Media Photos
Below are downloadable, high-resolution photos. News media who need more information can contact Linda Zweig at (858) 792-4262 or lzweig@sdfair.com
Western
Western reining requires horse and rider to perform precise patterns consisting of circles and figure eights at a lope and gallop. They must perform rapid spins (rotating in one spot on the haunches), rollbacks (a rapid turn immediately followed by a gallop in the opposite direction) and a sliding stop from a full gallop.
A mainstay of Western competition, barrel racing pits the horse’s athletic ability and the rider’s horsemanship skills against the clock. They must negotiate their way swiftly and safely around three barrels set in a cloverleaf pattern.
Hunter/Jumper
Show jumping or stadium jumping is characterized by a course of brightly colored jumps in the arena. An exciting test of speed, power, agility, and control, horse/rider teams must negotiate technical courses with fences exceeding 5’ in height and spread.
Dressage
Dressage is often equated with ballet as it is a kind of equine dancing. Horses exhibit suppleness, athleticism, and artistry as they are guided seemingly invisibly by a rider in formal attire. They perform extremely difficult maneuvers in a precise pattern of compulsory moves, sometimes set to music, in an effort to achieve the impossible perfect score of 100%. The highest score ever achieved is 92.3%.
