Competitive equestrian sport consists of both objectively and subjectively judged events. In subjectively judged events, there exists the possibility that rider appearance may influence the judge’s evaluation and final placement or ranking of participants. This exploratory study examines the importance of rider appearance, which includes both rider costume and physique, in competitive equestrian sport as it is perceived by the riders.
Nine female equestrians riding on their IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) collegiate equestrian teams were interviewed for this study. The participants, a mix of both western and hunt seat riders, described aspects of their appearance for horse shows, which included show clothing, facial cosmetics and hairstyles. Elements of the social physique anxiety scale were incorporated into the interview instrument to identify whether the riders experienced social physique anxiety as a result of judges’ and coaches’ expectations of their appearance. Although social physique anxiety has been examined in athletes in a variety of sports, it has not to date been studied in the equestrian population.
The riders uniformly identified their perceptions of the preferred body type for equitation classes (tall and thin), but not all of the riders experienced social physique anxiety as a result of comparing their bodies with this standard. The riders also discussed whether they perceived a double standard toward male and female riders with respect to their show ring appearance. The western riders did perceive a difference between male and female riders, but the hunt seat riders did not. Riders also identified other non-body image related aspects of collegiate riding that they liked and disliked. Positive aspects mentioned by the riders included the camaraderie and support system provided by teammates and the coaches, the challenge of riding unfamiliar horses in competition and how riding served as a break (i.e., stress reliever) from their daily academic life. Negative aspects mentioned by the riders included the challenge of riding unfamiliar horses in competition, the expense and the amount of time it required in their busy schedules.
The results of this exploratory study indicate that additional research related to body image is needed for equestrians. Areas of additional focus may include more quantitative measures of body image in equestrians, and the expansion of the scope to include male and female equestrians in additional collegiate riding formats.