Horse Show Glossary / Terms
Whether you are new to competing horses or have been participating in horse shows for a long time, our glossary can be helpful in defining some common horse show terminology.
AOHA - Alabama Open Horseman's Association - collection of about 16 independent horse show clubs recognizing a series of shows leading to a state championship
APPALOOSA - a color breed that is characterized by a white blanket and spots, or spotting throughout the coat
ARABIAN - the oldest recognized breed, characterized by a small, refined head, dished face, and high tail carriage - commonly used in endurance racing and Arabian horse shows
CANTER - three beat gait performed by english horses consisting of a left and right lead
DRESSAGE - performance horse sport often referred to as "ballet on horseback" - international, Olympic sport
EVENTING - performance horse sport of three combined disciplines: dressage, cross country (endurance), and stadium jumping - international, Olympic sport
GALLOP - a four beat gait of speed
GREEN - refers to a horse that is untrained; also the name of a division in Hunter horse shows - "green hunter over fences"
HANDS - how a horse is measured - 1 hand equals 4" - measurement taken from ground to withers
HUNTER - performance horse sport consisting of jump courses mimicking natural obstacles - judged on precision and beauty
JOG - two beat gait performed by western pleasure horses in competition
JUMPER - performance horse sport consisting of challenging obstacles judged on speed and faults - international, Olympic sport
LOPE - slow three beat gait performed by western horses consisting of a left and right lead
PUREBRED - refers to a breed of horse with parentage of the same breed
THOROUGHBRED - refers to a breed of horse recognized by The Jockey Club - may or may not have raced
TROT - two beat natural gait performed by english horses
USDF - United States Dressage Federation - national governing body of the sport & discipline of dressage
USEF - United States Equestrian Federation - governing body of national and international equestrian disciplines
USPC - United States Pony Clubs, Inc - international organization for riders ages 6 - 25 teaching horsemanship, horse management, and riding
Alabama Horse Show readers are welcome to submit a term for our glossary. Please Contact Us and submit your glossary or term with references. Thank you!
AOHA - Alabama Open Horseman's Association - collection of about 16 independent horse show clubs recognizing a series of shows leading to a state championship
APPALOOSA - a color breed that is characterized by a white blanket and spots, or spotting throughout the coat
ARABIAN - the oldest recognized breed, characterized by a small, refined head, dished face, and high tail carriage - commonly used in endurance racing and Arabian horse shows
CANTER - three beat gait performed by english horses consisting of a left and right lead
DRESSAGE - performance horse sport often referred to as "ballet on horseback" - international, Olympic sport
EVENTING - performance horse sport of three combined disciplines: dressage, cross country (endurance), and stadium jumping - international, Olympic sport
GALLOP - a four beat gait of speed
GREEN - refers to a horse that is untrained; also the name of a division in Hunter horse shows - "green hunter over fences"
HANDS - how a horse is measured - 1 hand equals 4" - measurement taken from ground to withers
HUNTER - performance horse sport consisting of jump courses mimicking natural obstacles - judged on precision and beauty
JOG - two beat gait performed by western pleasure horses in competition
JUMPER - performance horse sport consisting of challenging obstacles judged on speed and faults - international, Olympic sport
LOPE - slow three beat gait performed by western horses consisting of a left and right lead
PUREBRED - refers to a breed of horse with parentage of the same breed
THOROUGHBRED - refers to a breed of horse recognized by The Jockey Club - may or may not have raced
TROT - two beat natural gait performed by english horses
USDF - United States Dressage Federation - national governing body of the sport & discipline of dressage
USEF - United States Equestrian Federation - governing body of national and international equestrian disciplines
USPC - United States Pony Clubs, Inc - international organization for riders ages 6 - 25 teaching horsemanship, horse management, and riding
Alabama Horse Show readers are welcome to submit a term for our glossary. Please Contact Us and submit your glossary or term with references. Thank you!
