Riding a horse is harder work than what it appears to the untrained eye. It has been said by many a non-equestrian that the horse does all the work while equestrians just sit there. Well, as an equestrian, I beg to differ. There is much more to riding that just sitting there and it’s about time equestrianism and equestrians start receiving more respect, as a sport and as athletes. Equestrianism, at most colleges is considered a sport, but it is considered a minor sport, and therefore doesn’t receive as much coverage as major sports such as basketball or football. What is the difference between a major and minor sport? Well, according to Morgan Dougherty of sites.psu.edu/civicissuesmorgandougherty , “But the question arises, what exactly is a major sport and a minor sport? Because of the definition of each Division of athletics, many people seem to define major sports as the Varsity ones, rather than ones that succeed in their competitions. For example, if a school has a Division 1 basketball team with a losing streak, and a Club Hockey team with a winning streak, regardless of the record or their success, the Division 1 team is likely to be considered a “major” sport simply because it is Varsity and Division 1, while the Hockey team is slightly put on the back burner, if you will, because they are “Club.” Equestrianism isn’t considered a "real" sport, it’s viewed more of as a hobby or club activity, even though it can be found under sports at many colleges and
Riding horses can be used in many spectacular ways. Horses can be used for therapy with special needs children. Horses can help ease soldier’s minds. Riding horses helps with emotional issues, diminish post-traumatic stress disorders, and allow children with special needs to have fun.
“We all ride for the same purpose, to win, but its those that ride with their heart and soul and leave everything in the arena that truly win in the end, no matter the outcome of the final placing.” Its not the person on the horse’s back, or the cowboy on a bodacious bull, that wins. It’s the horse and the bull themselves that are the champions. There are misconceptions when it comes to the sport of rodeo. Despite what PETA and animal activists think, rodeo is the way of life for some people and nothing can change that. We take pride in our animals, the livestock we use, and wouldn’t dream on attentionally mistreating these wonderful creatures.
If you’ve ever owned an animal, you know that being around them can be extremely therapeutic. After a stressful day at work or school, it is always nice to come home to your pet and feel comforted by them. Many dog owners even claim that their dogs can feel their pain. However, if you speak to anyone who has been spent their life around horses, they’ll tell you that the connection between horse and rider is unlike any other. Norwegian researcher Anita Maurstad explains in a recent article, that over time horse and rider can become so attuned to each other that they develop a state of co-being. Maurstad also found, through research, that horses appear to learn to relate to humans in ways that provide them with a good quality of life. A recent study from Washington State university has concluded that kids who work with horses have significantly lower stress levels. In addition to these, there have been numerous other studies that show that working with horses decreases blood pressure, reduced feelings of anger, tension, and anxiety. Riding horses also allows you to gain feelings of self esteem, empowerment, patience, and trust. Because of the overwhelming positive effects that horses seem to have, horses are no longer being used just for recreational or agricultural
Some people think of them as animals. Some people think of them as objects. Some people think of them as friends. Then there are the few who think of them as family. Horses have always been like family to humans, except sometimes closer. There are many benefits to owning or being around horses. They come in many different colors. There is a multitude of breeds, also. Additionally, they have a long history with humans. Horses have unique behaviors. Showing horses has been the past-time or even career of many people. Furthermore, caring for horses can be a handful, but is definitely rewarding. Finally, riding horses is not just a hobby or a sport, but an action of your heart. Horses are wondrous creatures that have lived with man or
According to society, Equestrians are jockeys that race around a track. But to anyone who’s actually ridden or has a passion for horses, you know that there are two distinctive styles of riding - English and Western. There are both similarities and differences between the two types of riding. Regardless of the style of riding people participate in or favor, each world of riding opens up various activities for the rider to enjoy.
“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” -Winston Churchill. Horses not only inspire their riders, but also the spectators. The art of equestrian is generally disregarded as a competitive sport. Being a rider not only takes raw talent but also devotion, skill, concentration, knowledge, and strength. With a variety of riding styles, it’s difficult to express which one is superior to the others. There is tension between the horsemen with different riding styles; each believe their accomplishments take more skill. Western Pleasure riding and English Hunter Jumpers are two distinctive techniques with diverse characteristics, but
Now who exactly is considered a student athlete. Well a student athlete is someone who is competing in a sport that is being sponsored by the education system (Wikipedia). We all very well know all the big games that go on here i the united states that bring in fans from all over the world. Like Bowl Games for football, march madness for basketball. But those are not the only sports that colleges have their are also several other events and sports that are organized through the NCAA for every season of the year. Here are most that happen in the fall Men's and women's cross-country, Field hockey, Football, Men’s and women's soccer teams, Women’s volleyball, and Men's water polo. The sports played in the winter are Men's and women's basketball teams, Bowling, Fencing, Men’s and women's gymnastics, Men’s and women's ice hockey, Men’s, women's and mixed rifle, Men’s,
Since my parents are directly involved with horses they enjoy participating in these events and so do I, they are fun to watch and not to mention I love to ride horses. This community is heavily passionate about what they do it’s their hobby and also their life they take care of their horses every day. They express a feeling of joy with their animals and try to share it with the audience by competing.
I believe that true equestrians are a special kind of people, they look out for each other and really want the best for each other. As I look back on the many people that have helped and guided me over the years, I too want to do that for the equestrians in my life now. I strive to be a positive, motivated rider who is always there to help. I think having the privilege of caring for my own horses has taught me a lot about responsibility.
The Oregon High School Equestrian Teams is not a sport, but it is a club. The first program started off in Oregon and spread through State of Washington.
Building strength and confidence is a good thing, and it can easily be built from riding horses. This is one of the many few benefits that riding a horse has on the body, but there are many other positive things that riding a horse can do.
“Horses are just animals. They do not feel anything. They are not human they do not understand or care what is happening.” These are some of the comments people make about horses and use as an excuse to use and abuse horses for their own pleasure. Many horses are on the worse end of the stick for the benefit of the rider or owner of the horse. As Les Sellnow states in her article, A Win at Any Cost?, “Yet, the show world has its dark side. There is a minority out there that will do whatever it takes to win.” This minority gives a bad rap for the show industry as a whole when it comes to caring for these precious animals. Some of the abuse these horses endure are excessive jerking of reins or spurring, forced to be in an uncomfortable position,
A lot of people say horseback riding should not be considered a sport. Most people tend to think that all equestrians do is sit there and allow the horse to do all the work. Equestrian is not only a sport, but a team, a community and a lifestyle. Riding in essence fits the definition of sport, even though many non-equestrian people do not understand why. The definition of sport is, “sports are institutionalized competitive activities that involve rigorous physical exertion or the use of relatively complex physical skills by participants motivated by internal and external motives” (definition from the sports in society textbook). People that say horseback riding does not fit that description are unaware that in truth it really does. An equestrian
Did you know that horseback riding is split into English and Western riding? You may wonder which one is better? Are English rider’s discipline and elegance better or Western rider’s courage and freedom?
Horses are used for many things such as; horse racing, breeding, traveling, and etc. Now a days the number one thing that they are used for is horse racing. As americans gather around ordering their food, and making bets on horses that may win they don't seem to realize all the science and danger that is behind these hard working horses. Horse racing is dangerous, because while you are stitting in the back screaming your head off cheering your horse to win, they are manging how to maintain there oxygen, force, speed, and time. People who dont know behind the scenes of training a horse racer would'nt understand the concept of timing, constant practice, tough opsticals, and healthy eating. Horses are just like human athlets, when we are determined to win we put our all and use all of the knowledge that we were tought and it is diffuclt to do so while remembering so much when theres