Could someone please explain all these types of horseback riding to me?
March 30th, 2010
Western pleasure
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English pleasure
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Jumping
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Barrel racing
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Trail classes
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Safety in trail riding
·
Showmanship
Western pleasure is a style of western riding used with a western saddle (saddle horn which you do not hold onto), with one hand on the reins and the other on your leg
English pleasure is the same as western, though you use an english saddle with no horn but a higher back and you have you reins in two hands
Jumping you use the english style of riding to clear obstacles. There is two kinds, show and cross country. Cross country is hilly and the jumps are more spread out while show is on flat ground and closer together.
Barrel racing is where you steer your horse at a canter or gallop (I like to slow down through the turns a bit) using a western saddle around three barels that form a triangle shape
Trail classes is where you tack up and get on those trails! 
Trail saftey classes are just where you learn about the saftey and dos and don’ts of trail riding
Showmanship is where you get out ther (english only i think) and show your skills. They may ask you for a trot which would mean correct posture, keeping the horse at the speed you need, and get your posting on the right diagonal.
I would suggest taking western pleasure, english pleasure, showmanship, or trail
March 30th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
english pleasure- thats using an english saddle and bridle, riding english. english includes posting and getting into the 2-point to jump
jumping- this is a show class that is usually times and the horse’s comfirmation and the way you ride doesnt matter. be fast and dont knock down the jumps and you win. this is riden english.
barrel racing- this a western where a horse and rider must race around 3 barrels in a clover leaf pattern. be fast and dont knock down the barrels!
trail classes- this is when a horse and rider prove how good they are at trail riding by crossing bridges, opening a mail box, carring a flag, opening and closing a gate, ect. a horse must be "bomb proof" to do this well
safety in trail riding- this is a class where you show how to safley trail ride-i am guessing on this one
showmanship- this is when you are not riding, and you must get your horse to do things such as back up, pivot, ect. while you are on the ground. don’t confuse this with halter where the horse’s confirmation is being judged.
References :
personal experience
March 30th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Western pleasure is a style of western riding used with a western saddle (saddle horn which you do not hold onto), with one hand on the reins and the other on your leg
English pleasure is the same as western, though you use an english saddle with no horn but a higher back and you have you reins in two hands
Jumping you use the english style of riding to clear obstacles. There is two kinds, show and cross country. Cross country is hilly and the jumps are more spread out while show is on flat ground and closer together.
Barrel racing is where you steer your horse at a canter or gallop (I like to slow down through the turns a bit) using a western saddle around three barels that form a triangle shape
Trail classes is where you tack up and get on those trails!
Trail saftey classes are just where you learn about the saftey and dos and don’ts of trail riding
Showmanship is where you get out ther (english only i think) and show your skills. They may ask you for a trot which would mean correct posture, keeping the horse at the speed you need, and get your posting on the right diagonal.
I would suggest taking western pleasure, english pleasure, showmanship, or trail
References :
19 years spent with horses and raising 49