Horsemanship is considered by many exhibitors to be among the most difficult of the western pattern classes. It requires soft, invisible cues from the rider to the horse to execute precise transitions and maneuvers in a relaxed and willing manner. The class is designed to demonstrate how well the exhibitor can guide his or her horse. It is similar to reining and western riding competition in that the patterns share common elements that should be performed smoothly and with precision. However, in horsemanship, the rider is judged, not the horse.
Horsemanship requires poise and rhythm. The individual maneuvers that comprise a pattern vary from simple transitions, straight lines, halts and turns to more difficult pivots, the extended trot and lope, circles at various speeds and squares.
**For the full article, pick up the August 2007 issue of HORSE ILLUSTRATED.**
Do you like this excerpt? Subscribe Now to read more like it.
Click Here to see the HorseChannel Exclusive to this article.
The crisp New England autumn air was filled with excitement as Equine Affaire returned to…
Things have gone quiet now in Toronto at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds on the…
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week,…
It’s full-on fall here in western Pennsylvania. As the leaves change, the air turns crisp,…
It's often what you can’t see that leads to trouble, and that’s definitely the case with white line disease. Understanding…
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…
Two hours’ drive from Budapest in the picturesque Bükk National Park lies Szilvásvárad, a beautiful little village that is home…
During the height of the pandemic and racial tension around the U.S., two boys struggling with ADHD found healing through…
When you think of the term “companion horse,” one that is versatile with the ability to fill a variety of…
Each year, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms force thousands across the country to evacuate their homes. When preparing for a…