User:MadisonWeathersby/Jumping Seat Equitation

This article is about the Jumping Seat and Flat Equitation competition in the United States. The Equitation is a division of competition within horse shows where riders are judged on position, skill, accuracy, use of the aids (hands, seat and legs), and control over fences and on the flat. In the Equitation horses are evaluated on their performance, form, and temper both over fences and on the flat. The Equitation takes elements from both the Hunter and Jumper divisions and combines them to examine the rider's technical ability and the horse's form. The Equitation expects fluid movement and correct jumping form from the horses while the course tests the rider's technical riding ability. Many of the courses in the Equitation mirror that of a Jumper course with similar complex routes. However, the technicalities required of the riders resemble those seen in the Hunter ring. Any breed of horse can be ridden in the Equitation however Warmblood and Thoroughbred tend to perform and score the best, especially in the highest levels of competition.

The Course
Equitation courses typically incorporate different aspects of Hunter and Jumper courses although more intricate and demanding. The fences in an Equitation course are typically placed around the arena in the same pattern as fences in Jumper courses but riders are expected to guide their horse through the course in an effortless manner similar to the riding style required for the Hunters.

==== Elements of an Equitation Course ==== Most horse shows will include two or more of the following elements in an equitation course:


 * Bending line
 * Narrow jump
 * Roll-back turn
 * A long approach to a single
 * Trot jump
 * Combination

Attire
Unlike the Jumpers, the Equitation requires riders to stick to a strict classic, and sleek uniform.

Helmets:
Across all USEF divisions, protective headgear is mandatory. All helmets worn in competition must comply with the testing standard. The harness must be secured and properly fitted at all times while riding. A simple matte black helmet with no accent colors or bling is preferred.

Coats and Jackets:
A short-riding jacket with short tails is permitted. Any single-color jacket or tailcoat is permitted and may have subtle pin striping. Discreet accents, such as a collar of a different hue, or modest piping are acceptable.

Protective Vests:
Safety vests of any type are permitted but not required.

Breeches:
The equitation specifically only accepts tan breaches.

Shirts and Neckwear:
Shirts with tie, choker, stock tie, or integrated stand-up collar are required. Men in the equitation and higher levels of competition typically wear ties of muted color.

Tall Boots:
Tall English-style riding boots are required. Boots/shoes worn while riding must have a distinguishable heel and should be a simplistic and sleek black.

Gloves:
Simple black gloves with no other color, pattern, or sparkles are typical in the equitation ring.

Spurs:
Spurs are allowed in the equitation ring however they must be made of metal.

Bridles and bits permitted in the Hunter Seat Equitation classes are more traditional hunter-style tack, i.e. snaffles and pelhams along with cavesson nosebands. Additional jumper-type tack is permitted including gags and two or three-ring bits as well as flash, drop, and figure eight nosebands. Additionally, if martingales are used, they must be running martingales.

Saddle:
Saddles must be a sleek dark color with stainless steel stirrup irons.

Bit & Bridle:
Jumping seat equitation allows the use of snaffles, pelhams, gags, kimberwickes, two or three-ring bits, and full bridles. Cavesson, flash, drop, and figure eights are acceptable nosebands. In Hunter seat equitation only snaffles, pelhams, kimberwickes, and full bridles, are permitted but only cavesson nosebands are appropriate.

Martingale:
Jumping seat equitation only allows running martingales, which can only be used in over fences classes. In hunter seat equitation, any martingales are permitted in the jumping classes.

Boots
Plane black and brown boots are allowed.

Judging
Judges use a numerical system to provide each rider with a score at the end of their round or class. Riders can receive a score anywhere between 60 and 100. The goal is for riders to earn a score as close to 100 as possible as whoever gets the highest score gets first place therefore winning the class. At some competitions, the Equitation has multiple fazes of over fences and flat classes. In these cases, the rider with the highest combined score from all the classes is the Champion of the division.

Attire
Dress code is scored in all equitation divisions. Incorrect attire and tack can result in a point deduction or disqualification.

Flat Phase
The flat is judged mainly on the rider's position, ability to navigate around other riders, and their efficient and invisible use of aids to prompt a quick and smooth transition of gait. Riders may be required to instruct their horse to: halt (stop moving), walk, trot, canter, extend the canter, counter canter, collect the canter, or back up. Moreover, in some classes, riders may be asked to drop their stirrup irons and complete these tasks without them.

Riders can receive point deductions for:


 * cutting off another rider
 * facing the wrong direction in line up
 * incorrect gait demonstrated
 * creating small circling
 * being too close to other riders in line up
 * late transition (taking a longer than usual time to go from one gait to another)
 * having your horse moving in the line up
 * taking too long to join the line up at the end of a round
 * talking or gesturing during the class

Jump Phase
The jump phase is judged mainly on position, efficiency, control, and track. The course will include at least 6 fences and may include a hand gallop jump, trot jump, counter canter jump, or a halt.

All jump phases should be ridden at the working canter in the correct order of jumps displayed on the course diagrams. Courses are judged mainly on the rider's position over the fence, straightness to jumps, and smoothness of transitions and turns. Scoring is broken down by the following criteria.

Time Allowed
In specific divisions, there's an added challenge of completing the course within a designated time frame. The timer begins as the horse launches from the first jump and stops upon landing after the final jump. Points will be deducted from the final score if riders go over the time allowed. There is a one (1) point deduction per second over the time allowed.

Jumps
Unless explicitly directed otherwise by the course designer, all fences are to be approached at the working canter. Should a jump require a different gait—be it trot, canter, or hand gallop—riders must swiftly and seamlessly transition. The goal is to promptly return to the working canter upon landing from the jump.

Courtesy Circles
Courtesy circles should only be done if the first or last jump is close to the in or out-gate. Riders should go into the circle at a canter and halfway around transition down into the trot before walking out of the circle. Riders should always enter and exit the arena at the walk, as trotting or cantering through the in or out-gate can result in a point deduction.

Strides
If distances are provided on a course diagram between two jumps, proper striding will be judged. If a horse does more or fewer strides than indicated on the course diagram they will face a point penalty.

Lead Changes
Riders may be asked to perform a lead change in between specific jumps during a course. The course diagram will always indicate where the lead change should occur. Tests may ask for a simple lead change or flying lead change. A disorganized lead change or taking too long to get the horse's lead to change can result in a point deduction form.

Additional Deductions
Below are additional deductions that may be taken off the rider's final score.


 * If I rider goes off course, meaning they guide their horse over the wrong fence or go over a fence in the wrong direction they will automatically be disqualified and be asked to leave the ring. No score will be provided after going off course.
 * Refusal
 * Hitting a jump (when a horse's hoof (front or hind) touches a fence's pole)
 * Rail (a part of the horse or rider knocks down a pole from the fence)
 * Incorrect gait