Equestrianism relates to the riding of horses. This broad description includes both riding horses for practical purposes such as in police work or for controlling herd animals on a ranch, as well as recreational and sporting aspects such as horse riding sports, carriage driving, dressage, endurance racing, eventing, horseball, paraequestrianism, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, and polo. Other horse riding sports include horse-racing, hunting, fox hunting, rodeo, barrel racing, pole bending, flag racing, western and hunter pleasure, western and hunt-seat equitation, trail class, showmanship, horsemanship, roping (heading and heeling), park, English pleasure, country English pleasure, saddle seat equitation, jousting, and cavalry. Often, horses are used for casual or rigorous recreational riding (also called trail riding or hacking). Recreational riders often hunt, pack, and camp using horses, mules, and donkeys. There is public access to horse trails in almost every part of the world; and many parks, ranches, and barns offer guided and independent trail riding.

In former times equestrianism was closely associated with the military: medieval knights were equestrians, as were their military successors, the cavalry. However, the horse and horseback riding have had an important part in all times and places, from the times of the Roman empire, to medieval knights, to genghis khan and his armies, to the streets of London, to the farms and frontiers of the United States, to the luxury barns and fast-paced horse show world of today.

Horse racing

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Humans have always had a desire to know which horse (or horses) could move the fastest, so horse-racing has ancient roots. Today, several categories of racing exist:

Races subject to formal gambling

Under saddle:

1. Thoroughbred flat racing; (under the aegis of the Jockey Club in the United Kingdom and the Jockey Club of North America)
2. Thoroughbred National Hunt racing or steeplechasing in the UK
3. Quarter Horse Racing--mostly in the United States, and sanctioned there by the American Quarter Horse Association.
4. Appaloosa Horse Racing
5. Arabian Horse Racing

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Donegal Direct - Activities - Equestrian RSS Feed

Ashtree Stables
info@donegaldirect.comLetterkenny Tel: +353 (0)74 9153312Well established family run riding stables, overlooking Mulroy Bay. Trekking and Hacking along quiet mountain roads. Safety, quality and enjoyment guaranteed. Beginners welcome.
Arnolds Hotel
info@donegaldirect.comDunfanaghy Tel: ++353 (0)74 9136208Welcome to Arnolds Hotel, situated at the entrance to the picturesque village of Dunfanaghy overlooking scenic shores of Sheephaven Bay. The hotel enjoys panoramic views of the Bay and the striking scenery of Horn Head with spectacular walks and many hidden attractions is home to a variety of seabirds that can be spotted off the cliffs.
Golden Sands Equestrian Centre
info@donegaldirect.comRathmullan Tel: +353 (0)74 9158124Golden Sands Equestrian Centre in Rathmullan provides the riding enthusiast with access to one of the most beautiful and unspoilt regions of Ireland. The Centre's aim is to provide first class service for horseman and horse in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Five Oaks Ranch
info@donegaldirect.comBallyshannon Heritage TownTel: +353 (0)71 98 51030Five Oaks Ranch is a family run business specialising in Western Style Riding.
Lenamore Stables
info@donegaldirect.comMuff Tel: +353 (0)74 9384022Lenamore Stables is a well established equestrian centre specialising in show jumping with a National Show Jumping Arena, cross country course, small indoor and large outdoor arena. Facilities: Enclosed manege, indoor school, cross country course, liveries, changing rooms, showers, qualified instructors, hacking, hunting, schooling and basic instruction.
Donegal Equestrian Holidays
info@donegaldirect.comBundoranTel: 003537198 41977Donegal Equestrian Holidays offers everyone from the beginner to the more experienced a chance to sample some of the most beautiful riding in Ireland.

MiamiHerald.com: Horse Racing

Two stakes officially canceled
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:00:00 -0500
Calder Race Course on Wednesday canceled two stakes races that were originally scheduled for Dec. 5. Those races are the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap (Grade 3) and $100,000 my Charmer Handicap (Grade 3).
Gulfstream Park gearing up for opening day
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:58:00 -0500
Sunday, January 3 is the target date for Gulfstream Park to kick off its 2010 racing season. The Hallandale Beach facility will once again host some of the biggest names in horseracing.
Retired Zenyatta to revisit Santa Anita on Dec. 26
Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:51:00 -0500
Undefeated Zenyatta will visit Santa Anita to be honored on opening day of the track's winter meeting Dec. 26.
A longer wait for Lava Man return
Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:19:00 -0500
The much anticipated return to the races of eight-year-old gelding Lava Man was aborted Saturday due to inclement weather. The three-time winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup was held out of the Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park because of a wet track.
Turf Melody wins at wire in Springboard Mile
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:36:00 -0500
Turf Melody caught Man Chester Man at the wire and won a photo finish Sunday in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park.
Peruvian favorite Pechito wins at Calder
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:00:00 -0500
Pechito, a newly named champion for his big 2008 season in Peru, showed Saturday that he has made big strides in adjusting to North American racing.

USATODAY.com Horse Racing - Top Stories

Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel dies at 68
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:01:27 -0000
Bobby Frankel possessed a gift for coaxing top performances out of ornery, high-strung thoroughbreds, a gruff Hall of Fame trainer ...
Jockey Aaron Gryder to move riding base from SoCal to Hong Kong
Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:24:29 -0000
Aaron Gryder, who rode Well Armed to victory in the $6 million Dubai World Cup this year, is moving his riding career from Southern ...
Filly and mare neck-and-neck for Horse of the Year
Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:50:48 -0000
In a debate that is testament to one of the most memorable seasons in Thoroughbred racing history, Horse of the Year voters must ...
Classic indeed: Zenyatta roars back for Breeders' Cup win
Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:15:22 -0000
Zenyatta has beaten the boys in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, running her record to 14-0 in a race delayed briefly when ...
Out of Zenyatta's shadow, Life Is Sweet wins Ladies' Classic
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:13:13 -0000
Life Is Sweet led a parade of longshots to the winner's circle at the Breeders' Cup on Friday, with the stablemate of Zenyatta ...
Mare Zenyatta runs for history, takes on boys in Breeders' Cup
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:18:46 -0000
Zenyatta, who met every challenge through 13 career starts, faces the test of a lifetime Saturday when she attempts to become ...

ESPN.com - Horse Racing

Noble's Promise tops CashCall Futurity cast
Steve Andersen Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:50:33 -0800
By the time the field reached the top of the stretch in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Nov. 7, Jordan Blair, the assistant trainer for Kenneth McPeek, was convinced he was standing in the right spot.
Bank sues horse owner Ahmed Zayat for unpaid loans
Glenye Cain Oakford Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:47:56 -0800
Fifth Third Bank has filed a lawsuit against prominent racehorse and stallion owner Ahmed Zayat, alleging that he owes the bank more than $34 million on loans for his equine operations.
Benny the Bull to stand at Vinery for $4K
Matt Hegarty Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:59:07 -0800
Benny the Bull, the 6-year-old champion sprinter of 2008, will stand at Vinery in Summerfield, Fla., in 2010 for a fee of $4,000, the owners of the farm announced on Wednesday.
Calder cancels two postponed Grade 3 races
Mike Welsch Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:44:58 -0800
Calder officials announced Wednesday that they have canceled both the $100,000 Tropical Turf and My Charmer handicaps.
Stronach moves Mast Track from Ascanio to Shirreffs
Steve Andersen Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:57:51 -0800
Mast Track, winner of Saturday's Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park, was transferred to trainer John Shirreffs on Sunday and will race in 2010, according to Mike Rogers, racing manager for Frank Stronach.
Russell Baze wins 400th in a season for 14th time
Chuck Dybdal Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:30:55 -0800
Jockey Russell Baze, the only rider ever to record more than three 400-win seasons, reached the 400 mark for the 13th time in his career Sunday at Golden Gate Fields.

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