Aid
In riding, the use of hands, legs, voice or body weight to prompt a horse.
Bit
In riding, a metal mouthpiece attached to the reigns. When restrained, a horse is "on the bit."
Bore
In shooting, the diameter of a gun barrel.
Bout
In fencing, a contest in its entirety.
Bull's-eye
In shooting, the center ring of the target.
Canter
In riding, a gait that resembles but is slower than a full gallop, when three legs are simultaneously off the ground. Canters include (from shortest strides to longest): collected canter, working canter, medium canter and extended canter.
Combination
In riding, a series of jumps separated by only one or two strides.
Compound
In fencing, an attack or counterattack involving several moves.
Corps-a-corps
In fencing, when both competitors' weapons are disabled by an engaging position.
Counter-parry
In fencing, a defensive maneuver in which one competitor goes around the other's blade to move it away.
Counter-riposte
In fencing, a counterattack by a competitor who just blocked an opponent's counterattack.
Cross-country
In running, a race through mostly rough terrain, as opposed to a flat track.
Disobedience
In riding, a horse's refusal that results in a penalty.
Double Hit
In epee fencing, hits by each fencer occurring within .04 of a second, canceling each other out.
En garde
In fencing, the French term for "on guard," a pre-bout position.
Fault
In riding, a scoring unit for penalizing errors.
Feint
In fencing, a decoy attack that precedes a real one.
Fleche
In fencing, a running attack.
Gait
In riding, a horse's characteristic motion. Gaits include: walk, trot, canter and gallop.
Gallop
In riding, the fastest gait of a horse. A run.
Gauge
In shooting, the internal diameter of a gun bore.
Kick
In swimming or running, a burst of speed saved for the final stretch of a race.
Lath
In riding, the boundary of a water jump.
Lunge
In fencing, the basic attack in which a competitor moves forward with the front leg while the back remains straight and stationary.
Parry
In fencing, a block of the opponent's blade.
Pass
In fencing, a thrust or lunge.
Penalty point
In riding, a point assessed for an error.
Piste
In fencing, the French term for the bout's playing surface. Also called the strip.
Redouble
In fencing, to attack a second time after an opponent's failed counterattack.
Refusal
In riding, when a horse stops short of an obstacle, incurring a penalty.
Remise
In fencing, an attack that follows a blocked attempt.
Resistance
In riding, a horse's refusal to continue, rearing, stepping back or making a half-turn.
Riposte
In fencing, a counterattack by a fencer who just has blocked an attack.
Run-out
In riding, a horse's attempt to avoid an obstacle.
Sighters
In shooting, practice shots to adjust sights. They occur before matches and do not count toward the final score.
Touch
In fencing, a hit with the point of the epee, winning the bout.
Trot
In riding, a gait in which the horse moves its diagonal legs at the same pace. Types of trots include (from shortest strides to longest strides): collected trot, working trot, medium trot and extended trot.
Walk
In riding, a marching pace. Types of walks include (from shortest strides to longest strides): collected walk, medium walk and extended walk. A free walk has a relaxed pace and the horse has complete freedom to lower and stretch his head and neck.
