Equestrian Facts

The best historical evidence suggests that horses were ridden long before they were being driven. Estimates show that horses first were ridden approximately around 4,500 BC. Evidence has been gathered that shows about 6000 years ago people were using bits on horses.

The most accepted evidence of horses being put to work comes from chariot burials about 2,500 BC . During ancient times, chariot warfare was used very effective for cavalry charges. . The horse in general has played an important role throughout human history all around the world, both in warfare and in peaceful pursuits such as transportation, trade and agriculture.

During the Olympic Games in 1900, equestrian events were first introduced. By the 1912 Olympics, the three disciplines still seen today were added as part of the games.

Many equestrian shows are held throughout the world feature a variety of events, equipment, attire and judging. In general, the most equestrian horse shows and be broken into the following events.

Equitation which refers to events that judges the rider on form, style and ability.

Pleasure, flat, or under saddle classes feature horses that are ridden on the flat arena and judged on manners, performance, movement, style and quality.

Halter, in-hand breeding, or conformation classes, where the horse is led around the arena by a handler on the ground and judged on conformation and suitability as a breeding animal.

Harness classes, where the horse is driven rather than ridden, but still judged on manners, performance and quality.

Jumping or Over Fences refers broadly to both show jumping and show hunter, where horses and riders must jump obstacles.

The majority of the population does not appreciate real equestrian sports and actually associates horses with western stuff such as cowboys and rodeos. The truth is, the are many western theme equestrian competitions that take place every year.

Western style of riding and their competition have a totally different atmosphere than their equestrian competition counter parts. Western riders don't dress in fancy clothes or riding helmets. The dress in standard western cowboy garb and only where a cowboy hat.

Typical rodeo events included the following:

Barrel riding consists of the horse and rider galloping around a cloverleaf pattern of barrels, making agile turns without knocking the barrels over.

Pole bending consists of the horse and rider running the length of a line of six upright poles, turning sharply and weaving through the poles, turning again and weaving back, then return to the start.

Steer wrestling is a rodeo event that has the rider jump off his horse onto a steer and wrestle it to the ground by grabbing onto its horns.

Goat tying is event reserved for women, pre-teen girls and boys and involves staking a goat, the goat a mounted rider runs to the goat, dismounts, grabs the goat, throws it to the ground and ties it in the same manner as a calf.

Calf roping consists of roping a calf around the neck by a lariat while riding a horse, then once roped dismounting the horse the tying their of the calf legs together.