Sport Horses
There are many different types of horse sports.
Polo crosse
This is a team sport. There are three players on horseback on each team. The two teams play on a field each with a thin medium length bat with a net on the end to scoop up the ball. There is a goal scorer (number 1), an attack (number 2) and a defender (number 3).
Polo
This is very similar to polo cross only the bat has no hoop at the end, instead you have to hit the ball. This sport is often called the sport of kings for two reasons, because you need to have a lot of money to play and because it used to only be played by people with enough money, such as kings. Each player needs 4 to 6 horses (with gear for each), as it is such a rough game.
Showjumping
This is an individual sport. A rider has one horse or as many as he/she wants to compete with, and they have to jump a course of jumps set up by officials. The jumps are of EFA standards and are of varying hights and difficulty, depending on the grade, top grade is called A grade EFA. These standards of jumps and riders are of novice professional standards and are only at 'open competition' shows and the olympics. Closed competition shows are that run by the pony club.
Eventing
Eventing is either an individual or a team sport. It incorporates dressage, showjumping and cross country. It is very tough on both horse and rider, both need to be extremely fit and well pactised as it tests the pair's competency, accuracy and team work. Higher standards of eventing are generally so tough they are held over two or three days, called "three day eventing" (3DE) or "two day eventing" (2DE). In pony club, though it is only called a one day event (ODE).
Usually in a 3DE, the first day is of dressage and cross country, the second is roads and tracks (which is like a short endurance ride), then on the last day is the showjumping. Eventing and showjumping are not for the inexperienced or faint hearted: it is usually for thrill-seeking people as it is exhillarating and exciting even for the spectators.
Dressage
Dressage is an elegant sport, that involves horse and rider working in harmony to complete a test of compulsory movements or sometimes at the higher levels, a freestyle test where the rider incorporates compulsory movements into their own routine. Dressage is the foundation of all forms of horse-riding, and looks for accuracy and skill on behalf of the rider and certain qualities in the horse, such as rhythm, balance, tempo, collection and impulsion. At the lowest levels of the sport, tests take place in a 20 x 40m arena, with a judge positioned at the top of the arena, and basic movements and gaits, such as 20m circles, turns across the arena, and working trot and canter are required. As one moves up the levels in the sport, the tests move to a 20x60m arena and involve such movements as the piaffe and passage, as well as collected and extended gaits.
Cross country
Cross-country is a dangerous, adrenalin-packed sport that can either be run as a single event, known as a hunter trial, or as one phase of the sport of eventing. Cross-country involves mounted riders negotiating a long course, of around 2-3km at the lower levels, normally across fields but also sometimes involving hills and woodland too, and jumping specific obstacles en route. These obstacles are invariably fixed, wooden jumps, although recent safety developments within the sport have led to the use of 'frangible' fences, which are designed to collapse if a horse hits them, hence reducing the risk of a rotational fall. Other cross-country obstacles include ditches, steps, banks and water jumps, and hunter trials often include a timed section where it is necessary to open and shut a gate, as this is a skill one would be required to have whilst hunting. Whilst normally an individual sport, hunter trials often include a pairs class, where two combinations tackle the course together, and this is an excellent introduction to the sport for inexperienced horses who gain confidence from jumping with a more confident and experienced horse. As the sport involves jumping fixed, solid, imposing fences at high speed, as there is an optimum time to reach in each class, cross-country is clearly a high-risk sport, with serious injuries not uncommon, as well as a small number of fatalities occuring at the higher levels of eventing. However, every effort is made to reduce the risks, and at the vast majority of competitions it is now compulsory for riders to wear a body protector and to carry a medical card in the event of medical assistance being required.
Hunting
Hunting is a country pursuit than can be done on horseback as well as on foot. 'True' hunting involves hunt followers, known as the 'field' following hunt staff and hounds across country in pursuit of their quarry, most commonly foxes in England and Wales. Hunting horses must have the ability to stay and jump, that is to say that they should be capable of galloping across varied terrain for long periods and being able to negotiate any obstacle that may cross their path, though hunts in different geographical areas will require different types of horse, depending on the terrain and obstacles they are likely to face.
High School Work
This is only for professional horses and riders. It is performed for the enjoyment of spectators by highly skilled and trained horses and riders. The horses used, originally from Spain, are the Andalusian and the Lipizzaner which are especially bred for this exhausting work. Mostly stallions are used because of their muscle build, strength and stamina. It is similar to dressage as dressage incorporates some smaller movements, but it is much more challenging. The horses are generally much older when they start performing because it takes years and years to train them, thus why training starts at around three years.
Trail riding
Trail riding, like hunting, is called leisure riding because it is usually done with friends as a weekend activity. Nothing fancy is needed, just a quiet horse. Trail riding can be done in most areas and is fun to take friends, drinks and food and go picnicking. A serious trail rider may go into endurance, which is basically the same but more challenging and fast work.
Showing
Endurance
This can be team or individual. It is tough on both horse and rider, both need to be extremely fit and the horse needs to undergo a vet check before and after ride. a trail is marked out of varying lengths and depending on what class you're in depends on how fast you go. Professionals can do anywhere from an 80km ride to 100km ride, galloping some of the way but mainly on the home stretch. Riders often get off and walk some of the way as it is tyring on the horse. Lots equipment is needed as you sometimes need to ride at night or stop over.
Pony club
Pony club is an excellent place for children to go to learn how to ride. It is usually on public grounds where many pupils attend with their horses to be instructed. It is not only for young children, you may be a member up until you are 25 years old. After that you must either become an instructor or become a member of an adult riding club. Pony clubs hold competitions and events for the members to compete in.
Cutting
Cutting is an individual sport, mainly for advanced riders and horses bred for stock work (quarter horse). Horse and rider are in an arena with a group of cows: they cut one out and keep it away from the rest for a certain amount of time. It seems simple enough, but they must not touch the reins. It is all leg work and shows the horse's natural ability.
Tent pegging
Tentpegging is an equestrian sport practised in many countries around the world, involving riders mounted on horseback at full gallop, using weapons to strike a target.
Although there is difference of opinion as to how and where it all started. One source dates back to the invasion of India by Alexander the Great in 326 B.C. The cavalry soldiers of Alexander were believed to have used Tentpegging as battle tactics, which lends to the belief that the practice originated in the North Western frontier of India.
The military exercise whereby a group of mounted soldiers would ride through an enemy camp in a pre-dawn raid, removing the pegs which held the tents in place, with the tips of their sharp spears. Foot soldiers could then attack the enemy as they struggled to get out from under the collapsed tents. Thus giving the practice it's name of Tentpegging. For many years the horse was the only means of transporting troops, and the lance, sword & pistol were the only weapons a soldier carried, so it can be appreciated that proficiency in the use of these weapons was necessary to a soldier. The Australian Light Horse used Tentpegging as a training exercise during World war 1.The military exercise whereby a group of mounted soldiers would ride through an enemy camp in a pre-dawn raid, removing the pegs which held the tents in place, with the tips of their sharp spears. Foot soldiers could then attack the enemy as they struggled to get out from under the collapsed tents. Thus giving the practice it]s name of Tentpegging. For many years the horse was the only means of transporting troops, and the lance, sword & pistol were the only weapons a soldier carried, so it can be appreciated that proficiency in the use of these weapons was necessary to a soldier. The Australian Light Horse used Tentpegging as a training exercise during World war 1.The military exercise whereby a group of mounted soldiers would ride through an enemy camp in a pre-dawn raid, removing the pegs which held the tents in place, with the tips of their sharp spears. Foot soldiers could then attack the enemy as they struggled to get out from under the collapsed tents. Thus giving the practice it's name of Tentpegging. For many years the horse was the only means of transporting troops, and the lance, sword & pistol were the only weapons a soldier carried, so it can be appreciated that proficiency in the use of these weapons was necessary to a soldier. The Australian Light Horse used Tentpegging as a training exercise during World war 1.The military exercise whereby a group of mounted soldiers would ride through an enemy camp in a pre-dawn raid, removing the pegs which held the tents in place, with the tips of their sharp spears. Foot soldiers could then attack the enemy as they struggled to get out from under the collapsed tents. Thus giving the practice it's name of Tentpegging. For many years the horse was the only means of transporting troops, and the lance, sword & pistol were the only weapons a soldier carried, so it can be appreciated that proficiency in the use of these weapons was necessary to a soldier. The Australian Light Horse used Tentpegging as a training exercise during World war 1.The military exercise whereby a group of mounted soldiers would ride through an enemy camp in a pre-dawn raid, removing the pegs which held the tents in place, with the tips of their sharp spears. Foot soldiers could then attack the enemy as they struggled to get out from under the collapsed tents. Thus giving the practice it's name of Tentpegging. For many years the horse was the only means of transporting troops, and the lance, sword & pistol were the only weapons a soldier carried, so it can be appreciated that proficiency in the use of these weapons was necessary to a soldier. The Australian Light Horse used Tentpegging as a training exercise during World war 1.
The sport was internationally recognised when the Olympic Council of Asia accepted tentpegging as an official event in the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games. 1994 saw the establishment of a World Tentpegging Organization, "International Equestrian Tentpegging Association" International events are becoming more frequent with growth of the sport in countries such as South Africa, Namibia, India, Pakistan, Israel, Great Britain, Netherlands, USA, Canada, and New Zealand.
NSW, Victoria, South Australia & Queensland Associations conduct their own State Title Championships annually. Competitions are held annually at Royal Shows and many Country Shows. Festivals & other venues have exhibitions and many Tentpegging Clubs also host competitions throughout Australia each year.
For more information go to: www.tentpeggingaustralia.org
Team penning
This is a team sport. Three riders are in an arena with a group of cows. They need to cut three cows out and push them into a makeshift pen. It needs to be done quickly but quietly. The team decides what they will do before they get in, so that there is no confusion and each person knows what to do. This sport can be done by anyone.
Calf roping
This is an individual sport. A horse and rider are in a stall and a calf is let loose in the arena. The horse and rider are then let out and chase the calf flat out across the arena, when they catch up, the horse moves in close alongside the calf and the rider lassoes the calf around the neck; the horse pulls up and the rider leaps off and pins it down. They then tie up the calf's legs and wait to see their score and what time they got.
Camp draughting
This can be a team sport. Horse and rider have are given a cow that they need to navigate through pegs on poles. The horse needs to be well mannered and responsive as cows can move quickly. They also need to have a lot of 'cow sense': this means the horse can usually anticipate what the cow will do next and not be intimidated by it but also not giving it a kick or bite.
Combined training
This is an individual sport, consisting of showjumping and dressage.
Barrel racing
This is an individual sport. A horse and rider need to do loops around three barrels in the fastest time. Professionals must do it under a certain time without knocking the barrels. Top barrel racing is not for the inexperienced.