English riding is a broad description of the disciplines that involve a horse and rider working together in art, sport, or transportation. Unlike western riders, who are valued for ranch work and utility, English riders are generally taught from a young age the formal discipline of equitation and dressage which stresses developing a rider's flexibility, balance, and precision of movement. Whether you are interested in the grace of dressage or the thrills of show jumping, learn about English disciplines and find the perfect style that'll give you the best seat in the saddle.
What Is English Riding?
The English system, derived loosely from European cavalry systems, places a great premium on tight contact between the horse and rider (largely by using a light saddle). This horse riding style allows you to feel movement of the horse on a more personal level, for better communication and feel between you and your horse. The forward seat that is characteristic of the English discipline style, short stirrups, and more maneuverable and precise equipment.
The basis of all English horse riding training is balance, rhythm, and the harmony between horse and rider. Riders learn how to achieve an independent seat (ability to balance on a horse), without using reins for support. This base allows the delicate communication for advanced maneuvers in disciplines such as dressage and the instantaneous response for show jumping courses.
11 Types of English Disciplines
1. Hunter Under Saddle
Hunter Under Saddle is one of the most basic forms of English disciplines, where the horses are judged on their movement and manners, not on their ability to jump. During this process, the horse is presented at its natural gaits and behavior, so you're dealing with the easy-going side of English horseback riding, which makes this style easy to learn for newcomer riders. Judges look for smooth, regular tempo of movement and an easy disposition when assessing horses’ “way of going.”
It’s a common discipline at local and rated shows that present accessible entry points for new competitors. Horses must show three paces - walk, trot, and canter - and must be rhythmical, steady, and on the bit. The discipline of good manners suits a young horse and rider to help them develop as a partnership. Premium saddle pads for horses help to provide a comfortable ride for longer classes, while professional-looking style from the likes of animo equestrian matches the elegant form of this sport.
2. Hunt Seat Equitation
Hunt Seat Equitation is all about the form of the rider and his or her balance and manner of control, and it's an important skill to possess if you want to learn some basics for this English discipline. As opposed to classes judging the horse’s performance, equitation is judged on how well the rider cues their horse and its body position in a pattern or while performing an exercise. This is where most English riding disciplines begin.
Riders must show correct leg alignment and position, steady hands, and a balanced seat while riding simple exercises on various patterns, potentially including changes of direction, transitions, and simple jumping. The focus on classical position, distinctive aids makes Hunt Seat Equitation essential training for showing Hunt Seat, or any other discipline. And competitive riders tend to splurge on good gear - such as saddle pads (that actually fit your horse) and techy breeches from Ego 7 - to both perform their best and look the part.
3. Show Jumping
Based on speed and agility, Show Jumping is an exciting equestrian event that requires the horse and rider to complete the course in the fastest time without knocking down the fences. The thrilling spectacle of horses and riders challenging each other and themselves in a series of difficult courses with colorful obstacles, competing against the clock for skill and accuracy. The blend of athleticism and technical expertise can make show jumping a top-tier sport for spectators.
Courses will usually contain 12-15 jumps anywhere from 2'6" on up to over 5 feet at the upper levels. Timing, nerve, and horse-and-rider partnership are all needed for success. The sport requires a high level of physical fitness of its participants and performance is highly dependent on specialized equipment. Quality Horse Saddle Pads Horses need excellent support in intense training sessions, and technical shirts, like those from animo equestrian, provide the flexibility and durability required in this rigorous sport.
4. Dressage
Dressage, also known as “horse ballet,” is considered the finest English discipline, which is based on elegance, precision, and the understanding between the horse and its rider. This traditional subject works to produce the natural movement of the horse using a programme of training which includes balance, suppling, and obedience. Dressage is the basis of all English riding disciplines.
Training advances through stages such as the basic walk, trot, and canter to more advanced exercises such as passage, piaffe, and pirouettes. The discipline places heavy emphasis on the connection between horse and rider, and the best combinations seem to almost dance together. Judges rate on the degree of difficulty, artistic impression, and the “way of going” of the horse. Success in dressage comes from daily work, quality equipment, such as a specialized saddle pad, and generally wearing gear like Ego 7 technical wear for on the go performance.
5. Eventing
Eventing is considered the ultimate challenge of the English disciplines and is commonly referred to as the “triathlon of equestrian sports.” This rigorous sport is a combination of dressage, cross country and show jumping, requiring the horse and rider to master various aspects of English riding. Reasons for eligibility include scoring well in the discipline of dressage, cross country, and jumping.
The three disciplines represent various types of riding, and test different aspects of horsemanship: dressage the training, obedience, and balance of horse and rider; cross country riding and the partnership of horse and rider jumping obstacles while riding over natural terrain, and show jumping the rider's ability and the horse's willingness and athletic ability to negotiate a course of jumps. This is a challenge and it takes months of preparation. Specialised equipment is of paramount importance here with the horses requiring a different saddle pad for each phase, and technical clothing from animo equestrian gives you the quality and performance that is indispensable to this sport.
6. Saddle Seat
Saddle seat is a highly stylized form of English riding that developed in the United States and is also seen in the North American horse show competition known as saddle seat discipline, an event most popular in the eastern United States. It is a flashy discipline, featuring the brilliance and spirited action of the horse, building from the horse's animated gaits to an exciting performance of athletic ability. The riding equipment and style of riding are not the same as in other English disciplines.
Rider position and breed type are major considerations in judging saddle seat competition, with the rider on a flat saddle seat and riding a horse with a long, ground-covering stride. The discipline spotlights the horse's natural flamboyance, yet retains the grace and elegance that English riders prize so much. Competitors frequently buy special equipment (breed-specific logo-ed saddle pads and show attire from brands like Ego 7, for instance) to highlight their horses’ special attributes.
7. English Pleasure
English Pleasure is the perfect introduction to English riding styles in which the horse's attitude and rider's control are judged in a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere. This division evaluates the horse's suitability as a pleasure-type using a quiet and consistent performance and a pleasant temperament. It is the manners and way of going that retains the interest of the average beginner on show circuits in this class.
Horses are required to show three consistent, rhythmic gaits with good body carriage in terms of comfort, direction, and travel, and a pleasant, willing attitude. It's a great way of training both horse and rider, teaching the basic skills necessary for all other English riding disciplines. To be successful in equestrian competitions, detail is paramount both in training and presentation – and saddle pads for horses of high quality are designed to give comfort in the classes, as is the professional appearance of animo equestrian to complement such a polished sport.
8. Hunter Hack
Hunter Hack mixes flat work and jumping into a versatile class that serves as a test not only of a horse’s movement, but also its jumping fundamentals. This division emphasizes smoothness and manners, and are looking for horses that jump the jumps seemingly effortlessly and have excellent flat work. Combine that with Hunter Hack being an ideal preparation between flat classes and jumping divisions.
The class usually starts with flat work, which is used to allow judges to assess the horse’s movement and way of going, then jumping two fences set at a lower height. The blue depends upon horses that are equally obedient on the flat as they are over fences,whereby versatility is in high demand in the English-oriented horseback riding activities. High quality equipment, including suitably cut saddle pads (and technical wear from Ego 7) provides the flat work and jumping elements sporting a demanding class.
9. Combined Driving
Combined Driving is a driving event involving a driver and team of horses or ponies (or a single horse with a rider) pulling a carriage, driven through a course of cones making tight turns, and over a marathon carriage obstacle course, with a few minutes of teamwork to prove the obedience of the horses. The sport requires great expertise in horsemanship and understanding horse behavior.
The three phases resemble those of ridden eventing, dressage stresses precision and obedience, the marathon evaluates fitness and endurance, and the obstacles make demands for accuracy and control. Like all cases, successful competitions necessitate thorough preparation from both horse and driver, while the right equipment can make the difference between victory and defeat. Combined Driving differs considerably from English riding, which is generally saddle-based, and all forms the partnership and skill that are synonymous with all the English riding on horseback.
10. Working Hunter
In Working Hunter classes horses are judged on their hunting origin, in terms of suitability for following mounted scent dogs, across difficult country terrain. This discipline seeks long-striding horses with movement, a jumping style and the stamina to spend long hours in the field. Unlike show hunters, working hunters are judged on their functional ability to cover the ground economically as well as their soundness and correct manners.
The sport is usually contested on courses over natural-looking obstacles where the horses are encouraged to use their natural way of jumping over fences. Judges are searching for horses that jump in good form, while maintaining an even pace and rhythm. Working hunters are required to show the athleticism and temperament which would have been required of them in their original job, which is why this discipline has a particular appeal for those who enjoy the sporting history of English horse riding.
11. Dressage to Music (Freestyle Dressage)
Dressage to Music, also called Freestyle Dressage, is a freestyle form that incorporates the precision of classical dressage with the creativity of artistic cycling and music. This art form gives riders the ability to choreograph their tests, displaying their horse’s training and a visually stimulating performance involving flowing movement to the beat of the music. The freestyle adds an artistic element to traditional dressage competition.
Good freestyles aren’t only about techniques, but about creativity and musicality. Competitors must choose music that accentuates their horse’s movement and arrange choreography to showcase what they do well. It has captured the imagery of spectators as well as horseback riders through entertainment and art. The sport of English horseback riding, and the associated discipline have attracted various competitors to the beauty of the discipline. The technical and artistic facets of this demanding discipline are both helped along by quality gear from special saddle pads to professional attire from brands such as animo equestrian.
Choosing the Right Discipline for You
Different types of English disciplines may be right for you based on your riding wishes and dreams, the type of horse you love, or local accessibility to instruction and competition. For those just starting riding, take into account your interest in competition vs recreational riding, as some disciplines require more time and money than others to get into. Your horse’s natural talents and disposition will also factor into which styles of English riding are best for him.
Final Thoughts
The world of English Riding Disciplines has an incredible number of options open to riders of all levels. And whether it’s the accuracy of dressage, the thrill of show jumping, or the challenge of eventing that intrigues you, there's a lot to be learned in every discipline. There are no rules for success except for the perfect combination of your interests, skills, and purposes.
When you’re learning the ropes in different English styles of riding, be okay with the learning process, and find the small victories along the way. Skills learned in one discipline easily equate to another, giving you the base to enjoy horseback riding in many English disciplines. Whether you are competing at a local show or prefer to train at home, the principles of balance, harmony, and partnership that are central to the English riding disciplines will enhance your equestrian experience.
