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Dressage- Its values and basic principles were established by the Greeks. Its term is derived from the French term dresser (to train, adjust to straighten out.) Women started to emerge the sport of dressage. The first women to win and Olympic dressage medal was Liz Hartel. Competition dressage covers a wide range of standards, from riding club events to the Olympic games. There are two grades of dressage training, each of which is subdivided into two or more degrees of difficulty.
Show Jumping- Show jumping is a fairly recent innovation in comparison to other equestrian sports. In the 18th century show jumping started to be recognized. In the United States the National Horse Show began at Madison Square Garden, New York, in 1883. By the turn of the century the sport was established internationally. In the second of the modern Olympic games, at Paris in 1900, three jumping competitions - a high jump, a long jump, and a prize jump were included.
Eventing- Eventing is considered very exhilarating. It is said to be the most complete test of a horse. All major competitions are three day events. Today a three day event includes, dressage, speed and endurance, and show jumping. Dressage has a program with about 20 different movements. Speed and endurance is a four phase test consisting of a phases A and C and phase B. Show jumping consists of a horse 750-1000 yards with ten to twelve obstacles.
Endurance Riding- Endurance riding is the youngest equestrian sport but has a large international following. The race lasts one day and maybe up to one hundred miles long. The point of the game is for entrants to complete the distance in a maximum allowed time. Vet inspections are held before during a after the ride.
Polo- Polo is stick and ball game played on horse back by apposing teams of four aside. The game is believed to have originated in Persia. A polo ground may not exceed 300 yards. The goals are 8 yards wide and 10 feet high. The ball is made out of a willow or bamboo root.
Carriage Driving- Carriage driving was formed in Britain. The coaching club of Great Britain was formed in 1871. A full horse driving trial event consists of three separate tests. Competition A is a driving Dressage test. Competition B is a vigorous cross country marathon course and competition C is a cone driving test.
Western Sports-There are many types of western sports such as: calf-roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling and barrel racing. Popular breeds used for western riding are the Appaloosa, Arabian, Morgan, Pinto and Quarter Horse.
