Tucked away just under 30 minutes from the heart of South Carolina's campus in Blythewood, SC sits One Wood Farm, the home of South Carolina's equestrian program.
The sport of equestrian was first introduced to the University of South Carolina in 1996 and it involves a strong connection between rider and horse that is goes beyond performing for judges.
There are two forms of horseback riding in equestrian, English and Western, with the main difference being the shape of the rider's saddle. The English saddle, sometimes referred to as hunt seat, is flatter and allows the rider to be in closer contact to the horse. Western saddle has a horn in the front of the saddle for the rider to hold onto and better control the horse.
Another difference between English and Western styles of riding is the scoring systems in competition. English riding emphasizes the horse's movement, impulsion and frame, using a numerical scoring system, while Western riding focuses on the horse's cadence, control and overall performance, using a judging system based on a 70 point scale. English is on a scale of one to 10, with a 10 being the best score a rider can earn. Western riders all start with a score of 70 and that score can either be -1.5 or +1.5 during competition with zero being the average.
Within those two forms of horseback riding are four disciplines split between the two riding styles, with flat and fences being in the English style and reining and horsemanship being in the Western style.
Flat
“The flat is based on the rider’s position and the horse’s movement,” said Alexa Aureliano, a fifth-year flat and fences rider who won most outstanding player twice last season.
In flat riding, the rider’s job is to demonstrate precise control and communication with the horse through subtle cues and balanced movements in 10 separate segments, or boxes. These can include transitions between gaits (walk, trot, canter), lateral movements (like leg yields) and adjustments in tempo or rhythm. A rider's dream is always aimed at getting a score of 100 or at least getting as close to it as possible at the completion of their ride.
Flat competitions take place on a level or flat surface without jumps or obstacles that focus solely on making the ride look as effortless and seamless as possible , which is one of the key elements of judging in competition, Aureliano said.
Judging is based on the horse’s response to the rider’s cues, the rider’s ability to balance and communicate with the horse, the smoothness of each transition and the overall connection between horse and rider.
Fences
Fences, commonly known as show jumping, is an aspect of equestrian competition where riders and horses come together to showcase their skill, strategy and partnership.
Riders will typically have a course of eight to 10 jumps, and riders will have four minutes before competition to jump four jumps of their choosing to get comfortable with the horse.
Some of the different types of jumps horses will face in fences include vertical jumps (single pole), oxer jumps (two poles with spread), cross rails (crossed poles), triple bar jumps (multiple poles in ascending order), water jumps, corners, and drops. Each jump will differ in height, width, and difficulty depending on the jump pattern the rider is given.
“We are also still judged on the rider's position," Aureliano said. "But also the smoothness of the ride, making it seem like there’s no changes being made in the horse’s rhythm.”
The ideal performance is one in which the rider’s cues are subtle and invisible, creating a fluid round that makes the horse’s movement appear effortless and uninterrupted, Aureliano said.
Reining
Reining, often referred to as Western dressage, is a discipline which puts emphasis on precision and fluidity of a horse’s movements. This intricate dance between horse and rider requires a deep understanding of the horse's body language and precise communication.
"It's really based on style, level of obedience, degree of difficulty," senior reining rider Chloe VanStone said. "There’s certain things that you don't want to deviate from in the pattern that would result in a penalty."
FILE — Gamecock equestrian rider performs horsemanship at the Western ring in Blythewood, South Carolina on Nov. 12, 2022. The home meet was against the University of Georgia.
In reining, riders guide their horses through a specific pattern consisting of circles, spins and stops, performed at varying speeds and without visible cues from the rider. The discipline is designed to replicate the skills a horse would need for cattle work on a ranch.
VanStone said throughout the performance, the rider's ability to communicate effectively with the horse, using subtle weight shifts, seat aids and rein cues, is crucial. The horse must demonstrate its ability to respond to these cues, maintaining a calm and focused demeanor under the pressure of competition.
This can sometimes be difficult to do during away competitions where riders must familiarize themselves with a new horse, VanStone said.
Horsemanship
The bond between horse and rider takes center stage in the equestrian discipline of horsemanship.
“In horsemanship, it's all about the relationship between the horse and the rider and how the rider communicates with the horse with very subtle cues,” junior horsemanship rider Ruby Voortmeyer said.
Good horsemanship requires a rider to have control over the horse's direction and speed with maximum effectiveness and minimum efforts.
In the arena, judges carefully assess the rider's effectiveness in conveying subtle cues. Cues can be as slight as a whispered command, a gentle shift in weight or a barely perceptible movement of the reins. The horse's responsiveness to these cues is equally crucial, as it demonstrates the depth of their training, trust and understanding of the rider's aids.
By emphasizing the subtlety and clarity of communication, horsemanship competitions reward riders who have developed a deep understanding of their horse's behavior, temperament and needs, and who can convey their intentions with precision and finesse.
Among the various aspects of equestrian sports, the bond between horse and rider is at its center, built on trust, communication and a deep understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses. Whether you are a well-read fan of the sport or a nuanced enthusiast, the equestrian world has something to offer for everyone, and its enduring appeal lies in the horse-human connection during competition.
Catch the South Carolina equestrian team in action at One Wood Farm in Blythewood, SC for a jumping seat only meet on Nov. 15 at 12 p.m. for the team's final match of the fall. Tickets can be requested by students in advance on the Cockpit App.