Why are there so few African American horse riders?

Let me start by saying that this is an interesting question, the likes of which I haven't seen on here before. I think that the answer has multiple facets, however. One is that you are correct in your observation that there are virtually no AA riders on the international level in any discipline, whether Olympic or not. That also extends to the national level, at least in the US- AA competitors are rarer than diamonds in Siberia. We've never had an Olympic medalist who was of African descent, at least not in the equestrian sports- and next year marks the centennial of the equestrian sports' introduction into the Olympics as medal sports. The color barrier is the last major barrier which has yet to be breached in these sports, at least in America. The gender barrier was broken decades ago- indeed, women now dominate all 3 disciplines. On the international scene, equestrian sports are still the only sports in the Olympics in which the genders compete equally, and they also are the only sports in which co-ed teams are a common sight. This wasn't always true, however.

I think there are a couple of major reasons for the ethnic disparity in the equestrian world. The first and most obvious has to do with money. We all know that horses are expensive to buy, train, and maintain. Because of disparities in income levels, and decades of economic and racial oppression, it has taken much longer for African Americans to become wealthy enough to afford participation in expensive sports like riding, which have historically been considered rich white man's sports. (Please, for those who might take offense at my use of that terminology, I am merely talking about history. This is not intended as an insult to anyone and should not be taken that way.) As someone else said, another part of this has to do with where people of color like African Americans ended up living. During the early parts of the last century, most left the rural parts of the country to live in cities, because they believed that there were more economic opportunities available in urban areas than on the farms. Then as now, people tended to migrate to wherever the jobs were- and African Americans were no exception. But living in cities had its drawbacks as well as advantages. One of the drawbacks was that the children of the relocated workers tended to grow up WITHOUT being exposed to animals or anything connected with a rural lifestyle. There were, and are, literally generations of kids who grew up to believe that milk, meat, and vegetables come from the grocery store or the local Wal-Mart instead of the farm, and African American kids made up a significant percentage of the total.

These are kids who've never been out of the city in their whole lives, and whose only contact with animals like horses has been either at the local zoo, the circus, or with the occasional police horse- and often those latter contacts have been anything BUT pleasant. On top of this, there are very few if any major, prominent role models in the equestrian world which city kids can emulate the way they do role models in other sports like football and basketball. Most of the top pros in sports like eventing and show jumping are not given over to publicity seeking. They prefer to stay out of the limelight and under the radar, and let the results of what they do speak for themselves. Even people like Michael Matz ( the former Olympic show jumper who has since become a top race trainer) aren''t noted for being publicity seekers either. That makes it hard for young, inner city kids to see these people for what they are, and to follow the examples they set. On the one hand, I can understand the pros' point of view- constantly seeking publicity or fame is tiring and it often interferes with their ability to do their jobs, but on the other, I do wish there were more chances for young kids of color to see what the horse world has to offer, because it can offer a lot. So now we have two factors- income disparity and lack of role models for children of color- that are contributing to the issue. Still another factor I can think of has to do with cultural perceptions. Because riding has historically been considered a sport for the wealthy white elite, it's possible that there are those of color who think that African Americans aren't capable of participating in it, or that if a person of color rides, then he or she is behaving in a way that is considered unacceptable. For myself, I can say that I have known only one or two people of African descent who rode in my entire career. Right now, I have a colleague at my office whose daughters are taking riding lessons, and they are AA, but that's the exception to the rule. Otherwise, there really haven't been many other people. I think the biggest thing stopping the few people I have known from advancing in their riding is money- they simply can't afford to do very much. I wish that weren't the case, but it is.

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RE:

Why are there so few African American horse riders?

I was just reading an article about a young African American woman with goals of riding in the 2012 Olympics. I then noticed that I think I don't know a single African American horse rider. This seems really silly to me. Now it is true that I live in a rather "white" community, but...

I have no idea. I have only seen 1 or 2 African Americans riding horses in like the past few years...

As for why...

It is strange considering that after the Civil War there were many slaves who were then free to do whatever....out of a job....and they then became cowboys.

It's not correct what the other poster said that they migrated to the cities and that's that.

Because they don't teach real history in the schools yet....you and most of us never find out that...

MOST COWBOYS 150 years ago were Black, Mexican, and Indian (American Indian), NOT predominantly white.

There were the Buffalo Soldiers....an all black cavalry.

There were LOTS of black cowboys then.

Not so much or hardly at all now.

I can count on one hand the number of black riders that I've ever heard of from rodeos, etc...

So...who knows.

ARG! Definitely change barns. Show strength through economics. Taking your purchasing power to another barn will reduce the stable's income and hopefully, when the other boarders find out your reason for leaving, they will follow suit. Here's an idea: Visit as many eventing clinics as you can. Then practice at your new barn where people look at the content of your character and not the color of your skin, just make sure it's a barn with plenty of hacking area. If the barn is serious about having you as a customer, they will set up a few adjustable fences for you to practice what you have learned. You sound like an experienced rider, so the only training you may need can be found at clinics offered in your area and then real competition. Time in the saddle is far more important than a trainer, especially a kook like that. Honey, please know that there are far more people in the world who welcome your diversity than there are ignorant cow patties dressed in jodphers. Let us know about your endeavors and blessings for your competition this fall!

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Adrian, you are correct- African Americans who participate in English style horse sports are EXCEEDINGLY RARE- so much so, in fact, that one almost never hears or sees anything about them. There are many reasons for this, but perhaps the number one reason I can think of has to do with MONEY, rather than with ability. It isn't that people of color can't ride or don't make good horse people- far from it, in fact. It's simply that most of them CAN'T AFFORD the sports. That reason alone is why it's taken so long for someone of color who is truly talented and is capable of breaking the color barrier on the international level to emerge out of the shadows. Horse sports are still as white as the driven snow, at least here in the USA and in most of Europe- and I find that to be revolting in a lot of ways, as do many people I know or have met during my long years in the horse business. We are ALL aware of the racial imbalance at least on some level or other, perhaps even more so than we are of the gender imbalance which has plagued these sports in recent decades. What's even sadder is that if the few young people of color who get attracted to sports like dresage, eventing, or show jumping actually enter the sports, they will find that they have NO role models to emulate, because everyone else in the sport is Caucasian or Latino, or in some cases, is Asian. Being in the minority all the time is hard on anyone- and I think that's most likely why African American kids aren't encouraged to pursue horse sports. Beyond this, though, are other factors. Social class has a lot to do with why there are so few people of color who participate in English horse sports, as does public perception. These sports have long been considered to be the province of the wealthy, white elite- and in some places, the idea of a rider who is African and is able to hold his or her own against other riders who are not simply rubs people the wrong way. Riders of color, or their families are aware of this, and it tends to discourage them from participation in the sports. This same thing is also true to a large extent in the RACING world- there are FEW, IF ANY, African American or African trainers out there, and right now, there are NONE in the USA who are at the top of the sport. All the big money trainers right now are WHITE- Lukas, Baffert, Zito, Asmussen, Matz, Dutrow, Jones- the list is almost limitless. There are and have been a few African jockeys, and it's common for grooms, exercise riders, and hot walkers to be African, but NOT trainers, and certainly not OWNERS or breeders. When was the last time you ever heard of a major stakes winning horse which was trained by an African American, Adrian? I don't believe that I have EVER heard of such a thing- and I have followed racing my entire life, since I was a kid. So the answer to your question is yes, African Americans do compete, but they are very much in the minority- and I commend you for your interest in horse sports. We desperately NEED more people like you, not less of them. I for one am tired of seeing horse sports touted as the playground of the elite, rich, spoiled white BRATS of the world. The reality is that horse sports SHOULD BE available to EVERYONE, regardless of their racial background or social standing. After all, the horses could CARE LESS what color someone's skin, eyes, or hair are. They don't discriminate- so why should WE?? Enough said.

This was posted years ago, but after it popped up in a Google search, I felt the need to post. Even if no one ever reads this.

I am a black female riding English and Endurance. Blacks are a clear minority in the equestrian world but we are out there. I've seen most in the Western, Gaited, or Saddle Seat disciplines.

As to WHY there are so few... good question. I have loved horses ever since I knew what a horse was but, because my parents couldn't afford it, I had to wait until I had my own income.

Someone mentioned economics. I think that can play a role, however that's not the entire story.

I think a part of the issue is stereotyping. Some people think of horseback riding as something "rich white people do". It's so sad. I am neither rich nor white. I have been mocked for, supposedly, trying to act white just because I ride horses. I've also been told, "You ride horses? Black people don't ride horses!". The sad thing is, both of those came from other black people. If people fear they are going to be mocked or fear they won't fit in, they are less likely to participate.

Horses are not for white people. They aren't for blacks, Asians, or Hispanics either. Horses are for people who love horses.

But, I think the main issue the lack of diversity itself. Which makes this a circular issue. Anyone can observe that the horse world is not diverse- at all. It is true that there is a clear white majority. One can go further and get into politics and history, but the bottom line is it's not diverse. The lack of diversity can be offputting to some people. If they don't feel welcome, they will not get involved. If they do not get involved, the issue of a lack of diversity continues and the cycle starts over.

Fortunately, in the horse world, I have experience very little (if any at all) discrimination because of my color. Yes, some equestrians are absolute snobs with their noses in the air, but I've never been treated wrongly because I'm black. I've only been treated wrongly because I didn't ride the same discipline they do- ha!

I think youth should be encouraged to take part in the horse world. If they learn about it and find a true enjoyment and interest in it, they will involve themselves more.

Me, I loved horses so much and for so many years, I wasn't about to let the color of my skin stop me from pursuing my dreams. None of my family rode horses, but for some reason the bug bit me. I didn't have the financial means at first, but with hard work I have found away (I pretty much work just to support my horse hobby.)

The ones who truly want to involve themselves in the horse world will find a way.

i have only met one black rider, but he was gay so that kinda is another stereotype. He rides english so that's the stereotype that i meant. but other than him i don't know any other black riders. I have seen a few black people at horse shows but not usually. I live in a white community to so its not that fair of an argument on my part but still. I guess because when the slaves moved up north they don't have horses anymore so they just never really were into it, because back then horses meant work, not fun. Now most of the black people live in cities so there's not any horses in the city.

Sorry if I might have offended anyone, I know African American is politically correct but its faster to type black because I fractured my elbow so I only have one hand to type with and I want to type as little as possible lol.

Someone said that you lived in the 'burbs and the way I took it was that you lived in the country. I live in the country and that's why there aren't any black people. The black people that we do have act country but they don't ride. I just wanted to say that, i don't know why, but since i said that i live in a white community i guess i just wanted to say i don't live in the suburbs. I live in the country and i have 200 acres so im pretty sure that isn't the 'burbs.

Black Horse Riders

I think everyone's been giving pretty decent answers, but I wanted to add: what about Asians? Here in Southern CA, a great deal of the population is Asian. We have two girls at my barn, who were adopted from China, who ride. I think it's very refreshing to see them with their horse. At my old barn, one of the trainers was Filipino.

I think it's pretty neat.

Edit: Oh, I remember seeing a young African American boy at a jumping show once. He was riding a very cute spotted pony that ran off on him. He handled it well. He was a great rider, and very cute.

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I'm not sure where you live but if you live down south or IL or IN you'll meet a whole lot of african americans that own horses. It usually depends on where you're living and how unrare it is to own a horse.