Show jumping From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation , search A youth competitor show jumping in Denmark Show jumping , also known as "stadium jumping" or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage , eventing , hunters and equitation . Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics . Sometimes shows are limited exclusively to jumpers, sometimes jumper classes are offered in conjunction with other English-style events, and sometimes show jumping is but one division of very large, all-breed competitions that include a very wide variety of disciplines. Jumping classes may be governed by various national horse show sanctioning organizations, such as the United States Equestrian Federation in the USA . However, international competitions are governed by the rules of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). Contents 1 Hunters or jumpers 2 Courses and rules 3 History 4 Original scoring tariff 5 Modern rules 6 Tack 7 Rider attire 8 Types of competition 9 Types of show jumps 10 The horses 11 References 12 External links [ edit ] Hunters or jumpers See also: Show hunter  and Show hunter (British) Proper show jumping attire, as seen in the show jumping phase of a three-day event. Attire at an event includes a mandatory armband as seen here, although the armband is not required in general show jumping. 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, because riders and horses are not being judged on style. 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. However, formal turnout is always preferred, and a neat rider gives a good impression at shows. 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. [ edit ] Courses and rules A show jumping course. Show Jump Course Diagram of a show jumping course 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. The purpose is to jump cleanly over a set course within an allotted time. Time faults are assessed for exceeding the time allowance. Jumping faults are incurred for knockdowns and blatant disobedience, such as refusals (when the horse stops before a fence or "runs out"). ( see "Modern Rules" below ) Horses are allowed a limited number of refusals before being disqualified. A refusal can also lead to a rider going over the time allowed on course. Placings are based on the lowest number of points or "faults" accumulated. A horse and rider who have not accumulated any jumping faults or penalty points are said to have scored a "clear round." 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 but not the jump-off course (usually the same course with missing jumps e.g. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 instead of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) 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, to decide how many strides the horse will need to take between each jump and at which angle. 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. Horses sometimes also have to jump fences from an angle rather than straight-on. For example, a course designer might set up a line so that there are six and a half strides (the standard measure for a canter stride is 12 feet) between the jumps, 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 (when time counts even in the first round). A jumper must jump big, bravely, and fast, but he must also be careful and accurate to avoid knockdowns and must 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. [ edit ] History The jumping course in Balve Show jumping is a relatively new equestrian sport. Until the Inclosure Acts which came into force in England in the eighteenth century there had been little need for horses to routinely jump fences. But 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 as 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, however, not popular with spectators as they could not watch the jumping. Thus, it was not long before fences began to appear in the arena. This became known as Lepping . 1869 was the year ‘horse leaping’ came to prominence at Dublin horse show. [ 1 ] 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 at Pinerolo and Tor-di-Quinto in Italy, the French school in Saumur and the Spanish school in Vienna all 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 Federico 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 deep, Dressage -style seat, while useful for riding on the flat and in conditions where control of the horse is of greater importance than freedom of movement, is sometimes referred to with disparagement as a "backward" seat in some jumping circles. The first major show jumping competition held in England was at Olympia in 1907. Most of the competitors were members of the military and it became clear at this competition and in the subsequent years that there was no uniformity of rules for the sport. 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 . An early form of show jumping was first incorporated into the Olympic Games in 1900. Show jumping in its current format appeared in 1912, and has thrived ever since, its recent popularity due in part to its suitability as a spectator sport which can be viewed on television. [ edit ] Original scoring tariff Riders walking a course. 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: elimination (at first, stadium jumps were set as a single rail that would be sometimes up to 5 feet high. the horses eventually began to duck under the jumps, which is perhaps were the term 'ducking out' at a fence originated from) 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: 4 faults Foot in the water jump: if a horse lands with any number of feet in the water—4 faults. However no faults were incurred if the raised block in front of the water was knocked down. Water jumps were once at least 15 feet (5 m) wide, although the water had often drained out of them by the time the last competitor jumped. High jumping would start with a pole at around 5 feet but this was 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. [ edit ] Modern rules This knockdown will incur 4 penalties or "faults." Rules have since evolved, with different national federations having different classes and rules. [ 2 ] The international governing body for most major show jumping competitions is the Federation Equestrian Internationale ( FEI ). FEI The two most common types of penalties are jumping penalties and time penalties. Jumping Penalties: Jumping penalties are assessed for refusals and knockdowns, with each refusal or knockdown adding four faults to a competitor's score. Penalties for knockdowns are imposed only when the knockdown changes the height or width of the jump. If a horse or rider knocks down a bottom or middle rail while still clearing the height of the obstacle, providing the rails are directly underneath the top rail, they receive no penalties. Penalties are assessed at the open water 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: Refusals now are penalized four faults, up from three. Within the last several years, the FEI has decreased the number of refusals resulting in elimination from three to two, and this rule has trickled down from the top levels of FEI competition to all levels of horse shows (at least in the United States). A refusal that results in the destruction of the integrity of a jump (running into the fence instead of jumping it, displacing poles, gates, flowers, or large clumps of turf or dirt) will not receive four faults for the knockdown, but instead the 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 (one- or two-stride) must re-jump the entire combination. Time Penalties: In the past, a common timing rule was a 1/4 second penalty for each second or fraction of a second over the time allowed. Since the early 2000s, this rule was changed by the FEI so that each second or fraction of a second over the time allowed would result in 1 time penalty (e.g. with a time allowed of 72 seconds, a time of 73.09 seconds would result in 2 time faults). Combinations: a refusal at any of the jumps in a combination results in the horse having to repeat the entire obstacle, not just the element refused. So a horse may jump "A" and "B" without issue, but have a refusal at the third fence (C), at which time the rider would have to circle and return to jump fence "A" again, giving the horse a second chance to refuse or knock down "A" and "B". Despite being considered one obstacle, each element may result in penalty points if knocked down. Therefore, if each of the three fences in a triple combination were knocked down, the rider would receive 12 faults (4 per rail), instead of 4 faults for the entire obstacle. [ edit ] Tack See also: English saddle  and Bridle Common show jumping tack: jumping saddle, open-front boots, running martingale, and figure-8 noseband. Show jumping competitors use a very forward style of English saddle , most often the "close contact" design, which has a forward flap and a seat and cantle that is flatter than saddles designed for general all-purpose English riding or dressage . This construction allows greater freedom of movement for the rider when in jumping position , and allows a shorter stirrup, allowing the rider to lighten his or her seat. Other saddles, such as those designed for dressage , are intended for riders with a deep seat, can hinder a rider over large fences, forcing them into a position that limits the horse's movement and may put the rider dangerously behind the movement of the horse. At international levels, saddle pads are usually white and square in shape, allowing the pair to display a sponsorship, national flag, or breeding affiliation. (In contrast, riders in show hunters and equitation often use "fitted" fleece pads that are the same shape as the saddle.) Girths vary in type, but usually have a contour to give room for the horse's elbows, and many have belly guards to protect the underside of the horse from its shoe studs when the front legs are tightly folded under. Bridles may be used with any style of cavesson noseband , and there are few rules regarding the severity of this equipment. The figure-8 cavesson is the most popular type. Bits may also vary in severity, and competitors may use any bit, or even a "bitless bridle " or a hackamore . However, the ground jury at the show has the right, based on veterinary advice, to refuse a bit or bridling scheme if it could cause harm to the horse. Boots and/or wraps are worn by almost all horses, due to the fact that they may easily injure their legs when landing or when making tight turns at speed. Open-fronted tendon boots are usually worn on the forelegs, because they provide protection for the delicate tendons that run down the back of the leg, but still allow the horse to feel a rail should it get careless and hang its legs. Fetlock boots are sometimes seen on the rear legs, primarily to prevent the horse from hitting itself on tight turns. Martingales are very common, especially on horses used at the Grand Prix level. The majority of jumpers are ridden in running martingales, as these provide the most freedom over fences. Although a standing martingale (a strap connecting directly to the horse's noseband) is commonly seen on show hunters and may be helpful in keeping a horse from throwing its head up, it can also be quite dangerous in the event of a stumble, restricting a horse from using its head to regain its balance. For this reason, standing martingales are not used in show jumping or eventing . Breastplates are also common, used to keep the saddle in place as the horse goes over large fences. [ edit ] Rider attire Rider attire may be somewhat less formal than that used in hunter riding. However, an approved ASTM/SEI equestrian helmet with a harness is always required, and is a practical necessity to protect the rider's head in the event of a fall. Tall boots are required, usually black. Spurs are optional, but commonly used. Breeches are traditional in color, usually white, tan, or beige. At approved competitions, depending on sanctioning organization, a dark-colored coat is usually worn (though under the rules of the USEF tweed or wash jackets are allowed in the summer and lighter colors are currently in fashion), with a light-colored (usually white) ratcatcher-style shirt and either a choker or stock tie . However, especially in the summer, many riders wear a simple short-sleeved "polo" style shirt with helmet, boots and breeches, and even where coats are required, the judges may waive the coat rule in extremely hot weather. Gloves, usually black, are optional, as is braiding of the horse. At FEI Grand Prix levels, tradition is very strong and riders dress in a more formal manner. White shirts and breeches are worn with black boots. Members of some national teams, including the United States , may be seen in red jackets, a color reserved for only riders of the Grand Prix level; otherwise international competitors usually wear a dark navy jacket, sometimes with national insignia added. [ edit ] Types of competition Grand Prix Competition Grand Prix: the highest level of show jumping. Run under International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) rules, the horse jumps a course of 10 to 16 obstacles, with heights and spreads of up to 6.5 feet (2.0 m). Grand Prix-level show jumping competitions include the Olympics , the World Equestrian Games and other series of internationally-ranked events. Grand Prix showjumping is normally referred to collectively as five-star Concours de Saut International (CSI) rules. Speed derby Puissance : a high-jump competition, where the final wall may reach over 7 feet tall. Six-bar: riders jump six fences set in a straight line. In most places, fences are placed at equal distances apart, the first fence is the lowest and each subsequent fence is higher than the one before. Horses are either penalized or eliminated from competition if they knock down a rail. After each round where more than one competitor goes "clean," or is tied for fewest faults, the six fences are raised in height each subsequent round until there is a winner. Occasionally, if there are multiple jump-offs, the final fences can be raised to well over 6 feet. Gambler's choice/accumulator: An event where exhibitors choose their own course, with each fence cleared worth a given amount of points based on difficulty. The entry who accumulates the most points within a set time limit on course is the winner. Calcutta: A jumping event where spectators bet on which horse will win by means of an auction where the highest bidder has the exclusive bet on a given horse. Though the exact mechanism varies by region and culture, as a rule, the spectator who bets on the winner collects all money bet and then splits the purse with the owner of the winning horse. Maiden, novice and limit: Jumping classes limited to horses with fewer than one, three or six wins. Fences are usually lower and time limits more generous. Match race or double slalom: two identical courses are set up in a split arena, and two horses race over the courses. Touch class: A class held much like a normal showjumping class, except that if the horse touches the jump it is considered four faults. Faults converted: A class in which any faults are converted into seconds on the clock, usually at the rate of 1 second per fault (i.e. one rail = 4 seconds) [ edit ] Types of show jumps Main article: Horse jumping obstacles 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: An oxer. England, 2004 A Liverpool. California, USA, 2005. Vertical (or upright) - a jump that consists of poles or planks placed one directly above another with no spread, or width, to jump. Oxer - two verticals close together, to make the jump wider. Also called a spread. Square oxer (sometimes known as Box Oxer): Both top poles are of an equal height. Ascending oxer (usually called a Ramped Oxer): The furthest pole is higher than the first. Descending oxer (usually called an Offset Oxer): The furthest pole is lower than the closest. 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. Cross rail - not commonly used in sanctioned horse shows, and sometimes called a "cross-pole," two poles crossed with one end of each pole is on the ground and 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 spread fence with three rails 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. Jump height levels are governed nationally until reaching a high enough level (usually 1.50 meters) that will be governed by the international body, the FEI. In the United States, jumping levels range from 0-9: USEF JUMPER LEVELS Level 1. Fences 2’9” to 3’0” in height and 3’0” to 3’6” in spread. Triple bars/liverpools to 4’0”. Level 2. Fences 3’0” to 3’3” in height and 3’3” to 3’9” in spread. Triple bars/liverpools to 4’3” Level 3. Fences 3’3” to 3’6” in height and 3’6” to 4’0” in spread Triple bars/liverpools to 4’6”. Level 4. Fences 3’6” to 3’9” in height and 3’9” to 4’3” in spread. Triple bars to 4’9”. Water to 8’. Level 5. Fences 3’9” to 4’0” in height and 4’0” to 4’6” in spread. Triple bars to 5’0”. Water to 9’. Level 6. Fences 4’0”to 4’3” in height and 4’3” to 4’9” in spread. Triple bars to 5’3”. Water to 10’. Level 7. Fences 4’3” to 4’6” in height and 4’6” to 5’0” in spread. Triple bars to 5’6”. Water to 12’. Level 8. Fences 4’6” to 4’9” in height and 4’9” to 5’3” in spread. Triple bars to 5’9”. Water to 12’6”. Level 9. Fences 4’9” to 5’0” in height and 5’0” to 5’6” in spread. Triple bars to 6’0”. Water to 13’. In Germany, levels are denoted by the letters A-S, and correspond to heights ranging from 0.80 to 1.55 meters. [ edit ] The horses A show jumper must have the scope and courage to jump large fences as well as the athletic ability to handle the sharp turns and bursts of speed necessary to navigate the most difficult courses. Many breeds of horses have been successful show jumpers, and even some "grade" horses of uncertain breeding have been champions. Most show jumpers are tall horses, over 16 hands , usually of Warmblood or Thoroughbred breeding, though horses as small as 14.1 hands have been on the Olympics teams of various nations and carried riders to Olympic and other international medals. There is no correlation between the size of a horse and its athletic ability, nor do tall horses necessarily have an advantage when jumping. Nonetheless, a taller horse may make a fence appear less daunting to the rider. [ 3 ] Ponies also compete in show jumping competitions in many countries, usually in classes limited to youth riders under the age of 16 or 18 years, depending on sanctioning organization. Pony-sized horses may, on occasion, compete in open competition with adult riders. The most famous example was Stroller , ridden by Marion Coakes ( née Mould) who only stood 14.1  hands (57 inches, 145 cm) but was nonetheless a Individual Silver medal winner and part the United Kingdom's show jumping team in the 1968 Summer Olympics , jumping one of the few clean rounds in the competition. Significant jumpers from the United States are included in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. [ 4 ] [ edit ] References Notes ^ History of Dublin Horse Show ^ USEF Web site, USA ^ Barakat, Christine. "Why Size Matters." Equus, October 2007, Issue 361, pp. 36-42 ^ Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductees Bibliography Clayton, Michael, and William Steinkraus. The Complete Book of Show Jumping. New York: Crown Publishers, 1975. ASIN: B000HFW4KC de Nemethy, Bertalan. Classic Show Jumping: The de Nemethy Method; A Complete System for Training Today's Horses and Riders. Doubleday, 1988. ISBN 0385236204 [ edit ] External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Show jumping Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) United States Equestrian Federation Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games British show jumping association Show jumping association of Ireland Jump Off CN World Cup Jump Off: Big Ben Challenge Jump Off in a Grand Prix Four-bar Competition Grand Prix Derby course || Equestrianism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation , search For the Roman order, see Equestrian order . This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding reliable references . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (October 2008) A young rider at a horse show in Australia Equestrianism (from Latin equester, equestr-, horseman , horse ) [ 1 ] more often known as riding , horseback riding (American English) or horse riding (British English) [ 2 ] refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses . This broad description includes the use of horses for practical working purposes, recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercises, and competitive sports . Contents 1 Overview of equestrian activities 2 History of horse use 3 Horse racing 3.1 Types of horse racing 4 Olympic disciplines 5 Haute École 6 Horse shows 7 "English" riding 8 "Western" riding 9 Rodeo 9.1 Timed events 9.2 Roping 9.3 "Rough Stock" competition 10 Harness 11 Other equestrian activities 11.1 Arena sports 11.2 Horse sports that use cattle 11.3 Defined area sports 11.4 Cross-country sports 12 Health issues 12.1 Mechanisms of injury 12.2 Types and severity of injury 12.3 Riding astride 13 Criticism of horses in sport 14 Horse riding on coinage 15 See also 16 References 17 External links [ edit ] Overview of equestrian activities A stunt rider at a Devon agricultural show A young Tibetan rider. Horse riding is an essential means of transportation in parts of the world where the landscape does not permit other means Horses are trained and ridden for practical working purposes such as in police work or for controlling herd animals on a ranch . They are also used in competitive sports including, but not limited to, dressage , endurance riding , eventing , reining , show jumping , tent pegging , vaulting , polo , horse racing , driving , and rodeo . (See additional equestrian sports listed later in this article for more examples.) Some popular forms of competition are grouped together at horse shows , where horses perform in a wide variety of disciplines. Horses (and other equids such as mules and donkeys ) are used for non-competitive recreational riding such as fox hunting , trail riding or hacking. There is public access to horse trails in almost every part of the world; many parks, ranches , and public stables offer both guided and independent riding. Horses are also used for therapeutic purposes, both in specialized paraequestrian competition as well as non-competitive riding to improve human health and emotional development. Horses are also driven in harness racing , at horse shows and in other types of exhibition, historical reenactment or ceremony, often pulling carriages . In some parts of the world, they are still used for practical purposes such as farming . Horses continue to be used in public service: in traditional ceremonies (parades, funerals), police and volunteer mounted patrols, and for mounted search and rescue . [ edit ] History of horse use Main articles: Domestication of the horse and Horses in warfare See also: Horses in the Middle Ages Though there is controversy over the exact date horses were domesticated and when they were first ridden; the best estimate is that horses first were ridden approximately 4500 BC. Indirect evidence suggests that horses were ridden long before they were driven. There is some evidence that about 6,000 years ago, near the Dneiper River and the Don River , people were using bits on horses, as a stallion that was buried there shows teeth wear consistent with using a bit. [ 3 ] However, the most unequivocal early archaeological evidence of equines put to working use was of horses being driven. Chariot burials about 2500 BC present the most direct hard evidence of horses used as working animals . In ancient times chariot warfare was followed by the use of war horses as light and heavy cavalry . The horse played an important role throughout human history all over the world, both in warfare and in peaceful pursuits such as transportation , trade and agriculture . Horses lived in North America, but died out at the end of the Ice Age . Horses were brought back to North America by European explorers, beginning with the second voyage of Columbus in 1493. [ 4 ] [ edit ] Horse racing Main articles: Horse racing , Harness racing , and Parimutuel gambling Humans appear to have long expressed a desire to know which horse (or horses) were the fastest, thus horse racing has ancient roots. Gambling on horse races appears to go hand-in hand with racing and has a long history as well. Thoroughbreds have the pre-eminent reputation as a racing breed, but other breeds also race. [ edit ] Types of horse racing Under saddle: Thoroughbred horse racing is the most popular form worldwide. In the UK, it is known as flat racing and is governed by the Jockey Club in the United Kingdom. In the USA, horse racing is governed by the Jockey Club of North America. Steeplechasing involves racing on a track where the horses also jump over obstacles. It is most common in the UK, where it is also called National Hunt racing. American Quarter Horse racing—races over distances of approximately a quarter-mile. Seen mostly in the United States, sanctioned by the American Quarter Horse Association . Arabian horses , Akhal-Teke , Appaloosas , American Paint Horses and other light breeds are also raced worldwide. Endurance riding , a sport in which the Arabian horse dominates at the top levels, has become very popular in the United States and in Europe. The Federation Equestre International (FEI) governs international races, and the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) organizes the sport in North America. Endurance races take place over a given, measured distance and the horses have an even start. Races begin at 20 miles (32 km) and peak at 100 miles (160 km). especially the Tevis Cup . Ride and Tie (in North America, organized by Ride and Tie Association). Ride and Tie involves three equal partners: two humans and one horse. The humans alternately run and ride. In harness: Standardbred horses race in harness with a sulky or racing bike. The United States Trotting Association organizes harness racing in the United States (the horses may trot or pace). Harness racing is also found throughout Europe, New Zealand and Australia. [ edit ] Olympic disciplines Main article: Equestrian at the Summer Olympics Equestrian events were first included in the modern Olympic Games in 1900. By 1912, all three Olympic disciplines still seen today were part of the games. The following forms of competition are recognized worldwide and are a part of the equestrian events at the Olympics: Dressage ("training" in French ) involves the progressive training of the horse to a high level of impulsion , collection , and obedience. Competitive dressage has the goal of showing the horse carrying out, on request, the natural movements that it performs without thinking while running loose. One dressage master has defined it as "returning the freedom of the horse while carrying the rider." Show jumping comprises a timed event judged on the ability of the horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles, in a given order and with the fewest refusals or knockdowns of portions of the obstacles. Eventing , also called combined training, horse trials, the three-day event, the Military, or the complete test, puts together the obedience of dressage with the athletic ability of show jumping, the fitness demands the cross-country jumping phase. In the last-named, the horses jump over fixed obstacles, such as logs, stone walls, banks , ditches , and water , trying to finish the course under the "optimum time." There was also the 'Steeple Chase' Phase, which is now excluded from most major competitions to bring them in line with the Olympic standard. There is also one equestrian discipline in the Paralympics : Para-Dressage is conducted under the same rules as conventional Dressage, but with riders divided into different classes based on the severity of their disabilities. The additional non-Olympic events sanctioned by the FEI as international disciplines are: combined driving ; endurance ; horseball ; reining ; tent pegging ; and vaulting . These events are recognized internationally and are part of the FEI World Equestrian Games every four years, and hold their own individual World Championships in other years. [ edit ] Haute École Main article: Classical dressage The haute école ( F. "high school"), an advanced component of Classical dressage , is a highly refined set of skills seldom used in competition but often seen in demonstration performances. Leading haute ecole demonstration teams include: The Cadre Noir in Saumur , France . The Spanish Riding School in Vienna , Austria . The Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre in Queluz, Portugal . Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez de la Frontera , Spain . [ edit ] Horse shows Main article: Horse show Horse shows are held throughout the world with a tremendous variety of possible events, equipment, attire and judging standards used. However, most forms of horse show competition can be broken into the following broad categories: Equitation , sometimes called seat and hands or horsemanship , refers to events where the rider is judged on form, style and ability. Pleasure, flat, or under saddle classes feature horses who are ridden on the flat (not jumped) and judged on manners, performance, movement, style and quality. Halter, in-hand breeding, or conformation classes, where the horse is led by a handler on the ground and judged on conformation and suitability as a breeding animal. Harness classes, where the horse is driven rather than ridden, but still judged on manners, performance and quality. Jumping or Over Fences refers broadly to both show jumping and show hunter , where horses and riders must jump obstacles. [ edit ] "English" riding Main article: English riding See also: Hunt seat , Show hack , Show hunter , Show jumping , Dressage , Riding Horse , and Saddle seat In addition to the classical Olympic events, the following forms of competition are seen. In North America they are referred to as " English riding " in contrast with western-style riding; elsewhere in the world, if a distinction is necessary, they are usually described as "classic riding": Hunt seat or Hunter classes judge the movement and the form of horses suitable for work over fences. A typical show hunter division would include classes over fences as well as "Hunter under Saddle" or "flat" classes (sometimes called "hack" classes), in which the horse is judged on its performance, manners and movement without having to jump. Hunters have a long, flat-kneed trot, sometimes called "daisy cutter" movement, a phrase suggesting a good hunter could slice daisies in a field when it reaches its stride out. The over fences classes in show hunter competition are judged on the form of the horse, its manners and the smoothness of the course. A horse with good jumping form snaps its knees up and jumps with a good bascule . It should also be able to canter or gallop with control while having a stride long enough to make a proper number of strides over a given distance between fences. Eventing , show jumping , and dressage , described under "Olympic disciplines," above are all "English" riding disciplines that in North America sometimes are loosely classified within the "hunt seat" category. Saddle seat , is a primarily American discipline, though has recently become somewhat popular in South Africa , was created to show to best advantage the animated movement of high-stepping and gaited breeds such as the American Saddlebred and the Tennessee Walker . Some Arabians and Morgans are also shown saddle seat in the United States. There are usually three basic divisions. Park divisions are for the horses with the highest action. Pleasure divisions still emphasis animated action, but to a lesser degree, with manners ranking over animation. Plantation or Country divisions have the least amount of animation (in some breeds, the horses are flat-shod) and the greatest emphasis on manners. Show hack is a competition seen primarily in the United Kingdom , Australia , and other nations influenced by British traditions, featuring horses of elegant appearance, with excellent way of going and self-carriage. A related event is Riding Horse . [ edit ] "Western" riding Main article: Western riding See also: Reining , Western pleasure , Rodeo , and Cutting (sport) Western riding evolved from the cattle-working and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors , and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy on ranches in the American West . Though the differences between English and Western riding appear dramatic, there are more similarities than most people think. Both styles require riders to have a solid seat, with the hips and shoulders balanced over the feet, with hands independent of the seat so as to avoid disturbing the balance of the horse and interfering with its performance. The most noticeable feature of western style riding is in the saddle, which has a substantial tree that provides greater support to horse and rider when working long hours in the saddle. The western saddle features a prominent pommel topped by a horn (a knob used for dallying a lariat after roping an animal), a deep seat and a high cantle. The stirrups are wider and the saddle has rings and ties that allow objects to be attached to the saddle. Western horses are asked to perform with a loose rein, controlled by one hand. The standard western bridle lacks a noseband and usually consists of a single set of reins attached to a curb bit that has somewhat longer and looser shanks than the curb of an English Weymouth bridle or a pelham bit . Two styles of Western reins developed: The long split reins of the Texas tradition, which are completely separated, or the closed-end " Romal " reins of the California tradition, which have a long single attachment on the ends that can be used as a quirt . Modern rodeo competitors in timed events sometimes use a closed rein without a romal . Western riders wear a long-sleeved shirt, denim jeans, boots, and a wide-brimmed cowboy hat . Cowboy boots , which have pointed toes and higher heels than a traditional riding boot, are designed to prevent the rider's foot from slipping through the stirrup during a fall, preventing the rider from being dragged—most western saddles have no safety bars for the leathers or automatic stirrup release mechanism. A rider may wear protective leather leggings called chaps . Clean, well-fitting work clothing is the usual outfit seen in rodeo , cutting and reining competitions, especially for men, though sometimes both men and women wear brighter colors or finer fabrics for competition than for work. Show events such as Western pleasure use much flashier equipment, unlike the English traditions where clothing and tack is quiet and unobtrusive. Saddles, bits and bridles are ornamented with substantial amounts of silver. The rider may add a jacket or vest, and women's clothing in particular features vivid colors and even, depending on current fads, rhinestones or sequins. [ 5 ] Western horses are asked to have a brisk, ground-covering walk, but a slow, relaxed jog trot that allows the rider to sit the saddle and not post. The Western version of the canter is called a lope and while collected and balanced, is expected to be slow and relaxed. Working western horses seldom use a sustained hand gallop, but must be able to accelerate quickly to high speed when chasing cattle or competing in rodeo speed events, must be able to stop quickly from a dead run and "turn on a dime." [ edit ] Rodeo Main article: Rodeo Rodeo events include the following forms of competition: [ edit ] Timed events Barrel racing and pole bending - the timed speed and agility events seen in rodeo as well as gymkhana or O-Mok-See competition. Both men and women compete in speed events at gymkhanas or O-Mok-Sees; however, at most professional, sanctioned rodeos, barrel racing is an exclusively women's sport. In a barrel race, horse and rider gallop around a cloverleaf pattern of barrels, making agile turns without knocking the barrels over. In pole bending, horse and rider run the length of a line of six upright poles, turn sharply and weave through the poles, turn again and weave back, then return to the start. Steer wrestling - Also known as "Bulldogging," this is a rodeo event where the rider jumps off his horse onto a steer and 'wrestles' it to the ground by grabbing it by the horns. This is probably the single most physically dangerous event in rodeo for the cowboy, who runs a high risk of jumping off a running horse head first and missing the steer, or of having the thrown steer land on top of him, sometimes horns first. Goat tying - usually an event for women or pre-teen girls and boys, a goat is staked out while a mounted rider runs to the goat, dismounts, grabs the goat, throws it to the ground and ties it in the same manner as a calf. This event was designed to teach smaller or younger riders the basics of calf roping without the more complex need to also lasso the animal. [ edit ] Roping Roping includes a number of timed events that are based on the real-life tasks of a working cowboy, who often had to capture calves and adult cattle for branding , medical treatment and other purposes. A lasso or lariat is thrown over the head of a calf or the horns of adult cattle, and the animal is secured in a fashion dictated by its size and age. Calf roping , also called "tie-down roping," is an event where a calf is roped around the neck by a lariat , the horse stops and sets back on the rope while the cowboy dismounts, runs to the calf, throws it to the ground and ties three feet together. (If the horse throws the calf, the cowboy must lose time waiting for the calf to get back to its feet so that the cowboy can do the work. The job of the horse is to hold the calf steady on the rope) This activity is still practiced on modern working ranches for branding , medical treatment, and so on. Team roping , also called "heading and heeling," is the only rodeo event where men and women riders may compete together. Two people capture and restrain a full-grown steer. One horse and rider, the "header," lassos a running steer's horns, while the other horse and rider, the "heeler," lassos the steer's two hind legs. Once the animal is captured, the riders face each other and lightly pull the steer between them, so that it loses its balance, thus in the real world allowing restraint for treatment. Breakaway roping - an easier form of calf roping where a very short lariat is used, tied lightly to the saddle horn with string and a flag. When the calf is roped, the horse stops, allowing the calf to run on, flagging the end of time when the string and flag breaks from the saddle. In the United States, this event is primarily for women of all ages and boys under 12, while in some nations where traditional calf roping is frowned upon, riders of both genders compete. [ edit ] "Rough Stock" competition In spite of popular myth, most modern "broncs" are not in fact wild horses, but are more commonly spoiled riding horses or horses bred specifically as bucking stock. Bronc riding - there are two divisions in rodeo, bareback bronc riding, where the rider is only allowed to hang onto a bucking horse with a surcingle , and saddle bronc riding, where the rider is allowed a specialized western saddle without a horn (for safety) and may hold onto a heavy lead rope attached to a halter on the horse. Bull Riding - though technically not an equestrian event, as the cowboys ride full-grown bulls instead of horses, skills similar to bareback bronc riding are required. [ edit ] Harness A Welsh pony in fine harness competition Main article: Driving (horse) Horses, mules and donkeys are driven in harness in many different ways. For working purposes, they can pull a plow or other farm equipment designed to be pulled by animals. In many parts of the world they still pull wagons for basic hauling and transportation. They may draw carriages at ceremonies, in parades or for tourist rides. As noted in "horse racing" above , horses can race in harness, pulling a very lightweight cart known as a sulky . At the other end of the spectrum, some draft horses compete in horse pulling competitions, where single or teams of horses and their drivers vie to determine who can pull the most weight for a short distance. In horse show competition, the following general categories of competition are seen: Combined driving , an internationally-recognized competition where horses perform an arena-based "dressage" class where precision and control are emphasized, a cross-country "marathon" section that emphasizes fitness and endurance, and a "stadium" or "cones" obstacle course. Draft horse showing : Most draft horse performance competition is done in harness. Pleasure driving : Horses and ponies are usually hitched to a light cart shown at a walk and two speeds of trot, with an emphasis on manners. Fine harness : Also called "Formal driving," Horses are hitched to a light four-wheeled cart and shown in a manner that emphasizes flashy action and dramatic performance. Roadster : A horse show competition where exhibitors wear racing silks and ride in a sulky in a style akin to harness racing , only without actually racing, but rather focusing on manners and performance. Carriage driving, using somewhat larger two or four wheeled carriages, often restored antiques , judged on the turnout/neatness or suitability of horse and carriage. [ edit ] Other equestrian activities Girls and their horses preparing for a polo game There are many other forms of equestrian activity and sports seen worldwide. There are both competitive events and pleasure riding disciplines available. [ edit ] Arena sports Arena polo and Cowboy polo Pato (Argentina's national sport) Charreada , the highest form of Mexican horsemanship based on a mixture of Spanish and Native traditions. Equestrian vaulting : In vaulting, a surcingle with two hoops at the top is attached around a horse's barrel . The horse also wears a bridle with side reins . The vaulter is longed on the horse, and performs gymnastic movements while the horse walks, trots, and canters. Gymkhana , also known as O-Mok-See in the western United States. Reining [ edit ] Horse sports that use cattle Australian rodeo Bullfighting ( rejoneo ) Campdrafting , a type of cattle-working competition popular in Australia Chilean rodeo Cutting Team penning [ edit ] Defined area sports Buzkashi , a sport originating on the steppes of central Asia , now the national sport of Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan . Horseball Jousting and Skill at Arms , events involving use of lances, swords and completion of obstacles. There are stand-alone competitions and also are often seen at historical reenactments , Renaissance Fairs and Society for Creative Anachronism events. Mounted Games , a sport where games are played in a relay-style with two to five members per team at very high speed Polo , a team game played on horses, involves riders using a long-handled mallet to drive a ball on the ground into the opposing team's goal while the opposing team defends their goal Polocrosse Tent pegging Mounted archery [ edit ] Cross-country sports Competitive Mounted Orienteering‎ , a form of orienteering on horses (but unrelated to orienteering ) - consists of three stages: following a precise route marked on a map, negotiation of obstacles, and control of paces. Le Trec , which comprises three phases - trail riding, with jumping and correct basic flatwork. Le Trec, which is very popular in Europe, tests the partnership's ability to cope with an all-day ride across varied terrain, route finding, negotiating natural obstacles and hazards, while considering the welfare of the horse, respecting the countryside and enjoying all it has to offer. Competitive trail riding , a pace race held across terrain similar to endurance riding , but shorter in length (25 - 35 miles (56 km), depending on class). Being a form of pace race , the objective is not to finish in the least time. Instead, as in other forms of judged trail riding , each competitor is graded on everything including physical condition, campsite, and horse management. Horsemanship also is considered, including how the rider handles the trail and how horse is handled and presented to the judge and vet throughout the ride. The horse is graded on performance, manners, etc. "Pulse and respiration" stops check the horse's recovery ability. The judges also set up obstacles along the trail and the horse and rider are graded on how well they perform as a team. The whole point is the partnership between the horse and rider. Cross Country Jumping , a jumping course that contains logs, and natural obstacles mostly. The common clothes worn are usually brighter colors and less conservative. Endurance riding , a competition usually of 50 to 100 miles (160 km) or more, over mountainous or other natural terrain, with scheduled stops to take the horses' vital signs, check soundness, and verify that the horse is fit to continue. The first horse to finish and be confirmed by the veterinarian as fit to continue is the winner. Additional awards are usually given to the best-conditioned horses who finish in the top 10. Fox hunting Hacking, or pleasure riding . Hunter Pacing is a sport where a horse and rider team travel a trail at speeds based the ideal conditions for the horse, with competitors seeking to ride closest to that perfect time. Hunter paces are usually held in a series. Hunter paces are usually a few miles long and covered mostly at a canter or gallop. The horsemanship and management skills of the rider are also considered in the scoring, and periodic stops are required for veterinarians to check the vital signs and overall soundness of the horses. Ride and Tie is a form of endurance riding in which teams of 3 (two humans and one horse) alternate running and riding. Steeplechase Trail Riding , pleasure riding any breed horse, any style across the land. [ edit ] Health issues Handling, riding, and driving horses has a number of health benefits and risks. ‹ The template below ( Expand ) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus.› Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page . (January 2009) Riding has some inherent risks, as when mounted, the rider's head may be up to 4 m (13 ft) from the ground, and the horse may travel at a speed of up to 65 km/h (40 mph). [ 6 ] The injuries observed range from very minor injuries to fatalities. A recent study in Germany reported that the relative risk of injury from riding a horse, compared to riding a bicycle, was 9 times higher for adolescents and 5.6 times higher for younger children , but that riding a horse was less risky than riding a moped . [ 7 ] In Victoria, Australia , a search of state records found that equestrian sports had the third highest incidence of serious injury, after motor sports and power boating . [ 8 ] In Greece , an analysis of a national registry estimated the incidence of equestrian injury to be 21 per 100,000 person-years for farming and equestrian sports combined, and 160 times higher for horse racing personnel. Other findings were that use of spurs may contribute to ankle fractures and dislocations, and helmets likely prevent traumatic brain injuries. [ 9 ] In the United States each year an estimated 30 million people ride horses, resulting in 50,000 emergency room visits (1 visit per 600 riders per year). [ 10 ] A survey of 679 equestrians in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho estimated that at some time in their equestrian career one in five will be seriously injured, resulting in hospitalization, surgery, or long-term disability. [ 11 ] Among survey respondents, novice equestrians had an incidence of any injury that was three-fold over intermediates, fivefold over advanced equestrians, and nearly eightfold over professionals. Approximately 100 hours of experience are required to achieve a substantial decline in the risk of injury. The survey authors conclude that efforts to prevent equestrian injury should focus on novice equestrians. [ edit ] Mechanisms of injury The most common mechanism of injury is falling from the horse, followed by being kicked, trampled, and bit. About 3 out of 4 injuries are due to falling, broadly defined. A broad definition of falling often includes being crushed and being thrown from the horse, but when reported separately each of these mechanisms may be more common than being kicked. [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ edit ] Types and severity of injury In Canada , a 10-year study of trauma center patients injured while riding reported that although 48% had suffered head injuries, only 9% of these riders had been wearing helmets at the time of their accident. Other injuries involved the chest (54%), abdomen (22%), and extremities (17%). [ 14 ] A German study reported that injuries in horse riding are rare compared to other sports, but when they occur they are severe. Specifically, they found that 40% of horse riding injuries were fractures, and only 15% were sprains. Furthermore the study noted that in Germany, one quarter of all sport related fatalities are caused by horse riding. [ 15 ] Most horse related injuries are a result of falling from a horse, which is the cause of 60-80% of all such reported injuries. [ 16 ] [ 17 ] Another common cause of injury is being kicked by a horse, which may cause skull fractures or severe trauma to the internal organs . Some possible injuries resulting from horse riding, with the percent indicating the amounts in relation to all injuries as reported by a New Zealand study, [ 18 ] include: Arm fracture or dislocation (31%) Head injury (21%) Leg fracture or dislocation (15%) Chest injury (??%) Among 36 members and employees of the Hong Kong Jockey Club who were seen in a trauma center during a period of 5 years, 24 fell from horses and 11 were kicked by the horse. Injuries comprised: 18 torso; 11 head, face, or neck; and 11 limb. [ 19 ] The authors of this study recommend that helmets, face shields, and body protectors be worn when riding or handling horses. In New South Wales , Australia , a study of equestrians seen at one hospital over a 6 year period found that 81% were wearing a helmet at the time of injury, and that helmet use both increased over time and was correlated with a lower rate of admission. [ 20 ] In the second half of the study period, of the equestrians seen, only 14% were admitted. In contrast, a study of child equestrians seen at a hospital emergency room in Adelaide, South Australia reported that 60% were admitted. [ 21 ] In the United States, an analysis of National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data performed by theEquestrian Medical Safety Association studied 78,279 horse-related injuries in 2007: "The most common injuries included fractures (28.5%); contusions/abrasions (28.3%); strain/sprain (14.5%); internal injury (8.1%); lacerations (5.7%); concussions (4.6%); dislocations (1.9%); and hematomas (1.2%). Most frequent injury sites are the lower trunk (19.6%); head (15.0%); upper trunk (13.4%); shoulder (8.2%); and wrist (6.8%). Within this study patients were treated and released (86.2%), were hospitalized (8.7%), were transferred (3.6%), left without being treated (0.8%), remained for observation (0.6%), and arrived at the hospital deceased (0.1%)." [ 22 ] [ edit ] Riding astride The idea that riding a horse astride could injure a woman's sex organs is a historic bugaboo . [ citation needed ] This includes the popular idea that riding astride can damage the hymen . [ 23 ] Evidence of injury to any female sex organs is scant. In female high-level athletes, trauma to the perineum is rare and is associated with certain sports (see Pelvic floor#Clinical significance ). The type of trauma associated with equestrian sports has been termed "horse riders' perineum". [ 24 ] A case series of 4 female mountain bike riders and 2 female horse riders found both patient-reported perineal pain and evidence of sub-clinical changes in the clitoris ; [ 25 ] the relevance of these findings to horse riding is unknown. In men, sports-related injuries are among the major causes of testicular trauma. In a small controlled but unblinded study of 52 men, varicocele was significantly more common in equestrians than in non-equestrians. [ 26 ] The difference between these two groups was small, however, compared to differences reported between extreme mountain bike riders and non-riders, [ 27 ] and also between mountain bike riders and on-road bicycle riders. [ 28 ] Horse-riding injuries to the scrotum ( contusions ) and testes ( blunt trauma ) were well known to surgeons in the 19th century and early 20th century. [ 29 ] Injuries from collision with the pommel of a saddle are mentioned specifically. [ 29 ] [ edit ] Criticism of horses in sport This section contains weasel words , vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information . Such statements should be clarified or removed . (January 2009) See also: Horse racing  and Rodeo Most horse owners are interested in the well-being and welfare of horses. Some are allied with various animal welfare organizations that try to end genuine abuse of horses. Almost all competitive events have well-established rules and regulations to prevent abuse of animals and to encourage ethical behavior. Most high-intensity sports like show jumping, endurance riding, eventing, rodeo, and horse racing are closely monitored by veterinarians to prevent and treat injuries. On the other hand, there are genuine abuses of horses that do occur. Some people, often motivated by profit or a desire to win at all costs, may inflict pain, overwork, injure, neglect, starve, or drug horses in ways that harm the animal's physical health and mental well-being. Organized groups dedicated to protecting all animals, such as the Humane Society of the United States , and animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals , target some horse sports with claims of animal cruelty . Horse racing and rodeo are most commonly targeted both because of their visibility to the non-horse-oriented public and because these are sports where it is sometimes difficult for people who do not know much about horses to differentiate between pushing equines to perform to their peak and actual abuse. One problem is a disagreement about terms like abuse. While some individuals consider even fairly drastic discipline of horses as non-abusive, others consider abuse to be anything done against the will of the animal in question. Some people consider poor living conditions abusive, others think riding itself is abusive. There is no consensus on the issue. Further, the perspective of the individuals holding various viewpoints is sometimes quite different. For example, horse professionals claim they know better what is best for horses than people who live horseless lives, easily influenced by propaganda. On the other hand, other individuals claim that many horse professionals are biased because of motivation for personal gain. However, many people take a middle ground, primarily concerned that certain sports or training techniques may unnecessarily cause pain or injuries to horse athletes, just as they do for human athletes. Some people who advocate use of horses in equestrian activities point out that horses in the wild have a shorter average life expectancy and are injured more often and more severely than those used in sport. Most public laws and statutes carefully describe criminally abusive practices that incur legal penalties in very specific terms. Some behaviors and activities are widely condemned as abusive by people within the horse industry, even if not illegal as a matter of public law. Use of many performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited in most competitions, and organizations that sanction various events spend a great deal of money testing horses for illegal drugs. Some specific training or showing practices are so widely condemned that they have been made illegal at the national level and violations can incur criminal penalties. The most well-known is soring, a practice of applying a caustic ointment just above the hooves of a Tennessee Walking Horse to make it pick up its feet higher. However, in spite of a federal law in the United States prohibiting this practice and routine inspections of horse shows by inspectors from the United States Department of Agriculture , the practice is still widespread and difficult to eliminate. [ 30 ] Some events themselves are also considered so abusive that they are banned in many countries. Among these are horse-tripping, a sport where riders chase and rope a loose-running horse by its front legs, throwing it to the ground. [ edit ] Horse riding on coinage Horse Riding commemorative coin Horse riding events have been selected as a main motif in numerous collectors' coins. One of the recent samples is the €10 Greek Horse Riding commemorative coin , minted in 2003 to commemorate the 2004 Summer Olympics . On the composition of the obverse of this coin, the modern horseman is pictured as he jumps over an obstacle, while in the background the ancient horseman is inspired by a representation on a black-figure vase of the 5th century BC. [ edit ] See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Horse riding Glossary of equestrian terms Equitation science Western riding English riding Dressage Classical dressage Driving (horse) Domestication of the horse Equestrian use of roadways Horses in warfare Horse show Equestrian at the Summer Olympics List of horse accidents United States Equestrian Federation International Federation for Equestrian Sports Horse training Horse behavior Equestrian helmet Mounting block Cowboy Mounted Shooting Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club for a description of urban riding traditions [ edit ] References ^ http://www.thefreedictionary.com/equestrian ^ [1] ^ Chamberlin, J. Edward Horse: How the Horse has Shaped Civilization New York:BlueBridge 2006 ISBN 0-9742405-9-1 ^ Bennett, Deb (1998) 'Conquerors: The Roots of New World Horsemanship. Amigo Publications Inc; 1st edition. ISBN 0-9658533-0-6 , pp.151 ^ Hobby Horse clothing company, educational articles on current trends in western show clothing ^ J R Silver (2002-06). "Spinal injuries resulting from horse riding accidents" . Spinal Cord 40 (6): 264–271. doi : 10.1038/sj.sc.3101280 . PMID   12037707 . http://www.nature.com/sc/journal/v40/n6/full/3101280a.html . Retrieved 2009-01-14 .   ^ Schneiders W, Rollow A, Rammelt S, Grass R, Holch M, Serra A, Richter S, Gruner EM, Schlag B, Roesner D, Zwipp H (April 2007). "Risk-inducing activities leading to injuries in a child and adolescent population of Germany". J Trauma 62 (4): 996–1003. doi : 10.1097/01.ta.0000222584.48001.a0 . PMID   17426559 .   ^ Gabbe BJ, Finch CF, Cameron PA, Williamson OD (August 2005). "Incidence of serious injury and death during sport and recreation activities in Victoria, Australia" . Br J Sports Med 39 (8): 573–7. doi : 10.1136/bjsm.2004.015750 . PMID   16046347 .   ^ Petridou E, Kedikoglou S, Belechri M, Ntouvelis E, Dessypris N, Trichopoulos D (March 2004). "The mosaic of equestrian-related injuries in Greece" . J Trauma 56 (3): 643–7. doi : 10.1097/01.TA.0000053470.38129.F4 . PMID   15128138 . http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0022-5282&volume=56&issue=3&spage=643 .   ^ Carrillo EH, Varnagy D, Bragg SM, Levy J, Riordan K (2007). "Traumatic injuries associated with horseback riding". Scand J Surg 96 (1): 79–82. PMID   17461318 .   ^ Mayberry JC, Pearson TE, Wiger KJ, Diggs BS, Mullins RJ (March 2007). "Equestrian injury prevention efforts need more attention to novice riders". J Trauma 62 (3): 735–9. doi : 10.1097/ta.0b013e318031b5d4 . PMID   17414356 .   ^ Loder RT (August 2008). "The demographics of equestrian-related injuries in the United States: injury patterns, orthopedic specific injuries, and avenues for injury prevention" . J Trauma 65 (2): 447–60. doi : 10.1097/TA.0b013e31817dac43 . PMID   18695484 . http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005373-200808000-00029 .   ^ Clarke CN, Tsuei BJ, Butler KL (May 2008). "Equine-related injury: a retrospective analysis of outcomes over a 10-year period" . Am. J. Surg. 195 (5): 702–4. doi : 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.11.007 . PMID   18424291 . http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-9610(07)00957-9 .   ^ Ball CG, Ball JE, Kirkpatrick AW, Mulloy RH (May 2007). "Equestrian injuries: incidence, injury patterns, and risk factors for 10 years of major traumatic injuries". Am. J. Surg. 193 (5): 636–40. doi : 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.01.016 . PMID   17434372 .   ^ Dittmer H (1991). "The injury pattern in horseback riding". Langenbecks Archiv fur Chirurgie. Supplement. Kongressband. Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Chirurgie. Kongress : 466–9. PMID   1793946 .   ^ "Most injuries result from falls (80%)", Horse riding during pregnancy , MS Rogers. ^ R. G. Lloyd (March 1987). "Riding and other equestrian injuries: Considerable severity" . British Journal of Sports Medicine 21 (1): 22–24. doi : 10.1136/bjsm.21.1.22 . PMID   3580722 .   ^ Northey G (September 2003). "Equestrian injuries in New Zealand, 1993-2001: knowledge and experience". N. Z. Med. J. 116 (1182): U601. PMID   14581953 .   ^ Yim VW, Yeung JH, Mak PS, Graham CA, Lai PB, Rainer TH (January 2007). "Five year analysis of Jockey Club horse-related injuries presenting to a trauma centre in Hong Kong". Injury 38 (1): 98–103. doi : 10.1016/j.injury.2006.08.026 . PMID   17049524 .   ^ Lim J, Puttaswamy V, Gizzi M, Christie L, Croker W, Crowe P (August 2003). "Pattern of equestrian injuries presenting to a Sydney teaching hospital" . ANZ J Surg 73 (8): 567–71. doi : 10.1046/j.1445-2197.2003.02707.x . PMID   12887517 . http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/resolve/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=1445-1433&date=2003&volume=73&issue=8&spage=567 .   ^ Craven JA (August 2008). "Paediatric and adolescent horse-related injuries: does the mechanism of injury justify a trauma response?" . Emerg Med Australasia 20 (4): 357–62. doi : 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2008.01107.x . PMID   18782209 . http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/resolve/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=1742-6731&date=2008&volume=20&issue=4&spage=357 .   ^ Equine Disease Quarterly. "Human Injuries Related to Horses Analyzed" reprinted by The Horse, Online edition, Article # 14466, July 05 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009 ^ Dhall A (1995). "Adolescence: myths and misconceptions". Health Millions 21 (3): 35–8. PMID   12346860 .   ^ Crepin G, Biserte J, Cosson M, Duchene F (October 2006). "[The female urogenital system and high level sports]" (in French). Bull. Acad. Natl. Med. 190 (7): 1479–91; discussion 1491–3. PMID   17450681 .   ^ "Ultrasonographic and Doppler Findings of Subclinical Clitoral Microtraumatisms in Mountain Bikers and Horseback Riders" , Cesare Battaglia, Rossella Elena Nappi et al., retrieved 2009-01-12 ^ Turgut AT, Kosar U, Kosar P, Karabulut A (July 2005). "Scrotal sonographic findings in equestrians" . J Ultrasound Med 24 (7): 911–7; quiz 919. PMID   15972705 . http://www.jultrasoundmed.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=15972705 .   ^ Frauscher F, Klauser A, Stenzl A, Helweg G, Amort B, zur Nedden D (May 2001). "US findings in the scrotum of extreme mountain bikers" . Radiology 219 (2): 427–31. PMID   11323467 . http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=11323467 .   ^ Mitterberger M, Pinggera GM, Neuwirt H, Colleselli D, Pelzer A, Bartsch G, Strasser H, Gradl J, Pallwein L, Frauscher F (January 2008). "Do mountain bikers have a higher risk of scrotal disorders than on-road cyclists?" . Clin J Sport Med 18 (1): 49–54. doi : 10.1097/JSM.0b013e31815c042f . PMID   18185039 . http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00042752-200801000-00010 .   ^ a b William Williams Keen, John Chalmers Da Costa, ed (1908). Surgery, Its Principles and Practice . 4 . W. B. Saunders Company . http://books.google.com/?id=QnYwAAAAIAAJ .   pages 598, 615 ^ EQUUS Special Report: Why Soring Persists [ edit ] External links International Federation for Equestrian Sports FEI official homepage United States Equestrian Federation USEF Official web site Equestrian Federation of Australia Equestrian Federation of Australia web site Equestrian Federation of Ireland - EFI web site Equestrian Federation of Kazakhstan Russian - Equestrian Federation of Kazakhstan English United States Dressage Federation American Endurance Ride Conference The North American Trail Ride Conference - Competitive Trail Riding UK Endurance Horse Riding Ride and Tie Association The American Vaulting Association - Equestrian Vaulting National Cutting Horse Association v   •   d   •   e Equine Equine science and management Equine anatomy  · Equine nutrition  · Horse behavior  · Horse care  · Horse breeding  · Equine conformation  · Equine coat color  · Horse gait Equestrianism and sport Glossary of equestrian terms  · Horse tack  · Bit  · Bridle  · Saddle  · Harness  · English riding  · Western riding  · Driving  · Horse training  · Horse racing  · Equestrian at the Summer Olympics  · Horse show  · Equitation Evolution and history Domestication  · In warfare  · In the Middle Ages  · Horses in East Asian warfare  · History of the horse in South Asia  · Horses in the Napoleonic Wars  · Horses in World War I  · Horses in World War II Horse breeds , types and other Equidae Horses List of horse breeds  · Wild horse  · Feral horse  · Stock horse  · Gaited horse  · Draft horse  · Warmblood  · Sport horse Other Equus Donkey  · Zebra  · Onager Hybrids Hinny  · Mule  · Zebroid Category: Equidae v   •   d   •   e Olympic sports Summer sports Archery  • Athletics  • Badminton  • Basketball  • Boxing  • Canoeing  • Cycling  • Diving  • Equestrian  • Field hockey  • Fencing  • Football  • Gymnastics  • Handball  • Judo  • Modern pentathlon  • Rowing  • Sailing  • Shooting  • Swimming  • Synchronized swimming  • Table tennis  • Taekwondo  • Tennis  • Triathlon  • Volleyball  • Water polo  • Weightlifting  • Wrestling Winter sports Alpine skiing  • Biathlon  • Bobsleigh  • Cross-country skiing  • Curling  • Figure skating  • Freestyle skiing  • Ice hockey  • Luge  • Nordic combined  • Short track speed skating  • Skeleton  • Ski jumping  • Snowboarding  • Speed skating Former Olympic sports Baseball  • Basque pelota  • Cricket  • Croquet  • Golf  • Jeu de paume  • Lacrosse  • Polo  • Rackets  • Roque  • Rugby union  • Softball  • Tug of war  • Water motorsports See also : Paralympic sports || A short history of the development of our showjumps and other equestrian products Whitakers Equestrian Products are now known world wide for their plastic showjumps and schooling fences. The company was founded in the late 1980s, originally with just the 'Plastic Safety Jump Cup'. This jump cup was specifically designed from a safety point of view, manufactured to the BSJA specification with no sharp edges. The success of this product lead to the development of plastic poles and a range of plastic jump blocks - the famous Polyblocks. The company now produces a wide range of horse jumps under the Polyjumps brand name, from their best selling Multi-Jump, which as its name suggests can provide a multitude of height and style permutations, to the more recent 'traditional style' showjumps that have all the characteristics of wooden showjumps, but with zero maintenance. Polyblocks Showjumps To view our full range of showjumps and other equestrian products , visit our online catalogue by clicking the link below. At first users were sceptical about the plastic in terms of durability. However, innovations in plastic polymers now provide us with materials which are UV stabilised, strong, durable, rot proof, shatter proof, weather resistant and therefore the jumps are long lasting and most importantly are maintenance free, eliminating the need to repaint. Plastic showjumps have rapidly taken off and are second nature to a wide range of horse owners. The Polyjumps range is continuously developing to cater for everyone's requirements and includes many traditional designs. Polyjumps have been specifically designed with the safety of horse and rider in mind and have no sharp edges or metal feet. Wings and poles come in various weights to suit everyone's needs and the product range offers something for all levels whether novice or advanced horses and riders. 'Traditional' Horse Jumps Our product range is always expanding with practical solutions for both horse and rider. Everyone who works for the company has a passion for horses and the product range - and feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and encouraged. Visitors are also welcome at our factory showroom near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Whitakers Equestrian Services Ltd . Unit 11 Wornal Park, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9PH Phone: 01844 339 123 | Fax: 01844 339 611 | enquiries@polyjumps.com Copyright ©2003-2010 Whitakers Equestrian Services Ltd all rights reserved | Webmaster: AnnWebCom || Cross Country Horse Jumps From: Horse Jumps See also: Show Jumps | Show Jump Manufacturers | Horse Training | Tack Cross Country Horse Jumps Cross country fences can vary from natural jumps such as a fallen tree trunk or hedge to examples such as a hay cart or water trough. Cross country jumps are solid in design and do not fall down unless they are fitted with a special collapsing pin. What will make a cross country fence more challenging is the height and width of the fence along with where it is sited and how many jumps there are in any one combination along with considerations such as ground conditions, the type of fence that it is and whether it is being jumped from light into dark off a turn, into space or on the side of a hill. Tree Trunk An inviting jump which horses seem to enjoy jumping. The height and width of the tree log along with the angle it is to be jumped at will add to the level of proficiency required. Example Novice - Single Log Advanced - 2 to 3 Logs to be jumped on a angle, and/or a narrow log requiring accuracy. Corner This is a triangle in design and the horse is asked to jump the corner of it. This type of fence requires practice in order to hold the horse straight over it and prevent the horse from running out. The width of the corner will vary and the wider it is the more experienced you will need to be in holding your line. This fence becomes more of a challenge when two or three corners are to be jumped quite often on a curve for an added challenge. Example Novice - A long fence with a small angle, allows the rider to jump slightly more centrally and reduces the amount of accuracy required. Advanced - Narrow fences with wide angles that require precision jumping to prevent the horse from running out. Two or three corners on a wiggly bend will need the concentration of both horse and rider. Angled Rail This is a post and rail fence which has to be jumped at an angle as opposed to straight on. The angle of the fence, the number of angle fences to be jumped and the number of strides in between each fence will determine the level of difficulty. Examples Novice - A single angled rail. Novice - Two angled rails with a one or two stride distance in between. Advanced - The angle to be jumped is more acute and the addition of two or three angled rails in a combination adds to the challenge. Bounce This is where you have two fences, one closely followed by the other with a bounce distance in between each, this means that as soon as the horse lands it must immediately take off again. Safety now suggests that making the second fence look different helps the horse to realize that it must take off immediately on landing, therefore helping to prevent rotational falls. Example Novice - Small bounce. Advanced - B