How to Start Competing with Your Horse

When the Olympics come around, everyone dreams of being up on that podium. Maybe it’s you or your child’s dream to become a successful equestrian. Whether you want to compete in dressage, stadium jumping, or eventing, competing can be a long and challenging road. Competing is expensive and it requires a team of people, including coaches, veterinarians, and grooms, to work together to help a rider and their horse succeed.

Starting Off

Whether you were born into a horse-oriented family or not, many riders who compete spend their childhoods in local riding clubs, 4-H, or Pony Club. You should start by competing in local schooling shows and open show circuits, or try to join a high school or college team. If you want to compete at a high level, you must learn how to excel both as an individual and as part of a team. The keys to your success are having the right horse, working with good coaches, and lots of practice.

Young Rider Program

In North America, Young Rider programs are offered that are open to all youth riders from ages 14 to 21. Fédération Equestre Internationale, or FEI, is the governing body for Olympic Equestrian competition. By participating in Young Rider programs, you can compete in progressive levels of competition in all FEI-recognized sports. This will provide you with an introduction to the dress and expectations of international competitions, as well as what it is like to compete under FEI rules. 

Through the Young Rider program, you can start to compete and qualify for championships, like the Pan-Am and Commonwealth Games. Eventually, you could be selected for a national team if you prove yourself by consistently placing in major competitions. And from the national team, riders can be selected to compete at World Championships, World Equestrian Games, and the Olympics.

Anyone Can Be a Champion

Age and experience are valued in riders and there is no age limit to being on the Olympic Equestrian team. So if you think you are too old to compete, think again. You can still compete successfully at practically any age as long as you have the drive, intuition, and skills necessary to be a champion.

Competing is a big financial and time commitment. You need to keep in mind that horses are expensive, especially those that compete at high levels of competition, and you will have to pay for travel, competition fees, memberships, and more. If you have high goals of being an Olympian, then it will a long and emotionally challenging path to take. But if you put in the work and have the right team behind you, the odds may be in your favor.