The world of equestrian sports: elegance, power, and the harmony between man and horse.
Equestrian sport has fascinated people for centuries. It is one of the few sports in which two completely different living beings must act as a team. It is not just about strength and endurance, but above all about blind trust, precise communication, and mutual respect.
Whether at the Olympic level or as a leisure activity – equestrian sport is extremely versatile. Below, we take a look at the three classic Olympic disciplines as well as other popular branches of this sport.
©
R. Vidmar (echonet)The three classic Olympic disciplines
These three disciplines form the core of international equestrian sport and challenge horse and rider in completely different ways.
Dressage - The Ballet of Horses
Dressage is considered the foundation of all equestrian sports. Its goal is to gymnasticize the horse, refining and perfecting its natural movements. In a dressage test, horse and rider perform a prescribed sequence of movements (tasks) in a square arena.
In the higher classes (such as the Grand Prix), it almost looks as if the horse is dancing – the rider's aids are ideally invisible to the spectator. The horse's responsiveness, the precision of the execution, and the harmony of the pair are all judged.
Show jumping - strength, speed and precision
In the show jumping arena, things get high. Here, rider and horse must complete a course of various obstacles in a specific order, flawlessly and usually in the fastest time.
A knockdown results in penalty points (usually four), as does a refusal by the horse before a jump. Show jumping requires an extremely good eye for distances, enormous jumping power from the horse, and courage from both rider and horse.
Versatility - The pinnacle of equestrian sport
Eventing (formerly called military) is the "triathlon" of equestrian sports. It combines three phases, usually taking place over three consecutive days:
Dressage: To demonstrate rideability and elegance.
Cross-country riding: The heart of the event. A long course over natural obstacles such as tree trunks, ditches, hedges, and water features. Endurance, courage, and speed are key here.
Jumping: On the last day, the horse's fitness and concentration are tested after the exertion of the terrain.
©
R. Vidmar (echonet)Digital Billboard
©
horseback-riding.net1. Placement: € 138 / Year
Digital advertising for a sensational price with a static link for your do-follow-dreams is available here. Get your customers here, let your business grow with us. It's: First come, first serve!
Online-Ads Horses & Riding©
horseback-riding.net2. Placement: € 148 / Year
Digital advertising for a sensational price with a static link for your do-follow-dreams is available here. Get your customers here, let your business grow with us. It's: First come, first serve!
Online-Ads Horses & RidingOverview of other popular disciplines
Besides the Olympic classics, there are numerous other riding styles and sports around the horse worldwide:
Discipline | Focus / Characteristics | Typical horse breeds |
|---|---|---|
Western riding | Based on the work of cowboys; focus on coolness, agility and one-handed rein handling (e.g. reining). | Quarter Horses, Paint Horses |
Vaulting | Gymnastics and acrobatics on a horse galloping on a lunge line. Demands balance and strength from the gymnast. | Large horses with a broad back suitable for galloping. |
Drive | Driving carriages with one, two or four horses through dressage, obstacle and cross-country courses. | From Shetland ponies to heavy warmbloods/coldbloods |
Endurance riding | Extremely long ride against the clock (up to 160 km in one day). Veterinary checks ensure the horse's well-being. | Arabs and Arab mixes |
Equestrian sports must always prioritize the well-being of the horse!
The horse's well-being is paramount: Regardless of the discipline, modern equestrian sport only works if the horse is seen as a partner and not as a piece of sports equipment. Guidelines and veterinarians at competitions ensure more strictly than ever that the animals' fitness and health are the top priority.
Whether you prefer the meditative calm of dressage, the adrenaline rush in the show jumping course, or the romance of the West: equestrian sport offers the right access to these fascinating animals for every personality.
More on Horseback Riding...
©
Gerhard Bögner / pixabay.com SourceGet to know Vienna!
Vienna, Bratislava, Prague and Budapest – four capital cities quite close to each other. Get to know the centrope region, enjoy your stay there and find the most amazing places in this area. Regiotours will help you!
Enjoy the region...
©
R. Vidmar (echonet)Learn Horseback Riding
Why not enjoy the ride on a horse? Not only to go anywhere specific, just try it out. Learn horseback riding, a great way to relax, to do sports and of course to learn. Feel the saddle, enjoy your ride and find a stable!
Riding Schools
©
R. Vidmar (echonet)Enjoy Cuba instead of Hurry Cuba
See the beautiful cities of Cuba, enjoy your rides, visit great tobacco farms and be guided by locals. Why more and more people use the service these european guys startet? Well, because they are into the service idea.
Transfers in Cuba
©
Milan Markovic / Can Stock Photo Inc. (07022017)Performing Events?
Get your event done and create professional invitations. Resending invitations to people who did not react, try the check-in-system or manage the plus ones of your guests. A ready 2 go solution by echonet.
Guestlist ManagementMistake on the site?
If you see a mistake on our page about horseback riding and horses on our website horseback-riding.net or specifically on the subpage with the headline Equestrian Sport: Show Jumping, Dressage... we're looking forward to your mail. Please feel free to contact our Content-Team and tell us about our mistake so we can correct it as fast as possible. Thank you!