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Disciplines of Riding

Dressage

Dressage is an equestrian discipline set apart from the rest-it raises equitation onto a higher sphere than forms of riding because it is an art and not merely a sport. In a dressage competition, riders take their horses through a series of sets movements and these movements vary in difficult depending on the level of the competition.

The object of dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horses. As a result, it makes it calm, supple, loose and flexible and also confident, attentive and keen, thus achieving perfect understanding with the rider, The horse gives the impression of doing on his own accord what is required of him. Confident and attentive, he submits generously to the control of the rider, remaining absolutely straight in any movement on a straight line and bending accordingly when moving on curved lines. His walk is regular, sustained and active. His canter is united, light and cadenced. His hindquaters are never inactive or sluggish. They respond to the rest of the body. By virtue of his lively impulsion and suppleness of his joints, the horse responds to the various signals from the rider calmly and with precision, displaying a natural and harmonious balance both physically and mentally.
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Freestyle to Music

Dressage to music is now an important part of equestrian sport. Internationally, it is popular with an audience who can relate to freestyle display with music of the rider's choice. It is judged along similar lines to freestyle skating with two sets of marks, one for technical merit in the compulsory movements and the second for creative interpretation/artistic merit. Of these artistic marks, half are for gaits (freedom, regularity, impulsion, submission, lightness and ease of movements). The other half are for the composition of the test, choreography and incorporation and suitability of the music. The compulsory movements vary with the level of the rest, the order and place in the arena where they are performed is optimal. In all other aspects, the normal dressage rules apply.

Pas de Deux

This is basically freestyle to music ridden in pairs and is usually judged along those lines. This event requires a great deal of co-ordination, accurate technical execution and teamwork from both riders, as the horses must be in sync not only with the music but also each other.

The Quadrille

The quadrille is ridden in a team of four horses and the objective of the exercise is to produce a display of horsemanship to music with the emphasis on teamwork and co-ordination. It may be a pure dressage display or narrative display. All four riders have to take an active part but their movements need not be mirror images in all four. The display is judged on content of the programme (choice and pattern of movements), the skill of execution and on performance (the ability of the horses to carry out the movements, the quality of the gaits and the standard of riding). Artistic impression is important as it carries half the marks. Lastly, riders and horses are also judged on their appearance.

Show Jumping

Horses are born with varying degrees of jumping ability and are trained to jump different obstacles confidently whilst carrying a rider. The task of the rider is to help the horse negotiate the fences without interfering. A horse jumping correctly from a balanced, calm yet energetic approach to an obstacle should appear to do so with ease.

In showjumping, the rider and the horse must negotiate a course of various jumps without faults. Faults are incurred by knocking down obstacles/fence, by a refusal or by exceeding the time allowed. The following table shows the method which is common to national & international rules.
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Polo

Rules of the Games

Teams consist of players numbered ONE. TWO (forwards). THREE, FOUR (back). The duties of Number One are : in defence, to ride of the opposing back and prevent him from having an uninterrupted hit at the ball; and in attack, to give him the slip and await a pass or to ride him away from his goal-mouth and so leave it open for the Number Two to score. Number Two is usually the stronger of the two forwards and should be the driving force of an attacks and principal goal-scorer. Number Three, the pivot of the team, it usually its best player. He will often initiate attack, and his first objects will be to send the ball up to the forwards and to intercept attacks. As principal defender, the Back must be thoroughly reliable. He must be a safe hitter especially with backhanders. His aim will be to pass the ball to this Number Two; he will mark the opposing Number One. The opposing Number Two and Three also mark each other, but the positions as the game dictates.

At the start of the game, the two teams line up in middle of the field 9160 yards by 300 yards) each team being on its own side of the halfway line. Each player facing their respective opponents. An umpire (there should always be two for matches) then bowls the ball underhand between the ranks and, the game begins. A goal is scored when the ball passes between the posts. (8 yards apart) and over the goal-line. Team change ends after each goal. Whenever the ball goes over the sideline, an umpire throws in a fresh one between the lined-up teams. When it is knocked over the backline, it is then hit in by the defenders. If, on the other hand, the ball is knocked over the backline by one of the defenders, the attackers are given a free hit at the goal, 60 yards in from the point where it crossed the line.

There is no offside rule. Players may impede their opponents by knocking and hooking their sticks, lean into them and ride them off, but owing to the inevitable hazards of this fast-moving stick and ball mounted duel, certain rules have to stringently enforced. The penalties for riding across another player's right of way, misusing one's stick, bumping and zig-zagging are given instantly and severely, in the form of 60,40,30 yards free hit at the fouler's goal, or a free shot midfield, or a free shot from the place of the foul. The right of way exists during every moment of the game and is owned, in general, by that player who is riding most closely in the direction in which the ball was last hit. It is an offence of another player to cross this line. Another permissible tactic, in preventing an opponent from hitting the ball, is to hook his stick with your own.

The Endurance Ride

The endurance ride is a competition that tests both the horse and the rider. The horse has to 'carry' the rider over a set distance of up to 160km) while carrying a set weight (for example, 75kg). This test the horse's fitness, strength and staying power. The rider has to complete the course with the horse and he/she may have to 'help' his/her mount along the course by walking or running beside it. Aside from conserving the horse's strength, this test the rider's fitness and stamina as well as develops mental toughness and commitment to the horse's welfare. Without the horse, the rider will not be able to complete the course and as such, will not be able to win.

After spending 10 hours in the saddle, and with still another 5 to 6 hours of riding (in the 160km) ahead, the situation will become increasingly difficult. The challenges are the physical and mental fatigue, the boredom and the changing weather conditions. In addition, the rider has to pay close attention to the horse's needs at all times during the ride. The rider has to ensure that the horse has enough rest and water. The rider would also have to walk beside the horse when on rough terrain in order to prevent the horse from being lamed.

In this championship, set rest periods are scheduled for the horse and the rider between phases/stages. The horse must pass the veterinary examination that is held at each rest point of the vet gate before being allowed to proceed to the next phase. Horses that are deemed unfit to continue to the next phase (due to lameness, cardio-vascular deficits, etc) will be eliminated from the championship. This rule applies even at the end of the final phase, where the horse must pass the final veterinary examination to be deemed to have completed the course.

Remember that you must complete the course in order to win. The endurance ride tests the mettle of both the horse and the rider. As such, it is truly a team event. We hope that all participants will enjoy the championship and we wish them good luck.