Horseback Riding & Discipline
Vocabulary Terms

Whether you're trotting down center line, flying across a cross-country course, navigating grueling terrain, or working cattle on the ranch, there are a wide variety of different activities that we equestrians take part in. If you're looking to familiarize yourself with common terms in a new discipline you are exploring or you simply want to brush up on your equestrian knowledge, this glossary is here for you!

RW's crew has experience in a wide array of different disciplines, and together we have compiled this comprehensive list of common terms you may hear as you ride your way through the horse world. Read on for explanations of common sayings from your chosen discipline and more! Do keep in mind that there may be overlap in disciplines and terms, for example, terms in the Show Jumping section might also apply for Eventing, so make sure to look at all sections to ensure you don't miss anything.

• Contact - Energy created by the hindquarters that flows through the entire body of the horse through an acceptance of the rider's aids and is shown via the horse's connection to the bit.
• Diagonal - The trot is a two-beat gait in which the limbs move in diagonal pairs. A rider posting on the right diagonal should be sitting down in the saddle as the outside front leg is on the ground and should rise back up as that leg moves forward and up off the ground.
• Flying Lead Change - A movement during the suspension phase of the canter or gallop in which the horse switches from one lead to the other.
• Half-Halt - A momentary use of aids that increases attention and improves the horse's balance.
• Halt - When a horse's motion comes to a complete stop.
• International Federation for Equestrian Sports - Also known as the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), it is the international governing body of equestrian sports. The FEI is in charge of creating and enforcing regulations for all competition in the disciplines of Dressage (and Para-Dressage), Driving (and Para-Driving), Endurance, Eventing, Show Jumping, and Vaulting.
• Jogs - A veterinary inspection that must be completed before horses are cleared to compete in an FEI competition, in which the horse is trotted in hand by the rider in front of a veterinarian to ensure their soundness and suitability for competition.
• Lead - At the canter or gallop, the forelimb that reaches furthest forward and strikes the ground first is called the leading leg. To be on the correct lead, the inside front leg of the direction the horse is going should be the leading leg. For example, if the horse is tracking left, the inside (or left foreleg) should be the leading leg. Being on the correct lead influences the horse's balance.
• Posting Trot - Also known as a rising trot, this is a way of riding the trot in which the rider rises and sits back down in the saddle in time with the beat of the horse's gait.
• Sitting Trot - The alternative to the posting trot, in which the rider stays seated in the saddle throughout the trot and does not rise during the gait.
• United States Equestrian Federation - The governing body in the United States that is responsible for most equestrian sports in the country.

• Adult Amateur - An amateur rider who is over the age of 18 years old.
• Amateur - An equestrian who does not compete at a professional level and does not receive any profit from sources such as training horses, among other various means of earning income as an equestrian.
• Dressage - Derived from the French term meaning "training," Dressage is an English horseback riding discipline in which horse and rider execute a series of specific and precise movements.
  • Above the Bit - The horse's head is positioned to avoid contact by pushing the muzzle forward and upward, usually drawing back the poll.
  • Against the Bit - The horse is pressing against the bit with a strong, unrelenting neck, jaw, or poll.
  • Behind the Bit - The horse evades and shrinks back from the bit or contact. The head will often be behind the vertical, meaning the horse's nose is pointed toward their chest rather than out in front of the rest of the head.
  • Cadence - Emphasized attention to the horse's rhythm and beat that is created through a steady tempo combined with a springy impulsion.
  • Centerline - An imaginary line that extends down the center of a Dressage Court from the letters A to C.
  • Collection - A state in which the horse's hindquarters are engaged and there is a lightness and greater mobility of the forehand. Strides become shorter but more powerful and steps are cadenced. Collection is at the top of the Pyramid of Training.
  • Court Letters - Letters placed around the Dressage Court denoting where certain movements begin and end.
  • Dressage Court - The arena in which a Dressage Test takes place. Dressage Courts may be two different sizes. The smaller of which, called a short court, is 20m x 40m, and the larger of which, called a full court, is 20m x 60m.
  • Engagement - The added flexion in the hind joints during the weight-bearing phase of a stride. The croup will be lower than the forehand, allowing the horse's back and forehand to lift and provide a basis for upward movement.
  • Extension - The pace in a gait at which the horse exhibits their maximum stride length and suspension.
  • Free Walk - A version of the walk in which the horse lowers and stretches their head and neck. The hind feet touch the ground in front of the prints left by the front feet (called over-tracking), making the stride longer than that of a medium walk.
  • Half Pass - A lateral movement in which the horse maintains forward energy and bends around the rider's inside leg while crossing the hind legs, putting them on an oblique line to the rail rather than a parallel line. The horse moves with the inside front leg leading.
  • Haunches In/Travers - Often thought of as a precursor to the half pass, the horse will still move forward, remaining bent around the inside leg. The forehand will continue moving forward on the initial track while the hindquarters shift deeper into the bend, often toward the center of the ring.
  • Haunches Out/Renvers - Effectively the opposite of the Travers. In this movement, the hindquarters move out toward the rail of the ring as opposed to the center.
  • Impulsion - An eager and energetic thrust that remains controlled and is created by the hindquarters.
  • Leg Yield - A lateral movement in which the horse moves off the rider's inside leg, and the forelimbs and the hindlimbs cross over each other. The outside front leg leads.
  • Levels - Dressage levels include: Training, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Prix St. George, Intermediare, and Grand Prix.
  • On the Bit - A horse who is on the bit is relaxed with a freely forward gate and takes the rider's hands forward without pulling. With this connection, the horse will be encouraged to lift their back, stretch over their topline, engage their hind legs, bring their haunches underneath by tilting their pelvis, and have a relaxed jaw.
  • Pace - A variation in the speed of a gait. Paces range from highly collected to fully extended.
  • Passage - A trot with hesitation in the forward swing in the front legs, creating the appearance of them momentarily hovering before hitting the ground.
  • Piaffe - A movement in which the horse essentially trots in place. The horse is very collected and the high movements of the diagonal pairs give the appearance that the horse is staying in place.
  • Pirouette - A movement performed at the canter and walk in which the horse makes a circle with its front end around a small circle created by the hind legs.
  • Pyramid of Training - A training scale that has been developed to ensure that classical Dressage principles and traditions are continued and honored. It focuses on the essentials of training a horse through interrelated steps. The steps include (from lowest to highest) rhythm, relaxation/suppleness, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection.
  • Quarterline - Imaginary lines that are created along the longest sides of a Dressage Court. These lines are halfway between the centerline on either side and the edges of the court.
  • Rein Back - A two-beat movement in which the horse is asked to back up. The horse's hooves should be lifted and land on the ground in pairs with diagonal limbs moving in tandem.
  • Relaxation - The horse's physical and mental states. The horse should be mentally calm while exerting no physical effort other than what is needed to maintain proper carriage, strength, and range of movement.
  • Rhythm - The regularity and tempo of the horse's gaits. It should be shown with energy and at a suitable and regular tempo while the horse keeps their balance and carriage appropriate for their level.
  • Salute - A sign of respect that is paired with a halt movement that will be performed at the end of a test and may occur at the beginning as well, depending upon your test and level. The horse is brought to a complete halt, and the reins are then taken in one hand as the opposite arm is dropped loosely down to the side of the body. The rider then gives a slight nod or incline of the head to the judge.
  • Shoulder In - A movement that is performed with footfalls on three separate tracks. The horse moves their shoulder to the inside as the hind end stays on the rail. The inside hind leg and outside foreleg will travel along the same track, while the outside hind leg and the inside foreleg remain on separate tracks.
  • Straightness: When the horse's front and hind footfalls are properly aligned on straight and curved lines. The horse's body should be lined up with the track on which they are ridden.
  • Tempi Changes - A specific sequence of flying lead changes. These can be performed every few strides (such as a flying change every four, three, or two strides) or every stride. These changes give the illusion that the horse is skipping.
  • Test - A method by which a horse and rider's schooling and mastery of a level's principles are measured.
  • United States Dressage Federation - Known as the USDF, this organization is the national membership organization for Dressage riders in the United States dedicated to education and the recognition of success in the sport.
• Grand Prix - The highest level of competition in Dressage or Show Jumping.
• Hunter/Jumper - A blanket term describing the Hunter, Equitation, and Show Jumping disciplines.
  • Bending Line - A line of two fences not set in a straight line; instead they are set so that the horse and rider must make a slight bend or turn after the first fence to prepare for the second.
  • Bounce - Two obstacles placed so closely together that there is no room for a stride to be taken between them, so a horse takes off for the second jump immediately after landing from the first.
  • Cavaletti - Meaning "little horse" in Italian, cavalettis are a series of small jumps that are used to improve balance, timing, and more for both horse and rider.
  • Chip In - When the horse takes a small, added half stride before taking off for a fence, usually to avoid taking off from too long of a distance. It is different from a short distance because a chip is more of a scrambled stride that lacks balance.
  • Combination - A series of obstacles, with a set related distance between them. In a course they will be marked as "a, b, c..." elements of the same number. EX: 4a & 4b.
  • Cross Rail - An "X"-shaped fence composed of two rails that cross each other. Often used at lower levels and for schooling to help beginning riders easily find the center of the fence.
  • Deep Stride - Similar to chipping in, except instead of taking a half stride before take-off, the horse takes off close to the base of the fence and maintains their upward balance.
  • Distance - The number of strides between a line of fences. A distance may also reference the exact spot at which a horse takes off for a jump, such as a long spot or deep stride.
  • Grid/Gymnastics - Training exercises intended to help horse and rider develop and improve their technique and form over fences. They may be set up in a wide variety of ways, and often include a combination of ground poles, bounces, striding variations, and fences of various heights or build.
  • Jump-Off - A secondary competition round in show jumping classes that occurs after two or more horses have a clear round (no jump or speed faults) or the same number of faults and a tie for first place must be broken. These courses are typically shortened, and the rider with the fewest faults and fastest time is named the winner.
  • Long Distance - When the horse takes off for a jump further away than ideal, causing them to have more open space to jump before actually going over the fence.
  • Off Course - An instance in which a rider deviates from the outlined course.
  • Oxer - An obstacle comprised of two vertical fences as one unit.
    • Ascending Oxers are those that have the back rail higher than the front rail. These should only be jumped in one direction so that the horse is able to correctly read the jump.
    • Parallel Oxers are those that have both rails at the same height, also called square oxers. If filled appropriately, these can be jumped from both directions.
    • Sweedish Oxers are those whose front and back rails are slanted opposite directions to create a raised "X" appearance.
    • Tripple Bar jumps are obstacles utilizing three sets of standards with rails set at progressively higher heights to create a fence typically wider than usual.
  • Rails - Wooden/plastic planks or poles used to create an obstacle.
  • Rollback - An element in a jump course in which the horse and rider must make a 180-degree or more turn following one fence to the next.
  • Rub - When a horse makes contact with a rail on a fence as they are jumping and the rail bobbles but does not necessarily fall.
  • Time Allowed - The specific amount of time allotted by the course designer within which the competitors must complete the course. Also called optimum time.
  • Trot Poles - Also called ground poles, these are rails set on the ground over specific distances or patterns. The intention is to help horses and riders judge distances, improve balance, and more.
  • Vertical - An obstacle composed of rails and planks where the top rail is parallel to the ground.
• Equitation - The way in which a rider sits on a horse and holds their position through the gaits while giving aids. The term may also describe classes in a horse show in which a rider is judged based on their form and riding style. Riders are judged either on the flat or over fences.
  • Medal Class - An upper-level Equitation class with additional phases and elements. Riders may be asked to complete tasks such as a halt, hand gallop, figure eights, mount and dismount, ride without stirrups, and more.
• Hunters - A discipline in which a judge subjectively scores a horse based on their form and rideability as they go over a course of jumps. These courses are typically more straightforward than complicated Show Jumping courses and are created to emulate a classic fox hunt in a field.
  • Handy Hunter - A Hunter class consisting of more complex questions than a typical class, including but not limited to asking the horse to jump a fence from the trot, jump from a tighter turn, or change speed.
  • Hunter Derby - A higher level Hunter class made up of two rounds. The first round is a typical Hunter course, while in the second round, competitors return to complete a more complex or Handy Hunter course which involves more complex tasks such as asking the horse for a change in speed or making tighter turns. Higher fences than those in the rest of the course may be incorporated, which riders can choose to jump for extra points.
  • Hunter Hack - A Hunter class consisting of two parts, one on the flat, and the other a pattern determined by the judge that consists of a line of two jumps.
  • Model - A class in Hunter competitions in which a horse is judged on their conformation, suitability, and presence while untacked.
  • Under Saddle - Hunter classes that are completed on the flat where competitors ride around the outside of the ring at the walk, trot, and canter at the judge's direction. Also known as a "flat class."
• Professional - A rider who makes a living or income from training horses and riders and from competing.
• Show Jumping - A riding competition in which horses and riders are judged objectively based on time and precision. Essentially, how fast they can complete the designated course and how many rails are knocked down or jumps refused in the process. Show Jumping courses consist of a variety of different fences, often with many turns, and may include combinations.
  • Clear Round - A jumping round in which the horse and rider complete the course with no jumping or time faults.
  • Faults - Penalties incurred as horse and rider go around a Show Jumping course. Four faults are incurred when a rail is knocked down at a fence or is refused. One time fault is incurred for each second a rider goes over the time allowed to complete the course.
  • Flags - A pair of markers, one red and one white, which indicate which direction an obstacle should be jumped from. The obstacle should be jumped with the red flag on the rider's right-hand side and the white flag on the rider's left-hand side.
  • Liverpool - An obstacle with a pool of water placed underneath.
  • Nation's Cup - A competition in which nations compete against each other with teams consisting of three to four horse and rider combinations. Each team member will complete a course, with the top three scores being added together for a total final score. Finally, the top six teams complete a second course in the reverse order from the previous round's placing, and the first and second round scores are combined for final totals to declare the winning team.
  • Open Water - A wide pool of water placed in the arena to serve as a jumping effort.
• United States Hunter Jumper Association - Known as the USHJA. This organization is a national organization dedicated to educating, regulating, and recognizing success in Hunter/Jumper competition.

• Three-Day Eventing - A competition consisting of three phases most often completed over three days. The phases are Dressage, Cross Country, and Show Jumping.
• Cross Country - A phase in Three Day Eventing in which horse and rider traverse through an open area and must navigate a course of natural obstacles including logs, ditches, banks, water, and much more.
  • Arrowhead - Also called a chevron or wedge, it is a narrow type of fence on course that is shaped to resemble the head of an arrow. These jumps are narrower in the front than in the back.
  • Bank - A jump up or down a steep incline of terrain.
  • Brush - Fences on course with foliage or other types of natural material sticking up off the top. At the upper levels, horses are expected to jump through the brush portion of a jump rather than over it, i.e. exerting more effort to clear the entire obstacle.
  • Coffin - An obstacle followed a few strides out by a ditch, which in turn is followed by another obstacle a few strides after that.
  • Coop - An A-frame-shaped jump resembling a roof sticking out of the ground.
  • Corner - Triangular-shaped fences on a cross country course that are wide on one side and narrow to a point on the other.
  • Course Walk - An opportunity for riders to physically walk an upcoming course on foot to gain familiarity with the obstacles and terrain. Not only does it allow riders to see the course, but it is an opportunity to determine a strategy for how they will be riding the course.
  • Frangible Pin - A safety device that enables fences or jumps to break and swing down if hit by a horse with enough force. The goal is to prevent horses from falling.
  • Jump Judge - An individual stationed at each cross country jump or combination who is responsible for noting any penalties, ensuring the obstacle is clear for each competitor, and helping in case of an emergency.
  • Levels - The levels of Three Day Eventing are: Starter/Introductory, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, Advanced, FEI - 1-5*.
  • Optimum Time - The maximum amount of time competitors have to complete a course before time faults begin to be incurred. The optimum time is calculated by dividing the distance by the designated speed.
  • Ramp/Palisade - Half of a coop jump, as only one side of the jump is slanted.
  • Refusal - Occurs when a horse stops and declines to jump an obstacle. 20 penalty points are accrued for the first refusal of an obstacle, 40 points are accrued for a second refusal of the same obstacle. The third refusal of the same fence results in the elimination from the competition. If a horse refuses two separate obstacles, they are each worth 20 penalty points. This point system is not congruent with the show jumping portion of eventing.
  • Run-Out - Occurs when a horse quickly moves sideways and goes around an obstacle instead of making a jumping effort. The same penalties are accrued for run-outs as refusals.
  • Speed/Time Faults - Penalties accrued when a horse and rider pair finish the course over the optimum time allowed (time faults) or go faster than the speed fault time (speed faults). 0.4 penalties are given for each second over time. The show jumping portion also has an optimum time and thus time faults but are awarded at different point values.
  • Start Box - A box with one open side where the next horse and rider pair wait to begin their cross country course.
  • Sunken Road - A combination consisting of a fence followed by a down bank, an up bank, and another fence.
  • Table - As the name suggests, a table is a wide, flat jump resembling a table.
  • Ten Minute Box - An area where riders and support crew have to quickly untack and cool off the horse immediately following cross country. Based on how the horse recovers (judged by a vet on respiration and temperature among other indicators) the horse is released from the 10-minute box and can go back to the barn or stall. They are used in classic series events and long-format FEI events.
  • Trekenner - A log lifted to have space and a ditch underneath it.
• United States Eventing Association - Also known as the USEA, this association is responsible for the education, safety, and organization of Three Day Eventing in the United States.
• Warm-Up Ring - An arena at a horse show in which competitors are able to warm up their horses for competition. If the competition involves jumping, the ring will most often have jumps provided for competitors to warm up over.

• American Endurance Ride Conference - Also known as the AERC. This is the organization that acts as the national governing body for long-distance endurance riding in the United States.
• Base Camp - The gathering point at a ride at which competitors set up their rigs for camping. This serves as the general meeting area for the ride. Base camp will be near the starting point of the race.
• Best Condition - An award given to a horse that finishes a race in the best condition determined by the control judges who evaluate the riding time and the weight they carried.
• Control Check - A checkpoint on the trail at which each horse is examined by a control judge to ensure they are fit to continue the race.
• Control Judge - Veterinarians at an endurance ride who determine each horse's ability to compete in or continue a race.
• CMPK - A commonly used acronym for a mixed solution of calcium (c), magnesium (m), phosphorus (p), and potassium (k). Most often provided to horses orally via syringe, the solution helps replenish energy and electrolytes after intense work.
• Crew - A team of helpers who accompany an endurance rider to rides to assist them with the care of the horse at control checks.
• Crew Bag - A kit containing items needed to help care for the horse and rider and control checks. Common items include water buckets, first-aid kits for riders, and snacks for both horse and rider.
• Elevator - A type of endurance ride that enables riders to begin at one distance and later decide to continue to a longer distance after completing the shorter ride.
• Endurance Ride - A ride 50 miles or more over a specific course with no time limit under the strict supervision of control judges.
• Fit to Continue - Criteria horses must meet in order to continue on in an AERC-sanctioned ride. This also refers to an evaluation that occurs within one hour of the finish so that the ride is considered complete.
• Fixed Hold - A control check in which the horse stays for a specific amount of time between arrival and the time at which they can continue the ride.
• Gate - A control check in which the hold time starts only when the horse's pulse has reached specific criteria.
• Hold Time - The amount of time a horse and rider must stay at a control check before they are allowed to continue their ride.
• Limited Distance - Also known as an "LD" ride, these are rides between 25 and 35 miles long. The time of completion is marked when the horse's pulse meets set criteria after crossing the finish.
• Long Slow Distance - Or "LSD," this is a common training program in which horses travel at a working trot with some walking breaks. The goal is to create a steady rate of energy usage over increasingly long distances.
• Pulled - This is when a horse and rider are removed from a ride due to health or soundness concerns discovered by the control judge.
• Pulsing Down - A certain amount of time during a control check in which a horse's pulse must decrease down to a specified rate before being allowed to continue.
• Ride Manager - An individual in charge of ride management and organization. Ride managers are responsible for a smoothly operated ride.
• Riding Time - The total time a horse and rider spend on a ride, not including hold times.
• Trail Marking - A marker, often a ribbon, marking the course and route used during a ride. Three or more markers placed together is a signal to turn onto a new trail.
• Trot-Out - When a horse is trotted in hand and inspected by control judges to ensure soundness and suitability for the ride.
• Vet Card - Also known as a ride card, this card is carried with you during a ride, and the control judge uses it to record scores and notes as they examine your horse and determine if they are fit to continue.
• Vet Check - A procedure done by a control judge to ensure a horse is fit to continue.

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• Barrel Racing - A rodeo event in which a horse and rider pair run a pattern around three barrels. The aim is to do it the quickest of all competitors and without knocking a barrel over.
  • Cloverleaf Pattern - The pattern that competitors complete as they go around three barrels. Horses and riders begin by crossing a plane at one end of the arena and angle either left or right (it's up to the rider to choose whichever way they prefer) to go around the first barrel. Once around the first barrel, the pair must perform a flying change as they go across to and around the second barrel, which is directly across from the second. Finally, after the second barrel, the team heads to the third and final barrel, directly across from the starting plane, and then gallop to the finish.
  • The 4D System - How divisions at barrel races are identified. All the times are ranked on one list then sectioned based on these guidelines: the first division, or 1D division, is marked by the fastest time, then the second division, 2D, is marked by the rider who is half a second slower than the fastest. The third division, 3D is marked by the rider who is a whole second slower than the fastest, and the fourth, 4D is marked by the rider who is two whole seconds slower than the fastest time.
  • Knock - This is when a horse and rider pair knock a barrel down. A five-second penalty is added to their time.
  • Clean Run - A completed pattern during a barrel race which is completed with no knocks.
• Box - A three-sided fenced-in area next to the chute holding cattle. Competitors wait in the box until the cow is released from the chute and gets a head start. Once the cow has a head start the rider and horse may leave the box. This prevents the rider from having an unfair advantage over the cow.
• Breaking the Barrier - This occurs when a competitor exits the box before the cow has had a sufficient head start into the arena. Penalties are added to the final time if the barrier is broken.
• Cutting - A competition in which horse and rider show their ability to work cattle by separating a specific cow (or cows) from a herd.
  • Cutter - The horse and rider pair competing in the class. This is the pair responsible for separating the cow (or cows) out from the herd.
  • Herd Holder - Two of the Cutter's helpers in the arena. These riders are responsible for being on the side of the herd of cattle to help the Cutter make a cut and keep the herd in a group. Their main job is to control the main herd so the Cutter can focus on a single cow.
  • Turnback Rider - Two riders in the arena who assist the Cutter by keeping the herd of cows from running to the back of the arena and keeping the cow being cut turned toward the Cutter.
• Flagman - In timed events, this is an official in charge of signaling the end of a ride time or an illegal move by the competitor.
• Futurity - An age-restricted competition or class. Horses must be under a certain age to be eligible to compete.
• Go Round - A competitor's turn in a single event. Some rodeos may break rounds up into Long Rounds and Short Rounds depending on the number of competitors.
  • Long Round - A round of competition in which every competitor participates. In some rodeos, an event may consist only of this round.
  • Short Round - A round in which the highest placing competitors from the Long Round return to compete for the winning title and prize.
• National Finals Rodeo - The annual championship rodeo held by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in December in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• No Time - Occurs when a competitor does not catch stock or complete their objective correctly; therefore, no time, or score, is recorded.
• Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association - The PRCA sanctions rodeos across North America.
• Ranch Sorting - A competition in which two riders have an allotted amount of time to cut cattle out of a herd in a specific numerical order, identified by numbers on their sides, to another pen.
• Reining - A discipline in which horses and riders demonstrate skills often performed on a ranch in the confines of an arena.
  • Pattern - A sequence of specific maneuvers that a horse and rider pair complete during a reining competition.
  • Walk In - The portion of the pattern in which the horse travels from the gate to the center of the arena.
  • Hesitate - A maneuver in which the horse is asked to stand still and relaxed for a few seconds at a specific time during a pattern, often at the end or after spins.
  • Spins - A maneuver in which the horse completes a series of 360-degree turns from a standstill. The turn is made around an unmoving inside hind leg. Done correctly, the spin is done quickly with the horse positioned low to the ground and with a level topline.
  • Sliding Stop - A maneuver in which the horse comes to stop from the lope. The horse's hind legs are brought underneath them in a stable, unmoving position, causing them to slide on the hind feet until they come to a complete stop.
  • Rundown - A run down the middle of the arena that results in a sliding stop. The rundown and stop are linked, as a well-executed rundown will result in a smooth, balanced stop.
  • Rollback - A 180-degree turn-around. The horse stops, then moves or turns the shoulders back to the opposite direction, and then continues in the new direction at a lope.
• Showmanship - A class in which horses are presented to a judge untacked, in only a halter. Horses are led through a pattern and confirmation is evaluated at the halt.
  • Set Up - The position in which the horse and handler stand to present themselves to the judge before completing a pattern. Competitors should have a slight bend in their right elbow, with that arm being slightly in front of the left, which should be down at the side. Horses should stand squarely with their front and back legs aligned and balanced beneath themselves.
• Slack - When an excess of competitors enter an event, the overflow entries compete in their own division of the event, often before the official start of the competition.
• Team Penning - A timed event in which a team of three competitors have a limited amount of time to separate three specific cows from a large herd of 30 cows and herd them into a pen at the opposite side of the arena.

• Team Roping - A timed event in which a pair of horses and riders must complete catches on a steer, which is given a head start from the chute. Each team consists of a header and a heeler, and the fastest team to complete their catches wins the event.
  • Header - The horse and rider pair in Team Roping is responsible for roping the steer around the head, neck, or horns.
  • Heeler - The horse and rider pair in Team Roping is responsible for roping the steer around the hind legs.
  • Clean Catch - A legal catch of the steer. For the header, this includes roping the steer around both horns, around the neck, or around the neck and one of the steer's horns. The heeler must rope both of the steer's hind legs to make a clean catch.
  • Dally - After making their throw, the roper wraps the end of the rope around their saddle horn to pull the rope taut.
• Western Dressage - A competition in which horses and riders perform a Dressage test in Western tack and attire.
• Western Pleasure - A competition in which horses are judged based on their gait cadence, ideally collected and relaxed, and their suitability for a pleasant and comfortable ride. Riders compete in the arena simultaneously while the judges evaluate them at a walk, jog, and lope.

We hope that this glossary has clarified some commonly heard terms in the equestrian world, and that you may have even learned something new! Should you have any questions regarding anything we covered, or have any other horse-related inquiries, our experienced Customer Service Team is here to assist. They can be reached at 1-800-620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com. Be sure to check out our other equestrian glossaries for more information on topics ranging from horse breeds to frequently used tack and more. Happy reading and happy riding!