5
The first question on your mind is probably this: “Is it necessary for my child to show horses?” The answer is a qualified “no.” Becoming a competent, even accomplished, rider does not depend on riding competitively. Nonetheless, going to horse shows can be a tremendously valuable experience for a young rider because the excitement of preparing for a horse show is balanced by the very real patience and hard work that are necessary for that preparation.
Showing horses is one of those rare experiences when your child will be learning important life lessons without even knowing it. One lesson is that hard work usually does pay off in the show ring, in which case, your child has the opportunity to learn how to win well. If someone else worked harder preparing or just has better luck that particular day, your child has the opportunity to learn how to lose well. These are both wonderful lessons to learn.
To a child, taking “her” horse out in public, riding in competition, and testing her own skills against other riders with similar levels of experience is exciting and enjoyable. Learning to handle herself and her horse in a variety of situations develops problem-solving and organizational skills, showcases the benefits of hard and focused effort, demonstrates how to set goals and plan to achieve them, teaches how to take responsibility for another living creature, and reinforces the importance of following through on commitments — these and other lessons will stand your child in good stead throughout her life.
Types of Competition
Horse shows exist for all levels of riders, from the rawest novice to the international competitor, and they offer a bewildering variety of classes in every conceivable discipline. It is beyond the scope of this book to cover them all, but we’ve included descriptions of the most common types of shows.
As in most sports, riding offers much to be enjoyed and much to be learned — how great when both happen concurrently!
Most beginning riders who are working hard to improve their skills love the opportunity to dress up and participate in “schooling shows.” These consist of a series of classes made up of groups of horses and riders. In each class, the horse and rider enter the arena one-by-one. Once the entire group is in the arena, the gate is closed and judging begins. Each rider performs as the caller instructs; for example, “trot your horses, please, the class should be at the posting trot.” The riders are allowed two or three strides to urge their horses into a posting trot. The judge then gauges each horse/rider combination before having the caller give the next instruction; for example, “canter, please, the class should be at the canter.”
Talking the Talk
Equitation/horsemanship. A type of competition riding that judges the rider’s skills and proper positioning, ability to handle the horse, quietness in the saddle, and so on.
Gymkhana. Gymkhanas consist of games on horseback that test the rider’s skills and the horse’s compliance and training.
Pleasure class. A type of competition riding that judges the horse’s manners, movement, responsiveness, and way of going; in short, the degree to which the horse appears to be a pleasure to ride.
Schooling shows do not focus on one particular discipline, such as dressage or jumping; rather, they are focused on the schooling or training levels of the competitors. Schooling shows also exist for inexperienced horses.
What’s a Gymkhana?
Gymkhanas and play days are other wonderful venues for riders who are perfecting their foundation skills. These gatherings, which have the feeling of a fun, relaxed horse show, consist of games on horseback that test the rider’s skills and the horse’s compliance and training. The spoon ride, for example, requires riders to carry a spoon in one hand (or even between their teeth!) with an egg precariously balanced in the bowl. The competitors ride across the arena to see who can cross the finish line first without dropping an egg. The giggling alone makes this all but impossible.
Gymkhanas are games on horseback, all of which are terrific fun (and often funny, as when the horses try to participate in bobbing for apples), but they also help to reinforce riding skills like a deep seat, good balance, mounting without assistance, and so on.
Another fun game is bobbing for apples, which starts with a group of riders sitting on their horses at one end of the arena. At a signal, they race to the other end, dismount, hold on to their horses’ reins, then dunk their heads into a barrel of apples floating in water. Once they get an apple in their teeth, they pull it out of the water, climb back on their horses, and race to the opposite end of the arena still holding onto the apple. Again, the giggling makes getting hold of an apple impossible, and the horses often want to participate since they can smell the lovely apples.
Bareback dollar or ride-a-buck is another class you might see. Competitors ride with a dollar bill placed between their thigh and the horse’s bare back while complying with the announcer’s directions to walk, trot, and canter around the arena, just as they would in any other class. As each rider loses her dollar bill, however, she has to move to the center of the arena and stand quietly. The last person whose dollar bill is still in place wins the class — and all the other competitors’ dollars, too!
Types of Classes
The kind of classes that your child might participate in will depend on the discipline that she is pursuing. If she rides at a show barn with a particular area of expertise, she will be guided through the various stages of, say, dressage or hunter/jumpers. Other barns leave the decision of which shows to attend and which classes to sign up for to the students.
Some types of classes overlap both English and Western riding, others are specific to one style or the other. Both styles of riding have two basic divisions: pleasure classes, and equitation (English) or horsemanship (Western) classes. Pleasure classes primarily judge the horse’s manners, movement, responsiveness, and way of going; in short, the degree to which the horse appears to be a pleasure to ride. Equitation and horsemanship classes, however, primarily judge the rider’s skills and proper positioning, ability to handle the horse, quietness in the saddle, and so on. Horses that compete in pleasure and equitation classes must be solid, reliable, and comfortable. They are responsive to their rider and do not easily become alarmed.
In addition to these basic classes, each style of riding offers a number of different options — something of interest for every rider. Classes are divided into levels from novice to expert, and, in many cases, competitors earn points in order to move up to a higher level of competition. Following is a brief discussion of the most common disciplines in English and Western riding.
The Main English Disciplines
Dressage is popular with many English riders, as it can be pursued at any level of ability. This sport judges a horse’s calmness, responsiveness, and grace, as well as the rider’s skills, in a complicated test of riding patterns (for example, circles, figure eights, straight and diagonal lines across the arena) at varying gaits and ways of movement (extended or collected — see box), which the rider must memorize. With its focus on the relationship between horse and rider, dressage is a lifelong discipline that offers continual opportunity for improving horsemanship skills and refining the training of any horse.
It’s all over but the announcement — riders and their horses stand center ring as they await the judge’s decision.
Hunter and jumper classes test the ability of both horse and rider over a course of fences. The jump heights range from low (two feet) to quite high (over six feet), depending on the skill and experience of the competitors. In hunter classes, the emphasis is on steadiness, calmness, and a clean round (not hitting the fences or knocking down rails). Hunters (the term also describes the type of horse, though not a specific breed) must have impeccable manners: kicking, for example, is inexcusable because of the danger it creates in the hunt field. A hunter-type horse is calm and willing, not easily spooked or alarmed, and has a long stride and terrific stamina.
In a jumper class, the focus is on speed — clearing the fences in the least amount of time. The horses, while expected to mind their manners, are not judged on their behavior, just their ability to finish the course quickly and with no rails down or jumps refused. Jumper-type horses share the hunter’s natural talent for and love of jumping, but they tend to be much faster and “hotter,” meaning they are more excitable and spirited.
Collection and Extension
In many disciplines the horse is expected to change its way of moving while staying within the same gait. This is particularly true in dressage classes, where the test includes demonstrating this change at three gaits (walk, trot, and canter). In a collected gait, the horse is said to be moving “in a frame,” meaning that his head is vertical to his chest, his neck is nicely rounded, and his stride is measured and precise. When moving at an extended gait, the horse carries his head somewhat in front of the vertical and reaches his legs well forward, taking long and energetic strides.
Cross-country riding takes jumping out of the show ring and into the country, back to its roots in foxhunting. Riders gallop along a course of solid, fixed fences (heights and complexity of the jumps depend on the level of competition) and various natural obstacles such as water and hills.
Three-phase eventing (or just eventing) is a true test of horsemanship, comprising cross-country, stadium jumping, and dressage. To compete successfully, both horse and rider must be sufficiently skilled and conditioned to complete a long and demanding cross-country course, to memorize a pattern of jumps in an arena and clear the obstacles with speed and precision, and to perform a dressage test with grace. Eventing horses must be fast and agile for jumping; have terrific stamina, courage, and strength for cross-country; and be calm, flexible, and responsive for dressage.
Hunt seat and hunter under saddle are classes that judge horse and rider on the flat (no jumping). In this style of riding, the rider sits deep in the saddle, following specific traditions of clothing and horse tack that come from fox hunting. Horses that do well in these classes are well-mannered and calm.
Saddleseat is a very particular type of competition that was developed in the United States to demonstrate the animated movement of high-stepping breeds such as the Saddlebred and the Tennessee Walker, whose natural movement is usually encouraged with the addition of heavy, weighted shoes. This is not a discipline for beginners. The horses who are most competitive in the show ring are spirited and fast, and their training is highly specialized (and controversial, as it may involve “soring,” a process of creating chemical burns on the horse’s lower legs to encourage him to pick up his feet, and other harsh methods). The saddles (called “slicks”) are flat, small, and constructed of very smooth leather. Given the horses’ “hot” disposition (which is both bred for and “encouraged” through handling and training), the challenge of maintaining one’s balance while riding a very animated, high-stepping gait is beyond a beginner’s capability and absolutely beyond that of a child.
The Main Western Disciplines
Reining is similar to dressage in that horse and rider perform a memorized pattern of movements at different gaits. The concept is that the movements are those used by cowboys working cattle. Reining movements include circles, spins, and stops, as well as the breathtaking sliding stop in which the horse gallops at top speed across the length of the arena, then plants his back feet and slides to a complete halt. Most of the movements are performed at the lope, which is a slower, more relaxed version of the canter.
Reining competitions are great fun to watch, even for non-equestrians, because of the grace, speed, and responsiveness of these horses. Plus, the competitors are not just going round and round — you can really see how well one horse reins as compared with another, which allows everyone to enjoy the skill and grace on display.
Barrel racing, a popular rodeo event, is a timed race at top speed around a cloverleaf pattern of barrels. The trick is to race flat-out on the straightaway and slow just enough to make the tight turns as close as possible to each barrel without knocking them down. Riders who love speed thrive in barrel racing and the same is true of their horses.
Cutting pits horse and rider against a single calf or cow who must be separated from a small herd of cattle. The pair must keep the animal away from the herd while she dodges, darts, feints, and attempts to sprint past them in order to return to her fellows. Cutting is exciting to watch and a real thrill to ride. It’s not the easiest discipline for the beginner, however, as the best cutting horses are “cow smart” and lock on to the separated animal with total focus — which means the horse is dodging, darting, feinting, and sprinting faster than the cow. The rider needs to have an excellent seat and terrific balance in order to stay with a hardworking cutting horse!
Ranch Horse competition tests the Western horse and rider on all skills necessary to succeed on a ranch. Incorporating trail, cutting, roping, reining, team penning, barrel racing, and even pole-bending, Ranch Horse competition thoroughly tests the skills and abilities of both the horse and the rider in each of its many classes. These competitions are great fun to watch, and competitors with all levels of experience have opportunities to compete, since most Ranch Horse shows include youth and amateur divisions.
Trail is a class in which the horse and rider must maneuver through an obstacle course and complete a series of activities such as opening and closing a gate, putting on and taking off a rain slicker, crossing a mock bridge, dismounting and remounting, and carrying a big garbage bag (usually filled with newspaper) and putting it in a trash can.
Although traditionally a Western discipline, barrel racing is also great fun for English riders and horses who enjoy speed and occasionally need a break from more focused lessons.
Some Other Types of Classes
Lead line is a class for the youngest riders (on experienced, often geriatric horses), who are led by an experienced adult handler. The child is judged on poise, balance, and proper position. The horse or pony is judged on cleanliness, calmness, and appropriate (and safe) tack. The child is led around the arena in both directions at the walk only and may choose to hold the reins loosely or to simply hold on to the saddle’s horn (if Western) or strap (if in a lead line–style or English saddle). Children who attempt to steer their horse or pony (with the leader for backup) will usually place higher than children who just sit on the horse’s back passively. These classes are taken seriously by judges and spectators alike — as they are by the child competitors — and all of the children receive a ribbon and the enthusiastic congratulations of everyone involved.
Walk/trot classes are for young or inexperienced riders or horses; only the walk and trot are performed.
Halter is typically a class in which the horse is shown “in hand,” meaning that the handler leads rather than rides. The horse’s conformation is judged, as well as his manners and how well he moves at the walk (and sometimes at the trot, with the handler running beside him).
Halter showmanship is very similar to halter, except that the horse’s grooming, his actual halter and lead, the handler’s skills, and the handler’s attire are judged more closely.
Costume class means, literally, that the rider and horse are wearing a costume. In these classes, only the imagination (and safety) limit choices. Some classes are “anything goes,” while others have a theme, such as Arabian or medieval.
Not all showing takes place in the saddle; halter classes test handling skills from the ground.
What to Wear: A Guide to Show Attire
If your child is interested in showing or if your lesson barn requires them, proper show clothes will be essential. The expense of dressing your budding equestrian, however, doesn’t have to be prohibitive as long as you go with a list in mind and know exactly what it is your child really needs — and you don’t buy any more than that, even though temptation (and sometimes anxiety) might lead you to purchase much more.
Always check with your child’s instructor before making any purchases. Some disciplines have quite specific requirements for show attire. For example, competing in dressage calls for somewhat different clothing than hunter/jumper classes. In some instances, distinct but unwritten preferences can affect how the rider is judged, and as with all fashion, the trends change. The following descriptions are for the typical formal outfit required for English and Western riding; ask your instructor for guidance in selecting clothing for your child’s particular discipline.
Proper English Show Attire
As described in chapter 3, helmets and boots are the fundamentals of any English riding outfit. Your child will already have a schooling helmet for lessons, and with a black velvet cover, it might well serve for competition, even at a more formal show. In some cases, however, a traditional black velvet hard hat is required. These hats have a trimmer design than a schooling helmet, but the construction is solid, with a rigid visor and a sturdy strap to hold the hat on securely — again, always check for ASTM/SEI certification.
As for boots, you will eventally have to invest in a pair of dress (tall) boots. Paddock or jodhpur boots are not acceptable in competition, except for the youngest competitors, who wear them with garter straps below the knee to prevent the legs from riding up. Tall boots come to just below the bend behind the rider’s knee and for competition purposes must be solid black.
Buy a Boot Jack!
An extremely useful tool for wearing riding boots of any style, but particularly tall boots, is the boot jack — a wonderful invention that allows a rider to remove boots without assistance. (This device is especially appreciated by the parents of these riders.) The suction created between a tall boot and a sweaty foot is such that the wearer can easily be pulled across the floor as a well-meaning parent pulls and tugs strenuously in an effort to remove the boots, which are often dusty at best, muddy at worst, and always covered with a variety of “barn germs.” Do you really want to wrap your hands around them?
Only in training or day-to-day informal riding is any color other than black acceptable.
Dress boot styles differ in the narrowness through the calf area and the outside height — for example, dressage riders often prefer a slimmer boot through the calf with a taller outside design referred to as “Spanish style,” which gives the visual effect of a longer leg. Tall boots with laces at the ankle are called “field boots” and are seen in the foxhunting field but not usually in the show ring. “Hunt boots” have a brown band or cuff at the top, with the remainder of the boot in black, and are traditionally worn by adult male riders with significant hunt field experience.
English Riding Pants
Two styles of riding pants are available to English riders: jodhpurs and breeches. The jodhpur (pronounced “JOD-per”) traditionally fits somewhat loosely; some styles even flair at the thigh. The design slims at the knee and is snug through the lower leg, often ending in a cuff at the ankle. For jodhpurs worn outside the boot, elastic stirrup straps that attach to buttons on the inside of the cuff and go around the bottom of the boot’s instep are extremely useful for keeping the jodhpur from slipping up while riding.
Jodhpurs are worn mostly by young riders before they graduate through experience and age to breeches. Jodhpurs are usually buff-colored (appropriate for daily riding as well as for the show ring) but are also available in subtle colors and even in patterns, such as plaids and houndstooth, for riders who wish to express their personality when riding in lessons or for fun.
Jodhpurs with paddock boots and gaiters
Breeches are slim and stretchy pants that fit closely to the rider’s body from waist to ankle. When worn with a tall riding boot, the breech leg fits inside the boot. When worn with paddock or jodh-pur boots, the breech is always paired with either a half-chap or full-chap for comfort and to protect the lower leg from potential pinching by the stirrup leather, which is painful and can leave a nasty bruise.
Breeches with tall boots
Traditionally, the breech is worn by older and more experienced riders, as it clearly defines the leg’s position. Breeches are acceptable for young riders for daily use, however, because they are comfortable, are often made of lighter-weight and stretchier fabric than jodhpurs, and allow terrific range of motion.
In the show ring, breeches are usually a buff color, although dressage riders wear white ones (hence the term “dressage whites”). Some of the newer breech fabrics come in absolutely wild colors and patterns, providing terrific fun and personal expression. Prices range from quite economical to insanely expensive.
English riding pants of all types have some form of additional coverage on the inside of the calf and knee (called the knee patch), which not only protects this tender skin from being pinched by the stirrup leathers but also provides extra grip on the saddle. The material used in both jodhpurs and breeches helps create a more secure seat in traditional, smooth-leather English saddles, which can sometimes be a little slick.
English Shirts
English shirts are traditionally long-sleeved and collarless; have a slim, tailored fit; and are made of crisp, white cotton that holds a crease beautifully, although some of the more fashion-forward disciplines (like jumping) may allow a subdued color that complements the riding jacket and the horse’s coat color. Sleeveless versions are acceptable in informal shows and for training.
English shirts can have one of two neck styles: a collar that wraps around (somewhat like a priest’s collar) and usually fastens with a bit of Velcro in back or a traditional stock tie, which is a long length of matching material, two to three inches wide, that is tied around the neck like a cravat. Both styles are finished with a small, simple gold or silver pin at the throat. In addition to looking elegant and crisp, the stock tie can still serve its original safety purpose — it can be used to wrap a horse’s wounded leg or to splint a rider’s arm in the hunt field.
Wearing Gloves
While not necessary for daily use, in horse shows, dressage competition, and formal exhibitions, the riders will normally wear gloves. Black gloves are most common and appropriate at all skill levels, with a benefit to less experienced riders that the color somewhat disguises faults such as wobbling hands or imperfect position.
White gloves do just the opposite, of course; riders who wear this color glove have achieved such a high skill level that it is appropriate (and expected) for them to display their perfect hand position. For this reason, riders must traditionally earn the right to wear white gloves.
English Jackets
The riding jacket or coat is imperative for horse shows, formal exhibitions, and dressage competition, and each style of riding has its own style of coat, although the differences can seem very slight to the inexperienced eye. They come down to nuances such as the number of buttons, the type of vent in the back, the style of waist, the color, the collar style, and so on. Dressing appropriately in the horse show world is absolutely critical, as it displays an awareness of one’s own position in it (based on years of experience and skill), knowledge of etiquette and appropriateness, and respect for equestrian traditions.
Whatever the discipline, a nicely fitted riding jacket shows the rider’s lines (arm placement, posture, balance) clearly enough for judges and instructors to gauge skill and overall positioning. The impression created by the rider’s attire and the horse’s tack should be elegant, scrupulously clean, and pleasing to the eye. To this end, when competing in English disciplines that allow jacket colors other than black, riders are very conscious of selecting shades that go well with their horse’s coat color — brown, for example, makes a pale gray horse look yellowish, so a dark navy or black jacket would be better.
Proper Western Show Attire
The clothes traditionally worn by Western riders have a long and hardworking history, and they have evolved over centuries of wear and tear by individuals whose lives were spent in the saddle and working cattle. The clothes reflect the grueling lives these individuals led, as well as something of the spirit of the American cowboy. Consequently, Western clothes must first be functional and durable, able to stand up to a hard, honest day’s work in the saddle. But that doesn’t mean the clothes have to be boring — some of the most beautiful, handmade leather- and silver-work can be found in Western clothes, saddles, and bridles. And some Western pleasure outfits are electrifying in their colors and designs.
So whether for a day riding cattle in Montana, riding broncs at a Texas rodeo, or competing at the prestigious Quarter Horse Congress, the clothes must help their wearer get the job done and look good while they’re doing it. This means that when we talk about Western clothes, it’s important to acknowledge their function and uses, as well as their style.
Be sure your child’s attire fits the discipline and her own skill level. And, just as in any other area of fashion, what’s “in” can and does change within the riding world, although often quite subtly. It is essential, therefore, to have the experienced guidance of an instructor or a helpful tack store salesperson.
The Issue with Western Hats
Cowboy hats are typically made of tightly woven straw or well-made fur felt, capable of holding water for thirsty horses to drink from (or to be dumped over the owner’s overheated head after a long day in the saddle). Cowboys use their hats to fan balky embers into a suitable campfire or to signal one another over distances. They also provide shade from the sun’s fierce glare and shelter from torrential downpours. While the traditional colors for cowboy hats are subtle — tan, white, cream, brown, or black — today’s hats, especially styles for women, are offered in every shade imaginable.
Although the traditional cowboy hat has no safety features that will protect the rider’s head in the event of a fall, newer hats (especially those made for young or inexperienced riders) actually do contain a solid shell that offers protection. You will find that protective headgear is not required in most Western competition, and might even be subtly discouraged; yet, the risk of falling off a horse exists no matter what the discipline, and it is your right as a parent to insist that your child ride safely. More and more Western riders, even tough rodeo riders, are beginning to wear helmets. Many also don protective vests, which should be considered for any equine sport that is performed at speed or over fences.
This young rider and her pony are in Western tack and attire, ready for a Western pleasure show class. The long-sleeved button-down shirt, comfortable jeans, a nice leather belt, and a good pair of Western boots (note the heel) came right out of her closet.
Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots provide the same safety benefits as English boots and have the same components — a good heel, a solid sole for side-to-side protection, and a good toebox to protect the foot from a careless hoof. Unlike English boots, however, which can be tall (dress boots) or short (paddock boots), Western boots come to about mid-calf on the wearer. They can have a rounded toe, a boxy toe, or an amazingly pointed toe — the type depends on the kind of riding and the rider’s preference.
Traditionally, Western boots do not have laces of any kind and come in subdued neutrals of tan or brown. The finest cowboy boots can fetch astronomical prices, being handmade of exotic skins such as ostrich, anaconda, or elephant and having intricate designs and vibrant colors. These types of boots are generally worn to special events rather than the barn.
Western Riding Pants
Western-style pants are made of strong fabric, usually canvas or denim, that resists damage caused by riding through underbrush, yet still holds a crease and looks nice. Blue jeans work perfectly well, can be purchased affordably, and when constructed with a bit of stretch, are extremely comfortable to ride in. Jeans, worn with or without chaps, are acceptable in virtually all types of Western competition.
Western Shirts
Think of cowboys and you probably think of the Western “yoke” design on cowboy shirts and jackets. Western-style riding shirts are usually made of lightweight cotton and fit trimly without restricting movement. Traditionally, shirts are light-colored to help deflect the sun’s intensity. Subtle plaids are common, especially for men and boys, although women and girls also wear them, especially in competition divisions like ranch/working horse, reining, or roping. Western shirts are sometimes paired with a vest, which is usually made of leather and often incorporates beautiful hand-tooled designs and embellishments.
Paying Attention to the Details
The kerchief typically worn by cowboys performs the same function as the English rider’s stock tie, with the added benefit that it can be dipped in water and used to wipe a sweaty face, tied around an overheated neck to offer some relief on a hot day, or used to cover the mouth and nose during a dust storm. In the show ring, they offer another chance for the rider to display a dash of color and pizzazz.
No Western outfit is complete without a well-made leather belt and beautiful buckle. The best of these are handmade and contain silver, turquoise, and coral; the most highly prized are often made by Navajo artists and fetch incredibly high prices. Perhaps the most respected buckles, however, are those won through competition at shows or rodeos, many of which are made with fine crystals and semiprecious stones. Some of these buckles are enormous, as is the pride with which their owners wear them. It is considered disrespectful to buy such a buckle and wear it without having earned it.
The full-length chap is also integral to the Western outfit, although not all disciplines use them. Clearly, when working cattle in heavy undergrowth, chaps are essential to protecting the cowboy’s legs from harm. Chaps are also useful when working around cattle on foot, as a stray hoof or horn tip could otherwise slice right through a pair of pants, even durable denim or canvas. In the show ring, chaps can offer an additional touch of glamour, as in Western pleasure classes, or can pay homage to the traditions of the cowboy, as in cutting competition, although the added protection can be useful when working cattle in the tight quarters of an arena.
Glamour in the Show Ring
Western clothing offers fun opportunities for self-expression and flat-out glamour in the show ring, though as with English, it’s critical to check with the instructor before going to the tack shop for the first time to buy riding clothes. Women’s show clothing can come in every vibrant color of the rainbow, studded with glitter and sequins, in every pattern imaginable. The shirts, called “slinkies,” can be slim and tight fitting and are often paired with handmade vests covered in complex detail and designs. The ensemble often includes gorgeous full chaps with intricate designs of their own, heavily encrusted leather belts, and big, shiny buckles.
Western show clothes can be purely functional (but always immaculate and pressed to a knife-edge crease) and worn by boys or girls. But girls have the added fun of wearing wild and colorful riding clothes in any pattern.
The horses are also dazzling in their show tack — Western saddles and bridles are often beautifully hand-tooled and decorated with sterling silver and intricately woven leather and can be paired with saddle pads that match their riders’ clothing. Under the spotlight of an evening exhibition, these rider/horse combinations bedazzle the eye with their finery.
A Word about Spurs
It’s worth spending a minute on spurs and their uses in riding, although keep in mind that an inexperienced rider has no business wearing spurs, period. Wearing spurs without the ability to use them effectively is unsafe for the rider, as well as potentially cruel to the horse, and is considered utterly inappropriate by knowledgeable horse people. Riders who have achieved a certain level of skill and developed a quiet, still lower leg could consider wearing them; they are regarded as something of a badge of honor by knowledgeable riders, who place the well-being of the horse above their own vanity.
When used by a talented, skilled, and experienced rider, spurs are a tool — an extension of the lower leg — and are used to touch lightly or to apply gentle pressure, never to gouge or poke or dig. Spurs can be invaluable at higher levels of horsemanship, providing an additional cue to the horse and what is required of him.
English spurs are different from their Western counterparts familiar to most of us from the movies. English spurs are usually silver; they are quite small and elegant-looking, and have a slim strap that goes over the top of the foot’s arch and buckles under the instep. There are many styles — some end in a molded, round knob and others in a small disk or rowel that rotates when in contact with the horse’s side.
Perhaps even more than English spurs, Western spurs should never be worn by inexperienced riders. With their longer shanks and larger rowels, some Western spurs, if used carelessly, have the potential to cause serious damage to the horse’s sides.
As with English riders, Western riders earn their spurs and to wear them without having earned them is to be considered fake or a “dude.” And, just like in English riding, Western riders use spurs as an extension of their legs but with a greater focus on soliciting speed. With so many varieties of Western spurs available, the style chosen by the experienced rider tells others something about that individual’s chosen discipline and riding preferences.
CRAZY ABOUT HORSES
I’ve always been horse crazy, but have been riding for three years. I know exactly when I began riding — October 2005.
My parents lease a Pony of the Americas mare for me. Her name is Ruby and she’s 20 years old. I like that she can jump and that she’s older, so she doesn’t have too much oomph for me. She’s a small horse, but she’s very powerful. Ruby loves to go to horse shows and gets worked up, which doesn’t help, because then we’re both nervous. She’s also a princess and definitely has boundaries. But she’s not mean, she just likes to have things her way.
I will always want horses in my life, living with me. It would be really nice to look out my window and see horses. But I want older horses, 15 to 25 years old. This is the perfect age for me.
I would definitely describe my daughter as being horse crazy. She rides every chance she gets, her bedroom is decorated with nothing but horses, and on every calendar, she’s written the words “maybe I can ride today.”
Brooke has gained self-confidence from riding and being around horses, which I think will help her throughout her life — having the ability to handle a horse with confidence will help her to follow her own will, to set her own limits. Being around horses is the most wonderful thing Brooke has experienced.
What’s All This Going to Cost?
Parents often wonder if riding gear, especially formal show attire, has to be bought brand new. The answer is absolutely not. Children outgrow riding clothing as quickly as their regular clothing, and parents everywhere share this frustration. But they can also share hand-me-downs! Your barn is the first place to look for used clothing, and your instructor is a good resource.
Check with your local tack stores to see if they have any gently worn boots and clothes for sale — most tack stores will have a consignment area where these items are displayed. Most online retailers offer items on sale (see Resources for Parents for some suggestions). Local riding clubs are an excellent source for good-quality clothes and equipment. You can purchase the entire outfit your child needs at a fraction of the amount you’d spend for new clothes. And when your child outgrows them, there’s a great market for you to sell them to other parents.
The one exception is that you should never buy a used riding helmet, even one that is certified. This is a piece of equipment you should never skimp on or purchase used. You won’t know if a used helmet has already taken a number of hits, thus compressing the protective material inside it and making it less effective at protecting your child’s head. You also want to be sure it conforms closely to the shape of your child’s head, which a used one may no longer be able to do.