Bridges Equestrian

School of Horsemanship and Training

Schedule Your Lessons Online

Yes, BRIDGES has gone High-Tech! Check out the long anticipated online scheduling program! You can now schedule, cancel, and pay for your lessons 24/7! Sign up for auto pay, horse shows, clinics, camps, whatever is happening you can sign up online! Restrictions apply.

Join the Bridges Equestrian Team

Ruthanna Bridges met her first horse in 1961 ... and the rest is history.

Family owned and operated, Bridges Equestrian, established in 1981 has been teaching Orange County to ride for over 29 years!

BRIDGES EQUESTRIAN is dedicated to training all levels of riders in English and Western riding. Offering the very best of horsemanship and horse care, we emphasize the positive connection between horse and rider.

Be a part of
BRIDGES EQUESTRIAN
and experience the
World of the Horse!

Bridges Equestrian is located at Sycamore Trails Stables on Oso Road in San Juan Capistrano

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All About Show Classes

Danielle on Mac Danielle on Mac, Ready for the Show Ring

Walk–Trot

Riders who are not yet proficient at the canter.

Beginner

Riders new this year to showing.

Cross–Rail

Riders beyond “beginner” but as yet not jumping a course exceeding 1 foot.

Under 13

Riders not yet 13 years old as of last December 31st.

14 – 17

Riders 14 – 17 as of last December 31st.

Over 18

Amateur Riders 18 and over as of last December 31st.

Open

Open to any rider of any age.

Novice

Riders not yet having won 3 blue ribbons in this class. (Note: Smaller shows may have different limits of blue ribbons for this class.)

Walk Trot Classes

Equitation

Judged on Riders ability to exhibit the horse.  Rider will be judged at the walk and trot both directions, and exhibit the sitting trot. Rider will be asked to demonstrate a change of diagonal, halt and back–up.

Hunters Under Saddle

Judged on the horse's performance at the walk and trot both directions.  Rider MAY be asked to lengthen a stride, halt, and/or back up.  Horse should be business-like, collected, obedient and well controlled.  This class favors the "hard working" horses.

Pleasure

Same as Under Saddle, however horse should be more "easy going" with a longer frame, "a pleasure to ride."  This class favors the "laid–back easy–going" type horse.

Equitation Over Rails

Rider will be asked to trot over 4 rails on the ground.  Rider will exhibit a two-point over the fences, with a sitting or posting trot between. Riders must NOT break gait to the canter or walk.

Walk–Trot Hunters over Fences

Same as above, however rider will post the trot and not two point over the fences.  Riders must NOT break gait to the canter or walk.

Walk-Trot-Canter (Individually)

Flat classes will be the same as above, however riders will also be asked to canter 10 strides on the rail individually.

Over fences class will consist of jumping 4 cross rails each twice for a total of 8 fences in the course, with no reversal of direction. Riders may canter or trot, or any combination of the two. Lead changes may be made through the trot. Basic equitation over fences applies.

Open Division

Full United States Hunter/Jumper Association (USHJA) rules apply. Also see the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for more information.

See Show Rules for more information.

Basic Class Definitions

Equitation

Judged on the Rider’s correctness of form and control of the horse.*

Pleasure

Judged on the Horse’s ease of going, should be “flat” across the top, easy going, easy to ride.*

Under Saddle: (English only)

Judged on the Horse’s athleticism and motion, should be more forward moving than a pleasure horse, on the bridle, all business.*

Country Pleasure

Horses to be judged at a walk and at their “favorite gait.”

Halter

Judged on the horse’s conformation, shown “in hand” or on a halter.

Showmanship in/at Hand

Judged on the handler’s ability and showmanship presenting the horse, “in hand” or on a halter (a bridle for English).

Walk-Trot

For riders not yet proficient at the canter, these classes will be judged at a walk and trot only. Walk Trot over fences classes will be held over rails on the ground.

Over Fences

A class in which a horse is jumped. To be judged as a “hunter”, or on style, not speed. Rails down, refusals, etc are considered disobediences and are considered adversely in placing.

Jumpers

A class in which a horse is jumped against time, and incurs “fault” points for disobediences such as rails down, refusals, and time penalties.

*Judging is subjective, and completely up to the discretion of the judge. There is an AHSA (American Horse Shows Association) manual, which gives rules for each class, however the end decision is left to the judge. Personal preference will ALWAYS play a part in horse show judging.

The definitions of these classes/divisions are standard to most horse shows.  Larger shows will offer more of a selection such as as Green Rider, Baby Green, Long and Short Stirrup Classes, and more technical classes such as medal classes and Mini and Grand Prix. For the sake of not confusing you at this point, I have only explained those classes offered at local and Bridges Equestrian shows.

–Ruthanna

Devon and Jake Devon and Jake