Brand new in 2010, Horse Expo will presented the Alltech International Equestrian Extravaganza!

The Alltech International Equestrian Extravaganza, on Saturday night of 2010 Horse Expo highlighted the disciplines featured in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky this fall, the first time they will be held in the United States. Expo attendees watched expert horseman demonstrate the eight equestrian disciplines that are recognized by the Federation Equestrian International (FEI), which include dressage, jumping, reining, eventing, para dressage, driving, vaulting and endurance. Awed by what these horses are capable of, fans were able to walk away with a better appreciation of the athletic ability and training it takes to compete at FEI levels. Entertainment acts were featured between the discipline demonstrations. The California Cowgirls dropped jaws in their fast paced drill routine, dog acts gave a break from the horses and a dressage rider and reiner switched mounts and performed to music.

Dressage:
The FEI Rules describe the object of Dressage, which means "training" in French, as "the development of the horse into a happy athlete through harmonious education. As a result, it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible, but also confident, attentive and keen, thus achieving perfect understanding with his rider." Through the eyes of spectators, Dressage is like ballet for horses. Communication between horse and rider is crucial as they complete specific movements throughout an arena marked by letters. A well-performed test will look both elegant and accurate.

Driving:
Driving is a historical sport with a twist. Horse-drawn carriages are maneuvered by a single driver in a variety of situations. At the 2010 Games, teams of four horses will compete in Combined Driving. This competition requires the Driver to drive a course, testing the fitness, stamina and training of the horses, and the driving skill, judgment of pace and general horsemanship of the competitor.

The competition includes three phases; driven dressage, marathon and cones. The dressage phase, is completed in an arena where drivers maneuver their horses through a specified set of movements. Drivers receive a score based on the accuracy of their test and how well the team is matched in common movement, obedience and suppleness. The marathon phase is judged primarily on time. Drivers must complete a course of eight obstacles as quickly as possible over varying terrain. The marathon score is determined by the time and penalties, such as missing a gate or taking a wrong turn. The cones competition is a test of agility, obedience and suppleness. Drivers must maneuver their team through narrowly spaced sets of cones, in a set amount of time without dislodging weighted balls placed on the cones. The driver who completes all three phases with the lowest number of penalties is the winner.

Endurance:
An Endurance Ride is a competition testing the speed and the endurance ability of the horse. To be successful, the competitor must have knowledge of pace and efficient and safe use of his horse across country. Stamina and determination is what Endurance is all about, and anyone interested in watching a demanding, long-distance race should catch the Endurance competition.

The competition is timed over a distance of 100 miles with at least five compulsory stops for veterinarians to check the horses' fitness and evaluate the ability to continue. The competitor who finishes the ride with the most fit horse in the shortest time wins.

Eventing:
Eventing is like a triathlon, with athletic riders and horses competing in three very different elements of horse sport. An all around test of horse and rider, a Three Day Event or CCI comprises three distinct tests, taking place on separate days, during which the competitor rides the same horse throughout.

The first phase is dressage, testing the obedience and elegance of the horse. The score riders receive in their next two phases will be added to their dressage score.

The second phase, cross-country, requires riders to gallop across varying terrain and jump natural obstacles in a set amount of time. This phase is exciting due to the nature of the jumps, including water jumps and log combinations. Riders must complete the course without refusals within the set time to avoid penalties.

The horses undergo mandatory veterinary inspections after cross country. Those who are cleared to continue will move on to the final phase of jumping. The jumping phase takes place in an arena with jumps set to test the horse's agility and speed. Penalties include knocking down rails, refusals and course variations. The rider finishing with the lowest number of penalties throughout the three phases of competition is the winner.

Jumping:
If you enjoy life in the fast lane, you might want to check out Jumping. Jumping is all about agility and speed, as horse and rider are required to complete a course of jumps, sometimes more than five feet high, in a set amount of time. A Jumping competition is one in which the combination of horse and rider is tested under various conditions over a course of obstacles. It is intended to demonstrate the horse's freedom, energy, skill, speed and obedience in jumping as well as the rider's horsemanship. The competitor incurs penalties for knocking down rails, refusals, and course variations.

Riders with no faults will move on to the Jump-Off, a shortened course completed for the fastest time. The horse and rider with the lowest number of faults and the fastest time are the winners.

At the 2010 Games, Jumping medals will be awarded in both team and individual competitions. On the last day of the individual competition, the leading riders will battle in the "Top Four" where they are required to complete a course on each others' horses.

Para Dressage:
The para dressage discipline provides riders with physical disabilities the opportunity to compete in high performance equestrian sport along side able bodied riders. The experience of qualifying for and competing at the highest level offers each rider the chance to compete regardless of their disability.

Riders are assessed by mobility, strength and coordination to establish their classification profile. Their classification profile divides them in Grades, ranging from Grade I (most impaired) to Grade IV (least impaired). Classification is necessary so the athletes are judged on their skills regardless of their disability.

Para-Dressage riders will compete in individual and team events, including the crowd pleasing Musical Freestyle.

Reining:
If you like western riding this is the event for you. Reining is designed to show the athletic ability of a "ranch type" horse in an arena. The sport is traced back to the agility needed by ranch horses when herding cattle. In Reining, competitors are required to run one of several approved patterns. Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs, 360 degree spins done in place, back ups and the exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.

Appropriate attire requires a cowboy hat, collared shirt, and boots. Each pattern starts with a score of 70 and judges can add or deduct points based on the smoothness, attitude, quickness, authority and finesse of each maneuver. The rider or team with the highest score/scores wins.

The Games will feature individual and team competitions. In addition, the 2010 Games will include a Reining Freestyle exhibition event, where horse and rider combinations will complete original reining patterns to music, similar to the Musical Freestyle of Dressage.

Vaulting:
The sport of Vaulting is a competitive discipline where both gymnastic and dance elements are combined and performed to music on a cantering horse. It requires a harmonious relationship with the horse and outstanding physical condition from the vaulter; these two elements are imperative if a display of strength, co-ordination, rhythm and balance is to be achieved.

Vaulting comes from military training in ancient Greece where riders used balancing tricks in battle. Today, vaulters must complete specific exercises including shoulder stands, handstands, carrying another vaulter, kneeling and standing, all while performed on the back of a horse and all set to music.

Vaulting requires a high level of physical preparation from the vaulter, the lunger (the person who controls the horse on a lunge line, or rope) and the ability of the horse to receive a high score based on the quality of its gaits.

The 2010 Games will host both team and individual competitions, with compulsory and free style rounds. In the compulsory test, vaulters are required to complete certain movements and are scored from 1-10.

The freestyle test allows vaulters the freedom to create an artistic routine. Judging is based on technique, form and security of the rider while also considering the movement of the horse.

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