7 Western Riding Disciplines

Western riding evolved from working cattle ranches in the 19th century. Cowboys needed to move, sort, and treat cattle quickly. The resulting riding style focused on maneuverability, skill, and speed. The style has been refined over the years, and several events have been introduced to showcase skills. These seven western riding disciplines below are the most common. However, there are many others, including mounted shooting, ranch riding, and endurance riding.

Western Horsemanship

Horsemanship refers to the rider, their position, and skill. This is often called equitation in English disciplines. In Western Horsemanship, the horse moves through the walk, jog, and lope while the rider is assessed on the correctness and effectiveness of aids. Quiet, well-balanced riders tend to do very well in these classes.

Western Pleasure

Western Pleasure requires the same movements as Western Horsemanship, but the horse is judged rather than the rider. The judges look for the condition, conformation, responsiveness, disposition, and gait fluidity as the horse moves through the walk, jog, lope, and back. Proper self-carriage, head carriage, and light rein contract receive higher scores.

Barrel Racing

Barrel racing is a speed event and one of the most popular Western sports. Only women can compete in professional barrel racing, but it can be lots of fun for all amateur riders. Riders race to complete a three-barrel cloverleaf pattern. Riders received a time penalty for knocking barrels down. The fastest time wins.

Reining

Reiners perform a set pattern, including sliding stops, spins, varying circles, and backing at various speeds. The pattern is designed to showcase the horse's responsiveness, similar to Dressage. Riders gain points for smooth transitions and control. Freestyle reining is performed to music, and the rider creates the pattern.

Cutting

It is easy to see the tie-in to 19th-century western riding when you watch cutting. Quick turns and a horse with cow sense are key to cutting. A horse and rider have to separate one cow from a small group. Once the cow is separated, the rider drops the reins, and the horse prevents the cow from returning to the group without the rider's guidance. Several outriders contain the rest of the group. Judges reward cow sense, courage, and a slack rein.

Trail Riding

Trail riding is a more casual term for riding horses on trails or roads. However, the term is also used for competitive trail riding or trail riding classes. Riders can trail ride in various saddles, so it is not exclusively a Western discipline. Competitive trail riding requires riders to take their horses through a set course, including obstacles normally found on a trail ride, such as bridges, gates, logs, and narrow areas. The course is timed, and penalties are given for missed or incomplete obstacles.

Rodeo

Rodeo demonstrates several Western riding disciplines, including barrel racing. Most riders compete in numerous events at the same rodeo. Events are broken into two categories: timed events and rough stock events. Timed events include barrel racing, team roping, calf, and tie- down roping, breakaway roping, and steer wrestling. These events are timed, and penalties are given for incomplete or knocking barrels over in barrel racing. Rough stock events include saddle bronc, bareback, and bull riding. These events are scored on the performance of the horse or bull and the rider.