| In today's culture, "horse" has become a word that | | | | competitive riding: Western and English. The largest |
| evokes strong emotional responses. Whether you | | | | differences between the two styles are in gear and |
| start to think about the pony you wanted when you | | | | clothing but other differences do exist. In the Western |
| were a child or the wide expanses of the Wild West, | | | | style, the reins are held in one hand instead of two and |
| the image of a horse is associated with freedom and | | | | the rider sits differently in the saddle. |
| adventure in most minds. | | | | Imagine a time period, hundreds of years ago, when |
| Many companies recognize the restorative powers of | | | | living out of the saddle was commonplace. A time |
| getting into the saddle for a few hours and provide | | | | when the cowboys and cowgirls of the Wild West |
| that opportunity to the less horse savvy individual. | | | | depended on their mounts to handle a herd of cattle, |
| Across the country, you can find places to ride horses | | | | respond to unvoiced cues and last through days of |
| through rural trails and peaceful areas. | | | | hard labor. |
| For the more equestrian oriented individual, however, | | | | It was this time period, with its harsh demands on both |
| horses become integrated into everyday life. | | | | horse and rider, that evolved into the Western riding |
| "I just love horses," says Heather Buzbee, a | | | | style we know today. The traditions of centuries of |
| thirteen-year-old student at the Pensacola Riding | | | | cowboys are thriving in today's rodeos and cutting and |
| Center. "They are so sweet." | | | | reining competitions. |
| The Center, that Gerard Kirsch started fifteen years | | | | Reining competitions require horse and rider to |
| ago, has become a second home to girls like Buzbee, | | | | complete a complex routine of circles, sliding stops, roll |
| who have been riding there for years. Kirsch is in high | | | | backs and spins. The best-trained horses are able to |
| demand, partly due to his unique qualifications, which | | | | respond to cues that are invisible to the average |
| include a Diplome D'ecuyer-Professeur. The prestigious | | | | viewer. The event developed due to the need of |
| French diploma is only awarded to one individual a | | | | horses that would react with minimal direction from the |
| year and certifies that he is highly trained in all three | | | | rider. |
| Olympic equestrian events. | | | | Cutting events were created to showcase horses that |
| The three equestrian Olympic events are dressage, | | | | were especially talented at anticipating, and responding |
| jumping and a grueling three day event that combines | | | | to, the actions of a herd of cattle. The competition |
| the first two with a cross-country element. While there | | | | involves keeping a displaced cow from returning to the |
| is a focus on learning these skills, the Center is much | | | | herd. |
| more than just a place to train riders and horses. | | | | Western style competitions were created to practice |
| "If you were to stay here one day, you would realize | | | | and display skills that were required for daily existence |
| everyone out here is a family," says thirteen-year-old | | | | in the West. English competitions are very different, |
| Gracie McLaughlin of the Pensacola Riding Center. | | | | including jumping, hunting, dressage and mounted polo. |
| "We aren't just friends. We're family." | | | | Dressage competitions judge a horse's ability to |
| This attitude comes from the long hours spent every | | | | respond to a rider in a similar way the reining |
| day working with each other and with their horses. | | | | competitions do for Western style. Jumping is a |
| McLaughlin, who currently owns three horses, is used | | | | straightforward event that requires horse and rider to |
| to rising early to ride one horse before school and | | | | scale obstacles as quickly as possible. |
| returning later in the day to ride the other two. Once, | | | | While both riding styles are commonly seen in shows |
| when she was responsible for exercising six horses in | | | | and competitions around the nation, riders of both |
| one day, she was up on her first horse at 5am. | | | | disciplines agree that their love is for the horses and |
| "You have to ride every day," agrees Buzbee. | | | | for the lifestyle. |
| There are generally two riding styles used in | | | | |