Around The World
Dressage
The following are some key aspects that contribute to a successful dressage performance. The rider should maintain a correct position with the head, shoulder, hip and knee in line and the back straight. This alignment allows for effective communication and balance. The horse's movements should have a clear and regular rhythm. The horse should remain straight on straight lines and show an even bend through turns, circles and corners. Maintaining proper bend and straightness helps to develop suppleness and flexibility in the horse's body, allowing for fluid and precise movements. By focusing on these aspects, riders can strive for a well-executed dressage performance that showcases the horse's athleticism and partnership with the rider. Continue reading more about dressage to expand your knowledge on the topic.
Track Up In Trot
Polo
Polo is a competitive sport played on horseback, where teams hit a ball with a wooden mallet into goals. Polo ponies are typically Thoroughbreds due to their natural agility and speed. The following are some key points about polo. It requires riders to have excellent control over their horses and be able to manoeuvre quickly and accurately to hit the ball. Riders must have good coordination and balance to stay in the saddle while swinging the mallet. Polo ponies need to be agile and have the endurance to complete the fast-paced games. Polo is a team sport and players must work together to strategize and coordinate their movements on the field. It combines athleticism, precision and a deep connection between horse and rider. Continue reading more about polo to expand your knowledge on the topic.
Happy Polo Ponies
Horse Ball
Horseball is a sport played on horseback where a ball is handled and goals are scored by shooting it through a hoop with a diameter of 1m. It is a combination of polo, rugby, netball and basketball. It is one of the ten disciplines officially recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. Horseball originated in France in the 1970s and has since spread across Europe and overseas. The rules of play include a pick up to start the match, where the horse has to be cantering and the opposing team can defend by preventing them from scoring. Players must work together to pass the ball, navigate the field and outmaneuver opponents to secure victory. Continue reading more about horseball to expand your knowledge on the topic.
Horseball Player
Western Riding
As always before riding, we tack up. A Western tack up routine video can be viewed on this page. Western and English riding are two different styles of horse riding. Here are some of the main differences between the two. The western saddle is bigger, broader and heavier than the English saddle. The western saddle is designed to distribute the rider's weight across the horse's back, be comfortable and functional for the longer rides that the Western saddle was made for. The English saddle is smaller and lighter than the western saddle and serves to help the rider with dressage and jumping movements, keeping the rider's body closer to the horse. In English riding, the rider takes the reins in both hands and uses them to control the speed and direction of the horse through the mouth. In western riding, the rider uses a single hand to hold the reins. The other hand is free and the rider can rest it on their thigh or leave it to hang gracefully on the side. Western horses tend to be compact and capable of steady travel all day with small bursts of speed to chase stray cattle. English style horses tend to be taller aiding their ability to travel over long distances at a variety of speeds, as well as jump over a variety of obstacles. In conclusion, western and English riding have different saddles, riding methods, horse breeds and attire. Continue reading more about western riding to expand your knowledge on the topic.