English Equitation

English Equitation

The purpose is to evaluate the ability of the hunter rider to perform various maneu­vers on his/her horse which provides a base for natural progression to over fence classes. The communication between horse and rider through subtle cues and aids should not be obvious. Equi­tation is judged on the rider and his/her effect on the horse. Hunt seat equitation on the flat provides a base for a natural progression to over fence classes.

The poll should be level with, or slightly above the withers, to allow proper impulsion behind. The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance.

Body Position: Hands should be over and in front of horse’s withers, knuckles 30 degrees inside the vertical, hands slightly apart and making a straight line from horse’s mouth to rider’s elbow. Meth­od of holding reins is optional, and bight of reins may fall on either side. However, all reins must be picked up at the same time. The eyes should be up and shoulders back. Toes should be at an angle best suited to rider’s conformation; heels down, calf of leg in contact with horse. Iron should be on the ball of the foot and must not be tied to the girth.

Maneuvers. Individual works may be comprised of any of the following:

  • Walk
  • Sitting Trot – Extended Trot – Posting Trot
  • Canter and/or Hand Gallop straight line – Canter and/or Hand Gallop curved line
  • Figure 8, any gait including counter canter
  • Circles, any gait including counter canter
  • Halt – Back – Sidepass, any or all
  • Address Reins
  • Change of Diagonal
  • Serpentine (Trot /Canter)
  • Turn on Haunches or Forehand
  • Leg-Yield
  • Flying or Simple Change of Lead
  • Drop and/or Pick-up Irons without stopping

All patterns must include a trot and canter. Horses’ gaits are to be ridden with the same cadence and speed as you would find in the rail phase

Rail work shall be at the discretion of the judge, but if used will consist of all three gaits in at least one direction

Gaits:

THE WALK: Should be a four-beat gait with the rider in a vertical position with a following hand

THE POSTING TROT: Figure 8 at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals. At left diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when left front leg is on the ground; at right diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when right front leg is on the ground; when circling clockwise at a trot, rider should be on left diagonal; when circling counter-clockwise, rider should be on right diag­onal. The rider should close his/her hip angle to allow his/her torso to follow the horizontal motion of the horse. The upper body should be inclined about 20 degrees in front of the vertical

SITTING TROT AND CANTER: At the sitting trot, the upper body is only slightly in front of the vertical. At the canter, the body should be positioned slightly more in front of the vertical. As the stride is shortened, the body should be in a slightly more erect position

TWO-POINT POSITION: The pelvis should be forward, but relaxed, lifting the rider’s weight off the horse’s back and transferring the weight through the rider’s legs. In this position the two points of contact between horse and rider are the rider’s legs. Hands should be forward, up the neck, not resting on the neck

HAND GALLOP: A three-beat, lengthened canter ridden in two-point position. The legs are on the horse’s sides while the seat is held out of the saddle. When at the hand gallop, the rider’s angulation will vary somewhat as the horse’s stride is shortened and lengthened. A good standard at a normal hand gallop should be about 30 degrees in front of the vertical

Scoring: shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:

90-100 Excellent equitation, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly and precisely; demonstrates a high level of professionalism.

80-89 Very good rider that executes the pattern as well as correct equitation and use of aids.

70-79 Good pattern execution and average equitation but lacking adequate style and professional presentation to merit elevating to the next scoring range. A very good rider that commits a minor fault or an excellent rider who commits a major fault.

60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision. Rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective equitation. A good rider that commits one minor fault, or a very good rider that commits a major fault in the performance of the pattern.

50-59 One major fault or multiple minor faults in the performance. A rider that demon­strates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.

40-49 Severe fault, two or more major faults or multiple minor faults in the performance of the exhibitor that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.

10-39 Exhibitor commits more than one severe fault or multiple major faults in perfor­mance, exhibits poor riding skills, but completes the class and avoids disqualification All patterns must include a trot and canter. Horses’ gaits are to be ridden with the same cadence and speed as you would find in the rail phase

Faults: The judge will determine the appropriate classification of a fault based upon the degree and/or frequency of the infraction. An exhibitor that incurs a severe fault avoids elimination, but should be placed below all other exhib­itors that complete the pattern correctly. A minor fault can become a major fault and a major fault can become a severe fault when the degree and/or frequency of the infraction(s) merits.

Minor Faults

  • Break of gait at walk or trot up to two strides
  • Over/under turn of 1/8 of the prescribed turn

Major Faults

  • Break of gait, out of lead, missing lead or diagonal for one-two strides
  • Not stopping within 10 feet of designated area
  • Incorrect gait or break of gait at walk or trot for more than two strides
  • Obvious looking for lead or diagonal
  • Over or under turn more than 1/8 of prescribed turn, but not more than 1/4 turn
  • Head carried too high
  • Head carried too low (such that the poll is below the withers)
  • Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
  • excessive nosing out

Severe Faults (avoids disqualification but should be placed below other exhibitors that do not incur a severe fault)

  • Loss of iron or rein
  • Break of gait at canter, out of lead or missing lead or diagonal more than two strides
  • Lack of contact between rider’s hand and bit
  • Touching horse
  • Grabbing any part of the saddle
  • Cropping or spurring in front of the shoulder
  • Kicking at other horses, exhibitors or judge
  • Severe disobedience or resistance by horse including, but not limited to, rearing, bucking or pawing

Disqualification (should not be placed)

  • Failure by exhibitor to wear correct number in visible manner
  • Willful abuse
  • Excessive schooling or training
  • Fall by horse or rider
  • Illegal use of hands on reins
  • Use of prohibited equipment
  • Knocking over the cone, going off pattern or working on wrong side of cone
  • Failure to follow pattern correctly, including failure to ever execute correct lead or gait where called for
  • Overturning more than 1/4 of prescribed turn