View source for Trick riding

{{Short description|Performing stunts while riding a horse}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
[[File:Croix de la mort.JPG|thumb|300px|The Cossack Drag or Death Drag.]]
[[File:A Representation of the Surprising Performances of Mr Price.jpg|thumb|Trick riding by Mr. Price in the 18th Century]]
[[File:Equestrian heritage, Kazakhstan.JPEG|thumb|Roman riding]]
[[File:Stunt riding.JPG|thumb|Stunt riding at the King of the Ranges competition day, Murrurundi, NSW]]

'''Trick riding''' refers to the act of performing [[stunts]] while [[horseback riding]], such as the rider standing upright on the back of a galloping horse, using a specially designed saddle with a reinforced steel horn, and specialized kossak loops for both hands and feet.  The horse is likewise galloping free.
Trick riding is not to be confused with [[equestrian vaulting]], which is an internationally recognized competitive sport governed by the [[Federation Equestre Internationale]] (FEI).

Horse riding stunts have been performed in many films, such as Roman racing in 1925, the Hollywood silent movie "[[The Calgary Stampede]]" where cowboy actor [[Hoot Gibson]] rides to the championship in the Roman race, and the iconic film "[[Ben-Hur (1959 film)|Ben Hur]]," as well as in [[equestrianism|equestrian]] events such as [[Equitana]] and the official opening of the [[Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre]], rodeos, and much more.<ref>Northern Daily Leader, "Inland icon opens", Simon Chamberlain, p.4, 23 February 2009</ref>

[[File:The Cossacks albert Seaton 1972.JPG|thumb|Albert SEATON - The Cossacks published in 1972.]]

Trick riding as a popular entertainment was practiced in Europe in the 18th century. The 18th century trick rider and memoirist Thomas Hammond describes performances in several European countries, including by himself and by James Wolton, the master who taught him.  Some of their stunts, and those of their only competitor, the more famous Mr. Price, are illustrated in the old engraving shown here.<ref name=Hammond>{{cite book |last1=Hammond |first1=Thomas |editor-last = Boulukos | editor-first = George E. | title=Memoirs on the Life and Travels of Thomas Hammond, 1748-1775 |date=2017 |publisher=[[University of Virginia Press]] |location=[[Charlottesville]] |isbn=9780813939681}}</ref> The captions of the depicted stunts, clockwise from top left, read:
* On full speed between 2 Horses, riding only on his Arms.
* Leaping a Bar standing upon 2 Horses with one foot on each Saddle on full speed.
* Jumping as He rides 2 Horses on full speed.
* Riding upon His Head and fireing a Pistol on full speed.
* Riding backwards standing on the Saddle on full speed.
* Laying across 3 Horses on full speed.
* Standing with one Leg on the Saddle on full speed.
* Takes his Whip from the Ground on full speed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=English School |title=The surprising performance of Mr Price |url=https://www.meisterdrucke.ie/fine-art-prints/English-School/463523/The-surprising-performance-of-Mr-Price-.html |website=Meisterdrucke |access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref>

Hammond's memoir included 14 hand-colored plates of Mr. Price's stunts, purchased by Wolton and Hammond from Mr. Price. These are reproduced in the 2017 edition, with the original French captions.<ref name=Hammond/>

Trick riding has been called the most daredevil of horsemanship, where gymnastic skills of strength and balance are needed. Using a special stunt saddle, the rider performs physically demanding stunts such as the classic standing hippodrome, the shoulder stand, the tail drag, and the suicide drag, and other stunts all while hanging to the side of the saddle, or standing on the saddle, or twirling on the saddle horn or swinging under the belly of the galloping horse from one side to another. 

Up to the mid 1930s, trick riding was a popular rodeo contest, with prize money and world champions declared. World titles were declared at the biggest rodeos in Winnipeg, Chicago, New York and London, England.
  
Champions had to have the best balance, poise and style, plus the most difficult stunts.

"Suicide" Ted Elder, who was called "Suicide" because of his daring stunts such as the "suicide drag," was one of the best of these early day performers winning seven world championships during his career. 

Vera Mcginnis, [[Florence LaDue]], and [[Tad Lucas]] are some famous female trick riders. 

Dick Griffith, [[Earl Bascom]] and Weldon Bascom were famous rodeo bull riders, as well as accomplished trick riders.   

Trick riders such as Shirley Lucas and Sharon Lucas became famous horse stunt women doubling for many movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, Lana Turner, and many more. In films, stunt riders have included Hank Durnew and [[Ken Maynard]] (1895–1973).<ref>William H. Young, Nancy K. Young The Great Depression in America: A Cultural Encyclopedia - Volume 2 - Page 476 - 2007 "... ultimately ran from 1930 until 1951. It then went on to more years on television. The credit for the first person to sing cowboy tunes in a sound movie probably belongs to Ken Maynard (1895-1973). A famous trick rider for stunts that he did.</ref>

Trick riding is still prevalent today, both in the film world and in rodeo. [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0341498/&usg=AOvVaw1pb6t-Gyhnfeas5aab6nNv&opi=89978449 Tad Griffith], who is a 3rd generation trick rider and at his prime was considered the greatest trick rider in the world, has taught actors how to trick ride for films like Keanu Reeves in [[John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum|John Wick 3]], Alden Ehrenreich in [[Hail, Caesar!|Hail Caesar]], and has performed trick riding in movies like [[The Mask of Zorro]]. His sons, [[Gattlin Griffith]], Callder Griffith, Arrden Griffith, and Garrison Griffith, have all continued trick riding, on-screen and in the arena.

One type of trick riding is known as "Roman riding", and is usually performed as entertainment in [[rodeo]]s, [[circus]]es and [[horse show]]s. In Roman riding, the rider stands atop a pair of horses, tethered together, with one foot on each horse.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Texas Trick Riders Present Roman Riding|url=http://www.texastrickrider.com/Roman.html|website=Texas Trick Riders|publisher=Roman Riding|access-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716212807/http://www.texastrickrider.com/Roman.html|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Shawn Brackett|url=http://www.geocities.com/shawnroman_rider/Shawn.html|website=Roman Riding Sensation|publisher=webcitation.org|access-date=26 December 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025143432/http://geocities.com/shawnroman_rider/Shawn.html|archive-date=25 October 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

"Roman standing racing" has been popular since the early days of rodeo, as a contest with prize money, where riders and horsemen race around a dirt track for the championship.  

"Roman running jump" is a specialty act, an exciting event where the rider and horses jump, at full gallop, over a convertible automobile or other barrier.  Ted Elder used this act only adding to the excitement by adding flames which the horse and rider jumped through.

The Canadian Trick Riding Hall of Fame was established to honor and preserve the history of Canadian trick riding.
==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Stunt riding}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080802163321/http://scone.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/trick-riding-new-attraction-for-king-of-the-ranges/370862.aspx Trick Riding new attraction for King of the Ranges]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090322191542/http://hotshotsvideoproductions.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45:trick-brahma-agl-062&catid=15:aglifestyles Trick Riding; A Lost Art]
* [http://www.rodeotrickrider.com The History of Trick Riding with over 300 trick riding photos. ]

{{Circus skills}}
{{Rodeo}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trick riding}}
[[Category:Trick riders| ]]
[[Category:Circus skills]]
[[Category:Stunts]]
[[Category:Rodeo-affiliated events]]
[[Category:Equestrian sports]]