Is horse riding a sport or not? No doubt this is one of the most controversial questions not only in the minds of people who are not familiar with horse riding, but also some horse riders still wonder about this question. Infact the answer to this question is very simple and straight forward:

Horse riding can be considered a sport. An equestrian needs physical strength, practice, focus, sportmanspirit and all the qualities a sportsman has. But there are often times when horse riding is not a sport, instead horse riding is more like an exercise or even just a recreational activity.

Anyone who has ever ridden a horse in life must agree that horse riding is more than just sitting on a horse. Horse riding requires the same energy as required by a couple of other sports. Let’s take a look at how horse riding satisfies the definition of being a sport.

Definition of sport:

To find out whether horse riding is a sport or not. We must look at the definition of sports. According to the definition of horse riding coined by the oxford dictionary:

“Any activity that involves physical excretion and it is a skill in which a person or a team competes against another or other players for entertainment is defined as a sport.”

This definition has two parts. Let’s examine these two parts in detail.

1. A sport must be a physical activity:

It means that any activity that requires physical effort can be considered a sport. By this part of definition, horse riding of any kind can be considered a sport because riding a horse requires a certain amount of energy unless a rider is just sitting passively on a horse and the horse is only walking.

2. A sport must include a competition between participants:

It means that for an activity to be considered a sport, there must be some kind of competition between the participants which is only applicable to some kinds of horse riding. The kinds of horse riding which do not include a competition, cannot be considered to be a sport under this part of definition.

When horse riding is a sport?

Most kinds of horse riding can be considered a sport as they are physical activity which requires physical exertion and the participants compete which fulfil the definition of a sport. The most common kinds of equestrain which can be considered a sport are as below:

1. Dressage

Dressage is like doing ballet while sitting on a horse. The horse and rider both work as a team and produce a collection of intricate movements which seems impossible. It requires years of practice and requires perfect movement from both the horse and the rider. The team of the horse and rider often competes with other teams.

2. Jumping

Jumping is a type of competition in which horse riders jump over fences and different obstacles along with their horses. Which requires physical strength, mental focus, endurance and not to mention years of practice.

3. Eventing

It is a competition in which the riders are required to show the skills of three different types of horse racing: Cross country, Dressage, and jumping. It is an extremely difficult activity and requires mastery of more than one kind of horsing discipline.

4. Others

There are a lot of types of horse-riding competitions and all of these require a considerable amount of energy and skill.

When horse riding is not a sport

It has been established that horse riding is a sport. But not all types of horse riding can be considered as a sport. There are certain types of horse riding which are not a sport but merely an exercise. Some kinds of horse riding do not even fall into the category of horse riding. These kinds of horse riding can only be considered as a recreational activity.

Consider an example of a person riding a horse in an arena. The rider is galloping around the arena. This type of horse riding is considered as an exercise. Take another example in which a person is sitting on his horse and the horse is walking along the beach. This type of horse riding is no more than just a recreational activity.

Proof that horse riding is a sport

The proof that horse riding is a sport is that horse riding is a part of the Olympics. Equestrain have been a part of the Olympics since 1912. The equestrain disciplines which are currently a part of the Olympics are: Dressage, Jumping, and Eventing.

The Olympics are the international events in which participants from all over the world take part in different sports. If an international organization with such a huge reputation recognizes horse riding as a sport then surely there are solid facts to back their decision on this matter. Hence it proves that horse riding is a sport.

Why horse riding looks easy:

Horse riding seems an easy thing to do. The rider seems to be just sitting on the horse and doing next to nothing. It seems like just minimal efforts of the rider are used to control the actions of the horse. Most of the viewers are of the thought that the riders are just sitting on the horse and doing nothing. They think that any layman can easily get familiar with the art of riding a horse.

Horse riding in fact seems really an easy thing to do and it is not because that riding is itself easy, it is because that the riders riding the horse have practiced for years and have trained themselves and their horses to a level of perfection.

The horse riders ride the horse in such a professional way that makes the audience think that horse riding is an easy task.

What makes horse riding a sport?

There are many traits which make horse riding a sport. The most common traits which causes experts to believe that horse riding is a sport are as follow:

1. Physical strength:

Most of the sports require participants to be physically fit. Almost all horse riders are physically fit. Horse riding requires every muscle of your body to take part. New riders often complain about backpain, sore muscles and aches after riding a horse.

2. Mental focus:

Horse riding requires a rider to be mentally and physically focused during a rider’s ride. Even the slightest mistake can result in disastrous effects. Horse riders must calculate each and every move in advance in order to succeed in the race.

3. Skill:

Like any other sports, horse riders have to keep practicing to reach to a level of perfection. It requires months and even years of practice to master one of the many skills required for horse riding.

4. Competition:

For something to be considered a sport, the participant must somehow be able to take part in a competition. Horse riding requires competition which makes it eligible to be considered as a sport. There are a ton of different horse-riding competitions in which horse riders compete. Horse riding is also a part of the Olympics in which professionals from all around the world compete to win the game.

5. Sportsmanship and sportsman spirit:

Horse riding, like any other sport, requires a person to be steadfast. Riders should know how to accept failures and must keep trying to overcome them. Moreover, a horse rider must treat other competitions. If a horse rider acts out of ego, he may be putting his safety and the safety of others in jeopardy.

Is Horse Riding A Sport (Conclusion):

Horse riding is a sport and like all other sports it also requires all the qualities which are present in a sportsman. And if someone tries to undermine horse riding, just remember that horse riding is considered as one of the most dangerous sports in the world. You will then recognize that horse riding is not a small activity.

You would come across many skeptics who believe that horse riding is easy and cannot be considered as a sport. These people might have never happened to experience the wonders of riding a horse. How can a bystander know how much effort is required to ride a horse properly. Riders spend years to train themselves and their horses for competition and it is an insult for the riders when others do not acknowledge their efforts which they put into their work.