Equestrians Are More Than Mere Horse Riders

 

Horses have played a vital role in the history of mankind. They have served several purposes from transportation to heavy cavalry. Nowadays thanks to the emergence of technology horses are never used anymore. They might be mostly found working for humans in ranches, farms, circuses and driving carriages for amusement rides. Although horses will not be as vital as they were back in the era the tradition of riding them didn't falter. Equestrians were considered nobles in Rome who're members in the cavalry. Nowadays they're riders who take part in a variety of equestrian sports.
Equestrians in this day and age tend to be more known for equestrianism. It refers to the skill to ride and drive horses. This definition does not just include the employment of horses for recreational activities and sports but in addition for working and practical uses. Contrary what almost everyone would think the term refers to other skills not merely riding them for equestrian sports.

Equestrians before
Horses were employed in various purposes. They were both employed in war and peaceful pursuits. They were used from transportation, agriculture and warfare. In Rome Equestrians were considered elite. Horses were expensive in that era so owning one meant you were rich and doesn't really need to do manual labor. They were members of the social upper class in Rome. This class was most also known as knights. They were both a military and a political group because horsemen received financial compensation through the government.
As Rome expanded it relied on its allies for cavalry. There was no use for equestrians therefore they lost their military functions. They didn't engage in war anymore but their titles still remain and indicate nobility. The equestrians were rich and governed the provinces. Then senators were equal to equestrians.
The senators dominated the magistrate offices but were forbidden to control business and gain commercial income. The equestrians on the other hand continued to put money into marketing and tax farming companies. Conflicts arose between both of them. Equestrians made as much money as they can while senators notice rebellions on account of overtaxing. During civil wars the two elite collaborated and their orders were defined as reforms were done.

Equestrians today
They're popularly known for participating in equestrian sports during Olympics. Like before horse back riding is reserved exclusively for the rich. Even today horses continue to be expensive and prized.
Equestrian events include dressage, show jumping and eventing. Equestrians should be in a position to make the horse carry out natural movements on request while running loose during competitive dressage. It's also referred to as "Horse Ballet". Its goal should be to develop a horses' athletic ability and its initiative to perform to maximize its potential.
Show jumping is mostly a timed event where equestrians are required to overcome a series of obstacles with the fewest mistakes. Riders and their horses need to be in a position to go over the obstacle with the smallest amount of knocked over portions of obstacles.
Eventing is the mix of dressage and show jumping. The horse and the rider need to undergo a group of fixed obstacles including stone walls, water, logs banks, ditches with the fastest time possible.
Although the role of equestrians has changed through the centuries it still holds that aura of nobility that it once enjoyed in medieval times.