Horse English Quiz 4: Equestrian Sport

1When a horse stops in front of a fence instead of jumping, it is a ___.

The horse refuses – a refusal.▶ Hear it

2In international show jumping, knocking down a pole costs ___ faults.

A knock-down = four faults. So does a first refusal.▶ Hear it

3A round with no faults is a ___.

“She jumped a clear round.”▶ Hear it

4Riders with equal results jump again, against the clock, in a ___.

In the jump-off, the fastest clear round wins.▶ Hear it

5Two or three fences placed close together, one after another, form a ___.

A double or a treble combination.▶ Hear it

6Dressage is sometimes described as horse ___.

Precise, elegant movements – like ballet.▶ Hear it

7The set series of movements a dressage rider performs is called a ___.

You ride a dressage test and receive marks from the judges.▶ Hear it

8Positions around the edge of a dressage arena are marked with ___.

Letters such as A, K, E, H, C, M, B and F.▶ Hear it

9Dressage performed to music, with the rider’s own choice of movements, is called ___.

Also known by its German name, Kür.▶ Hear it

10The highest level of international dressage is ___.

Grand Prix – British speakers often say “gron pree”.▶ Hear it

11Eventing combines dressage, show jumping and ___.

Three phases – the cross-country is the most exciting.▶ Hear it

12A famous British eventing competition held in Gloucestershire is ___.

The Badminton Horse Trials – the sport was named after the same estate.▶ Hear it

13Another top British event takes place every September at ___, a great house near Stamford.

The Burghley Horse Trials – pronounced “BER-lee”.▶ Hear it

14In Britain, eventing is also called ___.

For example, the Badminton Horse Trials.▶ Hear it

15Cross-country fences are usually ___.

Natural, solid obstacles: logs, ditches, water and banks.▶ Hear it

16In Britain, horse racing over fences and hurdles is called ___ racing.

National Hunt or jump racing. Flat racing has no obstacles.▶ Hear it

17The world-famous steeplechase run at Aintree, near Liverpool, is the ___.

The Grand National, every April.▶ Hear it

18The Derby is run at ___.

In Britain Derby is pronounced “DAR-bee” /ˈdɑːbi/.▶ Hear it

19The person who rides a racehorse in a race is the ___.

The trainer prepares the horse; the jockey rides it.▶ Hear it

20Royal Ascot is famous for its racing – and for ___.

Especially Ladies’ Day.▶ Hear it

21To take part in a class at a show, you first have to ___ it.

You enter a class and send your entry.▶ Hear it

22Prizes at British horse shows are traditionally coloured ___.

British rosettes, American ribbons.▶ Hear it

23If a horse and rider are not allowed to continue, for example after a fall, they are ___.

Eliminated – sometimes written “E” in the results.▶ Hear it

24Before a jumping class, riders ___ the course on foot to plan their route.

Walking the course – counting strides between fences.▶ Hear it

25The person who looks after a horse at a yard or competition is its ___.

Groom is also a verb: to groom a horse.▶ Hear it