How to Compete in Equitation
Equitation is an English riding event that judges correct riding and proper body carriage of horse and rider.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Spurs
- English Riding Jacket
- Light-colored Shirts
- English Reins
- English Saddle
- Breeches
- Headstalls
- Helmets
- Leather Riding Gloves
- Riding Boots
- Riding Crop
- Snaffle Bit
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-
1
Select a horse that moves well and carries himself well. Thoroughbreds and warmbloods (large horses of European descent) are preferred since they're taller and better able to make the jumps.
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2
Tack up with an English saddle and tack. It's required for this event.
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3
Maintain proper body position at the walk, sitting trot and canter. Keep your head up, eyes forward, shoulders back, back straight and body leaning slightly forward.
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4
Accentuate the forward body position for the posting trot, gallop and jump.
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5
Hold your hands just above the withers and slightly apart, with your knuckles rotated 30 degrees inside the vertical. There should be a straight line from horse's mouth to rider's elbow.
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6
Flex your ankles, keep your heels down, and maintain contact with the horse with your calves. Keep legs slightly behind the girth.
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7
Follow the pattern. Each rider rides in a specific, required pattern.
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8
Wear a dark jacket with a light-colored shirt; a riding helmet with light-colored breeches; tall, dark leather riding boots, spurs and a riding crop.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Riders ride one at a time in competition.
When you're riding, look to the next move or maneuver; don't just look forward.
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Comments
-
Sep 09, 2006
Concentrate on your position throughout your round, not the way your horse is going, as you are the one being judged. Also make sure that your turnout is immaculate. -
Sep 09, 2006
Concentrate on your position throughout your round, not the way your horse is going, as you are the one being judged. Also make sure that your turnout is immaculate.
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Aug 08, 2006
Don-Æt concentrate so much on your form. You need to concentrate more on riding well, not on how low your heels are or how straight your back is. Also, don-Æt lean back when you sit up in the saddle. It will throw your horse off balance and you will look strange to the judge.
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Aug 08, 2006
Don-Æt concentrate so much on your form. You need to concentrate more on riding well, not on how low your heels are or how straight your back is. Also, don-Æt lean back when you sit up in the saddle. It will throw your horse off balance and you will look strange to the judge.
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Apr 03, 2006
Secure your hair into a hair net under your helmet to create the nice and tidy head. Make sure shirts are tucked in to your breeches. Also, check and make sure that everything is spotless, especially those boots! Remember when you go into an equitation ring to keep your head up to look very confident!
