In the spirit of Pegasus this stallion is piloted by gifted 12 year old "tween" Equestrian.
The image was captured during an Equestrian Event while she was competing in the Hunter-Jumper Class; Canter Division
btw... The canter is a three-beat gait, meaning that there are three hoof beats heard per stride. Each footfall is the "grounding" phase of a leg. The three footfalls are evenly spaced, and followed by the "suspension" phase of the gait, which is when all four legs are off the ground.
Note: In a gallop, all four feet also leave the ground... Here the horse becomes airborne when its hind legs swing forward near the front legs, as shown in Muybridge's Epic photo series.
The first commercial motion picture produced was made to settle whether or not a horse in gallop has all four hooves off the ground — English photographer Eadweard Muybridge was commissioned to prove/disprove this by former California Governor Leland Stanford.
What is more challenging? Riding Western or Riding English?
English riding involves a "bit" (pun intended) more balance and coordination of the reins and legs than Western thus initially English riders may not feel as secure in the saddle.
Bottom Line? English horseback riding is a harder discipline to master.
Note: English saddles are lighter, usually between 10 – 25 lbs.
While Western saddles can range from 25 – 60 lbs.
The weight and style of a saddle can be a major determining factor in how well one can perform as a rider.
btw, I live very close to Middleburg, Virginia, one the Top Equestrian Places in the U.S.
As a commercial photographer it is in my best interest to master an understanding of the Equestrian Art & Craft and speak it's language fluently. a.k.a. Know you client...
Please watch... fascinating!
The Horse in Motion (1878) Eadweard Muybridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNU7sXkZmSw Compliments of (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art)