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Spectator's Guides to Horse Sports and Events
Top Spectate Stories
A Primer for Enjoying Rated Horse Shows
Make the step up from local schooling shows to USEF-recognized competition with confidence, using these tips a licensed steward, judge, and course designer.
Best of the West: The Top 101 Events
From stock shows, film festivals, Western art, concerts, rodeos, races, auctions, cowboy poetry and cook-offs, here are 101 Western events you won’t want to miss this year. From American Cowboy.
Five Great American Horse Events for Spectators--Must Sees
Horse racing is one of the most ancient past-times. The types of racing we are most familiar with today, steeple chasing (which involves hurdles) and flat racing (which requires speed and stamina over a flat track), hail to aristocratic and royal British society.
How To Be a Good Grand Prix Dressage Spectator
A three-time dressage Olympian and judge tells you what to watch for in a Grand Prix dressage test.
What You Need To Know About Eventing
Learn what to watch for in eventing, one of the eight equestrian sports contested at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2012 Olympics.
The Great Rodeo Circuits
Follow this nationwide primer for your summer rodeo viewing pleasure. From American Cowboy magazine. Story by Nathalie Herrera, Kyla Jones, Mahala Proch, and Bob Welch. ... MORE
A Primer for Enjoying Rated Horse Shows
Make the step up from local schooling shows to USEF-recognized competition with confidence, using these tips a licensed steward, judge, and course designer. ... MORE
Video: Union Rags Wins 2012 Belmont Stakes
Union Rags makes a final rush to win the third leg of the Triple Crown over Paynter and Atigun. Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another was scratched. ... MORE
Video: Rosie Napravnik, First Female Jockey to Win KY Oaks
After finishing a close second in the 2011 running of the famous stakes race for fillies, the 24-year-old became the first female to win the Oaks on May 4, 2012, with Believe You Can. ... MORE
Best of the West: The Top 101 Events
From stock shows, film festivals, Western art, concerts, rodeos, races, auctions, cowboy poetry and cook-offs, here are 101 Western events you won’t want to miss this year. From American Cowboy. ... MORE
2012 International Road to the Horse Round One: Cameron, McLean, Stewart
The three clinicians who drew first “dibs” to start working their colts were Guy McLean of Team Australia, Glenn Stewart of Team Canada and Craig Cameron of Team U.S.A. ... MORE
2012 International Road to the Horse Round One: James, Field, Parelli
The first round of the second set of the colt-starting competition featured clinicians Pat Parelli (USA), Dan James (AUS) and Jonathan Field (CAN). ... MORE
Five Great American Horse Events for Spectators–Must Sees
Horse racing is one of the most ancient past-times. The types of racing we are most familiar with today, steeple chasing (which involves hurdles) and flat racing (which requires speed and stamina over a flat track), hail to aristocratic and royal British society. ... MORE
How To Be a Good Grand Prix Dressage Spectator
A three-time dressage Olympian and judge tells you what to watch for in a Grand Prix dressage test. ... MORE
What You Need To Know About Eventing
Learn what to watch for in eventing, one of the eight equestrian sports contested at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2012 Olympics. ... MORE
Breed Show Class and Division Primer
Thinking of venturing into hunter or dressage classes at breed-specific shows? Check out the classes and divisions offered at Arabian, Paint and American Quarter Horse competitions, from Practical Horseman magazine. ... MORE
Combined Driving Basics
To test the versatility of horse and driver, combined driving blends three competitions. Drivers compete at training, preliminary, intermediate, and advanced levels in singles, pairs, and four-in-hand divisions. ... MORE
Spectators’ Guide to Dressage
It takes many years of patient, progressive gymnastic training to develop the strength and elasticity horses need to perform the grand prix movements of dressage at its highest levels. Look for them to be light, balanced and moving smoothly from one movement to the next. ... MORE
How to Watch Reining
Reining events are designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch-type horse within the confines of a show arena. In National Reining Horse Association competitions contestants run one of 10 approved patterns. Read on to learn how to become a savvy reining spectator. ... MORE
Find an AQHA Instructor
Before you choose an instructor you need to ask yourself some questions about your goals, your budget, the style of riding you want to do, and the amount of time you can devote to riding. The American Quarter Horse Association can help you find the right instructor. ... MORE
