Horse riding sports.

Equestrian events were once referred to as the Sport of Kings. Equestrian sports have even been included in the Olympic Games since 1900, and it is just as popular today as it was 100 years ago. 

Man has been on horseback for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and we love riding now as much as ever, nowadays though, we don’t need horses to get around, instead we love to use them to show off skill, look exquisite, and win competitions. 

All around the world, equestrian sports are popular, but today we will look at the overall most popular sports. You can learn more about equestrian sports at TVG/ https://www.TVG.com and get your equestrian on. 

The National Hunt- United Kingdom. 

One of the best known sports that includes riding on horseback is the National Hunt in the United Kingdom. During the winter months, The British Isles are the place to be for the Nation Hunt horse racing. There is a thriving scene in the United Kingdom and Ireland for big betting races such as the Betfair Chase, The Cheltenham Gold Cup, George VI Chase, and of course, the Grand National, held each and every year. 

There are a number of major festivals around this every year in the UK, but the National Hunt is regarded as a very popular sport among some in the UK, there have been some controversies over it of late, but these factors do not make it any less loved by those who hold a passion for it. Despite any negative views of the National Hunt it still brings in great popularity and there are thousands who participate.

There are also National Hunt horse racing events in France too! 

The World’s Championship Horse Show. 

No list about equestrian sports would be complete without mention of the World’s Championship Horse Show. Many horses in the States are born and bred in Kentucky, so it is only natural that it is home to many major equestrian shows, this is where this event is held in the Kentucky State Fairgrounds in Louisville. 

There have been over 10,000 people in attendance on average to this event, and you can often see over 2,000 horses competing. Horses will compete in five-gaited, three-gaited, fine harness, and American saddlebred divisions. The event is held every year in mid-August, check out more about the World’s Championship Horse Show online.

Flat racing. 

Flat horse racing has the larger global appeal, this includes many events worldwide, such as the Kentucky Derby, the Irish Champions Weekend, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Breeders’ Cup, the Royal Ascot, and more. Flat racing is exactly what it sounds like, and it is overall the most popular type of horse sporting worldwide. 

There is action for flat horse racing events in places such as India, Japan, and even South Africa. Flat racing could probably compete with Soccer in terms of worldwide sport popularity. 

You can find out more about flat horse racing and how you can gain from it online.

Eventing. 

There are a few different equestrian disciplines that make up eventing, one of these is the all popular dressage, where a horse demonstrates its capabilities at discipline and rhythm. Cross-country is another one of these, where stamina and endurance are put to the test. Finally, there is show jumping, which is all about speed and accuracy. 

In cross-country and showjumping, penalty points known as faults are picked up if any items jumped during are knocked down. In these two events, the rider and their horse are up against the clock. 

Worldwide some of these events are the Burghley Horse Trials, Etoiles de Pau, Kentucky Three Day and more. These are also popular in Germany, New Zealand and Australia. Find out more about these events at TVG.com.  

Harness.

In Scandinavia, trotting/ harness racing is popular. Jockeys occupy a two wheeled cart, which is often known as a sulky or a spider. Harness racing can happen at different speeds to flat racing and other horse racing, but it is very popular in Northern Europe, and in places such as Canada, New Zealand, and also in the USA too. In Finland, it is excessively popular, with over 40 different locations used for harness racing! In Sweden, it is popular also, with more than 30 different venues, including the Halmstad horse racing meet. 

For more information on harness horse racing, and other types of equestrian sports, check out TVG.com.

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