Western Pleasure vs Hunter Jumpers free essay sample

Nikki Yager Mrs. Yates English II 3 October 2010 English Essay â€Å"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. † -Winston Churchill. Horses not only inspire their riders, but also the spectators. The art of equestrian is generally disregarded as a competitive sport. Being a rider not only takes raw talent but also devotion, skill, concentration, knowledge, and strength. With a variety of riding styles, it’s difficult to express which one is superior to the others. There is tension between the horsemen with different riding styles; each believe their accomplishments take more skill. Western Pleasure riding and English Hunter Jumpers are two distinctive techniques with diverse characteristics, but the riders themselves share a common attitude of love and passion for riding. Preparation showing takes much conditioning both physically and mentally for horse and rider. Training a horse can be a difficult task, considering horses are not machines. We will write a custom essay sample on Western Pleasure vs Hunter Jumpers or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Horses are live animals that have a mind and personality of their own. Acclaimed Western Pleasure horse and riding trainer, Hardy Oelke, states â€Å"In your actual training, your goal is to teach your horse so he never wants to go fast, waits for your cues without ever getting in a hurry, but still stays collected. †(Training The Wester Pleasure Horse). He also explains the principle of manipulating the horse’s brain rather then his mouth (Training the Western Pleasure Horse). Hunter trainer, Rick Fancher, proposes tips for developing the horse’s movement. Training the horse according to Fancher is a gradual process based on working with the animal, â€Å"You cannot teach your horse to shorten and collect if you don’t first let him go forward. And you cannot keep him relaxed if you’re always hanging in his mouth. † (Hunter Training Do’s and Don’ts). Having the correct equipment also occupies a large part of preparing the horse. Quality bridles, bits, and saddles are all basic tack necessities for riding. Western tack tends to be more glamorous, in that it is generally bedazzled with some sort of color or gem. The saddle is significantly large, with a horn placed in the fontal end. English tack is typically simple, and is much lighter than Western tack. The saddle has a completely different shape to it, and provides closer contact with the horse than the Western saddle. Having legitimate training and equipment is considered essential preparation to advance one’s riding potential. Competing in horse shows can be extremely combative; catching the judge’s eye is crucial! Riding in competitions causes riders to become nervous no matter the riding discipline; everyone is focused on impressing the judge. In Western Pleasure, riders dress in flashy, creative, and colorful outfits. Hunter Jumpers, on the contrary, wear refined attire giving the rider a clean-cut, elite look. The judging in the Western Pleasure ring is based on the horse’s appearance and whether or not the horse looks calm, comfortable, and most importantly pleasurable to ride. It’s not considered the most exciting of the divisions to watch at a horse show because of the slow pace the horses keep throughout the classes. In the Hunter division judges are looking at how the rider is working with their horse. The horse should carry superb demeanor, jumping capabilities, pace, and value. The judging of the two is similar in that, in both divisions the goal is to appear confident and effortless. Equestrianism is intended to be a sport of beauty and excitement; sadly, over competitive owners and trainers with an extreme longing to win may abuse, overwork, or dope their horses to enhance their performance. Doping and the inappropriate use of normal medications present a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of our sport, because they give athletes an unfair advantage and threaten the welfare of horses. †(FEI’s Clean Sport Campaign pg1) Federation Equestre Inerationale and several other animal welfare organizations have well-established regulations trying to create a more perfect sport. Because riding in shows is so competitive riders need to understand that showing isn’t always about winning but learning for the experience of showing. Western Pleasure riding and English Hunter Jumpers are two distinctive techniques with diverse characteristics, but the riders themselves share a common attitude of love and passion for riding. Talent and technique ample for creating a riding career, but the need for passion in riding significantly exceeds that of talent and technique. The creation of the horse is a gift, which enables people to feel freedom and adoration towards a magnificent animal. Riders with a desire to succeed recognize that riding is not about conquering the horse but becoming one with the horse.