Equine Event Disciplines

Arabian

The purebred Arabian horse is striking. An Arabian's most identifiable characteristics are its finely chiseled head, dished face, long arching neck, and high tail carriage. Its entire appearance exudes energy, intelligence, courage, and nobility. Arabians compete in various disciplines, including dressage, hunter/jumpers, and western pleasure.

Dressage

Dressage, described by the International Equestrian Federation as “the highest expression of horse training,” involves the horse and rider performing a series of predetermined movements from memory. This discipline traces its origins back to the writings of Xenophon, a Greek military leader, philosopher, and historian.

During the Renaissance, Federico Grisone published The Rules of Riding in 1550, one of the first significant European treatises on equitation since Xenophon. Modern training systems draw heavily from the principles of classical dressage, which evolved from cavalry maneuvers and battlefield training. At its core, Classic riding is the art of riding in harmony with, rather than against the horse.

Hunter Jumper

Hunter Jumper tests different skills for the horse and rider and combines the hunter and jumper disciplines.

The hunters showcase an American riding style that originates in European fox hunting. Hunter classes test a horse's elegance, athleticism, and style. Hunter courses are typically made up of 8–12 jumps that are lower in height and more organic in form than jumper classes.

Competing in the jumpers tests a horse’s ability to quickly complete a course of jumps with the fewest faults. Jumper courses are more technical, with 12–16 jumps that include tight turns, combinations, and difficult distances.

Saddlebred

Saddlebred horses are known for their proud, upright carriage, arched neck, forward ears, and elegant and powerful high-stepping action.

The American Saddlebred is a versatile horse breed that can participate in many equestrian sports including Endurance Riding, Dressage, Three-Day Eventing, Combined Driving, Show Ring, Cattle Horses, Carriage Horses and Trail Horses.

Three-Day Eventing

An Equestrian Triathlon best describes three-day eventing. The sport also traces its roots as a cavalry test and is comprised of three phases—dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The first phase, dressage, highlights the graceful partnership between horse and rider as they perform precise movements on flat ground. Next comes cross-country, a true test of courage, fitness, and determination as riders and horses tackle solid obstacles, tricky technical challenges, and diverse terrain. Finally, show jumping puts their precision to the test again as they navigate a course of fences. Competitors earn penalty points in each phase, and the pair with the lowest score at the end wins. Eventing is often considered the ultimate test of skill and partnership for both horse and rider.

Western

Western riding encompasses various classes, including Western pleasure, trail, and working cow horse, all rooted in the heritage of the working ranch horse. Riders compete in Western stock saddles, often embellished with silver, and wear classic attire like leather chaps and broad-brimmed cowboy hats from the 1800s. Competitions showcase the daily tasks of ranch horses: trail horses navigate obstacle courses while working cow horses expertly corral cattle during branding. Although American stock breeds like Quarter Horses and Paints are popular, Western classes suit all breeds. With options for every skill level and interest, the spirit of the Old West continues to thrive in Western riding.

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