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Riding and Horse Sports Trivia Questions and Answers
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1. What is the back part of the seat of an English saddle called?
Answer: cantle
Interesting Information:Depending on the type of riding a saddle is designed for, the cantle height can range from almost level with the center of the seat to several inches above the center of the seat. The higher the cantle, the deeper and more secure the seat of the saddle is.
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of English Tack Parts
Some incorrect choices:
pommel, billet, stirrup
2. What is the most important thing to wear when riding?
Answer: Riding helmet
Interesting Information:It is important to wear a riding helmet when riding to protect your head. If you don't have a riding hat on and you fall off your horse, you may hurt your head, possibly seriously.
Difficulty: Easy.
From Quiz: Horse Riding in the UK
Some incorrect choices:
Jodhpurs, Riding boots, Gloves
3. Which piece of tack prevents a horse from putting its head up high when being ridden?
Answer: Martingale
Interesting Information:Grass reins stop a horse putting its head down. The reins control direction and speed mainly. The noseband is part of the bridle to hold it on.
Difficulty: Easy.
From Quiz: U.K. Horse Riding
Some incorrect choices:
Grass reins, Reins, Nose band
4. One of the most popular western disciplines, reining is best known for what?
Answer: sliding stops, spins and roll backs
Interesting Information:This is a very crowd pleasing event with lots of action even a novice can follow.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Reining
Some incorrect choices:
racing around barrels and poles, jumping, showing off correct gaits, frame and manners
5. When at a western show, what hand, traditionally, were the reins usually held in?
Answer: Left
Interesting Information:The left hand holding method is derived from 'old west' times. The rider would require his/her right hand free to hold whatever firearm he or she was using.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Western Etiquette
Some incorrect choices:
Right, Both, Doesn't matter
6. Time is of great competitive importance in the ____________ division.
Answer: jumper
Interesting Information:Rounds are not even timed in a hunter class. Most jumper courses have a time limit and time faults are given if the horse goes over the limit.
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: Horse Shows: Hunters vs. Jumpers
7. What part of the saddle does the rider rest their feet in?
Answer: stirrups
Interesting Information:Stirrups were invented for rider to rest their feet in to ease the discomfort in their hips from the weight of their dangling legs. They were considered a luxury and were initially only used by royalty, knights, and the wealthy.
Difficulty: Very Easy.
From Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of English Tack Parts
Some incorrect choices:
gullet, twist, flap
8. What was the name of Charlotte Dujardin's horse she rode in London Olympics 2012?
Answer: Valegro
Interesting Information:Charlotte Dujardin is a professional dressage rider. She rode in the London Olympics of 2012 and won a gold medal for Britain with Valegro, who is a 16.2hh dark bay gelding.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Horse Riding in the UK
Some incorrect choices:
Super Star, Angel Face, Imperial Pendalot
9. What is a gymkhana?
Answer: An event with timed classes based on speed and accuracy
Interesting Information:Gymkhanas are sometimes referred to as games. Quarter horses are typically used in these events but other breeds of horses can be used also.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Riding Horses
Some incorrect choices:
An event where you are judged while jumping, An event where you want your horse in frame and collected., A type of horse show.
10. Three day eventing is one of the most popular horse sports and the most watched Olympic equestrian competition. As its name suggests, it is composed of 3 different events over 3 days. What are these three events?
Answer: Dressage, Cross Country, Show Jumping
Interesting Information:The first day of competition is the dressage event, the second day of competition is the ever popular cross country event and the last day is the show jumping event. Three day eventing originated with tests to evaluate the skills of cavalry riders. An event called cross training is a spin off of eventing, composed of only dressage and show jumping.
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: What Horse Sport Knowledge Can You "Stirrup"?
Some incorrect choices:
Reining, Dressage, Show Jumping, Dressage, Endurance, Cross Country, Reining, Endurance, Steeplechase
11. What breed has the highest number of horses competing in National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) reining events?
Answer: Quarter Horses
Interesting Information:While all breeds are accepted and can show in NRHA events, registered Quarter Horses are the most abundant.
Difficulty: Easy.
From Quiz: Reining
Some incorrect choices:
Paint Horses, Arabians, Grade or Mixed breed
12. What is the most common type of saddle used in gymkhana?
Answer: Western saddle
Interesting Information:The horn on a western saddle was not meant for hanging on to, contrary to popular belief. Cowboys dally their lariats around the horn after roping a calf to hold it secure.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Gymkhana
Some incorrect choices:
Australian saddle, Cutback saddle, Hunt-seat saddle
13. What is the top level of dressage competition?
Answer: Grand Prix
Interesting Information:The highest competition in dressage is the Grand Prix in the Dressage Competition in the Olympic Games.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: USA Equestrian Dressage
Some incorrect choices:
Intermediate, Prix St. Georges, Level 4
14. The style of the horse's jump and the smoothness in which the course of jumps is executed is a factor in the judging of which type of competition?
Answer: h
Interesting Information:In the jumper, it doesn't matter what the horse looks like as it jumps the course.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Horse Shows: Hunters vs. Jumpers
15. Vaulting originated in
Answer: Germany
Interesting Information:Someone thought vaulting would be a new fun sport and brought it to the rest of the world.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Rare But Fun: Vaulting
Some incorrect choices:
England, France, the United States
16. What is the piece of tack that attaches to the saddle to hold it in place on the horse?
Answer: girth
Interesting Information:On an English saddle, a girth buckles to the billets under the flaps to secure it. New types of buckles with rollers have made it easier for the rider to get their girth tightened appropriately. They also help extend the life of the leather billets because the rounded surface of the buckle roller does not indent or cut into the leather like the older style buckle did. A girth can also be called a cinch.
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of English Tack Parts
Some incorrect choices:
pommel, surcingle, skirt
17. What is a green horse?
Answer: A horse that has little or no training
Interesting Information:Green horses have very little or no training. There are often green horse classes in horse shows. To show in the division, a horse has to be under five years old and in its first year of showing.
Difficulty: Easy.
From Quiz: Riding Horses
Some incorrect choices:
A horse with a green tail, A horse that cannot eat grass, A horse that is fully trained
18. What is the "common" name for the shoes reining horses wear on their hind feet?
Answer: Sliders
Interesting Information:Longer, wider and flatter than a traditional hind shoe, the nail heads are also commonly filed down to help facilitate a good sliding stop.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Reining
Some incorrect choices:
Plates, Spinners, They have no special name
19. Which gymkhana event is commonly referred to as 'the cloverleaf pattern'?
Answer: Barrel racing
Interesting Information:The cloverleaf pattern is three barrels set in a triangle. The rider must turn around them, making one right turn and two lefts, or one left turn and two rights, then race back across the finish line. The shortest time wins. If barrels are knocked over, several seconds are added to the finishing time.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Gymkhana
Some incorrect choices:
Quadrangle, Birangle, Polebending
20. What is the object of dressage, according to the USA Equestrian rules?
Answer: The development of the horse's physical abilities
Interesting Information:This development results in a calm, confident, flexible, and attentive horse. This makes it look like the horse and rider are thinking as one and the horse is doing everything of his own accord.
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: USA Equestrian Dressage
Some incorrect choices:
Making pretty patterns in the arena, Making the horse do what he is told, Developing the rider's ability to follow directions
21. A pas de deux has
Answer: two people
Interesting Information:Pas de deux, or doubles, are judged by creativity and ability of the two people.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Rare But Fun: Vaulting
Some incorrect choices:
three people, a whole team, one person
22. What part of the saddle must be measured to find the right size for the horse?
Answer: gullet
Interesting Information:The gullet is the area on the underside of the saddle that sits directly on the horse's back. It must fit properly, or the saddle can cause discomfort, hair to be rubbed off, or even improper muscle development. Several different companies that manufacture tack now offer many of their models with an adjustable gullet system. This allows the saddle width to change to fit a horse as it grows and develops over the years and/or one saddle to be used on multiple horses of varying shapes and sizes.
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of English Tack Parts
Some incorrect choices:
flocking, dee ring, stirrup leather
23. 'Sitting trot' is one type of trot a rider can do. What is the other?
Answer: Rising trot
Interesting Information:Pacing is a gait used by some western breeds, but is totally different from a trot. A piaffe is a dressage move involving a trot with little or no forwards motion, usually performed in sitting trot.
Difficulty: Easy.
From Quiz: Just a typical riding lesson...
Some incorrect choices:
Pacing trot, Piaffe, Standing trot
24. In harness racing there are trotters and ___?
Answer: Pacers
Interesting Information:Most people use trotters in harness racing because of their speed. In 1989, the qualification time in races was 1 minute 22 seconds over 1km. The trotter's gait is unusual because the diagonally opposite legs move together in unison.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Horse Riding in the UK
Some incorrect choices:
Standards, Lopers, Warmbloods
25. What is used to get debris and rocks out of the hoof?
Answer: Hoof pick/iron
Interesting Information:A hoof pick/iron removes debris and rocks so your horse does not become lame. You can purchase a hoof pick in a tack store. Hoof picks should be used as often as possible and definitely before you ride.
Difficulty: Very Easy.
From Quiz: Riding Horses
Some incorrect choices:
Spoon, A stick, Curry
26. What should a rider do if he is traveling down a steep hill on horseback?
Answer: Lean back
Interesting Information:Leaning back would help the rider keep in balance. All of the other options would put the rider or horse out of balance. Loosening the reins would help the horse balance itself better.
Difficulty: Easy.
From Quiz: U.K. Horse Riding
Some incorrect choices:
Lean forward, Go faster, Shorten the reins and hold them firmly
27. According to the NRHA handbook, each maneuver is given a score, what are the ranges for these scores?
Answer: minus one and a half to one and a half
Interesting Information:Each maneuver is scored from -1 1/2 (very poor) up through 1 1/2 (very good) with a score of 0 considered "average".
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Reining
Some incorrect choices:
0 to infinity, minus one to one, minus two to two
28. What are the possible divisions for gymkhana?
Answer: FC, A, AA, AAA, SUPREME
Interesting Information:FC stands for Future Champion. Divisions are like your level. If you can hit AA times, consider yourself a very good competitor. Supreme times are very rare at the smaller gymkhanas.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Gymkhana
Some incorrect choices:
A, AA, AAA, PRO, FC, A, AA, PRO, A, AA, AAA, AAAA
29. What piece of tack is optional at western shows?
Answer: Breast collar
Interesting Information:A breast collar is meant to keep the saddle from sliding backwards, but in show it is only an optional article. Some judges may award extra points for this more western look.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Western Etiquette
Some incorrect choices:
Saddle, Headstall, Bridle
30. In what kind of competition would you be more likely to find a course that involves a lot of tight turns?
Answer: j
Interesting Information:Hunter courses tend to have longer, smoother, more flowing lines.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Horse Shows: Hunters vs. Jumpers
31. Vaulting horses must be
Answer: tolerant
Interesting Information:Most vaulting horses are draft horses, which are also called 'Gentle Giants' because they take care of the vaulter while he or she is on their back.
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: Rare But Fun: Vaulting
Some incorrect choices:
skittish, slow, huge
32. What is the part of the bridle that sits on the top of a horse's head behind the ears?
Answer: crown piece
Interesting Information:Trimming or shaving a small section of the the horse's mane where the crown piece sits not only gives a neater appearance, it also helps the bridle to fit properly on the horse's head. If mane is tangled up under the crown piece, it may not sit correctly or comfortably on the horse's head.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of English Tack Parts
Some incorrect choices:
noseband, caveson, brow band
33. When doing rising trot, how do you change your diagonal?
Answer: Sit for two beats then rise
Interesting Information:Trot is a two beat gait. As you rise, the horse's outside foreleg should be moving forward, so you are taking the pressure off of your horse's outside leg. Sitting for two beats will change the beat you are rising on.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Just a typical riding lesson...
Some incorrect choices:
Sit for three beats then rise, Stand for one beat then rise, Change the rein you are riding on
34. In UK show jumping, if your horse won't jump a fence, what is it called?
Answer: Refusal
Interesting Information:Horses can refuse to jump if they are in the wrong position to tackle the fence or if they think it is too high. A second refusal will mean elimination from the competition.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Horse Riding in the UK
Some incorrect choices:
Stopping, Disobedience, Naughtiness
35. When leading a horse with a halter on you should always have what attached?
Answer: Lead rope
Interesting Information:Always lead a horse with a lead rope and halter, or bridle with reins. If your horse spooks and you do not have a lead, you are either going to get hurt or your horse is going to get away.
Difficulty: Very Easy.
From Quiz: Riding Horses
Some incorrect choices:
String, Bailing twine, Hand
36. In which type of competition would the horse be penalized for bucking?
Answer: h
Interesting Information:In the hunter competition horses are judged on the manner in which they complete the course. Bucking is a big no-no! In the jumper competiton, the horse can buck all it wants without penalty from the judge as long as it does not go off course. (It probably won't make the rider very happy though!)
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: Horse Shows: Hunters vs. Jumpers
37. Snaffle, pelham, slow twist, full cheek, Dr. Bristol, and gag are a few types of what part of a bridle?
Answer: bit
Interesting Information:Depending on which English discipline you choose to ride, be sure you know which bits you are allowed to use at horse shows. Dressage is the most limiting. You may only use snaffle type bits, with no twists. Gags are not allowed, either. Curb bits, with or without curb chains, are also prohibited at the lower levels. Hunters and jumpers allow most any type of bit, as long as it is an English bit. They do not allow Western or Saddle Seat styles of bits.
Difficulty: Average.
From Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of English Tack Parts
Some incorrect choices:
nose band, reins, cheek piece
38. In show jumping, why should the stirrups be shortened?
Answer: So the rider can rise out of the saddle easily when going over a jump
Interesting Information:The proper jumping position is heels down, arms stretched forward, with your bottom back and right out of the saddle. To do this, the stirrups must be shortened as the rider finds it easier to rise out of the saddle.
Difficulty: Easy.
From Quiz: Horse Riding in the UK
Some incorrect choices:
It is more comfortable for the rider, It is more comfortable for the horse, None of these
39. What should be worn in a horse's tail if a horse kicks or is in heat?
Answer: red ribbon
Interesting Information:Always be safe and make sure no one gets hurt. A red ribbon signifies if your horse kicks or is in heat. Mares are often attracted towards geldings and stallions, and typically kick at other mares when they are in heat. A gelding is a castrated male horse, and a stallion is a male that has not been castrated.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: Riding Horses
Some incorrect choices:
purple tail wrap, red bandana, blue ribbon
40. What horse sport is often described as gymnastics on horseback?
Answer: Vaulting
Interesting Information:Vaulting takes place in a 15 meter circle on the backs of very calm and well trained horses. Draft horses are usually used due to their calm demeanor, strength, and broad backs. Upper level vaulters always perform at the canter.
Team penning and cutting are cattle events typically seen at a rodeo and gymkhana is a mounted "games" competition.
Difficulty: Hard.
From Quiz: What Horse Sport Knowledge Can You "Stirrup"?
Some incorrect choices:
Team Penning, Cutting, Gymkhana
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