equitation classes in the UK

[joosie]

What are they and what do they involve??

[katieB]

They judge the rider rather than the horse. They will ask you to ride as a group then do an individual show incorporating certain things. Non stirrups work seems to be quite a popular one in the classes ive seen but I was asked to do a walk to canter transition, extended trot and counter canter but I believe they dont normally ask you to do anything like that.

[Daffy Dilly]

I've been asked to do circles, I won a class by doing sitting trot without being asked (nobody else did), rein back, serpentines, as well as riding one handed.

[ilostmymarbles]

In the big county shows it used to be that you had to ride another horse in the class as well as your own :eek: but thats stopped now due to insurance.:cool:

It really depends where you go and what judge you have as to what you will be asked to do. serpintines, counter cantres circles and non-stirrup work is usually the maximum though.
Remember, though the judge will be looking at how you ride, they will also be looking at how well you can get your horse to go (which is why they used to swap horses so someone with a really good horse didn't have an advantage.)