Enjoy A Horse Performance In A Show Or At The Racetrack

By Essie Craft


Being a spectator at a horse performance can create a love for life for this animal. Any child who dreams of feeding a sugar lump to an equine friend will love the experience when it happens. The first ride for pleasure on a trail will be a memorable event.

Riding styles come in two variations. The first is English and the second Western. In an English show you will see flat leather saddles and bridles with double reins to control the animal. There is a special grace to the way a rider takes his mount over a fence or brick wall set up on the jumping course.

In a Western show you will see the rider take the steed around the cloverleaf pattern in the barrel race or weave between the poles in the pole bending event. The Western saddle is bulkier. The saddle horn at the front is where the old time ranch hands tied their ropes as they lassoed calves for branding.

A rodeo features an opening ride around the arena and roping, barrel racing and bronco bull riding. Barrel racing involves riding around three large barrels set up in a cloverleaf pattern. The rider races around them as fast as possible without tipping over a barrel. Fastest ride wins the event. The bull riding requires the cowboy to stay atop that dangerous animal for eight seconds.

There is a show gait that takes excellent communication plus years of training to perfect. It is technically called dressage and often referred to as horse dancing. There are a number of intricately executed steps providing a fascinating spectacle.

Another event involves a cowboy riding a well-trained steed in a way that simulates the way cattle were followed and separated from the herd by a ranch hand. This also requires excellent communication between rider and mount. The reins are not used. Shifting weight in the saddle tells the animal which direction to move in.

The racetrack is a place that provides a spectacular spectator sport. The excitement mounts as the jockeys ride out on the track before entering the starting gate. A jockey must be short and slender to enable the horse to run faster. They spend the ride standing up in the stirrups.

Each breed in various competitions has a different conformation, which refers to the build or body type. The thoroughbred is generally taller and thinner. The quarter horse is compact and able to turn on a dime. There are smaller animals used for harness racing. The heavier breeds are referred to as draft horses. These are the Percheron, a French breed with a gray or black coat.

The French Percheron has a gray or brown coat. The Scottish Clydesdale may be black, brown and sometimes different shades. You will see this powerful animal pulling the Budweiser wagon in television commercials. The showy look is evidenced by its long, white and feathery fetlocks.

Then along comes a most welcome and familiar kind of horse performance that is part of every parade. Costumed riders take a group of horses down a parade route on the Fourth of July, or another celebration. This animal must look good plus be able to remain calm in a crowd.




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire