Duh, Horseback Riding Is A Sport Just Like The Sky Is Blue And The Grass Is Green | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Duh, Horseback Riding Is A Sport Just Like The Sky Is Blue And The Grass Is Green

Being an equestrian takes just as much work as a football player.

162
Duh, Horseback Riding Is A Sport Just Like The Sky Is Blue And The Grass Is Green
Mackie Pritchard

There are many different things that annoy me, trigger me, and send me into a frenzy. Just ask my friends, and they’ll tell you that the list goes on for days with things like struggling to close a ziplock bag, getting stuck behind slow walkers, and being stuck in a conversation when someone just won’t. Stop. Talking.

However, the number one thing at the very top of my list is a specific statement: “No, horseback riding is not a sport.”

First of all—the words every girl uses when beginning an argument—you couldn't be any more far from the truth. Horseback riding takes about as much time, effort, and energy as a football player.

I’ve been an equestrian for the past 12 years, so trust me, I know what I’m talking about.

Just like every other sport out there, we practice a lot. My trainer will send out weekly reminders about when she is teaching and what times we need to be there, and we need to show up prepared to work hard and learn something new. Like coaches, horses are amazing teachers and each one has a different personality that will help make you a better rider.

One of the first horses I had ridden was named Gidget. She was a sassy, red-headed mare who knew her job and did it well. She taught me to not be afraid of starting new things and gave me such great confidence to keep going.

Every horse I’ve ever ridden has shown me new things that I can apply both in the ring and in my outside life. The amount of effort put into this sport is unmatchable to any other. You have effort coming from the rider, the horse, the trainer, and especially the parents.

As a rider, I put all my effort into making sure my horse is safe and executing courses correctly; my horse puts all his effort into taking care of me and getting the job done; my trainer makes sure my horse is taken care of at all times and gives me the knowledge to make my courses flawless; my parents supply an everlasting amount of support.

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not horseback riding is a sport, hopefully, this will help get you on board: when you’re playing with a teammate, it’s easy to communicate with them in order to get results, right? Now imagine having to move 1000 pounds of pure muscle with a simple leg movement.

Horses obviously can’t speak to humans, which is why it is so much more difficult and also why the rider does a lot more than they are given credit for. I am the one that decides which direction we go in, whether or not the horse should walk or canter, and what distance to take when jumping—which isn’t to say that I’m never wrong because I am, frequently.

While I am the one that makes most of the decisions, my horse never fails to bail me out when I’ve made a mistake. Baxter, who was the last horse I’ve ridden, is truly a knight in shining armor. Whenever I make a mistake, he always does his best to protect me and execute the plan as best as he can. Horses are magnificent creatures that work hard to do their jobs, just as the riders, trainers, and parents do.

So the next time someone poses the question, “Do you think horseback riding is a sport?”, remember that blood, sweat, and tears go into this sport just as they would in football, basketball, or even curling.

And if you happen to put a football player in front of a sassy, red-headed mare, I can guarantee you he would run for his life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

461
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

289
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

20 Things You Forgot To Thank Your Mom For

Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

1576
family
Facebook

Dear Mom,

You took care of me and my brothers our entire lives and you still continue to! I will not be able to truly grasp all of the hard work that you put into this family until I create my own one day. But, I know that there are plenty of times I forgot to give you a simple thank you or an appreciative smile. I thank you for everything that you have done for me and will continue to do for me. Here are some examples of those times where you had my back and I forgot to pat your back for saving me:

Keep Reading...Show less
pumpkin
Holytaco.com

College is hard. As people ages 18-22, we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing with our lives, our careers, our eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and other necessities for adult life. We definitely don’t take proper care of ourselves; it’s basically impossible when we have essays, tests and readings due and somehow we’re supposed to eat right, exercise and sleep. We’re doomed to get sick. I have zero experience in science but when I get sick there are certain things I do to make myself better.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments