Types of Riding

There are different types of riders out there and they all do different things. I'm going to list some types of riding and provide basic information about them so even before you start riding you have a small understanding of what type you'd like to do.

English Riding

English riding is the more popular style around Australia and can include dressage, show jumping, eventing, polo, endurance riding, horse racing, and more. English riders rise trot more than they sit trot and they hold the reins in both hands.

Dressage a form of English riding, picture from http://www.localriding.com/

Show jumping, a form of English riding, picture from http://www.thejoyofhorses.com/

Western Riding

Western Riding was developed for people working on a ranch. Riders will often be seen holding the reins in one hand (your less dominant hand) and holding a lariat in their other hand and sit trotting instead of posting. Some styles of western riding include reining, trail classes, cutting, roping, barrel racing and more.

Barrel racing, a form of Western riding, picture from http://www.rvrahinton.com/

Cutting, a form of Western riding where you herd cows away from a group, pic. from http://www.tiffanyhillsouth.com

Pleasure Riding

Pleasure riding is for the rider's personal enjoyment. Trail riding/hacking is a form of pleasure riding where ride on natural outdoor trails.

Trail riding, picture from http://ccrstables.com/

Me getting back from a trail ride.

Those are the basics of riding styles. Maybe another time I'll go into more detail about them but not right now.

Rachel.