Lately I’ve been thinking about how non-horse people view horse people. It seems like they all usually have the same image in their head of how we all are. Especially if we ride English. They seem to see the highly privileged rich person driving to their barn in an expensive car to ride their horse that costs more than a Mercedes. They’re usually using tack that costs more than an average person’s monthly earnings with perfectly polished boots and a Gucci belt around their waist.

Though that might be the image that some people portray, it’s not the case with all of us equestrians. So, I thought I would share some the other types of horse people that exist.

(Keep in mind that this post is all fun and games. This is by no means meant to insult anyone.)

THE WORKER

This is the person who would spend any waking moment at the barn. Even if it means doing all of the barn chores. They want to learn everything about running a stable. They believe that their hard work will pay off in the end.

Even though they’re barely making enough money to survive, being around the horses makes it all worth it. Regardless of whether or not they end up in a career with horses later on, their dedication and positive attitude is something that most people will never learn to master.

THE ATHLETE

Whether they have the money behind them or not, these riders are willing to put in the saddle time to improve their riding skills. With dreams of riding in the Olympics, they keep wanting to push further. They’ll make sure to put in the time to do things right instead of rushing into things. Even if that means training at the gym or taking the time off to recover properly.

Their eyes are bright and they’re ready for the next challenge. They get excited when their coach raises the bar and they get analytical when they make a mistake. The athlete is always focused and is never afraid to go after the dreams they have.

THE COMPETITOR

These equestrians are in it to win it. They know that they are the best out there. Like the athlete, they have big dreams. They’re just more determined to get there. They’re not too concerned about the how, they just know that they will.

First place is the only place for the competitor. Anything else is not good enough.

They get a high when they enter the ring and hear their name being announced. They love the crowds watching them. They live for the competition ring. Even when they’re at home, they train like they’re at a show.

Everything becomes a competition or a challenge that they want to win. They might even race another rider when tacking up. Regardless if the other person knows it or not. Though people might think that the competitor is a little intense, their determination is something to be admired.

THE HOBBYIST

Who cares about competitions or equine careers? The hobbyist is perfectly happy having their horses in the paddock behind their house. They live on their own private farm and love their horses’ company. They’re not out to prove anything.

They might not have all of the fancy equipment or facilities, but who really needs that anyway? The hobbyist understands how truly special the connection between a horse and rider actually is. All of the other stuff can come and go, but a good bond with a horse is forever.

THE HORSE WHISPERER

The horse whisperer loves learning more about the horse’s psychology. Learning how they communicate, how they think and how they react. It’s through this knowledge that they gain a greater understanding for their horses.

They’re not really out to prove anything. They just want to focus on their bond with their horse. They love working at liberty and riding without any tack. After all, it’s not about control. It’s about trust.

The compassion and sensitivity of the horse whisperer is not something to be ignored. They see things that some of us don’t and what they can do with horses is often breathtaking.

The Fan

You don’t have to always be the best to be involved in the equestrian world. The fan loves cheering on the sidelines. They read every post from every blogger, watch every video from every YouTuber and stream every competition with their FEI TV membership. They are up to date with everything. They know about the latest product releases and they know the current rankings of their favourite riders.

Don’t bother trying to test their knowledge, the fan knows what they’re talking about. And they’ll be quick to let you know when you’re wrong. Their energy can be overwhelming at times, but their passion is admirable. There aren’t many people out there as truly devoted as the fan.

The Influencer

Like sharing, filming or photographing various aspects of the equestrian industry? Then you might be an influencer. Or at least one at heart.

Regardless of the number of followers they have, the influencer loves having a presence on social media. They’re constantly online sharing their views and getting involved in online discussions.

They’re passionate for riding, but they also have a passion for the equestrian market as well. They’re always interested in the latest product releases or the upcoming local events. And they can’t wait to share their reviews about them.

They’re constantly striving to be a trustworthy voice of authority to the rest of the riders out there. And they’re always fighting to stay on top of the ever-changing algorithm.

I think I could go on and on with this list of different horse people, but I think I’ll leave it here. Feel free to leave some more categories in the comments below.

I guess the point of the post is that there are a lot of different types of equestrians. We don’t all fit the stereotypical image that we’re portrayed as. Even with some of the categories that I’ve written, there will be differences and variations. Some people may be more than just one category. That’s what makes us all so special.

Until next time, happy riding!