Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship .
44-427: More specifically, equitation may refer to a rider's position while mounted, and encompasses a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids. In horse show competition, the rider, rather than the horse is evaluated. Such classes go by different names, depending on region, including equitation classes , rider classes , or horsemanship classes. Judging criteria covers the rider's performance and control of
88-430: A noseband or cavesson , nor any type of protective boot or bandage, except during some tests that require a reining pattern. Riders are allowed two different styles of reins: 1) split reins, which are not attached to each other, and thus the rider is allowed to place one finger between the reins to aid in making adjustments; and 2) "romal reins," which are joined together and have a romal (a type of long quirt ) on
132-550: A Big 12 regional championship in 2009, a Southeastern Conference (SEC) regional championship in 2013, and a United Equestrian Conference (UEC) regional championship in 2015. In 2012 they began the NCEA Coach of the Year Award and in 2013 they began the team given NCEA Sportsmanship Award. In 2011 they began naming an NCEA All-American First Team for each section of competition, composed of the top four riders as selected by
176-429: A course of eight to ten fences set around 3' to 3'6" in which the rider must successfully navigate the correct course while maintaining proper position. The rider should also be able to make the course look smooth by having consistent pace, consistent and correct distances to the jumps, and consistent striding between fences. The round is scored using a defined scale out of 100. Horsemanship (Western) In horsemanship,
220-401: A dressage test, the horse's gaits are not judged, although the horse's frame is taken into consideration by the judge, but rather it is the rider who is evaluated. Also, instead of a single competitor in the ring, there are several riders in the ring at one time. The rider is judged on a proper classical position. This includes evaluating leg position, seat, hands, balance, and rhythm. The rider
264-492: A flat walk and running walk. Some class will also require a canter. All classes require Rail work , where competitors show and are judged as a group going both ways of the arena. Saddle seat equitation may include individual tests or a pattern to be ridden. Tests may include backing up, mounting and dismounting, riding without stirrups, "addressing" the reins (i.e. picking up the four or two reins correctly), figure eights, serpentines and straight line patterns done at any gait. At
308-428: A less animated style than in open competition, such as a country pleasure horse. The Morgan equivalent of this class is called Classic Saddle Seat Equitation. The value given to rail work and pattern work varies from qualifying competition to championship competition. Western equitation (sometimes called Western horsemanship, stock seat equitation, or, in some classes, reining seat equitation) competitions are judged at
352-407: A long approach to test the rider. Fences must be at least 3'6" and may be up to 5' wide, and the course must have at least eight obstacles and at least one combination . The course may include liverpool or open water elements, depending on the class and region specifications. The USET Talent Search Finals always includes an open water element. Equitation tests may be chosen by the judge to help place
396-406: A precise, well executed and accurate test while staying in correct position and maintaining a harmonious balance with the horse they've drawn to compete upon. Depending on the test selected by the home team, the judge can sit by letters B, C, or E. The home team may also choose if the horse and rider should enter the arena at letter A or along both of the long sides of the arena. Testing is judged on
440-528: A scale from 0 to 10, with 0 meaning "not performed" and 10 marking "excellent". Riders will perform nine required movement, all scored using the defined scale based on accuracy and smoothness. The tenth score is judged using the same scale but is regarded to the riders overall position and correctness. The highest score a rider can receive is 100. Equitation over Fences (English Hunt Seat) Riders selected to compete in Equitation over Fences will show over
484-484: A tie score. If there is a tie in the overall competition, raw scores given by the judge are added up and used to determine the winner. In some cases, the lowest score from each team may be dropped. Equitation on the Flat (English Hunt Seat) Riders selected to compete in Equitation on the Flat demonstrate a predetermined test that is performed in a dressage arena measuring 20 meters by 40 meters. The riders must demonstrate
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#1732783178195528-454: A turn on the forehand or haunches, and a serpentine at the trot or canter with flying changes. Riders may also be asked to switch horses at higher levels of competition, such as at a national final. Switching of horses is no longer common at smaller competitions, usually only championships, due to the risks involved. The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) welcomes men and women of all levels of riding in both hunter seat equitation, on
572-437: Is always in balance with the horse, maintains a correct position in every gait, movement, or over a fence, and possesses a commanding, but relaxed, presence, able to direct the horse with nearly invisible aids . The hunt seat style of riding is derived from the hunt field . In equitation competition, flat classes (those that do not including jumping) include judging at the walk, trot , and canter in both directions, and
616-622: Is headquartered in Waco, Texas . Currently the NCEA has 24 official member colleges and universities that sponsor women's equestrian teams that participate in intercollegiate competition as a varsity sport. Some schools are further organized into conferences (ECAC, Big 12, SEC) while others are not. Most schools sponsor women's teams while two sponsor men's. They began hosting a national championship in 2002. As membership has grown, they have begun to sponsor regional championships as well. They began hosting
660-973: Is permitted including gags and two or three-ring bits as well as flash, drop, and figure eight nosebands. Additionally, if martingales are used, they must be running martingales. At the highest level of hunt seat equitation in North America are the national ASPCA Maclay Finals, the USET Talent Search Finals, the WIHS Equitation Finals, and USEF Medal classes in the United States, and the CET (Canadian Equestrian Team) Medal and Jump Canada Medal in Canada. These championships and their qualifying classes may include bending lines, roll back turns, narrow fences, and fences with
704-404: Is required. This habit includes a tuxedo-style jacket, pants and vest with bow tie and formal shirt, and top hat. Pleasure equitation is another form of saddle seat equitation in which a rider is required to wear informal dress (coat, jodhpur pants, derby or soft hat, all in a dark color) in the day and evening and ride a horse that has a full mane and tail which is not set. The horses used are of
748-413: Is seen in a long stirrup length, often longer than that used by dressage riders, an upright posture (equitation riders are never to lean forward beyond a very slight inclination), and the distinctive one-handed hold on the reins. The reining hand should be bent at the elbow, held close to the rider's side, and centered over the horse's neck, usually within an inch of the saddle horn. Due to the presence of
792-511: Is to be relaxed and not interfere with the horse's movement, but able to make full use of all riding aids . The rider and horse should have unity, and the rider should use the aids correctly and efficiently. The United States Equestrian Federation outlines the rules for Dressage Seat Equitation. Horse show Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include
836-559: The National Show Horse . It is also sometimes seen in competition for Andalusian horses . There are open and breed-specific national championships as well as an international championship held every other year. Gaits shown in Saddle Seat classes include the walk, trot, and canter. Some competitions may call for extended gaits, particularly the trot. When showing a Tennessee Walking Horse they will be required to perform
880-592: The 2019-2020 season. As a prospective athlete, students wishing to attend a Division I or II institution must be eligible before competing within collegiate athletics. One form in specific that should be downloaded by the prospective athlete is called the "Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete". There students will be able to look over the requirements more in depth. Most importantly, the student must still be an amateur to compete. Coaches may send out written contacts as of September 1 of
924-542: The NCAA Convention. Dr. Leah Holland Fiorentino has been integral in the fight for equestrian as a collegiate sport, as has Tom O'Mara. In August 2017, it was announced that Sweet Briar would become the first Division III member of the NCEA. It was announced in April 2018 by UC Davis that women's equestrian would become a varsity sport, and that it would be joining the NCEA. At the 2018 NCEA Championships,
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#1732783178195968-661: The NCAA's Director of Inclusion, Amy Wilson, was in attendance. This was the first time an NCAA official attended the championships since the sport was added to the Emerging Sports list. The U.S. Equestrian Federation's CEO, Bill Moroney, was also on-hand. In August 2019 it was announced that the University of Lynchburg and the State University of New York at New Paltz would be joining as Division III members in
1012-510: The NCEA Division I. Conference Championships take place between the end of the regular equestrian season and National Championships. Equestrian has been on the list of Emerging Sports for Women by the NCAA since 2002. The Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) oversees sports with the designation of being an Emerging Sport. The NCAA states, "Sports in the emerging sports program are expected to grow to 40 varsity teams within 10 years –
1056-527: The NCEA selection committee. In that same year they also began to name All-American Honorable Mentions based on a set criteria where there is no limit as to how many can earn the award. In 2013 they began naming an NCEA All-American Second Team composed of the next top four riders as selected by the NCEA selection committee. In the 2013-14 season they began naming an NCEA All-Time Rider of the Month Award to one athlete from each section of competition during
1100-444: The canter, only simple changes of lead are required when changing directions. It is possible to have a "ride-off," where two or more riders are asked to perform additional work to determine the winner. Correct position for the rider is to have the ear, shoulder, hip, and heel in a line. He/she is also to have a straight line from knee to toe, and from elbow to wrist to the horse's bit. The rider's back should be straight yet relaxed, and
1144-554: The competitors may be asked to ride without stirrups or perform assorted other tests or patterns. It is correct for the riders to have a light and steady contact with their horse's mouth the entire ride. Incorrect leads, break of pace, and wrong diagonals are penalized. Loss of a stirrup or dropping the reins are also faults, and may be cause for elimination. Bridles and bits permitted in these classes are more traditional hunter-style tack, i.e. snaffles and pelhams along with cavesson nosebands. In over fences classes (classes in which
1188-419: The details below. Request from 172.68.168.150 via cp1114 cp1114, Varnish XID 936385261 Upstream caches: cp1114 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:39:38 GMT National Collegiate Equestrian Association The National Collegiate Equestrian Association ( NCEA ), formerly known as Varsity Equestrian , was created as the governing body for NCAA Equestrian teams. The NCEA
1232-414: The end, which the rider holds in his/her non-reining hand, with at least 16 inches of slack between the two, and the rider is not allowed to place a finger between the reins. The correct position for this discipline, as in all forms of riding, is a balanced seat. This is seen when a bystander can run an imaginary straight line that passes through the rider's ear, shoulder, hip, and heel. The Western style
1276-406: The flat and over fences and Western horsemanship in a range of programs from varsity to club sports at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. The National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) mainly focuses on hunt seat equitation. Riders (women only) wanting to compete in the college division 1 teams need prior knowledge on riding hunt seat equitation to be considered for
1320-410: The four events. Riders are then given four minutes to practice on their assigned horse for each event. Riders competing in Equitation over Fences are allowed to take four practice fences within the four minutes of warm-ups. Each rider earns a score and the highest score on that horse wins the head-to-head match and scores a point for that team. Neither team receives the point if the two riders are given
1364-527: The horse and rider jump obstacles), the competitor rides over a course of at least six jumps (usually more). Equitation over fence classes rarely have fences higher than 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m). Classes for more accomplished riders may require at least one flying lead change , and one or more combinations . The rider is judged not only on position and effectiveness of riding aids , but should also maintain an even, forward pace and meet each fence at an appropriate distance. Additional jumper-type tack
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1408-412: The horse and rider perform a pattern in which different maneuvers and the horse's different gaits are exhibited. The base score for a pattern is 70, and the judge will score each of the 7–9 maneuvers anywhere from −1.5 to +1.5. The positive score indicates that a movement is above average in execution and the negative score deducts points for poor execution. Penalties are given if a horse kicks out, lopes on
1452-465: The horse, use of riding aids , proper attire, correct form, and usually factor in rider poise and the cleanliness and polish of horse, rider and equipment. The performance of the horse is not judged per se , but a poorly performing horse is considered to reflect the ability of the rider. Equitation classes occur in the Hunt seat , Saddle seat , Dressage , and Western disciplines. A good equitation rider
1496-405: The legs and arms are to remain virtually motionless. The informal dress for saddle seat equitation includes a coat and Kentucky jodhpurs of a dark, conservative color, e.g., herringbone, pin stripes, black, blue, grey, dark burgundy, dark green or beige; a white or pastel collared shirt with a tie; derby or soft hat ; and jodhpur boots . Vests and gloves are optional. After 6 p.m. formal wear
1540-486: The minimum level of sponsorship needed to be considered for the ultimate goal of becoming a full-fledged NCAA championship sport." Although the 10-year mark has been passed for equestrian, the sport remained on the list because of continued growth and support. However, it has faced several threats of removal from the list. In January 2016, some 200 college administrators voted for equestrian to continue in Division II at
1584-489: The quality of the ride. Riders perform movements that include: fast circles, slow circles, spins and sliding stops. Going off-pattern results in a score of zero. Over- or under-spinning by more than a quarter of a turn is also given a score of zero. The conferences listed below host Conference Championship competitions for the Division I schools listed below. Big 12, ECAC and SEC are the only conferences involved with
1628-827: The regular season. In 1998 the National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA ) and Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) identified Equestrian as an emerging sport for women in NCAA Divisions I and II. In September 2019, the CWA supported a proposal to add equestrian to the Emerging Sports for Women program in Division III. The proposal was submitted to Division III delegates at the NCAA Convention in January 2020, but
1672-425: The saddle horn, a true straight line between rider's hand and horse's mouth is usually not possible. The non-reining hand either holds onto the romal, if one is used; or if split reins are used, is held in a still position, which varies as styles change, but often is also bent at the elbow and held close to the pommel of the saddle. Dressage seat equitation is a relatively new class offered at dressage shows. Unlike
1716-493: The teams. Saddle seat is a uniquely American form of riding that grew out of a style of riding used on Southern plantations , with some European influences from "Park" or Sunday exhibition riding of high-stepping horses in public venues (often literally, city parks). Today it is seen most often at horse shows organized for exhibitors of the American Saddlebred , Morgan , Arabian , Tennessee Walking Horse , and
1760-489: The top riders. These tests are required in the medal classes. Tests may include a halt for several seconds, rein back , demonstration of the hand gallop, figure-8 at the trot or canter with correct diagonals or leads (simple change of lead or flying), trotting or cantering low fences (up to 3'), jump obstacles at the walk (up to 2'), jumping fences on a figure-8 , oral questions regarding tack, equipment, conformation, and basic horsemanship, riding without stirrups, performing
1804-561: The varsity team to compete. Home teams provide the horses and appropriate equipment for them and the competition. Five horses are selected for each of the four events and coaches designate five of their riders to compete in each event for the English and Western components of the competition. A rider from each team is randomly paired and assigned to a horse for each event to compete in a "head-to head" match. Competitors are allowed to watch sanctioned warm-ups where horses are schooled for each of
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1848-538: The walk, jog, and lope in both directions. Some classes require individual patterns. Riders must sit to the jog and never post. Riders must use a Western saddle and a curb bit , and may only use one hand to hold the reins while riding. Two hands are allowed if the horse is ridden in a snaffle bit or hackamore , which are only permitted for use on younger, "junior" horses, defined differently by various breed associations, but usually referring to horses four or five years of age and younger. Horses are not allowed to wear
1892-446: The wrong lead, or otherwise detracts from the uniformity of the performance. It is possible for a rider to receive a score of zero if mistakes such as going off-pattern (adding or subtracting elements from the original pattern) are made. Reining (Western) Unlike horsemanship patterns, reining patterns include spins and sliding stops performed by the horse and rider. In reining, a score starts 70 and can be higher or lower depending on
1936-476: Was defeated 174-195. Schools organize season schedules that allow for head-to-head competitions resulting in ranking and seeding for conference and national titles. They compete during the fall semester from September to November and during the Spring semester from January to March. From March on there are post-season competitions. Home team schools can delegate the number of junior varsity riders that may accompany
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