Equestrian

Equestrian involves horse riding as a competitive sport, as seen in various formats across the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It includes dressage, jumping, and eventing. Equestrian is also part of the modern pentathlon, first contested in 1912.

What is equestrian?

Dressage is an exhibition form of riding where highly skilled riders are judged on the quality of their performance, as with dancing or other 'art sports'. Each horse and its rider are expected to perform a series of choreographed movements and manoeuvres.

Show jumping involves a rider leading their horse around a course of jumps and other obstacles, with time penalties for those who make errors. The winning individual or team is the competitor with the quickest time.

Eventing involves riders competing across three disciplines, including both dressage and show jumping. The third event is a cross-country race, an endurance-based course of jumping and running which tests both rider and horse.

Equipment needed

Large indoor space (e.g. sports hall)
Vaulting boxes
Gym mats
Benches
Low hurdles
Cones / markers

British Equestrian is the National Governing Body for equestrian in the UK.

See their full range of equestrian formats suitable for schools.

Get involved

The School Games is inclusive to all young people and provides opportunities for everyone to get involved, either within school, against other local schools, or at county or regional level.

School Games Organisers

School Games Organisers (SGO) help schools coordinate appropriate competitive opportunities for all young people from Key Stage 2-4, to recruit, train and deploy a suitable workforce, and to support the development of club.

School Games formats

Learn more about the School Games formats suitable for equestrian competitions:

PDF

Equestrian Primary Challenge

Dressage Arena, Unmounted Games, Pony Knowledge

PDF

Equestrian Primary Competition

Pony Play

PDF

Equestrian Secondary Competition

Gymnastics on Horseback, Horseball & Polocrosse, Jumping

PDF

Why Equestrian?

Dressage League

Quick and easy equestrian activities

Be it 10-minute or lesson-length activities, we have a range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities to encourage young people to stay active throughout the day.