| The first English riding style was really European in | | | | more formal appearance. |
| nature, and was a cavalry style of riding that was | | | | Many different types of horses can be fit for the |
| modified over time to the present, established | | | | English style saddles and disciplines. However, the |
| forms of this style. It wasn't until the 17th | | | | best horses for English riding are taller and leaner |
| century that the military purposes of the riding | | | | that the western counterparts. Sometimes the |
| style was eventually lost from it, when it became | | | | word 'uphill' is used to describe the build of the |
| the riding style of the English elite. This was the | | | | English style of horse, meaning that the horse's |
| style of the fox hunt, a favorite pass time of | | | | withers (the shoulder blades of a horse) are |
| many among the English, both rich and | | | | higher than the upper most point of its hip. Most |
| middle-class. This is the discipline seen at the | | | | thoroughbreds and warmbloods are suitable for |
| equestrian events at the Olympics, as well. Today, | | | | the English tack, but the training of those horses |
| its popularity is robust and thriving among horse | | | | involves teaching them to be collected and on the |
| riding enthusiasts the world over. | | | | bit. What does all that mean? 'On the bit' refers to |
| It is very tempting to fantasize about the wealth | | | | the horse's line of communication from the rider's |
| and sophistication associated with this riding | | | | hands down through to the bridle. 'Collected' |
| approach, but what practical purposes can it offer | | | | means the horse is expected to hold itself along |
| horse riding enthusiasts? If you have an interest in | | | | specific behaviors and to emphasize and drive his |
| competitive riding, you will be attracted to the | | | | forward motion from behind him. |
| English riding style. If you dream of flying over | | | | Naturally, hunt saddle activities with your horse |
| fences with your horse, the English style is also | | | | comes from the tradition of fox hunting. The |
| your best bet. Even though the emphasis seems | | | | horse and rider need to keep up with the hounds |
| to be fancy showing events, many English style | | | | while successfully clearing obstacles. Therefore, |
| riders enjoy riding the trial, which is also known as | | | | the hunt saddle is designed primarily for jumping. |
| 'hacking'. | | | | Riders using the hunt seat sit in a slightly forward |
| English riding is done in two types of saddles for | | | | position, meaning they lean forward at the hips |
| two basic riding styles, 'dressage' and 'hunt'. The | | | | when they ride. This leaning forward puts them |
| hunt seat has two alternate names. The | | | | into an optimal position for jumping because |
| 'all-purpose saddle' or the 'forward-seat saddle'. | | | | putting weight over the horse's withers frees up |
| The second type is the dressage saddle. Both | | | | the horse's hindquarters. Hunt seat riders also ride |
| types are known as flat saddles, a name which | | | | with their stirrups shorter than riders in dressage, |
| helps distinguish them from deeper western style | | | | again to assist in jumping. Both dressage and |
| saddles. | | | | hunting riders hold the reins with both hands. |
| Each of the types of English saddles has a distinct | | | | Dressage is easily defined as the art of horse |
| purpose. The one you should choose depends | | | | training including many methods and theory about |
| upon whether you wish to train your horse for | | | | horse obedience and precision of movement. |
| jumping or riding, that is hunting or dressage. The | | | | Dressage English style will have a more upright |
| long-standing English protocol dictates that the | | | | position in the saddle than hunt seat riders who sit |
| horse wears a contoured pad underneath the | | | | more deeply into the saddle to drive the horse |
| hunt seat saddle, and a light square pad under the | | | | more fully with their legs. English dressage style |
| dressage saddle. | | | | has seven levels that represent the different |
| The human get up is different for each style, but | | | | stages of a horse's training. There are levels for |
| quite flattering in any case. For hunt seat riding, | | | | novice, training, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Prix St. George, and |
| you will wear breeches, tall boots, and a rat | | | | Grand Prix. The novice level is for horses who are |
| catcher shirt. I recommend the new drilex fabric | | | | just learning dressage and are worked only at the |
| for this as it very successfully wicks the body | | | | walk and trot stages. |
| moisture to the upper layers of the fabric where | | | | English dressage and hunt style is an excellent |
| it can evaporate. Finish it off with the a good | | | | way to begin to learn to ride for you and your |
| tailored jacket and a helmet, and if you're new to | | | | horse. It is more challenging for the new rider, and |
| all of this, be sure to stand straight in the saddle | | | | it's much harder work. You may also be attracted |
| and ask to have your photo taken. There are | | | | to the western style of riding, but if you begin |
| two kinds of dressage level human apparel. The | | | | your training and sport as an English novice rider, |
| lower style closely resembles the hunt style, while | | | | your training will more quickly develop your |
| the upper dressage style sports white breeches, | | | | balance, riding muscles, timing, and the feel for |
| tall boots, a simple white shirt, a dark jacket with | | | | your horse. |
| tails, and a black derby, all of which has a still | | | | |