26 NON-OLYMPIC DISCIPLINES AND HORSE-RIDING EQUIPMENT Non-Olympic disciplines Driving are competitions where one or more horses are harnessed to a cart commanded by a driver. One of the most popular is harness racing, in which single horses race at a specific gait, usually a trot, pulling a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, guided by a driver. Endurance involves long-distance races in outdoor natural settings, on a varied and often rugged terrain, ranging from 20 to 160 kilometres. Horses have to stop periodically to pass veterinary checks to ensure the animal is in good health and fit to continue. Vaulting is gymnastics and dance on horseback. Vaulting competitions consist of compulsory exercises and choreographed freestyle exercises done to music (in walk at beginners level and in canter at higher levels); both vaulters and horses receive a score and are judged on the quality of their movement and on their behaviour. ONLINE RESOURCES Western riding Combined driving, which develops over three phases, dressage, cross-country marathon, and obstacles, was officially recognised by the FEI in 1970 when Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, wrote down the rules of the discipline. Vaulting competitions are done by vaulters individually, in pairs, or teams. In American English a headcollar is called halter. 54 TO GO Polo is a team sport played on horseback. Players use a mallet to hit a wooden ball into the opposing team s goal post. It is played on grass fields and is considered the oldest of all equestrian sports. Horse-riding equipment In horse-riding, both riders and horses need specific equipment to ensure both safety and comfort. Although some equipment is specific for some disciplines, some items are generally required in all competitions. Equipment for the horse: riders sit on a saddle, fastened to the horse s back, whose design varies according to the discipline it is used for; a headcollar , which is fastened around the horse s head, allows the horse to be led or tied; a bridle, which is necessary to keep control of the horse, includes a bit, which goes into the horse s mouth, reins, long strips attached to the bit and used for driving and commanding the horse, and a headpiece, which allows the bridle to be fixed to the horse s head; stirrups, which are supports for the rider s feet and hang down on either side of the saddle. Equipment for the rider: a riding hat, or helmet, to protect the head if a fall occurs; tall boots, to protect the legs from friction with the horse s body; spurs, mounted on boots, and a crop, a short whip, both of which may be used to help the rider communicate with the horse, are optional; some disciplines also require a riding shirt or competition jacket. cart: carretto to harness: imbrigliare harness racing: gara di trotto mallet: mazzuolo rugged: accidentato whip: frusta