels: Introductory, Training, First, Second, Third and Fourth. The FEI (Federation Equestrian International) levels: Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I, Intermediare II and Grand Prix.

The Training Scale
The dressage training scale is arranged in a pyramid, with "rhythm and regularity" at the bottom of the pyramid and "collection" at the top. The training scale is used as a guide for the training of dressage horses (or any horse, for that matter). Each level is built upon as the horse progresses in his training: so a Grand Prix horse would work on the refinement of the bottom levels of the pyramid, instead of focusing on only the highest level: "collection." The levels are also interconnected. For example, a crooked horse is unable to develop impulsion, and a horse that is not relaxed will be less likely to travel with a rhythmic gait.

Rhythm and Regularity:
Rhythm, gait, tempo, and regularity should be the same on straight and bending lines, through lateral work, and through transitions. Rhythm refers to the sequence of the footfalls, which should only include the pure walk, pure trot, and pure canter. The regularity, or purity, of the gait includes the evenness and levelness of the stride. Once a rider can obtain pure gaits, they are ready to learn difficult movements such as the piaffe, when the horse trots in place raising the front legs to where the hooves are level with the cannon bone.

Relaxation:
The second level of the pyramid is relaxation and suppleness. Signs of suppleness in a horse may be seen by an even stride that is swinging through the back and causing the tail to swing like a pendulum, suppleness at the poll, a soft chewing of the bit, and a relaxed blowing through the nose. The horse will make smooth transitions, be easy to position from side to side, and will willingly reach down into the contact as the reins are lengthened.

Contact:
Contact -the third level of the pyramid- is the result of the horse's pushing power, and should never be achieved by the pulling of the rider's hands. The rider drives the horse into soft hands that allow the horse to come up into the bridle, and should always follow the natural motion of the animal's head. The horse should have equal contact in both reins.

Impulsion:
The pushing power or thrust of the horse is called "impulsion," and is the fourth level of the training pyramid. Impulsion is created by storing the energy of engagement (the forward reaching of the hind legs under the body).
Proper impulsion is achieved by means of:
* Correct driving aids of the rider
* Relaxation of the horse
* Throughness: the flow of energy through the horse from front to back and back to front. The musculature of the horse is connected, supple, elastic, and unblocked, and the rider's aids go freely through the horse.

Impulsion can occur at the walk, trot and canter. It is extremely important to establish good, forward movement and impulsion at the walk, as achieving desirable form in the trot and canter relies heavily on the transition from a good, supple, forward walk.
Impulsion not only encourages correct muscle and joint use, but also engages the mind of the horse, focusing it on the rider and, particularly at the walk and trot, allowing for relaxation and dissipation of nervous energy.

Next, and of equal importance is straightness.
A horse is straight when his hind legs follow the path of his front legs, on both straight lines and bending lines, his body has to be parallel to the line of travel. Straightness allows the horse to channel his impulsion directly toward his center of balance, and gives the rider's hand aids a connection to the hind end.
At the apex of the training scale, collection may be used occasionally to supplement less vigorous work. Collection requires greater muscular strength, so must be developed slowly.

When a horse collects, he naturally brings more of his weight onto his hindquarters. The joints of the hind limbs have greater flexion, allowing the horse to lower his hindquarters, bring his hind legs further under his body, and lighten the forehand. A collected horse is able to move more freely. When collected, the stride length should shorten, and increase in energy and activity.

Classical Dressage

Apart from competition, there is the tradition of classical dressage, in which the tradition of dressage is pursued as an art form. The traditions of the Old Masters who originated Dressage are kept alive by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria and the Cadre Noir in Saumur, France. This type of schooling is also a part of the Portuguese and Spanish bullfighting exhibitions.

These are a series of higher-level dressage maneuvers where the horse leaps above the ground. These include
the capriole, courbette, the mezair, the croupade,
and levade. None are typically seen in modern competitive dressage, but are performed by horses of various riding academies, including the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Cadre Noir in Saumur. Horses such as the Andalusian, Lusitano and Lipizzan are the breeds most often trained to perform the "airs" today, because their powerfully-conformed hindquarters, which give them the strength to perform these difficult movements. There were originally seven airs, many were used to build up to the movements performed today.

There is a popular conception that these moves were originally taught to horses for military purposes, and indeed both the Spanish Riding School and the Cadre Noir are military foundations. However, while agility was necessary on the battlefield, most of the airs performed today would have exposed horses' vulnerable underbellies to the weapons of foot soldiers. It is unlikely that the airs were employed in combat.





The pesade and levade are the first airs taught to the High School horse, these are the basis that all other airs are taught. In the pesade, the horse raises his forehand off the ground and tucks his forelegs evenly, carrying all his weight on his hindquarters, to form a 45 degree angle with the ground. The levade was first taught at the beginning of the 20th century, asking the horse to hold a position approximately 35 degrees from the ground, making it much more strenuous. It is also a transition movement between work on the ground and the airs above the ground, and it requires enormous strength of the horse - not many horses are capable of a good quality levade.

The horse is asked to enter the pesade or levade from the piaffe. At the beginning of the movement, the hind feet come under the horse's center of gravity with the hocks coming lower to the ground, so that the horse appears to sink down in back and rise in front. The position is held for a number of seconds, and then the horse quietly puts the forelegs back on the ground and proceeds at the walk, or stands at the halt. These movements are the pinnacle of collection, as the horse carries all of his weight on his back legs. They are also excellent to test that the horse is truly straight and obedient.



In the capriole (meaning leap of a goat),
the horse jumps from a raised position of the forehand straight up into the air, kicks out with the hind legs, and lands more or less on all four legs at the same time. It requires an enormously powerful horse to perform correctly, and is considered the most difficult of all the airs above the ground. It is first introduced with the croupade, in which the horse does not kick out at the height of elevation, but keeps his hind legs tucked tightly under, and remains parallel to the ground. The horse is then taught the ballotade. In this movement, the horse's hind hooves are positioned so one can see its shoes if watching from behind, but the horse is not asked to kick out. When the horse demonstrates proficiency in the ballotade, the capriole is introduced.



In the courbette, the horse raises his forehand off the ground, tucks up his forelegs evenly, and then jumps forward, never allowing the forelegs to touch down, in a series of "hops". Extremely strong and talented horses can perform five or more leaps forward before having to touch down with the forelegs, although it is more usual to see a series of three or four leaps. The courbette, like the capriole, is first introduced through the easier croupade.

In the mezair, the horse rears up and strikes out with its forelegs. It is similar to a series of levades with a forward motion (not in place), with the horse gradually bringing its legs further under himself in each successive movement and lightly touching the ground with his front legs before pushing up again. The meziar was originally called the courbette by the old dressage masters, and it is no longer practiced at the Spanish Riding School.

Competitive riding of horses through an obstacle course. Horses run the course one at a time, and the winner is judged according to jumping ability and speed. Individual and team jumping events have been part of the Olympic Games since 1912. The President's Cup is the world team championship.

Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping" or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events. Jumper shows can be seen across the world including the Olympic. Sometimes jumper classes are offered in conjunction with other events, show jumping is one division of a large, all-breed competitions that include a very wide variety of disciplines. Jumping classes may be governed by various national horse show sanctioning organizations, like the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).

Hunters or Jumpers?
People unfamiliar with horse shows may be confused by the difference between working hunter classes and jumper classes. Hunters are judged subjectively on the degree to which they meet an ideal standard of manners, style, and way of going. Conversely, jumper classes are scored objectively based entirely on a numerical score determined only by whether the horse attempts the obstacle, clears it, and finishes the course in the allotted time. Jumper courses are often colorful and at times quite creatively designed. Jumper courses tend to be much more complex and technical than hunter courses. Hunters have meticulous turnout and tend toward very quiet, conservative horse tack and rider attire. Hunter bits, bridles, crops, spurs and martingales are tightly regulated. Jumpers, while caring for their horses and grooming them well, are not scored on turnout, are allowed a wider range of equipment, and riders may wear less conservative attire, so long as it stays within the rules.

In addition to hunters and jumpers, there are equitation classes, sometimes called hunt seat equitation, which judge the ability of the rider. The equipment, clothing and fence styles used in equitation more closely resemble hunter classes, though the technical difficulty of the courses may more closely resemble jumping events.


Courses and Rules
Jumper classes are held over a course of show jumping obstacles, including verticals, spreads, double and triple combinations, usually with many turns and changes of direction. Time faults are assessed for exceeding the time allowance. Jumping faults are incurred for knockdowns and blatant disobediences, such as refusals (when the horse stops before a fence or "runs out"). Horses are allowed a limited number of refusals before being disqualified. Placings are based on the lowest number of points or "faults" accumulated. Tied entries usually have a jump off over a raised and shortened course, and the course is timed; if entries are tied for faults accumulated in the jump-off, the fastest time wins.

In most competitions, riders are allowed to walk the course before competition to plan their ride. Walking the course is a chance for the rider to walk the lines he or she will actually ride, finding the fastest and best possible paths.

The more professional the competition, such as "A" rated shows in the United States, or the international "Grand Prix" circuit, the more technical the course. Not only is the height and sometimes width ("spread") of an obstacle increased to present a greater challenge, technical difficulty also increases with tight turns and shorter or unusual distances between fences, requiring the rider to adjust the horse's stride dramatically in order to make the distance.

Unlike show hunter classes, which reward calmness and style, Jumper classes require boldness, scope, power, accuracy, and control; speed is also a factor, especially in jump-off courses and speed classes. A jumper must jump big, bravely, and fast, but must be careful and accurate to avoid knockdowns and be balanced and rideable in order to rate and turn accurately. A jumper rider must ride the best line to each fence, saving ground with well-planned turns and lines and must adjust the horse's stride for each fence and distance. In a jump-off, a rider must balance the need to go as fast as possible and turn as tight as possible against the horse's ability to jump cleanly.

History of show jumping
Show jumping is a relatively new equestrian sport. Until the Enclosure Acts which came into force in England in the eighteenth century there had been little need for horses to routinely jump fences. With this act of parliament came new challenges for those who followed fox hounds. The enclosures act brought fencing and boundaries to many parts of the country common ground was dispersed amongst the wealthy landowners. This meant that those wishing to pursue their sport now needed horses which were capable of jumping these obstacles.

In the early shows held in France, there was a parade of competitors who then took off across country for the jumping. This sport was not popular with spectators as they could not watch the jumping. It was not long before fences began to appear in arenas. This became known as Lepping. 1869 was the year 'horse leaping' came to prominence at Dublin horse show. Fifteen years later, Lepping competitions were brought to Britain and by 1900 most of the more important shows had Lepping classes. Women, riding side-saddle, had their own classes.

At this time, the principal cavalry schools of Europe preferred to use a very deep seat with long stirrups when jumping. This style of riding was perhaps more secure for the rider, but it also impeded the freedom of the horse to use its body to the extent needed to clear large obstacles.

The Italian Instructor Captain Fiederico Caprilli heavily influenced the world of jumping with his ideas that a forward position with shorter stirrups would not impede the balance of the horse negotiating obstacles. This style, now known as the forward seat,is commonly used today.

The first major show jumping competition held in England was at Olympia in 1907. Judges marked on their own opinions. Some marked according to the severity of the obstacle and others marked according to style. Before 1907 there were no penalties for a refusal and the competitor was sometimes asked to miss the fence to please the spectators. The first courses were built with little imagination; many consisting of only a straight bar fence and a water jump. A meeting was arranged in 1923 which led to the formation of the BSJA in 1925. In the United States, a similar need for national rules for jumping and other equestrian activities led to the formation of the American Horse Shows Association in 1917, now known as the United States Equestrian Federation.

Show jumping was first incorporated into the Olympic Games in 1912 and has thrived ever since, its popularity due in part to its suitability as a spectator sport which can be viewed on television.


Original scoring tariff
The original list of faults introduced in The United Kingdom in 1925 was as follows:
* Refusing or Running out at any fence:
1st: 4 faults
2nd: 8 faults
* Fall of the horse, the rider, or both: elimination
* Touches: If a horse touches a fence without knocking it down, zero faults
* rail down with front hooves:4 faults
* rail down with back hooves: 2 faults
* Foot in the water jump: if a horse lands with any number of feet in the water--4 faults.

Water jumps were once 15 feet (5 meters) wide, the water had often drained out by the time the last competitor jumped. High jumping would start around 5 feet, later abandoned, as many horses went under the pole. It was for this reason that more poles were added and fillers came into use. Time penalties were not counted until 1917.

Modern Rules
Rules have since evolved, with different national federations having different classes and rules. The international governing body is the Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI)
* Jumping Penalties: Jumping penalties are for refusals and knockdowns, refusal or knockdown adding four faults.
* Penalties for knockdowns are only when the knockdown changes the height of the jump. Penalties at the open water are when the horse touches the water or white tape with any of his feet. If a rail is set over the middle of the water, faults are not accumulated for landing in the water.
* Refusals: Are penalized four faults, up from three. Two refusals results in elimination.
* A refusal that results in the destruction of a jump will not receive four faults for the knockdown, but four faults for a refusal and an additional penalty while the timer is stopped for the repair or replacement of the jump. A refusal inside a combination must re-jump the entire combination.
* Time Penalties: Each second or fraction of a second over the time allowed results in 1 time penalty.

Types of Show Jumps
Show jumping fences are often colorful, sometimes very elaborate and artistic in design, particularly at the highest levels of competition. Types of jumps used include the following:
* Vertical - a jump that consists of poles right above each other with no spread, or width, to jump.

* Oxer - Basically two verticals close together, to make the jump wider. Also called a spread.
o Square Oxer: Both top poles are of an equal height.
o Ascending Oxer (usually called a Ramped Oxer): The furthest pole is higher than the first.
o Descending Oxer (usually called an Offset Oxer): The furthest pole is lower than the closest.
o Swedish Oxer: The poles slant in opposite directions, so that they appear to form an "X" shape when seen head on.

* Triple Bar - Is a spread fence using three elements of graduating heights. It is a relatively easy jump although usually very wide.

* Crossrail- not commonly used in sanctioned horse shows, two poles crossed on jump standards so that the center is lower than the sides. Used at small shows and for schooling purposes to help the horse jump in the center of the fence.

* Wall - This type of jump is usually made to look like a brick wall, but the "bricks" are constructed of a lightweight material and fall easily when knocked.

* Hogsback - A type of jump where the tallest pole is in the center.

* Filler - This is not a type of fence but is a solid part below the poles, such as flower boxes or a rolltop. It can also be a gate.


* Combination - usually 2 or 3 jumps in a row, with no more than 2 strides between each. 2 jumps in a row are called double combinations, and 3 jumps in a row are triple combinations. If a horse refuses the second or third element in one of these combinations, they must jump the whole combination again, not just the obstacle(s) they missed.

* Fan: the rails on one side of the fence are spread out by standards, making the fence take the shape of a fan when viewed from above.

* Open water: a wide ditch of water

* Liverpool: a ditch or large tray of water under a vertical or oxer

* Joker - a tricky fence comprising only a rustic (or unpainted) rail and two wings. The lack of filler makes it difficult for a horse to judge their proximity to the fence as well as the fence's height, making it a tricky obstacle usually found only in the upper divisions, and illegal in some competitions.

History of Barrel Racing
Barrel racing originally developed as an event for women. While their husbands roped or rode bulls and broncs, the women barrel raced. Not much is known about the exact dates and details of barrel racingdevelopments. It is believed that Barrel Racing first saw competitive light in the state of Texas. The Girls Rodeo Association (GRA), instituted in 1949, was the first body of rodeo developed specifically for women. Women were allowed to compete in several events of rodeo. The GRA eventually officially became the WPRA (Women's Professional Rodeo Association) in 1981, and the WPRA still allows women to compete in the various rodeo events as they like, but barrel racing remains the most popular event of competition.

An Overview
Barrel Racing is a form of rodeo event that demands some of the most athletic horses and dedicated riders in order to be successful in terms of financial earnings.

The sport in itself consists of horse and rider combining the horse's athletic ability and the superb horsemanship skills of the riders in order to safely and successfully maneuver their horses in a clover leaf pattern around three 55 gallon closed end metal barrels placed in a triangle in the center of an arena at breakneck speeds. In timed rodeo events, the purpose is to make a run as fast as possible while being timed.

The timer begins when horse and rider cross the start line, and ends when the barrel pattern has been successfully executed and horse and rider cross the finish line. The rider's time depends on several factors, most commonly the horse's physical and mental condition, the rider's horsemanship abilities, and the type of ground or footing.

The Pattern
Beginning a barrel race, the horse and rider will enter the arena at one end, at top speed, through the center entrance(or alley). Upon entering the arena, a timer will be started. Approaching the first barrel, the rider will "set the horse up", so that they are in position to turn the first barrel barrel without knocking it over. The rider will then be looking straight ahead, and across the arena at the second barrel, but only this time, they will go around it in the opposite direction. Now running toward the backside of the arena(opposite of entrance), and up the middle, they are aiming for the 3rd and final barrel that they must turn, in the same direction as the first was taken. Still racing against the timer, after the 3rd turn, sends them "heading for home", a straight shot back down the center of the arena, all the way crossing back through the timer's eye, stopping the clock to reveal their race time, as they exit back through the alley in which they entered. It may sound confusing, but the barrel racing pattern is quite possibly the most simplistic aspect of the sport, in which makes a "clover-leaf" pattern, through the 3 barrels set in a triangle formation inside the arena. Standard barrel racing patterns call for a precise distance between the start line and the first barrel, from the first to the second barrel, and from the second to the third barrel. The pattern from every point of the cloverleaf will have a precisely measured distance from one point to the next.
Usually the established distances are as follows:
* 90 feet between barrel 1 and 2.
* 105 feet between barrel 1 and 3 and between 2 and 3.
* 60 feet from barrels 1 and 2 to score line.

Rules
Since barrel racing has no judges, it is not under any subjective points of view other than those of fellow competitors. During a run, a barrel racer can hit a barrel. This means she can knock a barrel over most commonly with either with her horses shoulder or with her knee. WPRA Rules govern that when a barrel is hit, the rider shall be assessed a five second penalty in addition to her run time. Running past a barrel will result in a no time for disqualification.