Equitation
📘 Overview
Equitation focuses on how the rider rides rather than how the horse performs. Riders are judged on their position, balance, control, timing, and effectiveness while guiding the horse through a pattern or course. Unlike disciplines that judge speed or conformation, equitation is about rider skill, posture, and harmony with the mount.
Equitation may be flat (on the flatwork, walk/trot/canter) or over fences (e.g., hunter equitation), depending on the level or class.
This is a great discipline for developing and showcasing horsemanship fundamentals and is often used as a training base for riders pursuing show jumping, hunters, or dressage.
📊 Breed Regulations & Stats
Any well-schooled and obedient horse may compete, as performance depends more on the rider's form than the horse’s speed or jump height.
Recommended stats:
Speed: 25–30 mph
Jump: 0.00–6.99 ft
Division: D6, D5
Suggested breeds:
Thoroughbred
Hanoverian
Dutch Warmblood
Irish Sport Horse
Selle Francais
Anglo-Arabian
Appaloosa
AQH crosses
Horses must be:
Calm and obedient
Well-trained under saddle
Of a healthy weight and condition
Free of illness or injury
🧑⚖️ Judging Criteria
Riders are evaluated based on:
Position: Posture in the saddle, correct rein/leg use
Control: Smooth transitions and steering
Balance: Centered seat, no bouncing or leaning
Communication: Subtle, effective aids
Accuracy: Completing the course or pattern correctly
The horse should appear well-mannered and responsive, even though it's the rider being judged.
❌ Disqualifications
Riding the wrong pattern or course
Falling off
Unsafe or disrespectful behaviour
Using incorrect tack
Poor sportsmanship or judge interference
⚠️ Penalties
Sloppy posture or hands
Late transitions
Missed leads or diagonals
Losing balance or inconsistent pace
Untidy horse or rider presentation
📋 Scoring
Equitation is scored out of 100. Most scores range from 60–90, depending on difficulty and execution. A high score represents fluid riding with minimal visible effort or error.
Example scoring breakdown:
90–100: Excellent rider form, flawless execution
80–89: Strong form with minor faults
70–79: Some issues in form or control
Below 70: Significant faults, loss of control, or repeated errors
🧱 Course Building
Equitation may be performed:
On the flat — patterns include walk/trot/canter transitions, figure eights, serpentines, and halts
Over fences — a simple course of 4–8 jumps in a hunter-style layout
Flatwork arena:
40x60 blocks or larger
Use markers (heads, signs, letters) for patterns
Fences for boundary and judge placement
Over fences arena:
55x40 to 80x100 blocks
Use hunter-style jumps (natural colours, poles, flowerboxes, etc.)
Place fences at least 7 blocks apart
🎁 Prize Pot & Entry Fees
Schooling
$10
$500
Top 3
Regional
$50
$2,500
Top 5
Championship
$100
$7,500
Top 8
🚫 Real money transactions are strictly prohibited. Any attempt will result in a permanent IP ban for the host.
👗 Attire & Tack
Rider:
Black/navy helmet
Show jacket (navy, black, grey)
White/pastel shirt with collar
Beige/white breeches
Tall black/brown boots
Gloves (optional)
Optional vest or protective gear
Horse:
English saddle
White saddle pad
Half pad (optional)
Bridle
Leg protection (optional)
Braided or neatly styled mane encouraged
📢 Hosting Requirements
Must be a licensed Equitation host
Must clearly announce the pattern or course before the event
Judges must observe rider form and note penalties fairly
All arenas must meet minimum building standards
Hosts must record scores and submit results to staff for official tracking
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