Saddle seat riding and the breeds associated with it were for the most part, developed in the United States by plantation farmers; the horses and method of riding them had to be comfortable enough to spend hours in the saddle overseeing plantations, but also showy enough to take to town.

Saddle Seat riding is an English style of riding (as are Hunt Seat and Dressage), but it is a uniquely American style of riding used primarily on American Saddlebred horses, Morgan horses, and Arabians.

The ultimate goal in Saddle Seat riding is a truly thrilling performance. A saddle seat horse should be thrilling to watch; extremely elegant, classy, and stylish. Many casual spectators watching a truly good Saddle Seat performance may think the horse is about to burst with excitement, but the well-trained Saddle Seat horse is actually very responsive and comfortable to ride, like a finely tuned sports car.

Saddle Seat riding is about animation. It is about a high head carriage with an arched neck, and lots of "action" or high-stepping. The canter should be very collected and slow, with the appearance of a rocking horse. Many American Saddlebred horses are trained to do five gaits- the walk, trot, and canter, plus the slow gait and the rack (which is an extremely smooth four-beat gait performed "at speed").
Saddle seat saddles have a cutback pommel to make room for the horse's withers, and are placed so that the flap sits behind the shoulder and the seat is horizontal on the horse's back. Riders carry their hands much higher than other styles of riding; in order to achieve the proper balance in accordance with the high head set desired in the show ring. Saddle seat show horses may be specially shod by farriers to complement their brilliant movement.


Saddle Seat riding is done "on the flat" meaning that no jumping is involved. Horses are most often shown at the three gaits (walk, trot and canter), but classes are also available for five-gaited horses. Horses are shown in many different divisions, from the relaxed and mannerly Pleasure classes to the thrilling performances in the Park and Five Gaited classes. Saddle Seat exhibitors range from young children to adult exhibitors. Suitable horses are available for novice riders as well as experienced ones seeking a challenge.
 

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