Is Equestrianism really a sport?
I know Equestrianism does take a lot of work and risk's and I do believe that it is a sport but one day someone told me that it's not a sport but just a competition because there is no offence and defense. So that got me thinking. But then there is polo which it does. But what about the rest of the equestrian sports? Is all of equestrianism consider a sport or does it just depend what competition it is? or what? What do you guys think?
Comments
Kate, there is NO SUCH THING as "equestrianism". There are horse sports, and there are people who participate in them. Horse sports are generally divided into two categories, which are broadly based on either the activity performed or the type of equipment and riding style used by the riders. The English style horse sports are the best known sports, and include the following:
Dressage
Eventing ( which is also nicknamed "cross country" because of what the riders and horses do)
Show Jumping
Combined Driving
Vaulting
Endurance Riding ( which is a cross between the English and Western styles, and has elements of both)
Modern Pentathalon ( this sport contains a show jumping phase which makes it one of the horse sports)
Polo
Polocrosse
Horse Ball
Gymkhana
Ladies' Sidesaddle
Saddle Seat
Viceroy, Fine Harness, and Roadster competitions for ponies
Foxhunting ( field hunting)
Hunters
Equitation sports
Hunter paces
Point to point races/events
The racing sports are always classified as a seperate group under the English sports. They include;
Flat racing ( with TB's, QH's, Arabians, Mules, and occasionally Appaloosas)
Steeplechase
Harness racing ( Standardbreds only)
Western horse sports include:
Western Dressage
Reining
Barrel Racing
All rodeo events and sports
Competitive Trail Riding
Mounted drill work can be done in either type of tack, or no tack at all.
Sport does not need offence or defence to be a sport- look at track and field, there are no offence or defence there. Archery, swimming, marathon walking, triathlons, high jump, discus, javelin, trampolining- all are in the Olympics and don't require offence or defence, yet they are all called sport.
Motor racing and BMX racing is called sport, but how is driving a car or riding a bike really sport? When I drive my car, I don't think that I am taking part in sport.
Horse racing is labelled sport, so I would say, based on this and the other activities that are called sport, yes, I would call horse riding a sport. Some do it for pleasure, to relax and socialise (like with tennis, soccer and golf), while others are more serious and compete.
There IS a such thing as equestrianism. And yes equestrianism is a sport.People think that equestrianism shouldn't be a sport (because the horse does all the work.) In some ways I agree, the horse is the one that runs the mile across a jump course and jumps the 5ft high jumps. But if you think about this way, who TRAINED that horse to jump that 5ft jump. Who kept that horse FED and WATERED. Who kept that horse WARM and COMFORTED.
And to your SOMEONE that you mentioned, Just because equestrianism doesn't have offenses and defenses doesn't mean that its not a sport what about swimming and track. they're in the Olympics and they don't have offenses and defenses. Hope this helps you.
It depends on how you define a sport. If you take it to mean "able to compete in" then yes, horse riding (jumping, dressage, racing) is a sport since you can compete.
Just as you can compete in say darts.
If you take sport to mean physcial activity with (or without) competition - horse riding counts. But to me, darts then wouldn't since it's not really a physical activity. But then neither is motor racing..but FMX would be since the riders need a heck of a lof of strength and flexibilty.
As Katatonyk says - there isn't an offence and defence in others things classified as sports. I consider horse riding a sport since it can be competitve, can be active but can also be relaxing/for pleasure (just like golf)
It is a sport. it requires lots of time energy practice and effort. you dont just jump on the horse and say go and try and win.
dressage (both english and western)
jumping
Cross country
steeple chase
racing
barrels
pleasure
Cutting
Reining
equitation (english and western)
cart pulling
Polo
trick riding
Drill team
can you just go out and win a champion football or baseball trophy?
no?
Same with horse riding.
So diving and swimming and running are not sports either as there is no offense and defense? Silly reasoning.
all sports don't have offense and defence. any thing in which you are competing can be considered a "sport" for example Mallakhamb is a sport. hope this helps