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CUTTING The term Cutting had its beginnings over a hundred years ago on the southwestern cattle ranches. With herds of thousands, the working cow horse was used daily to drive cattle, gather and sort herds. It was the handy cow horse that helped separate or "cut" the cattle carrying each different brand back to the proper owner. When it was time to doctor a sick cow, it was the cow horse that "cut" the cow out of the herd for treatment. In recent years, we have created a sport and bred a truly unique horse to do the work of the cowboy's little cow horse. The sport is known as Cutting. The contestant's horse is judged in a 21/2 minute performance, demonstrating the horse ability to calmly enter the herd, separate and hold the cow from the herd.[back]
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DRESSAGE: Dressage is the art or method of training a horse in obedience and in precision of movement. The object of dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse. As a result, it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible but also confident, attentive and keen thus achieving perfect understanding with the rider. Dressage competitions are divided into several riding levels beginning with Training Level and spanning to the pinnacle level of the sport, Grand Prix. The horse and rider team compete individually in the dressage arena and are judged on their performance. [back]
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FREESTYLE: A performance of a horse and rider team that is generally viewed or judged with emphasis on the artistic value and the creative use of movements for that riding style. Most often a freestyle performance is choreographed to music and the riding attire is traditionally formal or a theme costume. back] . |
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FRIESIAN: Indigenous to the Netherlands this is one of the oldest breeds in Europe. Friesians have frequently been depicted as the mounts of kings and generals. Withstanding the rise and fall of empires, these beautiful black horses are regaining popularity around the world as carriage horses, versatile show ring mounts and exhibition horses. Friesians are used as the Royal Coach Horses in France, Austria, Russia and Holland. During World War I the Friesian breed was almost lost. Still considered rare the Friesian is safely increasing in number.[back] . |
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GRAND PRIX SHOW JUMPING: The term Grand Prix comes from the French language and means, "richest or greatest prize." It is often used to designate the most challenging or sophisticated level of competition in a particular sport. Show jumping is easy to understand. The challenge is simple and straightforward: 15 to 20 obstacles must be jumped fast and clear. Should a horse balk, fall, or knock down any portion of a fence, penalty points - called faults - are assessed. Riders and horses must negotiate the course at the correct angle, height and speed to clear fences without incurring faults. Riders must also be mindful of the ever-ticking clock, as there is a set time allowed to complete the course without incurring time faults. The rider who races to fast may grow careless and knock down a fence; an overly cautious rider may incur time faults. The starting order, or line up, is determined in a drawing before the event so that each rider has an equal chance of attaining a favorable position. [back]
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JUMP-OFF IN SHOW JUMPING: After all riders have completed the first round course those tied with no faults or the fewest faults within the time allowed, enter a jump-off that will determine the winner. The course is changed and the obstacles are moved or raised before the jump-off begins. The winner is the horse and rider team with thefewest faults and the fastest time is tied for the fewest faults. [back] |