With a plethora of western horseback riding disciplines to choose from, which ones are suitable for you?
The purpose of a western saddle is to withstand the demands of ranch work by providing comfort for both the rider and the horse over long periods of time. Additionally, it offers ample room for attaching saddle bags and rigging, sufficient strength to handle dallying a steer, and aids in maintaining stability during quick maneuvers or rough landscapes.
In today’s world, the majority of western riding does not take place on a real ranch. Are you prepared to gain knowledge about the various disciplines that involve using a western saddle? Within this article, we will acquaint you with 20 well-liked forms of western riding.
Different Types of Western Riding
What is Western Pleasure?
Western Pleasure is an activity in which riders mount horses and participate in competitions judged on a variety of factors.
To put it simply, Western Pleasure is a sport that takes place in an arena where participants ride their horses in a group and follow the announcer’s instructions to walk, jog, and lope in both directions.
In order to make your horse stand out as the top mover in the group, your objective is to excel in the pleasure class by showcasing smooth, effortless, and naturally fluid gaits that are comfortable to ride and pleasing to the eye.
Ideal for riders who:
- Enjoy fine-tuning their horse’s performance
- Don’t want to memorize patterns
- Can make even a bumpy horse look very comfortable
What is Western Horsemanship?
The concept of Western Horsemanship involves the practice of riding horses in a specific style that originated in the western regions. It focuses on the rider’s ability to effectively communicate and control the horse using minimal aids. This style places emphasis on a deep and balanced seat, with the rider’s weight evenly distributed. Additionally, Western Horsemanship also emphasizes the use of longer reins and a neck-reining technique, where the horse is guided by gentle pressure against its neck rather than direct rein contact. Ultimately, the aim of Western Horsemanship is to create a harmonious partnership between horse and rider based on clear and subtle cues.
In short, Western Horsemanship classes closely examine your skills as a western rider.
In reality, there exist two components: a rail class that functions similarly to a Western Pleasure class, where the judge’s attention is on you, and a pre-determined pattern that you need to learn beforehand.
This is most appropriate for riders who:
- Have correct posture in the saddle
- Can use their aids imperceptibly
- Manage to make a bouncy horse look smooth as glass
- Can remember a pattern
What is Reining?
To put it briefly: Reining involves demonstrating specific movements that were originally used for working cattle, and is performed in a pattern class by the horse and rider.
The entire pattern is executed at a fast pace, either a lope or a gallop, with the aim of presenting the horse as effortless to ride and control, and showing the horse’s enthusiasm in performing the requested tasks. Preciseness is essential in this endeavor!
This is most suitable for riders who:
- Aren’t afraid to go fast
- Like to perform accurate patterns
- Strive to be as in-tune with their horse as possible
What is Cutting?
In essence, the sport of cutting finds its origins in the skill of a horse and rider in separating cows from the herd for purposes such as medical treatment, branding, or inspection.
Surprisingly, the horse does much of the work, and the purpose of a cutting competition is to demonstrate the horse’s capability in stopping a cow from going back to its herd.
The rider’s task is to choose and separate two cows from the herd within a time frame of two-and-a-half minutes.
This is most appropriate for riders who:
- Can sit balanced in the saddle no matter what the horse is doing
- Know how to trust their horse, because interfering with the horse earns low marks
What is Team Penning?
To put it simply, team penning is a competition where teams consisting of three riders and horses compete against each other within a set time.
Each cow in the herd is assigned a unique number, and teams are allocated specific numbers to segregate from the herd and relocate to a different pen, all within a time limit of 60 seconds.
This is most suitable for riders who:
- Love a bit of adrenaline
- Can multi-task and think ahead
- Know how to move their horse’s shoulders and hindquarters
What is Breakaway Roping?
To put it simply: The objective in breakaway roping is to quickly rope a calf. The calf has a head start, and you and your horse can pursue it once the rope in front of you is no longer intact.
After lassoing the calf around its neck, you should dally the rope and instruct your horse to halt. The cowgirl’s rope is designed to release from the calf’s neck, and as soon as this occurs, the timer is halted.
Ideally suited for riders who:
- Have really good aim with a lasso
- Possess good reflexes for starting and stopping
- Are strong enough to dally the rope
What is Team Roping?
To put it simply, team roping involves a cattle chute in which two horses and riders begin on opposite sides. One rider, known as the header, is responsible for roping the steer’s head, coiling the rope around a dally, and directing the steer towards the left.
The steer’s hind legs are exposed to the second rider, known as the heeler, whose objective is to rope both of the back legs. The team that completes the task the fastest is the winner.
Designed for riders who are most suited to it.
- Have really good aim with a lasso
- Like to go fast
- Are strong enough to dally the rope
What is Working Equitation?
In brief, working equitation is gaining global popularity as it is specifically created to demonstrate your horse’s agility, skill in navigating obstacles, and speed in performing tasks.
The typical structure involves four stages which are working dressage, maneuvering obstacles with ease, speedily navigating obstacles, and, at higher levels, managing cattle.
Working Equitation can be executed using various types of tack and apparel, such as western, english, Australian, etc., as long as they are coordinated appropriately.
This is most suitable for riders who:
- Want to master obstacles, speed and precision, and dressage
- Can remember a pattern and execute it accurately
- Have a high degree of control over their horse’s speed, path, and hip/shoulder
- Enjoy a fun and inclusive competition atmosphere
What is Ranch Sorting?
Ranch sorting can be described as the more adventurous cousin of team penning, where teams consisting of two horses and riders are tasked with transferring cows from one pen to another. However, it would be an understatement to say that this task is too simple.
Ranch sorting is made exciting to participate in and intense to observe due to one particular aspect: the cows are assigned numbers and must be arranged in sequence without any cows deviating from their designated order.
The task must be completed within a minute, while considering each step carefully.
This is most suitable for riders who:
- Don’t lose their nerve in the face of pressure
- Work well with their teammate
- Can ask their horse to move all over the place and at different speeds while staying secure in the saddle
What is Working / Reined Cow Horse?
To put it simply, a reined cow horse competition consists of three parts: a reining pattern, a cutting section, and fence work. During the fence work, it’s only you, your horse, and a cow in the arena.
As part of your responsibilities, you are required to perform various maneuvers with the cow in the designated arena. This involves keeping the cow in one position, moving the cow along the wall, and guiding the cow towards the center to perform circular turns in both directions.
The riders who would be most suited to this are those who:
- Are accurate and quiet in the saddle
- Like to go fast, but steadily
- Enjoy patterns as much as they enjoy the unpredictability of cow work
What is Western Trail Riding?
Simply put, this sport assesses the level of coordination between you and your horse as you navigate obstacles like logs, bridges, and gates. The primary objective is to demonstrate a harmonious partnership between horse and rider while successfully overcoming each obstacle with enthusiasm and cooperation.
Trail competitions may take place either in an arena or in a rural area along a lengthy course, encompassing predetermined obstacles where judges are stationed.
Ideal for riders who:
- Can strategize how to best tackle each obstacle
- Don’t mind memorizing a pattern
- Like to be precise in their riding
What is Cowboy Mounted Shooting?
Contradictory to its name, this sport embraces both male and female riders who share a passion for horses and, as you might have guessed, shooting.
Competitors participate in a race inside an arena where they shoot empty ammunition at colored balloons. They are evaluated based on their performance in terms of time and precision. The targets are incorporated with various riding maneuvers such as turns and barrels. Additionally, there is a series of balloons arranged in a straight line which is referred to as the “run down”.
Ideal for individuals who:
- Feel the need for speed
- Enjoy sports reminiscent of old western activities
- Are a good shot (from horseback!)
What is Pole Bending?
In summary, the sport of pole bending involves one horse and rider competing against six poles and a timer.
To begin, sprint with your horse at maximum speed, passing the set of six poles. Then, execute a sharp left turn around the last pole, maneuvering skillfully until you reach the end. At the final pole, make another turn to repeat the serpentine pattern.
After going through the previous steps, you proceed to make a final turn and proceed towards your destination. The victorious duo among the horses and their riders, who complete the race flawlessly and with the highest speed, will emerge as the winners.
This is most suitable for riders who:
- Love going fast
- Can stick with their horse despite quick changes in direction
- Perform well with adrenaline
What is Barrel Racing?
In brief, the duration of barrel racing is only a matter of seconds; however, it remains thrilling for both participants and spectators.
The riders move their horses in a clover leaf pattern around each of the three barrels, which are set up in a triangle shape. After completing this pattern as quickly as possible, they race back to the start line.
Ideal for riders who:
- Like to go fast
- Can stay balanced around sharp turns
- Know how to stay light in the saddle to free up the horse’s back
What is Goat Tying?
To put it simply: In this rodeo event, participants compete to reach a goat tied to a 10-foot line, where they must then dismount, flip the goat onto its side, and tie three of its legs together.
After backing away from the goat, the rider will wait for six seconds before untying it, with the possibility of disqualification if the goat manages to release itself, along with deductions in points due to unnecessary rough treatment of the animal.
Ideal for riders who:
- Are acrobatic, because the dismount happens on the run!
- Have enough strength to flip a goat
- Don’t mind going fast
What is Mounted Drill?
To put it simply, art on horseback is created by mounted drill teams. During their performance, they ride a pattern of their own design set to music and frequently carry flags.
When judging, accuracy in spacing, timing, horsemanship, coordination, well-behaved horses, the uniqueness of the pattern, and even the reaction from the crowd are all factors that judges consider.
All collegiate teams find it popular, but it is open to participants of all ages and breeds.
This is most suitable for riders who:
- Don’t mind teamwork
- Enjoy being as accurate as possible with their horse
- Can memorize choreography
What is Western Dressage?
In essence, Western dressage is akin to traditional dressage as it involves executing a pattern to demonstrate your horse’s movement, self-control, and responsiveness to commands.
The focus is also placed on the harmony between the horse and rider, as well as the flexibility and authenticity in the horse’s movements. The objective of western dressage is to ultimately showcase a well-educated horse that can gracefully and effortlessly execute the traditional disciplines of the western style.
This is most appropriate for riders who:
- Always strive for improvement
- Enjoy the more technical aspects of training and riding
- Don’t mind memorizing patterns
What is Versatility / Western Ranch Riding?
In summary, a versatility ranch riding class is intended to demonstrate the versatility of your horse in western riding and ranch work, as the name suggests.
If you are a fan of western horsemanship, reining, trail obstacles, and working cow horse competitions, versatility ranch riding includes all of these, along with an unmounted conformation class. If you find it difficult to select just one, this discipline is ideal for you!
Ideal for individuals who: Are most compatible with participants who:
- Always expect the best from their horse
- Are willing to put in the work to perform well in multiple disciplines
- Aim for finesse
What is Western Showmanship / Halter Class
To put it simply: Engaging in a western discipline does not always require being on horseback. Showmanship classes, such as In-Hand and Halter, involve leading your horse through a pattern from the ground.
The judges seek an attractive demonstration of the horse and handler and accuracy in executing each of the pattern movements.
Ideal for riders who:
- Love to be on display and looking their best
- Enjoy a slower pace and attention to detail
- Want to show their horses from the ground vs. riding
What is Gymkhana?
To put it simply, gymkhana consists of a variety of mounted games, and there is no strict criteria for determining which games are considered part of an official gymkhana competition.
The most common competitions include barrel racing, pole bending, rescue riding, flag racing, keyhole racing, and other speed relay events.
Teams frequently conduct their races simultaneously, occupying separate “lanes” within a spacious open area.
Riders who would find this product most suitable meet the following criteria:
- Work well as part of a team
- Are brave enough to mount and dismount at speed
- Have good hand-eye coordination and balance
The Difference Between English and Western Riding
Western and English riding styles are the most common types of riding styles in North America and many other places. If you are new to riding, you might be interested in knowing the distinctions between the two. Despite their differences, the fundamentals of both styles are quite similar. Neither style is easier to learn than the other, as both require time, dedication, and practice to become highly skilled. However, before deciding on a specific riding style for lessons, it is important to compare the primary differences between the two.
Equipment
The Western riding style was developed to meet the requirements of cowboys who worked with cattle on horseback. The design of the Western saddle aims to distribute the weight more evenly over the horse’s back, enabling the horse and rider to balance the weight of a roped cow. Additionally, the seat of a Western saddle offers comfort for long durations of riding on rough terrain. The saddle horn serves as an anchor for a lasso when roping cattle, while the saddle strings are utilized to secure various types of gear that a working cowboy may need. In contemporary times, there exist diverse saddle styles that can be employed for specific activities such as speed games, equitation, roping, and other sports.
Many of the traditions and equipment in English riding are derived from European mounted military styles. The saddle used is smaller and lighter, with some variations available for specific disciplines, just like the western saddle. A beginner who is just beginning might prefer an all-purpose saddle. All English saddles are designed to ensure the horse’s movement is not obstructed while providing a safe and stable seat for the rider.
Type of Horse
Western horses are typically compact in size and have the ability to travel steadily throughout the day, punctuated by occasional bursts of speed in order to pursue stray cattle.
English-style horses are typically taller and often have long legs, which helps them excel in covering long distances at various speeds and overcoming various obstacles when jumping.
Despite general expectations, certain individuals possess remarkable abilities. For instance, in the arena for dressage, a sturdy Quarter Horse might astound you, whereas a Thoroughbred could exhibit unexpected “cow sense.” It is important to acknowledge that there are always outliers to any established norm. Irrespective of your horse’s breed or lineage, it is highly likely that you can achieve some level of accomplishment in any discipline or riding style.
Gaits
The gaits of a horse are labeled differently by Western and English riders. Typically, an English horse is anticipated to possess a lengthy and graceful way of moving, exhibiting variations in speed, rhythm, and gathering, whereas a western horse is expected to travel in a low, smooth, and consistent manner. The following are the distinctions in each gait.
- Walk: Very similar for both English and Western.
- Trot/Jog: A jog is very smooth, relaxed, and slightly faster than a walk. The jog is useful for following herds of cattle. Riders sit a jog and do not post. In English riding, the trot is posted unless a sitting trot is required in the show ring. This is one of the largest differences in who English riders ride compared to western riders. A faster trot is, however, posted or ridden at two-point when riding western.
- Canter /Lope: The Western lope is a slow relaxed canter. English riders will learn that the canter can be very elevated, extended, or collected with many variations in speed depending on the specific discipline or style.
Attire
When engaging in western riding, the traditional western hat serves as the most prominent feature. To achieve the desired appearance, a comfortable shirt, jeans, and western-style boots are essential. Although participating in shows, numerous Western riders choose to wear helmets with a sporty appearance.
English riders typically don a traditional hunt cap or helmet as headgear. Their outfit is completed by a fitted jacket, shirt, jodhpurs or breeches, and jodhpur boots or tall boots.
The Basics of What You’ll Need to Know
Neck rein will be taught to Western riders. English riders will use one rein in each hand and engage in posting while trotting. If you have plans to compete, several diverse skills must be acquired. Depending on your specific competition, mastering tasks like braiding or banding a mane, tail pulling, and various grooming details will be necessary.
English and Western Riding are two different disciplines.
Once you have grasped the fundamentals of either style, there is a wide range of sports that you can experiment with. The mentioned sports below are only a limited selection:
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- Team penning
- Cutting
- Reining
- Speed Games
- Trail Classes
- Pleasure and Equitation Classes
- Roping
- Trail riding
Please rephrase the text below while keeping the same meaning, without adding or removing any information: “Please think methodically and logically when considering the steps necessary to solve a problem in English.”
- Dressage
- English or English Country Pleasure
- Jumping
- Hunting
- Mounted Games
- Polo
- Hunter Pace
Sports that allow you to participate in either English or Western style riding.
Certain sports accommodate both styles of riding.
- Trail riding
- Endurance racing
- Competitive trail riding
- Competitive mounted orienteering
- Some local open shows have mixed English/Western classes.
