Saddle Seat is a style of riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the upheaded carriage, high action, and animation of certain horse breeds. There are several breeds that typically participate in Saddle Seat style riding including American Saddlebreds, Morgans, Arabians, Hackneys, National Show Horses, Friesians, and Andalusians.
Saddle Seat Equitation demonstrates the epitome of horsemanship within the discipline, where solely the rider is judged on their ability to produce the maximum performance of their horse through the perfect form and control of the rider. Equitation exhibitors compete as a group on the rail and may also be asked to execute individual patterns that include elements such as figure eights, serpentines, and work without stirrups. The rider should convey the impression of effective and easy control. A complete picture of the whole is of major importance in open equitation classes (non-breed restricted) where only the rider is being judged. Therefore, any horse that is suitable for Saddle Seat style riding and capable of performing the required class routine is an acceptable mount.