Although jumping and dressage are some of the more popular horseback riding competitions to enter there are others out there that are becoming more popular each year.  Some of these are long-distance riding, harness racing, barrel racing, calf roping, bronco riding, and polo.

Long distance riding is when riders ride on trained horses on different types of terrain for long distances. Competitors may ride for 20 to 100 miles and must reach a certain location to win.  There is usually no prepared track and the riders generally have to find their own route.  Although this may not sound exciting to some people, it can be a dangerous sport.  Competitors could get lost or injured while competing in this event.   

In harness racing a horse pulls a light two-wheeled vehicle, known as a sulky which is guided by a driver.  The object is to race for one mile in the shortest amount time. The horses are trained and are usually trotting or pacing at a moderate speed while racing.

 Barrel racing is a sport in which a rider rides on their trained horse around barrels and try to get the fastest time.  The horses are trained to make extremely sharp turns to save a second or two of their time.  If a contestant knocks over a barrel they will get a couple of seconds added to their time.

 Calf-roping is an event in which both a baby calf and a horseback rider on his horse are released from different cages.  Then the rider dashes out of his cage and tries to rope the cow with a lasso.  If he misses, he is disqualified but if he does get the cow then he leaps off of his horse and ties three of the calf's legs up.  The cow must stay tied for at least 8 seconds or the rider is disqualified.    

 Bronco riding is becoming more popular every day.  It is a dangerous sport that requires a sense of balance, strong legs, and very fast feet.  A rider is seated on a horse  in a cage  that is being spurred or poked with sharp metal to make it buck more. When people open the gate the horse springs out of the cage and starts to fiercely buck.  The rider must stay on for eight seconds or he will be disqualified. 

Polo is like playing hockey on horses.  Competitors usually play on big ponies.  Players gallop on their horse and try to hit a ball into the opponents goal.  They use long sticks that look like long croquet sticks.