Equestrianism

Equestrianism, commonly known as horse riding or horseback riding, includes the disciplines of riding, driving, and vaulting. Equestrian events were first included in the modern Olympic Games in 1900. The following forms of competition are recognized worldwide and are a part of the equestrian events at the Olympics. They are governed by the rules of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). Show jumping comprises a timed event judged on the ability of the horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles, in a given order and with the fewest refusals or knockdowns of portions of the obstacles. Dressage ("training" in French) involves the progressive training of the horse to a high level of impulsion, collection and obedience. Eventing, also called combined training, horse trials, the three-day event, the Military or the complete test, puts together the obedience of dressage with the athletic ability of show jumping, the fitness demands the cross-country jumping phase.

Show Jumping

Competitive equestrian event in which horse and rider are required to jump, usually within a time limit, a series of obstacles that have been designed for a particular showIt consists of a horse and rider combination jumping around a course of fences, set to a particular height, within the time allowed. Penalties are incurred in a horse knocks a jump or refuses. Penalties are also incurred in you exceed the time allowed.

Dressage

Competitive dressage has the goal of showing the horse carrying out, on request, the natural movements that it performs without thinking while running loose. It consists of a series of compulsory movements, in walk, trot and canter, in an arena measuring 60mx20m, where 12 lettered markers are placed symmetrically along the fence, indicating where movements are to start, where changes of pace or lead are to occur and where the movements are to end. The judges mark the fluidity, the regularity of the movements and the paces.

Eventing

It consists of three disciplines – dressage, show jumping and cross country. The dressage phase is always completed first, followed by show jumping and cross country, in either order. The same horse and rider combination must complete all three phases. The horses jump over fixed obstacles, such as logs, stone walls, banks, ditches and water, trying to finish the course under the "optimum time." There was also the 'Steeple Chase' Phase, which is now excluded from most major competitions to bring them in line with the Olympic standard.

Bulding Confidence

Confidence is necessary for a healthy mental state. If we lack confidence, we are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. As stated earlier, horses pick up on how we are feeling inside. In order to control a horse, you have to display that you can be a leader – you have to show your horse that you are confident, even when you don’t feel it. What better way to build confidence in yourself than in managing a 1,000-pound animal?

Muscle Strenghtening

When you first start riding horses, you will be sore in muscles that you never even realized you had. While one can argue that horseback riding works out virtually every muscle in your body, the focus is on the abdominals, back muscles, pelvis, and thighs – especially the inner thighs.

Better Posture

While our modern lifestyle is not conducive to proper ergonomics, horseback riding can help us in this regard by forcing us to adopt a better posture. When you are riding a horse, you have a number of different cues that you are using to communicate with your horse – your legs, your reins, and your seat. And while many might focus more on the reins or the legs, we have more contact with our horse’s body through our seat than through any other cue.

It reduces stress

Horseback riding is an effective stress reducer, for a number of reasons – you are forced to be calm, you are outdoors, and you are working with animals. When you are in the saddle, your horse will pick up on your energy and will emulate it. If you are afraid, your horse will assume it is for good reason and may become anxious as well. If you are tense, your horse will tense up too. To ride a horse, you have to take a deep breath, and force yourself to adopt a calm presence.