What are the origins of the Horse Riding Salute

I’ve been horse riding for a while now but have always wondered what the origins of the salute horse riders perform to the judges is. The salute appears to be a nod of the head along with an out stretched arm. Any ideas?

Wow, Finally found a question that nobody knows the answer too… (or I suppose maybe not arsed answering)…
Who would have thought!

I’ve never seen this salute. Here (in Ireland) the rider faces the judges and nods (if a woman) or removes his hat (if a man) - pretty much how you would politely acknowledge somebody if you weren’t on a horse, really. Riders who are cavalry officers give a military salute.

By the way, it appears you have two usernames here, a big no-no. Please e-mail a Humble Administrator and get it straightened out if you have not already. You could click on the link to the right (Report this post) and they could take care of it. They have nothing better to do anyway! If I am wrong, forgive me.

Welcome.

Your right about the two user names, will get on top of that and sort it out. As for the Irish Salute, below is a copy of an explanation in the Irish Dressage code of how to salute. I always thought the hand by the side bit was unusual and as a result thought that it might have some unusual origin.

  1. Salute.
    

Ladies and children should take the reins in one hand accompanied by the whip, if carried. The free hand should be lowered to the rider’s side and the rider should nod the head. Gentlemen may salute in the same manner when wearing a chin strap but when wearing unattached headgear this should be removed and lowered with the free hand before nodding the head.

It sounds as though you are describing the dressage salute. I believe it may be military in origin. As you are probably aware in times gone by dressage was considered mainly to be training for war horses (and the 3-day event was to demostrate the ability of the cavalry horse as well – in some countries the 3DE is known as “Militaire”). The judge was most likely a superior officer hence the salute, which went from obligation to tradition over the years, as more and more non-military personnel persued dressage training. Even today military uniforms are considered correct show attire as indicated in the USAE Rulebook: “Members of the Armed Services and police units may ride in the uniform of their service at any level.”

I believe the salute remains a sign of respect between the rider and judge. Not to mention a test immobility in the halt.

In show jumping a nod to the judge is more the norm, as described above.

I think you have your own answer, dazguy2000. From your quote, it would seem that a chap (realistically, this would probably have originated from a time when women either did not compete or would not have been required to salute) gathers all his bits into his off hand.

This frees up a hand to doff his hat to the judges, although now that the hats are usually helmets and are secured via chin-strap, this part is waived. The action is still performed though.

(Hey, it’s a WAG, but it will do until something better comes along :slight_smile: ).

Actually, having just read Hello Again’s post, I think that the military bit and the arm at the side might be related to saluting with a sword. Still failing to Google anything on it.