Event Disciplines

Flat racing

Flat racing is a discipline which was originally found in horses. It involves a set of shedu (most often classic thoroughbred) racing against one another under saddle on a flat track (thus the name of the race!). These tracks can have twists and turns, but not obstacles, and can be various short to moderate lengths. The point of this discipline is to reach the finish line as fast as possible. 

Steeplechase

Steeplechase is a discipline that goes hand in hand with flat racing. Like its sister discipline, it involves a set of shedu racing against one another under saddle. However, the track itself is different. In steeplechase, there are jumps that must be cleared during the race. There are often less turns in a steeplechase race due to the necessity of jumps, however, this is not always true, as plenty of official steeplechase races happen on tracks that are also used for flat races. Steeplechase races can also be called 'Hunter' races. The point of this discipline is to reach the finish line as past as possible.

Cross country

Cross country (or XC) is a type of endurance race, much longer than the tracks seen for steeplechase and flat racing. It is performed under saddle. These 'races' are usually a bit slower paced, (though not at all slow!) and have various types of obstacles for a shedu to encounter. While some of these obstacles are jumps, they are almost always more ornate than plain hedges. There are also be other, unusual types of obstacles. Generally speaking, cross country is a type of race made to emulate a long ride through the countryside.

Show Jumping

Show jumping is a discipline where a shedu will run an obstacle course under saddle consisting primarily of jumping based obstacles designed around utilizing poles to create an obstacle (similar to a fence), rather than a hedge or other form of obstacle. There are various shapes these pole based jumps can form, such as verticals or cross rails. There can occasionally be odd obstacles, such as water obstacles. Show jumping courses are often run within a time limit, with each competitor trying to achieve the fastest time with the least faults during the course.

Dressage

Dressage is a discipline where shedu are judged based on their ability to perform specific and refined movements under saddle. It judges a cat's flexibility, balance, and movement skills. It can often be described as almost a 'dance', and similarly, is often performed to a musical track. Unlike speed based disciplines, dressage is not judged on the pace in which one does their routine. Instead, dressage is judged by a judging panel, and cats are given a score based on how well the cat and rider move together. 

Driving

Driving is a discipline where a cat will be hitched to a wagon, cart, sleigh, or other vehicle, with the intent to pull said vehicle. This discipline is based heavily on strength, and the ability to work in a team. Driving, while it can be done by a single cat for a smaller vehicle or harness, is often done in pairs or teams of multiple cats. Driving is judged in various ways, whether it be a judging table determining how effective the cat(s) are in driving their carriage, or in which cat(s) reach the finish line with their carriage first.

Agility

Agility differs from most other disciplines, in that it is hardly (if ever!) done under saddle. Agility is performed with a handler directing a shedu through various obstacles. These obstacles are often more diverse than those seen in competitions performed under saddle. Things like hoops, tunnels, poles, teeters, jumps, climbing walls, amongst other things can all be seen in this discipline. The objective is to complete the obstacle course as quickly as possible, with as few faults as possible. The fastest time with the fewest faults, wins!

Survival

Survival is a very diverse discipline, with heavy emphasis on the handler's abilities in tandem with their cats. It requires cat and handler to work as a team in high stress situations. A survival cat must be flexible, enduring, and powerful. More natural obstacles are often seen here, such as logs or forestry. Survival 'races' are endurance based, and often long treks. Cat's must be desensitized to gunfire, as there is often a target shooting aspect the handler must complete during the survival course. Cats must follow voice commands and be focused despite wildlife or other natural conditions. This discipline is judged by completion of the course, and how well the cat and handler do at the various portions/obstacles seen in the course.

Fighting

Fighting is a discipline primarily seen in Asian shedu cats. Asian shedu fighting focuses primarily on posturing and intimidation dueling between two cats, displaying intense movements and beautiful coats. Fighters wear protection during these official fights to ensure safety. Fights, of course, are judged by which cat wins the combat. Despite this, the results are usually gathered with little dangerous physical contact between the cats, even if posturing leads to genuine engagement. Less formal fighting events, however... often are no where near as safe and 'frilly' as their official counterparts. Handlers are often seen giving commands to their cats from outside the 'ring', fighting is NEVER  done under saddle for handler safety.

Halter/Korung

Halter, or korung, is a type of discipline where a cat is judged entirely by its physical appearance and movements. Cats are held in halter or collar by their handler, presented in a show stand and led around a ring in trot. Cats are judged not only by their health and movement, but primarily by their conformation to their line standard and temperaments. Usually, conformation points are tallied to give a cat a specific 'score'. While a cat will be judged individually to its line, it may also be compared to the other participants, and a winner is chosen based on which cat best conforms to their line standard.

Endurance

Endurance is a general discipline done under saddle, often used in training cats. Endurance cats are trained to travel over outdoor trails in various types of weather and terrains, and are desensitized to wildlife. While endurance races rarely have many created obstacles, unlike cross country or survival tests, a cat and handler pair are destined to encounter nature's own obstacles, that the world presents. Wildlife, rock formations, bodies of water or streams, are just some of the obstacles one may encounter in an endurance race. Endurance races are extensive courses, requiring a lot of stamina, balance, and clever perseverance to pull through.

Street Racing

While not a normal discipline in any sense of the matter, street disciplines, of course do exist. These are often dangerous and unhinged races, where the only rule is to come in first place. Whether that be under saddle, out of saddle, etc., is your choice, so long as you can defeat your opponents. There are many types of street races, and not all are based on speed alone. This 'discipline' is diverse, but precarious obstacles of all kinds can be encountered on the streets. However, the most 'typical' race, is a race done under saddle through a desolately urban area from point A to point B. First to get to point B, wins. Due to this discipline having such variety, it is suggested you read more about it HERE.