What is Mounted Drill Team?

Simply speaking, a mounted drill team is a group of riders working in unison to create a “dance” on horseback which we often see in parades or at horse related events.   Musical freestyle routines are  performed to a musical selection where an entire arena becomes our “dance floor.”  The routines can be a short program of 5-6 minutes or long programs which are usually 9-12 minutes in length.  This performance is a series of patterns or maneuvers choreographed into a full routine.  Some of these maneuvers are the Pinwheel, Starburst, Figure 8, Double Figure 8, Big X, Button Hook, Swinging Gates, Corkscrew, Double Corkscrew, and the Swinging Pinwheel.  There are many, many more and numerous variations on these same patterns, some of which can be highly complex while other are quite simple.  When putting together a drill routine you are only limited by your imagination because the possibilities are endless.  Freestyle performances can be seen at fairs, rodeos, saddle club events and in competition.  Demonstration rides are often seen during the intermissions at horse shows.

Drill is NOT a game, it is NOT a competition between members or a place to “one up” anyone else.  The purpose of the drill team is for all members to have fun while learning and performing precision mounted drills at horse related events and and parades.

If you want to do something fun with your horse and get involved with a great group of people, consider joining the Posse!