Saddle Seat is all about elegance, poise, and precision ✨. Riders aim to sit in perfect balance while showing off their horse’s animated, high-stepping movement, especially that eye-catching trot!
🔹 The focus is on the overall picture with horse and rider working together in harmony. Judges look at the rider’s seat, subtle use of aids, and ‘ring generalship’, which is the ability to stay polished, confident, and in control in the arena.
🔹 Classes usually include walk, trot, and canter, with some adding extended gaits or even the ‘slow gait’ and ‘rack’ for five-gaited horses.
🔹 Riders may also be asked to complete tests like figure eights, serpentines, riding without stirrups, or even mounting and dismounting.
Unlike jumping disciplines, Saddle Seat is always on the flat and designed to showcase the horse’s style and movement.
In South Africa, Saddle Seat falls under the SAEF and is managed by Saddle Seat South Africa (SSSA).
