Equitation – the art and practice of horse riding (Concise Oxford Dictionary)

The Aim

Introduced into SA in 1970 by Mrs Charlotte Stubbs after a visit to the USA and in consultation with Mr George Morris, American coach and Olympic rider; the goal of equitation has always been to educate, set a standard of correct horsemanship nationally and to give exposure at a grass roots level to as many instructors and young riders as possible. This goal is achieved by continuing to encourage the improvement of effective and correct riding by means of seminars, novice competitions, capacity building clinics, equitation rallies and so on. Regional equitation committees hold competitions from Pre Novice upwards each month and the SA Pony Club holds its own equitation competitions annually in every region.

The most important thing about equitation is that you don’t need a pony or horse that excels at jumping or dressage!

Equitation remains committed to GOOD RIDING. You, the rider are judged and when you ride well, your mount performs better and you are doubly rewarded with a good performance for your effective riding ability!

The Rider

The challenge for any young and upcoming rider is –“to go as far as your talent will allow, without having a wonderfully talented horse or pony”

If you lease a pony from the local riding school or have a pony at home, you can enjoy the challenge and pleasure of learning to ride him/her properly, and from the comments on your score sheet, improve on your faults and gain confidence when you are rewarded for good riding.

Once you are able to ride more correctly and effectively, you will be able to improve your horse’s schooling, he or she will perform better and your marks will reflect this.

The Horse   

An Equitation horse or pony can be any well schooled mount. It doesn’t have to be as beautiful as a show horse neither is it required to have excellent movement, or the strength of a Jumper. It may be a horse or pony of any breed and size.

The Competition  

The tests consist of technical difficulties on the flat and over fences, and aims to reward the rider who has developed the correct seat and is able to ride effectively, so as to improve the horse’s way of going. The flatwork movements are intended to reward the rider who is able to sit correctly and with feel, be effective in riding the horse in the correct frame so that the movements are ridden with accuracy, impulsion and submission.

The jumping phase is at a level that suits the average horse or pony, and the ability of the rider to partner his or her mount effectively and accurately around the course.

‘Maximum effect with minimum visible effort’

Equitation strives also to guide, encourage and educate the rider who has yet to establish his or her position and feel.

Equitation competitions are structured so that every competitor will receive a free critique from knowledgeable judges-especially valuable to young riders in outlying areas who may seldom have the benefit of expert tuition.

Those talented riders who are lucky enough to have a talented mount may go on to compete in the higher graded classes, but riders and mounts at all levels will ride and perform better if they have the correct foundation.

Once a rider has moved through the levels and begins to compete in the Open equitation classes, any one of our top coaches (and we have many) will carry that rider forward and with self motivation, and dedication, riders are able to qualify for provincial colours.

Once established in the correct techniques of effective riding, our leading juniors, all of whom have expert instructors who believe in and practice this correct standard of horsemanship, will be well equipped to move up into the top levels of Show jumping and other equestrian disciplines.

How the World sees our Riders  

Visiting Coaches continually compliment our young riders on their riding ability saying “the standard of the top SA pony riders and juniors are as high as anywhere in the world” and in this regard our country can be seen as “a leading country in the world”.

We have young riders competing internationally at the highest levels, who are formerly Equitation riders.

Showing as an equestrian discipline strives to exhibit the most nearly perfect example of a particular type or breed of horse. Exhibitors must be skilled in the training and presentation of the horse as an athlete. When showing a horse, the rider has to perfect that art of riding the horse to show it off to its best advantage. The horse’s confirmation, its movement, ability and manners, are all taken into consideration in the show ring.

Eventing, also known as Horse Trials, evolved from the Military, where cavalry horses were expected to be relaxed and obedient on parade, responsive to their riders in battle, and fit enough to travel at speed across all types or terrain, able to judge any obstacle in its path and to be fit enough to repeat the whole performance again the following day.