Yes, horse riding is definitely a sport – or rather, a collection of sports – and they’re usually thrilling to watch.
Three of the most famous horse-riding sports are National Hunt racing, flat racing and polo.
The most famous National Hunt races are the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National, while in flat racing it is the Derby. Polo (think hockey on horseback) is of course synonymous with the upper classes and both Prince Harry and Prince William play - as did their father, King Charles III, and grandfather Prince Phillip.
There are also three Olympic equestrian sports: dressage, show jumping and eventing.
Dressage is also a Paralympic sport. Dressage tests a horse's obedience and suppleness through a series of movements - think gymnastics on horseback.
Showjumping requires horse and rider to jump a series of brightly coloured jumps in an arena. Should there be more than one clear round, there is usually an exciting jump off against the clock to determine the winner.
Eventing tests horse and rider over three disciplines - dressage, showjumping and cross country - where bold horses and riders jump fences across country at speed. The competitor with the fewest penalties across the three disciplines wins.
But that's not the end of the horse riding sports. There's also vaulting (see above), horse ball (cross between polo and netball), endurance (long-distance riding), western riding, gymkhana games (think primary school sports day with its egg and spoon race) and team chasing (teams of three or four gallop across country while jumping obstacles).
Visit British Equestrian to find out more about different horse riding sports.
Inspired to give riding a go? Here is advice on how to start horse riding and what to wear horse riding.
- Best gifts for horse lovers: 7 great present ideas for equestrians
- What is a gelding?
- Pony vs horse: what's the difference?
- Donkey vs horse: what's the difference?
Main image: Badminton Horse Trials © Getty Images
