Team penning
Team penning has become a long-established and popular standard horse riding activity. It has developed through the years to include various kinds of activities that allow the rider and horse to communicate effectively while competing in the dressage ring.
Team penning, in its modern incarnation, is composed of young Western Australian cattle horses training and showing each other how to manoeuvre freely on their own with no team, so as to demonstrate the skills needed for competitive riding. The modern day equestrian sport has taken on many forms over time, taking in disciplines like fly-ball and jumping. However, the team penning tradition remains amongst the most popular and continually growing. Today it is an exciting, fast-paced sport that challenges a group of at least two riders for around 90 seconds (or more, depending on the discipline) from 60 yards to a minute.
The game has grown in its popularity internationally. Competitions regularly take place throughout the world, with the most famous of them being the Equestrian Sports Awards. Team pening has also won prestigious awards at major international events including the Olympics. This has helped the game to get a whole lot of recognition, and now it is celebrated not only in Australia, but across the world.
Among the most frequent types of events held is that the three-head competition, which is known as the English Open. There are actually two different styles of this event; the classical style and the modern style. The classical design is based on traditional dressage, using hardly any fancy equipment. The contemporary style is more similar to show jumping. A team may consist of few passangers and a rider. This requires the exact same, equal skill level for all the team members.
Riders are often given the choice of either wearing show jumping gloves and leather boots or traditional equipment. The purpose of it is to simulate the sensation of a real race, where the riders work hard all day out in the heat and cold to try and win a race.
When it comes to showing jumping, the English Saddle Race and the English Prove jump are some of the most popular. A team may consist of three passengers and one rider is allowed to act as a team leader. He organized the entire thing, leading the cowboys along as they control around the course. This means that the rider has to be able to direct the cowboys. Riders who have been in show jumping or are experienced at it may take on these duties. Riders who have not will have to join a team pening class and learn the skills required to ride in this field on a regular basis.
Other events which form a huge part of the English Equestrian Show are the barrel racing and the giant jump. These forms of competition have been based on conventional techniques of angling and they need plenty of training and skill from both the rider and the cowboys. They can be a hugely dangerous activity for the participants, especially the giants, so it’s wise to attend a team pening school where experienced riders can teach you the basics. You’ll need to show an understanding of English riding in addition to good skills with your horse. When you sign up to do the cowboys jobs you will usually find out what level of English Riding you require.
There are quite a few different disciplines which require all of the best riders to be teamed up with cowboys. Jumping events include barrel racing, giant jumping and a long jump, where the rider and horse have to reach a certain height. You need to be able to keep pace with another team riders and occasionally you will need to win to remain in the competition. Team penning permits cowboys to flaunt their jumping skills to others and make their owners proud. Sometimes riders will take part in an event as a jockey while they are training, to prove that they have what it takes.
