Equitation refers to classes where the rider’s style is judged. In an equitation class, your horse doesn’t have to be the smoothest jumper in the world, or the most elegant mover, the rider is the one being judged, and the horses’ movement is irrelevant to some degree.
Equitation divisions range from beginner walk-trot through open equitation. In the flat equitation competition, riders are judged on how well they handle riding skills, such as walking, trotting, and cantering. Riders should be able to show precise handling of their horse at the walk, trot, and canter while maintaining proper equitation and control.
A knowledgeable equitation rider establishes a straight line from his/her elbow, through forearms and reins to the horses mouth. Shoulders are another common area for equitation faults. Some equitation judges will ask riders to answer questions on anatomy, tack, and equitation.
There are three types of equitation saddle seat, hunter seat, and stock seat. In hunt seat equitation, riders compete over fences and in separate classes, and at the walk, trot and canter on the flat.
Unlike the more common hunter classes, hunt...