Courbettes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A series of short, lively jumps in which a horse raises its forelegs off the ground while maintaining its hindquarters in place
2. an acrobatic display of skill and agility often performed during dressage or training
3. a demonstration of a horse's ability to respond swiftly and accurately to the rider's commands while appearing graceful and controlled

Etymology: A courbette is a specific leap in classical riding: the horse rises onto its hind legs, springs forward, and lands again on its hind legs while its forelegs are drawn up. English borrowed the term from French, where "courbette" named the same movement, and "courbettes" is simply its plural. The French word probably came from Italian "corbetta", which likely traces back to a Latin root meaning "curved", a fitting image for a horse arched in mid-air.