Western-style riding

A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of special significance and legend. A subtype, called a wrangler, specifically tends the horses used to work cattle. In addition to ranch work, some cowboys work for or participate in rodeos. Cowgirls, first defined as such in the late 19th century, had a less-well documented historical role, but in the modern world work at identical tasks and have obtained considerable respect for their achievements. Cattle handlers in many other parts of the world, particularly South America and Australia, perform work similar to the cowboy.

Pole bending is a rodeo timed event that features a horse and one mounted rider, running a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line. This event is usually seen in youth and high school rodeos, 4-H events, American Quarter Horse Association, Paint and Appaloosa sanctioned shows, as well as in many gymkhana or O-Mok-See events.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association Champions and Awards are presented by the National Reined Cow Horse Association to outstanding individuals in the sport of Working cow horse, both people and equine. The NRCHA awards world champions on a yearly basis. It also awards million dollar earners for both riders and sires. The organization is headquartered in Pilot Point, Texas.

Working cow horse or reined cow horse is a type of Western riding competition in which horse and rider are tested for ability to work cattle. It is organised by the National Reined Cow Horse Association in North America, and by the European Reined Cow Horse Association in Europe. Horses are judged on accuracy, timing, and responsiveness.

Cutting is a western-style equestrian competition in which a horse and rider work together before a judge or panel of judges to demonstrate the horse's athleticism and ability to handle cattle. Modern competition utilizes a 2+1⁄2 minute performance, called a "run." Each contestant is assisted by four helpers: two are designated as turnback riders, who help to keep cattle from running off to the back of the arena, the other two are designated as herd holders to keep the cattle bunched together and prevent potential strays from escaping into the work area. Cutting cattle are typically young steers and heifers that customarily range in size from 400 to 650 lb (180 to 290 kg). They usually are of Angus or Hereford lineage though may be a mix of crossbred beef cattle, including Charolais Braford or Brahman lineage.

The National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) is an equestrian organization in the United States that began by promoting and staging Western Pleasure events in 1983. Since then, focus has expanded to promoting the show horse at every level across multiple disciplines. The association is currently headquartered in Weatherford, Texas, United States.

National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame was created by the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) for the NRCHA Hall of Fame to recognize extraordinary athletes, individuals, riders, and horses in the equestrian sport of Working cow horse. The organization is headquartered in Pilot Point, Texas.

This National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame was created by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) for the Hall of Fame to recognize extraordinary athletes, both human and equine, in the sport of Reining. It was founded in 1986 to honor and distinguish these individuals. Since the inception of the organization, both people and equine have contributed to its growth. The NRHA considers all of these individuals contributions exceptional to this sport. The Reining Horse Foundation instituted this hall of fame to continually acknowledge these individuals, and their display is a permanent exhibit which can be visited at the NHRA headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Cowboy mounted shooting (also called western mounted shooting and mounted shooting) is a competitive equestrian sport involving the riding of a horse to negotiate a shooting pattern. Depending on sponsoring organizations, it can be based on the historical reenactment of historic shooting events held at Wild West shows in the late 19th century. Modern events use blank ammunition instead of live rounds, certified to break a target balloon within twenty feet (6 m).

Tom Balding Bits & Spurs is a small metalwork manufacturer in Sheridan, Wyoming that designs and sells handmade equine riding equipment. Their products, most notably bits and spurs, are used by professional horsepeople and trainers.