Question about different riding styles?

Question

I tried googling some of these but I can't get a good feeling for what is the difference between these riding styles and what they require.

What is a pleasure division?

Eventing

Hunter

Hunter Jumper

Cross-Country

What is the difference between cross country and steeplechasing?

Also if anyone knows of any websites that explain the different types of riding, please post them.

Answer 1

Eventing-eventing includes 3 phases... the 1st phase is dressage-the 2nd phase is crosscountry which is an outdoor course starting at at east a mile long getting longer as the levels go up. The jumps are more natural looking. Different from stepplechase in that it is not a race. The 3rd phase is stadium jumping. In eventing the dressage is one of the most important phases it basically is judging your horse on acceptence of the bit and softness. It is really way more complicated then what I am going to write out. The crosscountry and stadium all that really matters is that your horse jumps the jumps doesn't atter how they get over as long as they do it without stopping. There is a set amount of time it needs to be done in and time completed will factor in if there were a tie.

Hunter-is all judged on the horses form and way of going. You want a big flowing stride that will cover a lot of ground and you don't want a horse with a lot of knee action. Hunter courses are generally 2 outside lines and 2 diagonal lines. If doing hunter equitation it is all judged on your ability as a rider. A lot of equitation horses are just used for equitation as they may not be stylish enough for the classes judged on them but are great at the tight turned equitation courses.

Jumpers- Time is all that matters. Doesn't matter if the horse is a pretty jumper or not as long as they jump clean and get the fastest time. Generally they have jumper classes at most rated hunter shows they usually do it at the end of the day after the hunter classes are finished.

I could go on and be a lot more detailed but it would take forever...hope this helps a little.

Answer 2

I don't have time to write an answer in full as I'm just leaving work, but these should help you:

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

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

http://www.ushja.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-count...

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

Answer 3

I would post this in the horse section, you will get a lot more answers from more knowlege able people.