A Dictionary for Rob

Appendix QH- A horse in which one parent is a purebred QH, which is bred for speed and agility, and a Thoroughbred, which is bred for speed and athleticism. Appendix QH's are quick, smart and athletic.

Hunter over Fences- A horse used strictly for showing over jumps. The horse is judged for its grace, style, pace, and general appearance and behavior.

English Pleasure- A class in a Horse Show where you are judged on your horses performance, not your own.

Dressage- French for "training" and is basically just that. In competitions, you and your horse must perform a set pattern solo.

Gymnastic- A line of fences that are close together. For example, you would take a jump, and then no strides, and take another one immediately, and then 1 stride to a bigger jump, and then 3 strides to the biggest jump.

Vertical Flexion- The angle that the horse's face creates with the ground. The ideal flexion is 90 degrees.

Over the Bit- When the horses nose is too far out, thus making the vertical flexion angle wrong.

Clinic- A day of intense training, normally with a visiting coach.

Equitation- A class at a show judged only on the riders form.

Hunter- A judged jumping event based on the riders position and the horses form, style, and manners.

Jumper- A jumping event where the horse is timed, not judged. The faster, the better.

Those are the basics, but I might add some more!