Time to Carry That Weight

The history of equestrian sport and how they have evolved is incredible. The sheer number and types of equestrian sport are staggering, and we love to share the stories behind their humble or exciting beginnings. There is such a rich story to each sport and a reason as to why they have lasted hundreds of years. 

With Valentines Day right around the corner, we have the perfect gift idea for your loved ones. Come take a beautiful and romantic trail ride with us for a unique and memorable day for everyone you love! On the topic of love, we wanted to get back to celebrating the amazing equestrian sports that we love sharing with you. In our last blog, we talked about both the original and newest forms of horse pulling equestrian sport. We researched and found a few more sports just like it that we thought you would enjoy as much as we did! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! 

Horse Pulling

• This, of course, is one of the founding sports of the category, as it shares the same name. It too is an older sport that has evolved into a much safer and more traditional sport. 
• It is a drag horse competition where the driver of the horse controls one or two harnessed horses to pull a weighted sled. These competitions have been modified over time to have different weight classes depending on the size and age of the horse, along with how much a horse can pull to keep them safe. The horses used in these types of competitions are specifically trained in the sport. They aren't just picked off the pasture and forced into competing. 
• The weighted sleigh they pull is called a dynamometer, which was specifically designed to test the horse's strength. Usually, about 1500 pounds is placed on the machine during these competitions. The length of the pull is a short distance. The dynamometer was created after WWI changing the face of the sport dramatically. 
• The last horse remaining in the race that has pulled the most weight when crossing the finish line wins. 
• It's origins lie in farm work. Other farmers would challenge one another on who's horses could pull the most the fastest and the farthest. The ideals have been modified to keep the horses safer but the heart is still there. 
• It is still a very popular sport to this day. 

Skioring 

• This is a unique sport as it is not solely equestrian. In this sport, a rider is on a pair of skis and is pulled by horses, dogs, or a motor-operated vehicle. It is more common for dogs to be used, as they can adapt to the cold better and it is safer for dogs to maneuver courses and trails in the snow than it is horses. The rider is pulled around a track, and the first to cross the finish line wins.
• The name of the sport is Norwegian and means "ski diving". 
• It is a popular winter sport that continues to grow in popularity. It is a simple sport that is fun and easy for all skill levels. You just need to have some basic knowledge of skiing and horses and be able to combine the two to be successful. 
• The sport was made official in Stockholm in the winter games in 1901. Its popularity has risen so much that organized races, events, and clinics can be found in the United States and Canada. 
• It was introduced into the Winter Olympics in 1928 and became a stand-alone equestrian sport in the 1940s. 
• The sport was used as a form of transportation for Scandinavians for hundreds of years. 

Combined Driving 

• This is the triathlon of equestrian sport and is made up of three different events. Dressage, a cross country marathon, and obstacle cone driving. One or more riders drive a carriage pulled by one or more horses competes in this event. 
• Dressage is a series of patterns that the horse walks at different speeds and different walks. The goal of the event is to not only do it perfectly but also to make it look very easy. 
• The Cross Country Marathon is used to test the fitness and stamina of the horse. It is a divided marathon with three to five sections ranging between 10 to 22 kilometers. Each section requires the horse to walk or trot at different speeds. 
• Obstacle cone driving is used to test accuracy, obedience, and speed. The courses can have up to 20 cones that the driver has to navigate through while either going at a walk or trot. 
• At the very end of the race, whichever team has the highest combined score from each event is the winner. 
• The sport became official in 1970 and is played worldwide. 
• It is one of eight equestrian sports recognized by the FEI at an international level. 
• As a competitor, you need to have a high level of skill in multiple areas as does your horse.

How inspiring are these sports? The agility, power, and skill you need as a driver is incredible. The dedication to learning each of these sports goes deeper than just practice. Have these horse pulling sports inspired you too? We can help you with that! Come visit us and take a ride, even if it's not for Valentine's day. We are happy to share your love and interest in equine sports and horses alike!