Equitation??? (horse-riding)?

Question

Hi, what do you have to do in an equitation class?

(Please only answer if you know!)

Answer 1

Equitation is a general term for any class where the rider is judged on position and how she controls the horse.

Specifically, an equitation class without any other description (not western equitation, not equitation over fences...) is a flat class where the rider rides english and enters the ring with a bunch of other horses... typically 4-9 others... and then you'll be asked to walk, trot, and canter (except not canter if it's a walk trot equitation class) both directions of the ring.  Since the class is judged on the rider, the judge will commonly ask for a sitting trot as well as the posting trot.  Sometimes they will ask you for a 2 point.  Sometimes they'll ask you to drop your irons and trot without your stirrups.  It depends on the level of the class... if it's a walk trot class, dropping irons is too advanced for the riders... but at the same time, the judge doesn't have the canter to choose between riders so the judge needs something else to judge, so usually walk trotters get to at least do a sitting trot... maybe a halt too... maybe a 2 point.  In any equitation class, the judge can ask you to do a pattern, but usually it takes too long and the judge doesn't want to wait to watch everyone do a pattern so patterns are really rare.

I'm getting pretty annoyed with good force lately.  I've been showing for 3 years and have never had to do a pattern in a show.  I've seen patterns done in AQHA shows, but at normal open shows, like local horse shows for area barns, patterns are extremely rare.  And in interscholastic or intercollegiate shows, unless you're showing at the national finals competitions, then patterns are rare there too.  The classes in the AQHA shows specifically say they're pattern classes... you know you're gonna do a pattern when you enter the class... at a local show, when you enter in equitation, you're likely to just walk, trot, and canter, not do a pattern.  The judge can ask you to do a pattern, but it's extremely unlikely because it wastes a lot of time to have 6-10 people do a pattern, one at a time.

Answer 2

To get an answer to that question (What do you have to do in an equitation class?) you will need to be specific about which equitation discipline you are referring to.

Edit: Here is a link to help you with the equitation disciplines and general info on what you will be asked to do in each.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equitation

Answer 3

An equatation class in judged on you as a rider not much on the horse, judges are looking out for strong supple position and effective aids. They are basically looking for how well you control your horse and your performace. Good look.

Answer 4

Equitation is judge mainly on you

how well you sit , and handle your horse in different gaits

now their is a fine line here people don;t really know a judge will want to see a PRETTY picture also

Not all judges judge only the rider !



If your horse spooks a bit and he is watching you you still might win he will see if you handle the situation  right !!

So slight errors of the horse maybe excused , but you better not make ANY mistakes

I have judge and won many equ, classe english and western

I showed against over 150 horse split in 3 divions and still won

So make sure your clean and very prepared

good luck

Answer 5

equitation is judged strictly on the rider!!!

there are different tests that the judge can ask for... such as:

simple changes of lead or flying lead changes

hand gallop

sitting trot

turn on forehand / haunches

counter canter

figure 8 @ the canter w/ simple lead changes

riding w/out your stirrups.