Dressage (a French term meaning "training") is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. For this reason, dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet." Although the discipline has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship, mainly through the influence of Xenophon, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance in Western Europe. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then and classical dressage is still considered the basis of trained modern dressage.

Early European aristocrats displayed their horses' training in equestrian pageants, but in modern dressage competition, successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of "tests," or prescribed series of movements within a standard arena. Judges evaluate each movement on the basis of an objective standard appropriate to the level of the test and assign each movement a score from zero to ten - zero being "not executed" and 10 being "excellent." A score of 9 (or "very good") is considered a particularly high mark, while a competitor achieving all 6s (or 60% overall) should be considering moving on to the next level. More Information

English pleasure is an English riding class seen at horse shows in the United States, where the horse is ridden in either hunt seat or saddle seat tack. In the average English pleasure class, the horse performs natural gaits of the walk, trot, and canter, and may also be asked to extend the trot or to perform a hand gallop. Horses are judged on their manners, performance, quality and conformation. The horse is to give the impression of being a pleasure to ride.

In the show hunter and hunt seat world, pleasure-type classes where the horses are not to jump are sometimes referred to as "flat" classes or "Hunter under saddle." In a variation on the pleasure class known as Hunter hack, riders may also be asked to have their horses jump two low jumps and back up. Show Hack classes do not require jumping, but instead ask the horse to perform collected, regular, and extended versions of the walk, trot and canter, plus the hand gallop. In American Saddlebred breed competition, pleasure classes for five-gaited horses are sometimes offered, and at shows for "gaited" breeds such as the Tennessee Walker and the Missouri Fox Trotter, English pleasure classes substitute the breed's particular ambling gait for the trot.

The horse is usually ridden on contact with the rein, and the horse is penalized if it must be ridden on strong contact, gapes its mouth, does not respond willingly to light aids, or does not travel in balance. The horse should move straight, with a steady rhythm and a free and flowing stride. The horse should not come behind the bit, or travel too fast.

Hunter type movement (long and low) is preferred for hunter style horses. High action is preferred for English pleasure horses ridden saddle seat.

Equitation is a rider's ability to ride correctly with a strong, supple position and effective aids. This is judged in equitation classes, or classes at horse shows that mainly judge the rider's performance and control of their horse, as opposed to the performance of the horse. Equitation classes occur in the Hunt seat, Saddle seat, Dressage, and Western disciplines. A good equitation rider is always in balance with the horse, maintains a correct position in every gait, movement, or over a fence, and possesses a commanding, but relaxed, presence. They are effective riders, able to direct the horse with nearly invisible aids.

In the United States, the largest organizer of equestrian competitions is the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The organization offers equitation classes at its recognized shows, including those in hunt seat, dressage seat, saddle seat, and western. More Information

Fox hunting is a type of hunting in which trained dogs pursue Red Foxes, followed by human hunters who are usually on horses but sometimes on foot. Many animal welfare campaigners object to it, describing it as a barbaric bloodsport, while many proponents and participants view it as a crucial part of rural history in the British Isles, vital for conservation, and a method of pest control.

While fox hunting is often thought of as a primarily British equestrian activity, it is also practised elsewhere in the world. In Ireland the United States , Canada, New Zealand, Australia and India, it may be traced back to British influence. At the time of the UK Government 's Burns Inquiry [1] in 2000, it was reported that Portugal and Italy each had one fox hunting pack. Hunting also takes place in France. It should be noted, however, that in Australia the term "Fox Hunting" refers to the hunting of foxes with firearms, in a manner very similar to deer stalking or Lamping. More Information

Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refers to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting . Hunt seat competition in North America includes both flat and over fences for show hunters , which judge the horse's movement and form, and equitation classes, which judge the rider's ability both on the flat and over fences. Hunt seat is also the generic term used to describe any form of forward seat riding, including that seen in show jumping and eventing.

Hunt seat is an extremely popular form of riding in the United States, headed under the USHJA (United States Hunter/Jumper Association) and the United States Equestrian Federation . It is also popular in Canada. While hunt seat showing is not an Olympic discipline, many show jumping competitors began by riding in the hunter divisions, before moving into the jumper divisions. More Information

Saddle seat is a form of "English"- style horseback riding that is found in the United States, and to a lesser extent in Canada, Europe, Africa and Australia. The goal is to show off the horse's extravagant gaits, and the discipline is especially flashy and showy. All saddle seat riding is done on the flat (jumping is not involved).