The Barrhead Light Horse Club hosted a performance event May 20 at the Agricultural Society Barn.
All totaled about 15 riders participated in different horse riding events such as trail riding and reigning in categories ranging from youths to seniors.
Club member Evelyn Anderson and participant said the idea behind the trail event is for the riders to demonstrate how much control they have over their horse by having them navigate though an obstacle course where a rider has to pass through real and simulated obstacles.
Depending on the riders experience they must navigate through a small gate while mounted; walk across a fake bridge; cross over a set of rails or logs at a walk, trot or lope; back up, often with a turn while backing, often in a combined space as well as tolerate some sort of spooky obstacle.
“It is also a test of a riders memory, because not only do they have to control their horse while going through the obstacles, they must do it in a certain order,” she said.
The horse is often asked to perform all three gaits, walk, trot and canter, in the process of completing the course.
In the reigning event is also a demonstration of the riders control over their steed where the riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. Originating from working cattle, reining is often described as a Western form of dressage riding, as it requires the horse to be responsive and in tune with its rider, whose aids should not be easily seen, and judges the horse on its ability to perform a set pattern of movements.
