Gymnastics on Horseback!

Have you ever been amazed watching a gymnast?  Well if you have, then vaulting will blow you away!

Vaulting is gymnastics on a moving horse.  The horse moves in a controlled 15m circle while a gymnast or a team of gymnasts perform several tricks on top of the horse.  There are six basic moves: basic seat, mill, scissors, flag, stand, flank. the movements are to be performed in succession without pause....unless you are on a team then the first three are performed and then the next three.  

Vaulting is sometimes used for therapeutic riding....it helps improve motor skills, and balance. I actually found this very interesting since I have recently started to volunteer at a therapeutic riding center ( which does not use vaulting as a technique, but I think it would be interesting to see the vaulting techniques used by other centers.)

Getting Down!

Cutting is amazing.  The horses job is to separate a calf from the herd and keep it away.  The horses that compete in cutting are very athletic.  During the event, the rider separates the calf from the herd and then puts the reins on the neck and the horse keeps the calf out with out any instruction from the rider.  

*photo from Http://ko.sydney.com/zone/heart_of_country.aspx?qc=cat%3aproduct_event&qpage=9

Rolex Equestrian Commercial

The Rolex is one of the biggest Combined Training events so I thought I would put up this clip of the commercial. The Rolex will be April 27 for 2008.

To Be An Equestrian

I love this video because it captures all the elements it takes to succeed in any sport. It also give good examples of all three events of combined training (there are a few clips that are not combined training at the beginning, but it is still cool). Combined training is like a triathlon for horses. Dressage demonstrates the accuracy and the ability of the rider to have complete control while appearing to use little effort to complete the pattern. Cross-Country jumping shows the horse"s stamina. This event can be several miles long with multiple fixed obstacle to jump over.... including water, fences, and brush. The stadium jumping shows the ability of the horse to make tight turns and clear jumps at high speeds.
Eventing is so much fun, but it requires hard work and determination. this is why it is an Olympic sport.

Three Days on the Road to Glory!

Combined Training, also know as Eventing is a amazing sport to watch.  The three events are stadium jumping, cross country jumping and dressage.

Stadium jumping show the ability of the horse and rider to maneuver though a number of jumps without knocking down any polls.  If they make it to the second round it is based on speed and accuracy.  

Cross country jumping challenges the horse's endurance.  The course can be several miles long with 20 or more solid obstacles.  This is the phase of eventing that has a bad reputation for being dangerous...and yes it is dangerous if the horse and rider compete at a level higher then they are ready for or if the horse is not listening to the rider.

The third phase is Dressage is the most elegant part.  It judged on how well the horse and rider work together.  The horse must complete a series of movements with accuracy.  The horse must listen to the rider completely and to get the image of no effort from the rider.  

* photos from www.jumpswest.com, www.citrusoaksfarm.com, and www.localriding.com/dressage-training-tips.html

Working in Teams!

As I was browsing the web I  came across an event that sounds like a lot of fun. Combined driving is the like the mounted sport of Eventing in that it has three sections.

1. A)Presentation: this is judged on how the person and horses looked.  Its basically how good the team looks together. B)Dressage: this is how well the team can do structured pattern.
   
2. Marathon: This shows speed and endurance.  There are obstacles that each team must maneuver through.
   
3. Cones:  this is a test of accuracy.  
   

If you would like to learn more visit American Driving Society.

*photo from www.chesterweber.com/combineddriving.html

Don't Forget the Dogs!

I am so excited for the weekend because I get to go on a fox-hunt.  Fo those who have never ben it is a blast.  Basically you get dressed up in traditional attire and you follow a hunt master and dogs.  In the United States you don't actually kill the animal you hunt...its just a fun chase and you call the dogs off. 

Every horses rider should try it at least once in their riding career. for more information on hunting visit http://www.mfha.com/abfo.htm

*image from http://www.britannica.com/eb/art/print?id=76133&articletypeld=0