Welcome to Next-Gen Morgans! This blog is dedicated to youth riders (22 and under). We want to create a space dedicated to Morgan horse topics that are important to you.
I am kicking this off with a topic I feel has a lot of depth, equitation! We have asked people at all different stages in their equitation careers to weigh in and give a complete idea of everything that goes into this intense branch of the Morgan community. We have interviewed a rider just out of walk trot with a new horse, Annabelle Maloney, a consistently successful rider who is familiar with the division, Mackenzie Chianca, a rider in her last year of junior exhibitor and equitation, before heading off to college, Raegan Anderson is exploring hunt seat equitation, and has achieved AMHA silver medals in both hunt seat and saddleseat, Tatum Miley, who finished her equitation career in 2024 and is now going to college, and Sophie Ouellette, a successful Olympic equitation rider who graduated college this year. All these riders share a different perspective on equation, so many of you must have great questions and knowledge to share as well. If you would like to participate in the blog contact Nicole or me at nicole.bobbi1@gmail.com or emilykatysandy@gmail.com.
Before hearing from these exhibitors, there are some important things about equitation that you will want to know!
Sitting in the stands on Saturday night and looking at the spread of riders in an equitation class all dressed in the same attire, it might be hard to spot the difference for an untrained eye but riders make efforts to stand out through their ring work and stillness. This group of riders hold the honor of opening up the last night of the show thanks to their sophistication and elegance. Though their numbers are few; less than 100 Riders will qualify to compete in Oklahoma in these classes, equation riders are some of the most dedicated and require a strong bond with their horse to perform many of the complex elements of a pattern. In the most prestigious equitation classes a rider without white gloves is a rare sight.
Did you know?
• Any equitation class is judged 50% on your pattern and 50% on your rail work so it is important for all equitation riders to keep riding after a mistake since you never know how anyone else’s ride is going
• Riders wear white gloves to accentuate their still hands, this developed as a symbol of nobility and elegance, they fit well with equitation’s emphasis on refinement
• Equitation rivals a game of chess, each class entry is well planned to qualify riders for an opportunity unique to equitation: The Triple Crown. Consisting of the upha gold cup, AMHA gold medal, and their equitation championship, this honor is sought after by many equitation riders
The questions we asked these riders were:
-What are your tips for a rider moving up from walk trot and preparing for the medal, cup and patterns?
-Your horse doesn’t know the pattern, how do you help them know what to do?
-What are the most challenging pattern elements, why are they a challenge?
-Do you get pre pattern jitters, and
how do you manage them?
-What is your favorite order to do the pattern (first, middle, last) and since you can’t control it, what do you learn about going first/watching other riders go?
Annabell Maloney, 13
- My advice for people moving up is if you know the patter before the show practice a lot and if you can’t find out the pattern beforehand get the pattern asap and practice it if you can but if you can’t walk the pattern and find your points and practice it in your head until you know it inside and out
- What I do is at home I practice all elements that could be in a pattern and when I can I practice it at the show and when doing the pattern in a class I encourage my horse I try to keep as calm as possible so he stays calm as well
- For me the most challenging element of a pattern is when the pattern involves cantering on the incorrect lead, the reason for this being challenging for me is because my horse has a hard time with getting his leads so to ask him of the incorrect lead is challenging not only for me but for him too.
- I get pre pattern jitters all the time and how I deal with them is like ten minutes before my class I’ll play some music to calm music
- I personally like to be somewhere in the middle of the order because I can watch at least one person do the pattern before me. If you end up going first you can learn more about showing your confidence even if you are nervous on the inside, and by watching others do the pattern you can see it be played out of you and you can take mental notes on what you can do to show off.
Mackenzie Chianca,16
Anne Benson Stables
• My biggest tips for a rider moving up and doing patterns would be to realize that attitude is everything. One of the most important things in equitation would be to have confidence, showing confidence the second you enter the ring will certainly catch the judges attention!
• Equitating a horse can be a very challenging process. If my horse isn’t familiar with the pattern, I will make sure to complete one element at a time. Staying relaxed is a beneficial way to reassure your horse that you will be there to help every step of the way! I always feel it is really important to take your time in patterns especially when it can be unfamiliar to your horse.
• For my horse and I the most challenging pattern element would be line changes off the rail. It is important to pick up the correct leads during line changes which can make it very easy to get in your head about how to ask your horse correctly while being patient.
• At times I tend to get some pre pattern jitters! I think a big way of managing them would be to make sure you have your points plotted in the ring, and to run through the pattern in your head before the class until you’re confident. Practicing plenty of patterns at home really helps you feel prepared once you get in the ring.
• Being the first to do the pattern would be my favorite order. It leaves you no time to second guess yourself. I think going in the middle/last can also be very beneficial because it gives you a chance to learn from the other riders who execute it before you.
Reagan Anderson,18
Lingering Hills Stables
• My biggest piece of advice to riders moving up is to be confident. I know that it is easier said than done, but you are so prepared for patterns! Judges love to see a confident looking rider. Practice different pattern elements at home, whether it is figure-eights, serpentines, circles, off the rail transitions, or diagonals. You know how to do the elements that are being asked in a class, so it’s all about being able to put it together. If you can do it at home, you can do it at a show. I also recommend finding a technique to help you limit the normal pre-pattern jitters before your class. Bonus if you can do it in the line up before you are called to do the pattern.
• The number one thing I do is make sure that I am as clear as possible when communicating with my horse. In order to do this, I make sure I do not rush transitions because when I rush I am more likely to make a mistake and not set my horse up for success. When I am patient, I am able to give clear, direct signals and my horse is not left to guess what is asked of him. My horse struggles most with picking up the correct lead off the rail, so I use my reins to keep him straight and my legs to signal the correct lead.
• I find serpentines to be one of the most challenging pattern elements. This is because I need to ask my horse to bend without being crooked. When asking my horse to turn, he often bends his neck without moving the rest of his body, so when I know this element is going to be in a pattern, I remind myself that I also need to use my leg to help guide my horse.
• I get pre-pattern jitters, so I start to manage them before I even get on my horse. I start by getting my pattern and walking it with my trainer. After that, I put the pattern away so I can’t look at it and I recite it to my mom, including spacing and how I will communicate with my horse. Once I am dressed and ready, I use the ground as my “ring” and walk a mini version of the pattern. When in the line up, while the announcer says the pattern, I imagine myself doing it. While I wait to go I watch other riders and make sure I take slow deep breaths.
• I love getting to do the pattern first since the pattern is fresh in my mind, and the longer I wait to go the more nervous I tend to get. I also like going first because I can make a good first impression on the judge, especially if I go into it confident. When I do not go first, I walk myself through the pattern as I watch other riders go. I review spacing and where I will signal for transitions. As I watch other riders transition, I make a mental plan for how I will clearly ask my horse to transition. I pay extra attention to the sizes of other riders’ circles and compare them to my plan to help with spacing.
Tatum Miley, 19
Denim Ridge Farm
• Getting as much time in the saddle as possible, ride your horse, but also other horses if you have the opportunity. Do all of the challenging elements and don’t be discouraged if it’s not perfect, try again, you’ll get it!
• In my opinion, it is really just about having a connection with your horse and knowing how they respond to you as a rider.
• It’s silly to say, but I think that circles are some of the hardest elements. Now most anyone can trot or canter a circle, but in equitation it is very important to pick your start and end point and not making it to big or small, making sure you are thinking ahead to stop or transition at the same point you started your circle, all while thinking about the next events of the pattern.
• Yes. I wouldn’t say pre pattern as much as just pre class jitters. I’ve been showing since I was two years old and even 16 years later I get nervous before going into the ring! I always just remind myself that it is not about winning, it’s about having fun and doing the best to my ability!
• I prefer to go first, I get myself more nervous or question what I am doing the more I watch other riders do the pattern. That’s out of my control though, so I always focus on every rider ahead of me doing the pattern and walk myself through what I am going to do for every element as they do it!
Sophie Ouellette, 22
Denim Ridge Farm
- Practice, practice, practice. You may not be the top rider right now, but this is when you’ll grow the most. Winning isn’t everything, this stage is all about learning. Be a sponge: hang out in the barn, watch your competitors, listen to instructors and trainers on the rail, and pay attention to the little details. Those are what make the biggest difference over time.
- Be patient and practice them over and over. Your horse might not memorize the pattern, but they will recognize the elements with enough practice. The key is making sure you’ve trained those individual skills—circles, straight lines, transitions—so that when you string them together, it feels seamless for both of you. My grandmother and aunt (my trainers) would come up with at least one new pattern at every ride. This enabled me to be ready (and excited) for anything.
- Transitions, hands down. It seems like such a small thing but transitions can either make your pattern look crisp and professional or throw off the whole flow. Clean, precise transitions show control, polish, and teamwork with your horse. Nailing them is what separates a good pattern from a great one. My equitation horse always liked to anticipate and rush transitions, my challenge was slowing her (and I) down to make the pattern smooth.
- Every time! I’d walk the pattern out in the aisle way over and over, mentally marking the exact spots for each move, thinking about what would help my horse the most. Once I had it locked in, I’d shift my nerves into excitement—listening to music, dancing around with my family, and soaking up time with my horse. That kept me grounded and in the moment.
- I actually love going first or last—they’re the most memorable. If I’m near the end, I try to stay focused on my ride, not get caught up in overanalyzing everyone else. Watching others can be helpful, but don’t let it psych you out. Stick to what you know and what you’ve practiced. If I go first, I think of it as an opportunity to set the bar. So I go in with the mindset of showing everyone how it’s done. Just remember, one class does not define you or your partnership with your horse.