- Riding Horse
The Riding Horse is a type of show
horse in the UK. Riding horses can be any breed, but are generallywarmblood s orThoroughbred crosses.The breeding and showing of riding horses is overseen by the
British Show Horse Association .howing the riding horse
The ideal riding horse should be somewhere between a hack and a hunter and should show quality, substance, good bone, correct conformation, presence and true action.
Division of classes
Riding horses are divided into two sections:
* Small riding horse:
Mare orgelding four years old or over, exceeding 148cm (14.2 hands high), but not exceeding 158 cm (15.2 hands high).* Large riding horse: Mare or gelding four years old or over, exceeding 158cm (15.2 hands high).
how
Classes are judged on type, ride, manners and conformation. Horses in the class are asked to perform a walk, trot,
canter and (conditions permitting)gallop together.The judge will then ride the horses and then may require individual performances, called "shows," from the competitors. Individual shows should not exceed 1 1/2 minutes, and should include walk, trot, canter, gallop,
rein back , stand still and demonstrate obedience to the leg .Riding horses can be shown ridden astride or
sidesaddle .Turnout
Riding horses are shown in brown tack, with a coloured browband.
Double bridle s or pelham bits are used. Saddles should be straight-cut to show off the animal's shoulder. (This style is called an "English showing saddle" in some places, to distinguish it from both the "Forward Seat" and the "Dressage" saddle). Manes should be plaited, tails pulled and legs and faces trimmed.Riders should wear navy jackets and riding hats, cream or buff
breeches , a cream shirt with a tie and tall blackriding boots . Show canes are generally carried.For evening championships riders should wear a black or navy jacket with a white or cream
stock , fastened with a pin, plus atop hat .Racehorse To Riding Horse
The
Racehorse to Riding Horse class was introduced to theHorse Of The Year Show in2006 . The format of the class is as for a traditional riding horse class, although horses which are good examples of a show hunter orshow hack may also enter.To be eligible, horses must be full
thoroughbred and registered in theWeatherbys General Stud Book . The horse must have been in training as a racehorse, but need not necessarily have raced. They must also be over four years old, and stand taller than 15 hands high (hh).Turnout and rider wear should conform to the appropriate class - competitors showing their horses as riding horses should wear navy jackets and hats, while those showing their horses as hunters should wear
tweed coats.Competitors qualifying for the evening performance at the Horse Of The Year Show should wear black or navy jackets and a
top hat .Comparable classes in other nations
The Riding horse class is roughly comparable to the
English pleasure -type class known as "Hunter Under Saddle" in theUnited States , though in the USA judges do not ride the horses nor are they asked to perform individually.ee also
*
Equestrianism
*English riding
*Horse show
*Show hack
*Cob (horse)
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