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Horse Show Terminology

  • Canter - One of the four natural gaits of a horse. Slower than a gallop, this is a three beat gait. Used in English disciplines
  • Colt - a young male horse (usually under 4 years of age)
  • Dam - the mother of a horse
  • English - A style of riding that includes many sports such as dressage, racing, jumping, combined training, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation and more. Characterized by a saddle that is smaller and plainer than a Western saddle with no large pommel or horn
  • Equestrian - one who rides horseback
  • Equitation - English (Hunt Seat Equitation) classes in which the rider, not the horse, is judged. The rider must demonstrate good seat and hands, and sufficient management of the horse to perform the required pattern.
  • Equine - the scientific name for horses
  • Filly - a young female horse (usually under 4 years of age)
  • Foal - young horse or mule of either sex
  • Gelding - a castrated male horse
  • Hunter Under Saddle - An English class in which the horse's movement is judged along the rail. The horse is required to walk, trot and canter in each direction. Long, low reaching strides are ideal.
  • Jack - a male uncastrated donkey
  • Jenny - a female donkey
  • Jog - A slow trot, mostly in Western disciplines.
  • Lope - A slow canter, used mostly in Western disciplines.
  • Mare - a female horse (usually more than 4 years of age)
  • Mule - the result of cross-breeding a female horse with a male donkey
  • Sire - the father of a horse
  • Stallion - uncastrated male horse of 4 years or more
  • Trot - One of the four gaits of a horse. Used in English disciplines
  • Western - A style of riding that includes many events such as Trail, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Western Riding, Reining, Cutting, Roping and many more. Characterized by the larger saddle which includes a pommel and saddle horn.
  • Western Horsemanship - A Western class in which the rider is judged on their poise, position and seat. Required to complete a pattern provided by the judge.
  • Western Pleasure - A Western class in which the horse's movement is judged along the rail. The horse is required to walk, jog and lope in both directions. A slow legged, smooth moving animal, which gives the appearance of being a pleasure to ride is ideal.

 

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