Did you know that horseriding is the only Olympic sport where men and women compete on equal terms in show jumping, eventing and dressage?. Therefore, gender categories are non-existent, which has allowed many women to excel in this discipline in the same way as men.
Why does this equality exist in horseriding, and which are the most outstanding women in the world of horseriding? These questions will be answered below.
Gender equality in the equestrian world
First and foremost, gender categories exist in other sports because skills such as speed, endurance and strength are measured. Generally, men demonstrate a higher level of these skills compared to women. However, in horse riding it is agility and coordination which are important.
Taking this into account, men and women are on an equal position. In addition, the connection with the horse is also very important. Therefore, riding requires a lot of skill and a good connection with the horse.
Women who excel in riding
According to a study carried out by the University of Liverpool, female riders have nothing to envy their male competitors. As a basis for this analysis, 128,488 races and 1,255,286 rides over a period of 14 years were taken into account. So which women would be worthy representatives of this thesis?
Simone Blum
Simone Blum is a German rider who specialises in show jumping: a discipline in which both horse and rider must overcome various obstacles previously set up. Simone Blum has been competing with horses since the age of 15; in 2016 she won gold at the German Women’s Championships.
In 2017 she became German champion with the mare “Alice” and the following year she participated in the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, USA, winning individual gold and team bronze. This made her a renowned rider, as she is the first woman to win a gold medal at this competition in show jumping.
Haya of Jordan
Here we have a famous Arabian princess, whose experience with horse riding began at the age of 6, and since then, it has been a passion for her. She even managed to compete in the Olympic Games in the year 2000. In addition, her management as President of the International Equestrian Federation from 2006 to 2010 was totally commendable.
Michelle J. Payne
This Australian equestrian athlete won the Group One Race in 2009, despite suffering severe falls, including a fractured wrist and skull, in 2004. However, Michelle had aspirations for much more.
After a period of preparation, she took part in the Melbourne Cup in 2015, winning out of many male riders. All this earned her a lot of international fame. Undoubtedly, an example of courage, perseverance, strength and perseverance.
Elizabeth Madden
This Olympic rider is an expert in show jumping, which has earned her two Olympic gold medals. She also won the FEI World Cup in show jumping and two bronze medals, a silver and two gold medals at the Pan American Games.
As a curious fact, she became the first North American woman to win a million dollars in prize money from show jumping. Quite a world-class champion, isn’t she?
Beatriz Ferrer-Salat
Last but not least, this Spanish rider, who has been competing in dressage since the age of 15, has participated in 5 Olympic Games and won 2 medals in Athens 2004.
In addition, she has competed in 3 World Championships and several European Championships, accumulating a total of 8 medals.
There is no doubt that women are equally or better qualified than men in riding and there is no better proof of this than the achievements of Michelle J. Payne, Beatriz Ferrer or Simone Blum. Thanks to their discipline, they have managed to position women in a sport that was dominated by men in the past.
Please do not forget to take a look at our other article on the best horses for riding, because without them there would be no female riding champions.
