Saddle Seat

Saddle Seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its modern form in the United States, and is also seen in Canada and South Africa. To a much lesser extent, it is ridden with American action horse breeds in Europe and Australia.

The goal of the Saddle Seat riding style is to show off the horse's extravagant gaits, particularly the trot. All saddle seat riding is done on the flat (this means jumping is not involved). In the United States, there sometimes is confusion between saddle seat and hunt seat disciplines among individuals who are neither familiar with different styles of English saddle nor the substantial differences in rider position and attire between the disciplines.

Note: As with other events governed by the United States Equestrian Federation, the discipline name is two words, not one, "Saddle Seat".