Dressage is a form of horse riding where the horse performs precise, controlled movements in close partnership with the rider. Looking similar to dance, dressage is the very best of skill and intelligence from the horse and the highest level of...
All dressage schools offer regularly scheduled schooling dressage shows. These shows are not part of any organized point system. They provide opportunity for riders to experience the atmosphere and expectations when they compete in equestrian...
Dressage is both an art and a sport, where the horse and rider work to improve the horse's athleticism, will to perform and riding potential. The United States Dressage Federation requires students and their horses to pass introductory tests A and...
Horseback riders in the English tradition define dressage as the art of training the horse to perform specific movements on the ground rather than over jumps. The longer, straighter flaps of the dressage saddle allow the rider to carry the legs...
Lateral exercises enter United States Dressage Federation competitive tests in First Level, but savvy dressage riders will introduce them as soon as the horse understands basic under-saddle work. By using lateral movements in your training...
Equestrianism is the art of horsemanship, and many disciplines within equestrianism are as elegant as the description implies. Others are fast-paced. All involve agility and finesse, both on the horse's part and on the part of its rider. Though...
In the world of horseback riding, saddles are broken down into three categories: Western, Australian and English saddles. English saddles are distinguished from other saddles primarily because they lack a horn. English saddles come in several...
Horses provide a great way to stay fit and active. Whether riding a horse or working with it on the ground, you are sure to get a good workout. Joining a club or organization that matches your horse interests is a great way to meet people and...
English horseback riding is considered by many equestrian enthusiasts as the proper and traditional way to ride, states the EquestrianMag website. The lightweight English saddle allows the rider close contact with the horse's back. Simple, small...
Vero Beach, on Florida's east coast, is a beach community complete with ocean and inter-coastal waterway views. Sunny days and balmy breezes set the stage for a variety of outdoor activities. Swim, surf, kayak and fish along the Treasure Coast....
English saddle girths come in all lengths to fit different horses and riding disciplines. Riders who compete in eventing and hunter-jumper sports typically use a longer girth than dressage riders because longer flaps and billets on the traditional...
Depending on the breed and size of the horse you ride -- and your preferred type of riding -- saddles vary widely in design. Most fall into two categories: English and western. You'll find subtle variations in both styles. Some saddle options are...
WeatherBeeta, a privately owned company with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand the U.S., manufactures Collegiate saddles. As the official English saddle of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, more than 370 colleges...
Riding stables in Ohio are able to provide a wide range of services. These include basic boarding services, to full-care boarding and even riding lessons. Students at Ohio riding stables are able to train in a variety of riding styles including...
Equestrians participating in the sports of jumping, dressage, eventing, saddleseat and polo ride on English saddles. Built to provide the rider's seat and legs close contact with the back and sides of the horse, English saddles weigh less and are...
While no stables exist currently within the city of Minneapolis, some great options are available just outside the city limits. If you're looking for group or private instruction, all of these stables provide multiple levels of training for kids...
If you're like most people, the Summer Olympics call to mind sports such as swimming, gymnastics and tennis -- the kind of crowd-pleasing events that draw millions of television viewers worldwide. But those favorites represent just a handful of...
Horse ownership and enjoyment is not an inexpensive hobby. In addition to the costs of maintaining a horse and its health, a number of tack items are required for training, maintaining, riding and enjoying your horse. In general, tack is...
Properly adjusted stirrup leathers are an important part of your riding program. Stirrup leathers that are too long will make it difficult for you to maintain a secure seat, and you waste time and alter your balance reaching for your stirrups. Too...
An equestrian is a skilled horse rider. Horse riding is a very intensive physical activity that required muscle strength and mental focus. It also works many muscle groups, but none more than your behind. Although you appear to be sitting, you...
Standing in the stirrups is not a difficult task, but it is an important one. You may need to stand in the stirrups to adjust your seat and make sure you are properly balanced in the saddle. Horses also prefer that the rider stand up to relieve...
To learn how to ride a horse safely and proficiently, equestrians must take riding lessons from instructors qualified to teach them in the fine points of horsemanship and safety. It is not enough that trainers are good riders; they must also be...
Saddles have been used by horsemen for thousands of years. They have changed over the years to fit the particular purposes of riders from cavalry officers to dressage competitors. In the 3rd century A.D., Samaritans fashioned leather saddles with...
When U.S. Olympian Courtney King-Dye fell off her horse in the spring of 2010 and suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her in a coma for months, she was not wearing a protective helmet, and this country's equestrian community sat up and...
Chaparral, in New Mexico, is mostly a desert area, just a few miles north of El Paso. There are miles and miles of rural riding areas in the region, suitable for both experienced and novice riders. Most of the local riding stables offer guided...
New Paltz, New York, about 90 miles north of New York City, has rolling hills and wooded areas that invite horseback riding. Many area stables offer a variety of lessons, both for the serious rider or for a beginner looking to get comfortable on a...
Birmingham offers the equestrian ample opportunity to explore the wooded Appalachian foothills of central Alabama. An afternoon on horseback, winding down a leisurely trail or cantering over a jump course, is a workout and a new way to explore the...
A square English saddle pad is an alternative to the more common shaped English saddle pad. The shaped pad is slightly larger than the saddle, leaving about one inch of saddle pad visible around the entire edge of the saddle. A square English...
English saddles are used for different types of flat seat riding, including saddle seat, hunt seat, eventing and dressage. Choosing a saddle that fits you correctly is important for comfort and safety. Riding in a saddle that fits you properly...
