refers to classes where the rider's style is judged. In an class, your horse doesn't have to be the smoothest jumper in the world, or the most elegant mover, the rider is the one being judged, and the horses' movement is irrelevant to some degree.
divisions range from beginner walk-trot through open . In the flat competition, riders are judged on how well they handle riding skills, such as walking, trotting, and cantering. Riders should be able to show precise handling of their horse at the walk, trot, and canter while maintaining proper and control.
A knowledgeable rider establishes a straight line from his/her elbow, through forearms and reins to the horses mouth. Shoulders are another common area for faults. Some judges will ask riders to answer questions on anatomy, tack, and .
There are three types of saddle seat, hunter seat, and stock seat. In hunt seat , riders compete over fences and in separate classes, and at the walk, trot and canter on the flat.
Unlike the more common hunter classes, hunt seat judges the rider rather than the horse. Riders will receive penalties if their horse refuses a jump. Certain fundamentals of are rigidly observed in judging. In general in a hunter class as long as the horse clears the fences in a jumper competition it does not matter what it looked like. Saddle seat may include a pattern to be ridden, often at different gaits with several changes in direction. Stock seat is a western discipline.
Jackets are required in all classes, with the exception of hunter classes where jackets are preferred but not required. The rider must remain on the same mount throughout all phases of an class until the judge requests a change.
In classes, only the rider is being judged therefore no penalty should be assessed because of the horse's conformation, color or movement. Many riders compete in specific divisions where they earn points in classes, the points count for class year end awards.
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