Saddle Seat is a style of English riding that is ridden within certain gaited breeds or those with high-stepping action, such as Saddlebreds, Morgans, Arabians, National Show Horses, Tennessee Walkers, Spotted Saddle Horses, Paso Finos, Missouri Fox Trotters, Rocky Mountain, etc. The goal is to show off the horse's gaits, and the attire is quite stylish. Saddle seat differs greatly from other English disciplines like hunt seat and dressage. The rider's job is to sit upright with shoulders back while posting behind the horse's center of balance while helping the horse look effortless and graceful. Horse Illustrated offers articles about the discipline, the breeds that are involved with the discipline, and stories from riders.

Demystifying the Double Bridle

January 29, 2022

Riders transitioning to the double bridle for dressage or saddle seat classes can find it intimidating at first to handle two reins and two bits and to understand the reins’ actions on both the snaffle and curb. In this article, Frances Carbonnel, a Colorado-based dressage trainer, owner of Classical Legacy...

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Kendra Wise Crowned 2021 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final Champion

July 18, 2021

Kendra Wise, of Tipp City, Ohio, has been crowned the 2021 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final champion at the 85th Annual Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show. In the last class of the morning session on Wednesday, July 14, eight competitors demonstrated their skill during group railwork, and...

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An Illustrated Look at A Royal Affair

July 5, 2020

A visit to The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto should be on every equestrian’s bucket list. The event, which runs for two weeks every November, offers the ultimate in fair favorites with culinary delights, farm animals, shopping, and agricultural demonstrations, but at an indoor venue with equestrian competitions that...

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American Saddlebred Horse Association’s Devin Sell Wins 2019 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award

January 5, 2020

U.S. Equestrian announced Devin Sell of Georgetown, Ky, as the winner of the 2019 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award in recognition of her 2019 contributions and achievements. The USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award identifies outstanding youth members actively involved in their respective discipline or breed organizations and acknowledges their potential as future...

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Michael Arquilla Rides to USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final Win

November 24, 2019

The top saddle seat equitation riders in the U.S. faced a rigorous challenge on Saturday, November 16, as they competed for top honors in the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final at the United Professional Horseman’s Association (UPHA)/American Royal National Championship Horse Show. Twelve of the 19 horse-and-rider combinations in the...

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Morgan Breed’s Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show Wraps Up in Oklahoma City

November 15, 2019

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) welcomed nearly 1,000 Morgan horses to the 2019 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show. Held at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla., October 12-19, the best of the breed competed in a wide range of disciplines and classes running in...

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At the 2019 Saddle Seat Invitational Test Event, U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Stars Team Wins Gold

November 10, 2019

The 2019 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Stars Team secured the gold medal and gained valuable experience in international competition at the 2019 U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational Test Event in Las Vegas, Nev. Hosted at South Point Arena and Equestrian Center from October 29 through November 1, the U.S. team...

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The American Saddlebred

August 16, 2016

Photo courtesy American Saddlebred Horse Association   You may think of the American Saddlebred as a high-stepping show-ring mount—a pretty face born to show off. But after talking to some Saddlebred owners, it’s easy to see that the breed is much more. Eventing, long-distance riding, combined driving and therapeutic riding...

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Helmets in Saddle Seat and Western Classes

July 22, 2015

Q: My experience showing horses has been with hunter/jumpers and eventing, all of which require helmet use. Recently I’ve branched out to try new disciplines, including western pleasure and saddle seat. I have begun to show in these divisions, but so far have been the only rider wearing a helmet...

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Saddle Seat Divisions Decoded

March 5, 2015

The nuances of different saddle seat divisions may seem baffling to an outsider. But if you aspire to compete in this discipline, you need to determine the correct division for your horse. We asked professionals from the Morgan, Arabian and American Saddlebred breeds to help decode the class lists. Morgans...

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