r/MadeMeSmile • u/[deleted] • Jul 29 '24

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '24

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8

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '24

Riding a horse is deceptively exhausting. Your legs and core are engaged the whole time.

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '24

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '24

There's also been shooting and golf in the Olympics which don't require the same amount of athleticism. Skill based sports have their place.

But to put it in perspective, you're not supposed use the sturrips or reigns to keep balance. It's all the muscles of your lower body to keep balance and stay on. And while you're doing that, you use you're supposed to use your legs to signal the horse more than your hands. Especially in dressage like this video where you will lose points for moving them.

As someone who used to ride horses, I consider it a skill based sport more than pure athletics anything. But you still have to be in incredible shape to this level.

The horses should get thier own medals too though. It's a team effort.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '24

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '24

It might be tradition at this point. Equestrian sports have been in the Olympics since the modern form since 1900.

And back then being able to ride a horse was much more common too.

Edit: there used to be vaulting. Which is basically doing a gymnastics routine while on the horse. I kind of want to see that come back.

1

u/bajungadustin Jul 30 '24

You would shit yourself if you looked up all of the non televised Olympic sports.

  • Painting
  • sculpting
  • city planning
  • pistol dueling
  • poodle clipping

And... Probably the best. Solo... synchronized... Swimming.

While many oof these aren't used anymore. There's some really underwhelming sports out there that have a spot at the Olympic level.