Minorities in equine sports: Compton Cowboys

[Xelor]

Just thought I'd give a little shout out about something I saw on the Daily Show: Compton Cowboys -- Keeping Kids Off the Street. The video has a tongue-in-cheek quality, but it inspired in me a few slightly more serious thoughts.

I saw the segment and quite a few things the kids in the video said or were depicted doing reminded me of my daughter and how she speaks of her equestrian pursuits...the sport, the competitiveness, the contemplative opportunities, the responsibility, having to take the good with the bad, and the development model.

Those things, of course, aren't the only things my daughter has in common with the Compton Cowboys kids; like them, she's also an inner city kid, born and raised. I don't care where one happens upon stables, there's nothing "citified" about them, so in a small way, getting involved in equestrian sports helps expose more inner city kids to elements of life outside the city.

Then there's the race thing. For the most part, though not quite literally, one could go to equestrian events for months on end and never see a minority competitor or owner. It wasn't always that way, but it became so, so much that these days, along with sailing, crew, lax and field hockey, one might not run out of fingers and toes counting the minorities participating in these sports.

Accordingly, I think it's pretty cool that non-white folks are gradually making their way into equine sports. Perhaps their doing so will introduce some innovative styles and techniques to a disciple that probably could stand a bit of updating....Maybe, for instance, there'll evolve a "hip hop" category in dressage.

Mind, "hip hop horsing" isn't necessarily a specific innovation I think need or ought to be incorporated into equine sports, but some of the events, dressage in particular, IMO, need something. Horses with riders stepping to contemporary tunes could be entertaining to watch. I mean, really. I was quite proud and fully supportive of my daughter's passion for dressage, but, well, let's just say that when I went to see her compete, it's a good thing I took a book. LOL Jumping is notably more appealing, because, well, because the horse is jumping over things. It has that "will she make it" quality.

In any case, the Compton Cowboys are but one small group, but if it endures, sooner or later that program will develop riders who bring something new to equine sports. It'll be cool to see what that be. After all, a key benefit of diversity is that as different cultural sub-/groups disperse into places where they didn't before exist, they bring something new to the table, something that expands/enhances the thing. I see no reason to think increased minority involvement wouldn't lead to that happening in equestrian sports.

 

[Hawkeye10]

These guys have a knack for publicity:

 

[Skeptic Bob]

These guys have a knack for publicity:

Very cool. But a weird Guinness commercial.

 

[Xelor]

...I guess equestrian sports don't capture much interest here....

 

[Ursula]

I love this! I'm an equestrian myself. It's such a misunderstood sport nowadays. It's refreshing to see some different faces promoting the sport.

Being involved with horses is healthy for children and adults of any race or gender. The relationship you have with a horse is much different than the relationship you have with a cat or dog, especially a horse you ride. Horses have taught me more about communication and compromise than any person ever could. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to care for a horse too. It doesn't matter what the weather, or if you're tired or don't feel like it, your horse has needs and their needs have to come first. They get you outside, exercising and in touch with nature. This is an excellent way to teach kids responsibility, and give yourself a sense of purpose. My horse gives me a sense of purpose beyond the daily grind. Because of my horse, I'm not living to work, I'm working to live, to reach my goals, to stay fit, and active, and healthy, and have fun doing it.

Horseback riding isn't a sissy, "girly" sport either. So many men turn their noses up at the sport, thinking it's easy, that all you do is sit there and the horse does all the work, that it's all about fluffy ponies and braiding pretty manes. That is so far from reality. Horseback riding is a dangerous and intense sport, not for the faint of heart. It's for thrill seekers, and adventurers alike. There is never a dull moment on the back of a horse. They're 1000+ lb animals with minds of their own, that can easily kill you. They can reach speeds upwards of 40 mph and jump obstacles taller than themselves. They can navigate trails no off road vehicle can access, and it takes an exceptional amount of strength, balance, and stamina to stay on. Riding isn't just about staying on either. It's technical, with strategies no different than carefully planned game plays, and a physical learning curve not much different than dancers learning to use their bodies effectively. Except it's not just your body you have to worry about, but that of your horse, and it's not just human team mates you're working with, but an animal team mate that doesn't speak out loud. You get hurt. You get dirty, and stinky and sweaty. Definitely not a sport for sissies.

So many people think it's a sport only for the wealthy too. This is false. Yeah, owning a horse is expensive, but so is rent, student loans, car payments, new technology etc. If you want something bad enough, and you have at least a lower-middle class income, you can do it with some determination and smart budgeting. Even if you don't have a steady income, there are so many ways to ride and be involved with horses without owning. Leasing is an option, and many horse owners would gladly exchange some help in the barn for some ride time. You don't have to be rich to ride. You just have to want it badly enough to make it happen.



Me and my horse:

 

[Xelor]

I love this! I'm an equestrian myself. It's such a misunderstood sport nowadays. It's refreshing to see some different faces promoting the sport.

Being involved with horses is healthy for children and adults of any race or gender. The relationship you have with a horse is much different than the relationship you have with a cat or dog, especially a horse you ride. Horses have taught me more about communication and compromise than any person ever could. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to care for a horse too. It doesn't matter what the weather, or if you're tired or don't feel like it, your horse has needs and their needs have to come first. They get you outside, exercising and in touch with nature. This is an excellent way to teach kids responsibility, and give yourself a sense of purpose. My horse gives me a sense of purpose beyond the daily grind. Because of my horse, I'm not living to work, I'm working to live, to reach my goals, to stay fit, and active, and healthy, and have fun doing it.

Horseback riding isn't a sissy, "girly" sport either. So many men turn their noses up at the sport, thinking it's easy, that all you do is sit there and the horse does all the work, that it's all about fluffy ponies and braiding pretty manes. That is so far from reality. Horseback riding is a dangerous and intense sport, not for the faint of heart. It's for thrill seekers, and adventurers alike. .... You get hurt. You get dirty, and stinky and sweaty. Definitely not a sport for sissies.

So many people think it's a sport only for the wealthy too. This is false. Yeah, owning a horse is expensive, but so is rent, student loans, car payments, new technology etc. If you want something bad enough, and you have at least a lower-middle class income, you can do it with some determination and smart budgeting. Even if you don't have a steady income, there are so many ways to ride and be involved with horses without owning. Leasing is an option, and many horse owners would gladly exchange some help in the barn for some ride time. You don't have to be rich to ride. You just have to want it badly enough to make it happen.



Me and my horse:

Red:
Truly it is.

The guy in the second OP photo is a ranked bareback rider. I was quite impressed. I damn sure wouldn't risk my life doing that.

Black bold:
TY for all your remarks, and especially for expounding on the ideas I too, too briefly alluded to in my OP's second paragraph.

Blue:
As with so many things, will is a far more important factor than is wherewithal. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Pink:
Your horse is beautiful!

Is it the camera angle, or is your horse "draughty?" It looks rather stocky in the photo and Shire was the first thing to come to mind. (Mind you, I'm not the "horsey" person in my family. I'm the one who "aids and abets" a "horsey" person. LOL)

 

[Ursula]

Red:
Truly it is.

The guy in the second OP photo is a ranked bareback rider. I was quite impressed. I damn sure wouldn't risk my life doing that.

Black bold:
TY for all your remarks, and especially for expounding on the ideas I too, too briefly alluded to in my OP's second paragraph.

Blue:
As with so many things, will is a far more important factor than is wherewithal. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Pink:
Your horse is beautiful!

Is it the camera angle, or is your horse "draughty?" It looks rather stocky in the photo and Shire was the first thing to come to mind. (Mind you, I'm not the "horsey" person in my family. I'm the one who "aids and abets" a "horsey" person. LOL)

Thanks so much for your kind response. You are correct! My horse is a Shire/Thoroughbred cross.

 

[Xelor]

Thanks so much for your kind response. You are correct! My horse is a Shire/Thoroughbred cross.

Oh, you're quite welcome. TY for your substantive participation in the thread.