Costs consist of the cost of the horse itself (the price of a good horse is several tens of thousands of dollars), its feeding, housing, veterinary care, services of a farrier, equipment (saddle, headband, blankets, tack, etc.), horse harness. – for riding horses; carriage, harness – for harness horses), costume of sportsmen (boots, breeches, tailcoat or redingot, cylinder or helmet, gloves, spurs, whip…). This also includes pay for the trainer, rental of riding arenas, grounds and various tracks equipped with obstacles, transportation of the horse to the competition venue, and other costs. And all this is multiplied by years of methodical, daily training.
Purebreds and horses with a sprinkling of English blood are used in equestrian sports. Purebred horses are commonly referred to as horses that have been obtained by systematic factory selection for the purpose of achieving high agility in racing. The origin of the thoroughbred horse can be accurately traced back through many generations. The word “thoroughbred” does not say anything about blood composition, rather it refers to the temperament of the horse. In English, there is the expression “perfectly bred horse.” Purebred horses of Oriental or Arabian origin are distinguished from the English thoroughbred horse.
Horses with a flush of English blood are commonly referred to as horses of widely used breeds. They are used for riding, harnessing, and working purposes. The number of thoroughbred horses used in dressage and triathlon competitions has increased. In dressage competitions the thoroughbred makes a good impression due to its elegant appearance (exterior) and good technical skills. Due to the purposeful breeding, for example, agility and endurance as well as partly also jumping ability, the thoroughbred can be used in international dressage competitions. The stable plays an important role in the breeding of the horse. The structure of the stable, the ventilation and the cleanness have to meet the special requirements for the horse. Good light and clean air are essential for the well-being of the horse. Continuous good care maintains the health of the horses and increases their performance. This includes not only cleaning and hoof care, but also proper feeding, good horse handling and proper riding.
The horse’s daily ration consists of about 5 kilos of oats mixed with the appropriate amount of chopped straw and about the same amount of hay. The horse is fed 3 times a day: morning, afternoon and evening. The evening ration should be larger than the other two. The horse should be thoroughly watered before feeding.
Saddles come in different shapes depending on the type of equestrian sport for which they are used: jumping, dressage, triathlon and racing. The saddles come in mouthpieces and truncheon saddles.
Any rectangular area with elastic ground can be used as a riding arena. The arena can be open and closed. Along the four walls of the arena is the main track. The walls in closed riding halls are “lined” with boards to a height of 2 m. These are the so-called sides. Their purpose – to protect horses from injury. The boards have markings. The dimensions of the dressage arena should be: 20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m. Platforms for overcoming obstacles can be of any size. It is desirable that each equestrian club has appropriate terrain for training, which would be varied and allow different variants of work on cross-country terrain. It is good if there is rough terrain with springy ground in the forest and in the field, or terrain with shallow sandy ground, with climbs and descents, with natural obstacles, including water, allowing to jump in and out of water.
Clothing. Certain clothing is required to participate in competitions. In obstacle events and field trials, civilian riders perform in a black redingote, white breeches, black stiff jockey, black boots, and a white shirt with a white tie (or hunting tie).
Internationally credentialed riders perform in competition wearing a red jacket. Military personnel perform in uniform. It is customary for riders to compete with a whip.
Riders participating in dressage competitions wear a cylinder, tailcoat and white gloves. In harness racing, competitors wear cylinders or caps.
For the past 30 years, a female competitor has surprised no one. But few people remember that at the beginning of modern equestrian sport everything was different.