There are very many different styles of riding English, which include Dressage, Equitation and Jumping.
Dressage:
Dressage is a series of transitions and patterns that have to with points of the arena marked by letters. A ring steward calls out letters and instructs them what to do. For example, Enter arena at A pick up working trot. In Dressage there are many different levels that you you can show in, the higher the level the harder the pattern. You are judged on the presentation of yourself and you horse and on how well your horse performs.
Equitation:
Equitation is based on the rider, your horse could do almost anything and as long as you maintained you composure, and controlled your horse you could still get a fairly decent score. Equitation is also a pattern class including different gates and movements. For example, Trot up center line, figure eight starting to the left, as you come out of the figure eight pick up the right lead, stop, do a forehand turn canter back to judge left lead, stop back up 5 steps.
Jumping:
Jumping is well, jumping. The height varies upon what level you enter and what the judge wants. Some jumping courses are outside, which enables more jumps and higher ones. Smaller shows have smaller courses.
