Horse Riding Events

Your Guide To Horse Shows

Ever wondered what some of the events were all about at your local gymkhana?. We have listed each horse riding event and what you need to know about each one.

Best Educated Hack An event where the education of the horse counts, not conformation or movement. Manners and paces are considered, along with how the horse responds to the rider's aids.

Best Groomed An event where cleanliness and neatness is judged and nothing else.

Breed Events Open to the various breeds, who should be registered with the appropriate breed association to be eligible to compete. Mostly classes for breeding stock like stallions, colts, mares and fillies but some shows also cater for geldings.

Consolation Event This is an event usually held at the end of a gymkhana or show and anyone who hasn't been placed in any event during the day is eligible to compete.

Combined Training An event comprising a dressage test and showjumping round with both scores counting towards the final placings. A popular Pony Club Event.

Dressage

A test of a horse's training. Dressage tests are divided up into sections and each section is given a mark by a judge, with the scores added at the completion of the test for an overall score. Conformation is not considered, but a horse's education along with the rider's ability is judged. Accuracy of each movement is important.

Endurance Ride

A test of a horse and rider's athletic ability over distances of 80km or more. Horses are regularly checked by a vet and riders usually receive a completion award for finishing the ride.

One Day Event An event comprising dressage, cross country and showing held over one day. All three scores in each phase are considered to determine the final winner and placegetters.

Pleasure Hack A horse suitable for pleasure hacking, the judge may ask for workouts on a loose rein and a small obstacle to be jumped.

Pony Club Events Events open to Pny Club members who compete in their club colours. Events vary from Best Groomed, to riding and jumping.

Pony Dressage

Dressage tests for ponies 14.2hh and under, riders can be any age unless otherwise specified.

Supreme Champion All champion winners from a series of related events compete for the title of Supreme (there's no reserve supreme, eg "Supreme Champion Ridden Horse" or "Supreme Champion Rider". Supreme Champions are usually awarded at agricultural show level.

Topsey Ring A fun ring with events such as horse with the longest tail, best trick, fancy dress etc. Riding ability or horse's conformation and movement usually don't play a part.

Showjumping Show Jumping

A horse and rider performing over a set course of obstacles which can include a double (two jumps a set distance apart) and triple (three jumps a set distance apart) plus a water jump. There's lot's of different classes but the basic event is a Table A where a horse and rider jump a course and those going clear jump-off against the clock over a raised course. The fastest round with no jumping penalties wins. There are many speed events as well, where the horse who jumps the highest wins !.

Horse Events

Freshmans A showjumping event without traditional placings, but used as a training event. Courses are at varying heights starting low and increasing during the day. Horses and riders who jump a clear round receive a ribbon.

Gentleman's Hack A horse suitable for carrying gentlemen, usually a larger, heavier boned horse.

Good Hands A riding event for boys and girls (competing separately) aged 15 and under, horses must be ridden in a snaffle. Entry is free and good hands heats are held at larger shows, the winner (no second, third etc, placings are awarded) is then eligible to compete in the Good Hands event at the Royal Show in their capital city.

Hacks Lightweight and Heavyweight Horse Show

In pre-metric days, the hack divisions were usually 10, 12 and 14 stone. Nowadays it's often Lightweight and Heavyweight. This doesn't refer to the build of the horse, but how much weight they can carry comfortably and this is usually determined by the thickness of the cannon bones.

Handler Classes These are judged on how a handler manages the horse, judging is similar to a led event. Conformation and paces of the horse not considered.

Handy Mount An event to test the versatility of a mount, each horse goes through a course which comprises obstacles such as opening and closing a gate, carrying a bucket of water etc. Each obstacle is scored by a judge and the scores tallied at the end to find the winner and placegetteres.

Types of Horse Events

Inter-Schools These are really popular. Riders represent their school and wear school colours or sporting uniform, competing against others in the same year level. Events include Smartest on Parade, Best Rider, Dressage, Showjumping, Jumping Equitation, Games and Handy Mount Riders can compete individually and in teams.

Jumping Equitation Horse Jumping

This is judged on a rider's ability over obstacles. A rider goes around a showjumping course with a judge marking their performance over individual obstacles. Such aspects such as rider's seat, leg position, hands, approach to the jump etc are scored. This event was previously known as Rider Over Obstacles.

Ladies Hack A horse suitable for lady riders. Horses should be quiet with good manners, paces and education.

Led Events These are judged on a horse's confomation and movement. The judge calls in his or her perferred type of horse, studies their conformation and has the horse perform a workout, usually walk, turn and trot back to the judge, who checks for straightness of movement.

Novelties Barrel Racing

Games on horseback, including musical chairs, bending, flag and barrel, egg and spoon race. Requires a fast but agile horse with good steering and brakes !.

Novice Events Open to any rider who has not previously won first place in that particular event. Once you win a first placing, you are no longer eligible to enter another novice class in that category.

Open Events Horse Ribbon

Open to any horse or rider within height or age limits as specified in the show program. Open riding classes are judged on riding ability. Open Pony, Galloway and Hack events are judged on a horse's conformation, movement and education. Also includes pairs events (eg, pair of riders/pair of hacks) and team events. Horses and riders competing at agricultural show level should be registered with the Equestrian Federation.

To qualify for a Royal Show, horses and riders must have won championships/first placings at agricultural show level in the preceding 12 months.

Three Day Event

An event comprising dressage, cross country, road & track and showjumping, with each phase being held over three consecutive days, eg dressage on day one, cross country/roads & track on day two and showjumping on day three.

Turnout/Smartest on Parade Everything counts in these events !. Riding ability, horse's conformation, education and paces, plus correctness, cleanliness and fit of saddlery and riding outfit and the overall impression of horse and rider. Detail is important, eg, all buttonholes must undo, cufflinks, tiepin and gloves worn and a hacking cane carried.

Hickstead Course

An event that incorporates both cross country and showjumping obstacles in the same course.

Hunter Classes Hunter

There are two types, one can be ridden classes for horses suitable to take hunting. The second is judged over cross country type obstacles.

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