Discipline - Saddle Seat
Introduction to Saddle Seat
Saddle Seat riding is a distinct style within the broader group of English riding disciplines. It is used on specific breeds known as "gaited" horses whose extremely smooth-moving, comfortable action made them popular riding horses in Europe up to the 16th century. However, the development of Thoroughbred racing and the building of dependable roads that allowed people to travel by carriage instead of horseback made gaited horses unfashionable by the 17th century.
These relatively discarded horses quickly found their way to America and became the foundation of uniquely "American" breeds. They made travel possible were there were no roads but were equally powerful in the field. Their endurance and strength made them the equivalent of a railroad in the Colonial era. Some historians even believe that Paul Revere was riding a gaited horse on his historic midnight ride!
Saddle Seat riding was developed and refined in the United States as the result of two factors. The first was the Plantation tradition of the American south that required smooth-moving, high-stepping, versatile horses to take plantation owners across their vast fields. These horses had to be comfortable enough to spend hours on while overseeing the plantation, hardy enough to pull a plow, but also elegant enough to pull the carriage to church on Sunday.
A second influence was European: a flatter English show saddle was developed from the tradition of riders who would often show off their flashiest, highest-stepping horses by riding them in city parks on Sundays. Hence, the term "park" or "park action" is still used today to describe competitions where the action of the horse is of paramount importance.
Today riders can enjoy Saddle Seat on virtually dozens of breeds that have evolved or been created throughout the years. There's the Missouri Fox Trotter, Rocky Mountain Pony, Paso Fino, Tennessee Walker and even the intriguing Walkaloosa, just to name a few. These horses smooth gaits and friendly dispositions make them excellent horse for pleasure trail riding. In the show ring, the American Saddlebred, Morgan, Arabian, Friesian and National Show horse remain the most popular breeds. Saddle Seat riding is a USEF recognized discipline as well as an internationally recognized sport. Riders from all over the world compete in the Saddle Seat World Cup Finals.
The goal of competitive Saddle Seat riding is to show off the horse's extravagant gaits, animation and a high head carriage with an arched neck, and lots of "action" or high-stepping. The canter should be very collected and slow, with the appearance of a rocking horse. All Saddle Seat riding is done on the flat (jumping is not involved).
Saddle Seat horses are most often shown at the three gaits (walk, trot and canter), but classes are also available for five-gaited horses. Horses are shown in many different divisions and breeds, from the relaxed and mannerly Pleasure classes to the thrilling performances in the Park classes. Saddle Seat exhibitors range from young children to adult exhibitors.
SHOWS: THE GAITS
The different breeds have their own distinct divisions. Arabians can show as Park, English Pleasure or Country English Pleasure. Morgans can show as Park, English Pleasure or Classic Pleasure. Saddlebreds can show as Five-Gaited, Three-Gaited, Show Pleasure or Country Pleasure. Tennessee Walkers can show as Plantation Pleasure or Performance.
Within each division, dependent upon the breed of horse, riders can be asked to show at a variety of gaits. Arabians and Morgans show at the walk, trot and canter. For Arabians, the trot can be broken down into Normal trot and Strong trot (which is faster and stronger than a Normal trot). Morgans can be asked to perform at the Trot or Park trot (which generally shows animation, collection and balance), and the Road trot, which shows balance and ground covering action with extreme speed to be penalized.
Saddlebreds can show at the walk, Trot or Park trot (which has the same requirements as the Morgan division), and the Extended trot (which should be faster, stronger, bolder and show extension), as well, Saddlebred five gaited horses are required to perform the slow gait and the rack.
The Tennessee Walking horse performs at the running walk, the flat walk and the canter. The "walking" gaits are basically the same, but with a noticeable difference in the rate of speed between the two.
The Rocky or Kentucky Mountain horses are shown at the Mountain Show Walk (a collected 4 beat gait like the Rack, showing moderate speed), the Mountain Saddle Gait (same as the Show Walk but with more speed), and the Walk (a true relaxed walk demonstrating minimal contact on the reins). There should be a noticeable difference in the speed of all gaits, but collection should not be sacrificed for speed.
Any of the breeds used for Saddle Seat competition may also be shown in driving classes in harness, usually called "fine harness" or "pleasure driving," usually requiring a walk and two speeds of trot.
SHOWS: THE LOOK
Show ring grooming and "turnout" of the Saddle Seat horse is intended to emphasize elegance and grace. There are noticeable variations in grooming style between breeds, and sometimes within different disciplines of the same breed.
The Mane and Forelock
Horses shown Saddle Seat generally are left with a very long, flowing mane and forelock that is not trimmed or pulled. For Tennessee Walking Horses, five-gaited American Saddlebreds, and other gaited breeds that adhere closely to their traditions, the forelock and the first lock of the mane may be braided with satin ribbon, which is color-coordinated with the browband of the bridle and the rider's outfit. On the other hand, Arabian and Morgan exhibitors are specifically prohibited from braiding or adding ribbons to their horses.
American Saddlebreds shown specifically in three-gaited competition are shown with a roached (entirely shaved off) mane and forelock, to accentuate the lines of the neck and head. The dock of the tail is sometimes partially shaved to balance the overall look. Five-gaited Saddlebreds, however, are shown with a full mane and tail.
For all other horses, only part of the mane is trimmed. This area, called the bridle path (the area of the mane just behind the horse's ears, where the bridle lies across the top of the horse's head), is often trimmed farther down the neck than in other disciplines in order to show off the clean throatlatch, length, and elegance of the horse's neck. While most show horses in the United States have a short bridle path (a bridle path less than six inches long or equal in length to the height of the horse's ear is a common rule of thumb), Saddle Seat horses often have a bridle path 8 to 12 inches long. While exhibitors of American Saddlebreds set the style for everyone, there are variations: Arabian horse exhibitors are particularly prone to shaving extremely long bridle paths, Morgan horse exhibitors less so.
The Tail
The tail is left long, and often the bottom of it is kept wrapped up at the stable so that it grows long enough to skim or even drag on the ground as the horse moves. Some breeds (such as the American Saddlebred and Tennessee Walking Horse) are shown with an artificially set tail in the high action classes, such as three-gaited and five-gaited under saddle classes, and Fine Harness competition. Set tails are not allowed in Saddlebred or Tennessee Walking horse pleasure classes or in some Saddle Seat breeds, such as the Arabian and Morgan.
In some breeds, notably Saddlebreds, the upright set tail shortens the length of the rest of the tail by several inches. Therefore, horses with a thin or slow-growing tail may have a false tail added. False tails are not allowed in Morgan or Arabian competition. When used, false tails should not be obviously fake; they need to match the horse's natural hair color and flow into the natural tail.
Shoeing and action
High action is prized in the Saddle Seat horse. Therefore, many horses used in Saddle Seat are shod with pads and special shoes. The shoes are often held in place with a metal band, as well as with clinches, because of their weight. Longer toes and heavier shoes encourage a Saddle Seat horse to lift its feet and knees higher, or reach them out farther, with more "snap" and flash.
SHOWS: RIDER ATTIRE
Correct Saddle Seat attire differs from that of Western or Hunt Seat disciplines. For both men and women, it is closely modeled on men's business suits and/or the tuxedo, with variations in styling designed to improve the rider's appearance on horseback. Fashion in Saddle Seat disciplines changes with changes in menswear fashions, reflected in collar styles, shirt and tie designs, and sometimes in length of coat and color of linings.
According to the USEF, conservative solid colors must be worn, such as black, navy blue, brown, dark green or gray. Pinstriped fabrics and other fabric textures that appear solid at a distance are also acceptable. However, in some classes, it is also legal to wear a "day coat," which is a coat that is of a contrasting color from the rider's pants.
In all classes, riders wear Kentucky jodhpurs (jods), which are close-fitting pants with knee patches and bell-bottoms that go over the boots, usually with a strap that goes under the boot to keep them from riding up. A long, fitted coat is also required. For men, the coat length usually stops just above the knee. For women, depending on height, the coat may be below the knee, though exact length varies from year to year as show ring fashions change. The outfit is complete with the addition of jodhpur boots that come just over the ankle (similar to "paddock boots" sometimes worn in other disciplines), a hat (usually a derby for women and a fedora for men), a vest, tie, and dark gloves. In some breeds, riders have coat linings made in a contrasting color to add extra flash, though colored linings go in and out of style on a regular basis.
In equitation classes, where the rider is judged, the coat and jods must match. In performance classes, where the horse is judged, a matching equitation-style suit is appropriate, or riders, particularly women, may wear a day coat. Riders usually carry a longish whip, usually black, that is similar to that used by dressage riders. English-style spurs are optional.
After 6:00 p.m., some classes allow a rider to wear formal attire, which usually consists of a black or dark navy blue long coat with matching satin lapels, top hat, vest or cummerbund, bow tie, white gloves and matching jodhpur pants with matching satin strip on outside of pant leg. No formal attire can be worn in pleasure or pleasure equitation classes, but it is commonly seen in evening equitation championships, and in "park" style classes for American Saddlebreds, Morgans and Arabians. In a few breed disciplines, though never in equitation, wearing flashy, brocaded coats in a formal class in lieu of a matching suit is occasionally fashionable, usually depending on parallel styles in the world of men's fashions.
THE TACK
Saddle Seat riders use a special saddle not seen in other English riding disciplines. These saddles have a cut-back pommel, which is set back several inches (usually four) to allow for the higher withers and neck set of the horse. The saddle has little padding, a very flat seat, and is placed further back on the horse to allow the extravagant movement of the horse. This saddle also deliberately places the rider slightly "behind the motion," which makes it easier to influence both the headset of the horse and the animal's gaits.
Due to the cutback pommel, these saddles are usually a few inches longer than other English saddles. Good riders that ride a balanced Saddle Seat with long stirrups in a "classical" position (legs balanced under the rider, not sitting too far back on the horse's loins), are able to properly ride their horses, encouraging the animals to step under themselves and collect, raising their backs, elevating their necks, and working off their hindquarters.
The Saddle Seat horse traditionally wears a double bridle with both a curb bit and a bradoon. A pelham bit is also legal for pleasure classes, though not common. A single curb bit with extremely long shanks is used for gaited horses such as the Tennessee Walker and Missouri Fox Trotter. The browband is commonly brightly colored leather or vinyl, red being the most common color.
