Equestrian (W) - Kansas State University Athletics

Equestrian Rules & Terminology

Learning Equestrian is easy to do once you understand a few key rules and terms:

SCORING
Scores are given by a designated judge based on rider position and quality of ride. Each event is scored in a manner which reflects current AQHA and USEF industry standards. Reining, Horsemanship, Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences are the four classes offered at all intercollegiate equestrian competitions. In Varsity competition, the team will earn one point for each rider who defeats her opponent on the same horse.

EVENTS:

EQUITATION ON THE FLAT
Riders will perform a predetermined test composed of nine maneuvers while being judged on their ability to control the horse and maintain a correct riding position. Test is performed in a 20 by 40 meter dressage arena.
EQUITATION OVER FENCES
Athletes will ride a horse over a set course of 8 to 10 jumps. Riders are judged on their ability to position the horse correctly at the jumps while maintaining a correct riding position and producing a smooth, polished performance.
HORSEMANSHIP
A set pattern consisting of 7 to 9 maneuvers is performed by each rider. Scoring is based on the rider maintaining a correct and effective position while guiding the horse, as well as quality of the maneuvers.
REINING
Riders perform a predetermined pattern of maneuvers such as spins, sliding stops, rollbacks, circles and lead changes. Judging is based on accuracy and precision of maneuvers. The reined horse should be willingly guided with little or no apparent resistance.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS:

CROP
A short whip used in hunter seat events to reinforce the leg aid.
DIAGONAL
When a rider rises and sits in sequence with the horse’s legs at the trot. Posting on the correct diagonal helps to keep the horse balanced.
GAITS
Walk- a four beat gait
Trot/Jog- a two beat gait where a horse’s legs step in a diagonal pattern.
Canter/Lope- a three beat gait where a horse’s lead is determined by which foreleg reaches the furthest.
HUNTER SEAT EQUITATION
Discipline that originated from foxhunting and now serves as the foundation of show jumping.
LEADS
At the canter/lope, the foreleg that extends the furthest determines the horse’s lead. Typically a horse should canter/lope leading with their inside front leg in order to maintain balance.
FLYING LEAD CHANGE
A maneuver in which the horse changes which foreleg he is leading with mid-step at the canter/lope.
REFUSAL
When the horse refuses to proceed over a jump.
SLIDING STOP
A smooth stop from the lope in which the horse should balance on his back feet while his front continue to move.
SPUR
A metal aid worn on the rider’s heel to assist in engaging the horse. Spurs can be worn in both western and hunter seat events.
TACK
The equipment worn by the horse.
WESTERN
The discipline that originated from ranching where riders had to spend long hours in the saddle. This is the basis for the style of the equipment. Horses are expected to perform on a neck rein and respond to light pressure and weight transfer.

COMPETITION FORMAT:

VARSITY
Refers to a head-to-head competition with another varsity program. Riders are allowed to warm up horses and will compete head-to-head with a predetermined opponent, both of whom will ride the same horse.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Do I need a horse to be a member of the equestrian team?
No. Horses are owned and provided by each university. Team horses are accepted as donations through the Kansas State University Athletic Department.

Can I use my own horse?
Not for team use. Team owned/leased horses are used for all practices and home competitions. During away competitions we will compete on the host schools’ horses. You are allowed to have your own horse while in college for your own personal use, but will need to find a boarding facility to keep it.

Will it cost me anything to be a member of the equestrian team?
No. The equestrian team provides almost everything needed to compete as a student athlete. The Hunter Seat riders compete in team shirts and coats, and the Western riders show in team tops. Breeches, boots, hats, chaps, etc, are all available to you if you do not own them. However, if students have their own show clothing, they may be allowed to wear it along with the team tops.

How does the Varsity format work?
The standard events for varsity competitions include reining, horsemanship, hunter seat equitation on the flat, and hunter seat equitation over fences. Reining is judged and scored following the standard NRHA/AQHA scoring system. Horsemanship scoring follows the same guidelines as reining, where maneuvers are given a score from +1 to -1. The horsemanship patterns at varsity shows are longer and more complex than a standard horse show, and we remove the rail work portion of the class and only a pattern is judged. The equitation on the flat class is unique as it is set in a 20x40 meter dressage ring with dressage letters and riders are given a pre-determined test to perform. The judge will score each maneuver on a scale of 0-10 and tally the points; thus the total possible score is 100.

While it is similar to a dressage test, the rider is to be judged on her effectiveness and equitation in addition to the quality of movements. The Equitation over Fences class is judged according to USEF standards where riders will jump a course consisting of 8 fences at a maximum height of 3’6”. The judge then assigns one overall score to the ride.

In competition, one rider from each school will compete in a head-to-head format on the same horse. Riders are drawn at random to determine who they will compete against and which horse they will ride. Each rider receives a 4-5 minute warm-up period to get a feel for their horse. Then an approved judge will score each rider’s performance. When the scores of the two riders are compared, the rider with the higher score receives one point for her team. This format promotes a true team atmosphere and winning truly becomes a team effort. At the end of the day, the points are tallied and the team with the most points is declared the winner. Horses are provided by the host school, so riders will compete on their schools horses at home competitions and the host schools’ horses at away competitions.

When is the show season for the Equestrian Team?
The season runs throughout the academic year from September thru April. December and January are slower months as the students will be out of school for break.

Do all riders get to compete?
The number of riders competing varies from show to show. Travel space and number of available horses usually determines how many riders compete, and those who are the most prepared for each show will represent the team. A minimum of four riders are needed to compete in each event, but as many as 8 or 9 riders have competed at other events in the past as well.

How many times do student athletes practice per week?
All athletes are scheduled to practice 3 times per week. The coaches hold practices daily and assign you to practice times around your class schedule. Coaches will assign you a different horse to ride each practice to help riders stay comfortable riding unfamiliar horses. In addition to 3 mandatory practices, the coaches will frequently offer open riding times where athletes can come out voluntarily to get in more ride time.

What type of horses do you ride?
For Western, the majority of the herd is Quarter Horses and Paints. Hunter Seat riders practice and compete mostly on Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods.

What other activities are mandatory for student-athletes?
All athletes are required to do 3 strength and conditioning sessions per week. Times are assigned by the coaches around your class schedule. Athletes will work with a strength trainer during their sessions.

Incoming freshman on scholarship are required to do study table their first semester in college. After that, all athletes can be placed on study table hours depending on what their GPA is. Study table is where athletes have to sign in at the appropriate locations and log a certain number of study table hours per week. This is to help ensure athletes are setting aside time each week to study and keep their grades up so that they remain eligible.

Throughout the year there will be other events that will be required as well. There are weekly team meetings, horse care chores, preparation for horse shows, various community service activities, etc.