Western

Western competitions showcase the skills and partnership of athlete-horse combinations in a variety of disciplines.

Western Performance

Western riding encompasses a wide range of disciplines, with its roots tracing back to the 19th century during the rapid expansion of the cattle industry in the United States. Western performance competitions showcase the skills and partnership of athlete-horse combinations in some of those disciplines including Western pleasure, halter presentation, responsiveness to cues, Western trail, Western horsemanship, and reining.

Reining

Reining is an equestrian sport designed to highlight the athletic ability of ranch-type horses by completing a pattern of maneuvers, including circles, flying lead changes, 360-degree spins, and sliding stops. Reining originated from the training required for a working cattle horse and was first developed into a sport in the 1940s by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).

Gymkhana

Gymkhana involves a variety of timed equestrian games that highlight the precision and agility of human and equine athletes of all levels and ages. Riders must complete the event as quickly as possible while demonstrating their skills in Western riding and their connection with their mount. The style and conformation of the horses are usually not evaluated. Among the many games offered, the most popular ones include pole bending, flag racing, rescue racing, rider exchange, straight-line racing, keyhole, and barrel racing.