Horse Riding Sports
Discover different riding disciplines from Western to dressage, competitive sports to leisure riding. Our articles cover rules, techniques, training methods, and how to develop skills at every level.
Basic Rules of Polo
Polo is played on horseback between two teams trying to score goals across chukkas, with rules governing match format and player handicaps.
Considerations When Betting on Horses
Different types of horse racing bets and how they work for beginners getting started with wagering.
Dangers of Horse Racing
Horse racing carries serious risks for both jockeys and horses, from fatal falls to career-ending injuries despite safety efforts.
Dressage Manoeuvres
How horses and riders master the precise movements and gaits that make up a dressage competition.
Equipment for Eventing
Event riders need specific clothing, tack, and grooming gear for three different disciplines, all focused on safety and appearance.
Flat Racing
Flat racing is the world's most glamourous horse sport, offering bigger prize money and summer racing that draws global media attention.
Horse Riding Holiday Guide
Plan a horse riding holiday that suits your skill level, preferred scenery, and accommodation style across the UK.
How to Qualify for Point to Pointing
Your horse needs a vet check, proper registration and a hunter certificate to race in point to point events.
Investing in Horses
Horse racing investments can pay off big, but they're risky and require the right team to succeed.
National Hunt Racing
UK horse racing over jumps, from novice hurdles to the famous Grand National and Cheltenham Festival.
Olympic Equestrianism at London 2012
Britain's strong equestrian team competes at London 2012 with events held at Greenwich Park near the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Eventing
Olympic eventing is the only sport where men and women compete as equals, and where horses and riders are true teammates.
Other Horse Riding Governing Bodies
Horse riding has multiple governing bodies that work together to regulate different disciplines and keep the sport safe.
Point to Points
Point to point racing is grassroots horse racing where anyone can compete without a permit, tracing back to 19th-century hunts.
Polo Equipment
Polo players need helmets, knee pads and proper tack because falls and collisions with horses are common in this contact sport.
Polo Player Positions
Each polo position demands different skills, from the goal-scoring number one to the defensive number four player.
Racing for Change: The Organisation and its Aims
Racing for Change is trying to attract new people to horseracing by modernising the sport, from changing odds formats to building bigger names.
Riding the Grand National
Amateur riders can race on the Grand National course through a yearly charity event that selects and trains ordinary horse enthusiasts.
Royalty and Equestrianism
Princess Anne pioneered the Royal Family's modern connection to equestrianism, competing in the 1976 Olympics and winning major sporting awards.
The Best Racecourses Around Britain
Visit Britain's top racecourses from Aintree's Grand National to hidden gems worth the trip.
The Cheltenham Festival Explained
Cheltenham Festival is England's most prestigious racing event, drawing top horses, trainers and fans from around the world each March.
The Dressage Training Scale
A step-by-step framework for training horses in dressage, starting with the basics and building toward advanced movements.
The History of National Hunt
National Hunt racing is a winter jumping sport with deep roots, though it now runs year-round and attracts dedicated racing fans.
The Hunting Ban Facts and Figures
How many people have been prosecuted under the UK hunting ban since it came into force in 2005.
Training for a Three-Day Event
Get ready to tackle three-day eventing with tips on building the riding skills, horsemanship, and fitness your horse and body need.
What do I Need to Start Horse Racing?
Starting as a jockey means working in stables first, building skills with horses and learning the system from the ground up.
What is Eventing?
A horse sport combining dressage, showjumping and cross country in one or three day formats.
Which Breed is Best for Which Equestrian Sport?
Different horse breeds excel at different equestrian sports, so choosing the right one matters if you're serious about your discipline.
Who Are the Countryside Alliance and What Do They Do?
The Countryside Alliance represents 100,000 rural members and campaigns for countryside traditions while helping farmers adapt to modern challenges.
Why Horseracing is So Popular in Ireland
Ireland's deep roots in horseracing span world-class jockeys, legendary trainers, and a cultural passion that shapes the sport globally.