Facts About Equestrian Sports

Equestrian sports are split into three different types: English, western and driving. English style sports are Olympic sports and use a lightweight saddle, with both reins in two hands. Western sport uses larger saddles than English style equestrian sport and may use one or both hands. Driving sports involve one or more horses in a harness pulling a cart or carriage.

English or Olympic Sport

English equestrian sports in the Olympics include show jumping, dressage and eventing. Show jumping involves the rider guiding their horse over a series of jumps and obstacles. In dressage a rider memorizes a pattern, with a specific set of moves, and moves around the arena in this pattern. Eventing uses the precision portion of the dressage, but the rider must ride two courses over fences. One course is in an enclosed arena, the other is in a cross-country field. The sports of polo and horseracing are also English style sports.

Western Sport

Western style equestrian sports include cutting horse competitions and rodeo events, like team roping and barrel racing. Galloping and reining competitions are also two large scale western horse event competitions. Other western horse sports include pleasure riding, trail riding, versatility and halter classes.

Driving Competition Sports

Combined driving is a horse event similar to eventing, but has a team format consisting of a harnessed horse, a pair of horses or a four-a-hand. The three phases of a driving competition include dressage, cross-country marathon (with obstacles) and a cones course.

Horse Racing

Horse racing takes place on a flat surface, but may include jumping over obstacles. The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes are three of the most popular horse races in the United States. Riders may use either a western or English saddle.