Horse Race Survey: Equestrian Entertainment

"And they're off!"

Horse racing season is upon us. Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Arabians, Quarterhorses and other breeds are lining up for the starting guns at horse racing venues worldwide.

The thrill of the race excites horseback riders (equestrians or jockeys) and race spectators alike, who wish for good fortune and victory, while equine trainers and horse owners eagerly await each outcome.

The fastest horse proudly prances into the Winner's Circle at the racetrack for an equestrian photo opportunity with breeders, owners, trainers and riders.

Where did horse racing begin?

Since the dawn of human civilization, men have raced horses. From Roman chariot races to medieval tournaments to Native American contests, equestrian speed and athleticism have always been promoted and prized.

What are the main styles of horse races?

In the United States, horse racetracks offer pari-mutuel betting(See link for a "Guide to Pari-Mutuel Betting" at the end of this article.) for spectators and others, as jockeys gallop their Thoroughbreds on oval sand or grass tracks. The Triple Crown of horse racing includes the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. In the US, Thoroughbreds are the most popular racehorses under saddle. Arabian Horse and Quarterhorse racing circuits are well-attended as well.

Harness racing garners crowd appeal as well and offers wagering too, both at the racetrack and through off-track betting centers. Harness racers have their own Triple Crown. This equestrian sport is most popular in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Standardbred Horses are usually employed in harness racing. Sulkies, or trotters, are perennial racetrack favorites.

Steeplechase is equestrian racing gone extreme, with horseback riders guiding their mounts over a countryside course with jumps, fences, water landings and other obstacles. Steeplechase is an Olympic equestrian sport. In steeplechase, the vast majority of horses are Thoroughbreds, although some Warmblood horses (Hanoverians, Holsteiners, Oldenburgs, Trakehners, Westphalians, etc.) and other breeds of equines may excel at this discipline.

In the United Kingdom, National Hunt Racing is popular, as horses leap fences or other obstacles to speed to the finish line. This equestrian event, which is much like steeplechase, may also be called jump-racing. Flat Racing is also widely practiced as a recognized horse racing discipline.

Biathlon offers another form of horse racing. A mounted biathlon race includes completion of a preset race course and target-shooting, while on horseback. (Olympic equestrians practice this too.)

Stadium jumping is another speed sport with horses, and it also appears in the Olympics. In this event, horses and riders compete over a course of jumps in the fastest time with the fewest faults possible. In stadium jumping, a clean round is one in which the horse clears every fence without fault.

In combined training, competitors must complete equestrian events in both dressage and jumping. Three-day eventing also includes steeplechase. Certain equestrians consider three-day eventing the pinnacle of athletic training and endurance for horse and rider.

Worldwide, many other forms of horse racing are popularly practiced. Desert and countryside equestrian races have historically been practiced.

As the horse racing season opens and builds momentum, equine enthusiasts and the general public will converge in veritable herds at racetracks and outdoor equestrian courses to observe the action.

Is horse racing exciting? You bet!

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Guide to Pari-Mutuel Betting

Need a guide to understanding the various types of bets you can make at the racetrack? Click here for information.