CHEVAL LIBERTÉ

Layman's Guide to Equestrian Disciplines

This is just a brief introduction to the world of Equestrian Sports.

Showjumping

Showjumping is practised at all levels, from Novice to International. No specific breed is specified but horses are quite often 3/4 or 1/2 breeds with thoroughbred Hanoverian, Traekener, Warmblood Irish Draft and possibly Shire involved in their bloodlines. Sometimes thoroughbreds compete. Only a few stallions compete. Horses progress from grade C to grade B to grade A and on to Grand Prix level. Showjumping horses usually reach their peak between the age of 9 and 16. Showjumpers usually deal in horses, buying from Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria or Ireland. The horses are highly priced and prized mainly because the prize money has increased over the years with corporate companies sponsoring major competitions.

There is a great deal of serious sponsorship in showjumping and often the riders expect their new stables to be sponsored. However, this is not a good sale for us!

Three day events

Combine the diciplines of Dressage, Cross Country, and Showjumping over a three day event. Smaller events can be crammed into one day.

The Dressage section has the disiplined movement of horses using specific steps turns etc. The Cross Country section is over a course of 3 to 4 miles, negotiating different jumps of walls, logs and water jumps to test the ability of horse and rider.

Showjumping is the last phase. Badminton, Burleigh and Blenheim are most famous and prestigious events in the UK.

Horses are usually 16hh or taller and reach their peak between 8 and 16 years old.

Dressage

As mentioned above Dressage involves the disiplined movement of horses using specific steps turns etc. It is performed in an arena, can be performed to music, with the rider smartly dressed. Goodwood is the Mecca of dressage.

horses tend to be 16hh or taller and compete up to the age of 20.

Racing

The sport for thoroughbreds only, traced back to three original stallions, which were imported from the Middle East around two to three hundred years ago. All foals must be registered on a passport at birth. The age of all thoroughbreds is taken from the 1st Jan of their birth year for racing purposes.

Flat Racing is associated with the summer and is a more wealthy form of racing with higher prize money and more expensive horses than The National Hunt Races. Races range from from 5 furlongs (8 to a mile) to up to two and a half miles with no obstacles. The minimum weight carried is usually 7 stone with the max being 10 stone. Horses are usually 15hh to 17hh.

National Hunt Racing is associated with winter and a poor relation to flat racing in terms of prize money etc. Mainly geldings (castrated males) and mares compete. Hurdle races are run from two to three and a half miles and the horses jump soft barriers that are easily brushed over. Chases are run over much stiffer obstacles, horses tend to start over hurdles then progress to chases. The main National Hunt meetings are Cheltenham Gold Cup and Aintree Grand National.

Point to Point Racing starts in February and is limited to horses that have seen hunting several times with a recognised local hunt. They are less professional and are run over courses that are basically fields with a few running rails. Horses can progress to hunter classes for which races are held at recognised race courses.

Thoroughbred Studs

This is where future champions are born. Each stallion covers approx 45+ mares per year at a fee agreed before the covering season starts. The mares usually travel to the yard where the stallion is kept and remain until they are found to be in foal when tested. Large operations would have their own stallions to cover their own mares. Only exceptional racehorses are kept as stallions.

Polo

A sport played on a lawn with four chukka players per side. Each player uses up to four ponies per game. It is a very expensive game enjoyed by the rich and famous. Wealthy individuals sponsor their own teams for the season including hiring players from South America, Mexico and Argentina. Polo ponies tend to be quite small.

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