Leisure Kicks - The essencial sport and leisure guide

Equestrianism covers a multitude of different horse sports, including three Olympic and one Paralympic discipline, and Great Britain has brought home hundreds of international medals over the years.  It is one of the few sports where men and women compete on equal terms and at a local level millions of people are involved with horses, a pastime that has been proved to be extremely beneficial both physically and emotionally. It can be practiced over a wide range of ages and abilities and is also a great way to stay active – riding is a great workout on your legs, core and more. Riders also develop therapeutic relationships with the horses as they train them to follow cues and movements. Britain is one of the countries that most embraces these sports, and facilities are more prevalent here than in many other nations, making it an accessible activity as well as a deeply rewarding one.

Aside from the main forms of equestrian sport when it comes to Olympic and Paralympic competition – dressage, eventing and show jumping – there are many ways to enjoy horse riding as a sport. There are more straightforward activities such as endurance riding and then there are the lesser known sports such as horseball.

Choose your sport

Learn about the Olympic legacy of equestrian sport in the UK