How to get into following riding as a sport?

[Pr1nc3ssP3rdy]

I've been riding for about 13 years, and it's my favourite hobby by far. However, I've never really followed the world of professional equestrians. I feel like it's odd as if anyone asked me my favourite sport I'd say horse riding (it's the only sport I've ever been remotely interested in), yet I wouldn't be able to name any pro riders at all. I grew up in a completely non sporty and non horsey family so it's just never been on my radar, but now I've decided that it's time to actually get into the sport. The trouble is, I just don't know where to start?? I'm completely out of my depth, what do I need to research? Do I need to find old footage on YouTube? Who are the big names to look out for? If anyone could point me in the right direction, that'd be marvelous 😂
I'm planning on getting tickets for an event once they're open again (I also have no idea which one to start with for that!)
I'm definitely most interested in eventing out of all the disciplines if that helps!
Thanks in advance

Having picked eventing you’ve got all winger to research! It’s a summer sport

Big names are Mark Todd, Mary and Emily King, Oliver Townend, Laura Collett, Pippa Funnel, William Fox-Pitt, Gemma Tattersall

The FEI rankings is a good place to start and the FEI YouTube has loads of full competitions you can watch back

www.fei.org/eventing/rankings

Buy Horse & Hound magazine, there are sections for each sport, it’s out weekly

Excellent! My schooling can begin straight away! I have heard of Pippa funnel and Mark Todd so I'll start there...
Thanks for your help 😊

Good idea about horse and hound, I hadn't thought of that!

Also horse & country TV channel. BBC sport carries some equestrian sport & May shoe European show jumping this winter. No Olympia this year, alas, but it is normally broadcast by BBC

Quite a few are on Facebook, have a trawl through and pick the ones you like the look of!

I follow lots of riders on Instagram, some are more active than others

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Showjumping? Dressage? Eventing? Showing? Endurance? Western? Etc.There are so many disciplines within equestrianism. I'd suggest find the sport you like best and start doing lots of reading/watching/following. Eventing is a good shout as it incorporates 3 disciplines in 1 sport.

You can join British Eventing as a supporter or volunteer? Whereabouts are you? If you have a BE event near you they are fantastic to volunteer at.

Several of them have biographies out too. I've read Charlotte dujarden ( dressage) Mark Todd ( eventing) Nick Skelton ( SJ) . I even have Mary Kings autograph! Going to events is great as you often see pros riding younger horses in the same classes as amateurs. You are quite close to the action in the cross country section.

Where are you in the country OP? Olympia in London is amazing and Christmassy, with loads to see outside the actual classes. Even my non-horsey DH loves it. Hickstead, Burghley, Badmington are all big and enjoyable events that offer more than just sitting and staring at horses! County Shows often have a number of different disciplines competing. Social media can also be a bit of a rabbit hole - start following one big name or event and you'll start seeing others pop up.

I'm in North Yorkshire, right in the country so not really any big events near me. I'll definitely look into biographies, good idea!

Nowhere near Askham Bryan or Bishops Burton?

Nick Skelton's biography is brilliant . It's worth going back in history with show jumping I grew up with Tigre, Milton, Ryan's Son, Anglezarke to name but a few

@Pr1nc3ssP3rdy

I'm in North Yorkshire, right in the country so not really any big events near me. I'll definitely look into biographies, good idea!

Bramham?

Bramham Horse Trials are usually in early June so will be fairly local to you in North Yorks - whether they will run next year with spectators or not is another matter!
In 2019 they started a mini eventing competition that you could watch on line - I think it was called the Event Rider Masters. It had decent prize money so attracted the top riders like Olly Townsend. They would get to sit on the podium for their placing and then had to move aside if someone displaced them.

What sort of riding do you enjoy the most? As it would be most fun to find out about professional riders in that area.

Burleigh is great fun. Every couple of years my parents get members’ tickets and have a ball. I think the H and H idea is great, too.

I’m lucky that one of my patients owns some horses that are ridden by “household name” riders and brings me photos!

Racing is a fab sport, I love my National Hunt racing but I enjoy flat too. Plenty of tracks in Yorkshire although racing crowds aren't permitted atm

Have a look at BE (British eventing) you might be surprised how close your nearest event is. As previous poster has said the pro riders take their young horses to the lower levels and compete against local riders. There are also lots of amateurs and children at these levels and to run, events need tonnes of volunteers. Fence judging is the most common and you don’t need any experience, you just sit near the fence will be told how to mark them. Even in COVID times these events are running and need volunteers.

Going to cross country is brilliant as you can walk around the course and see lots, and also see the riders doing their course walk. you can also watch it often streamed online or on the red button. It's a great way to spend an afternoon and you then get to know the riders. just watch out for loose horses on their way back to their boxes. I've been to Barbury and Blenheim recently, and to the Olympics which was amazing.

@Pr1nc3ssP3rdy

I'm in North Yorkshire, right in the country so not really any big events near me. I'll definitely look into biographies, good idea!

There's plenty going on in North Yorkshire. Bramham as others have mentioned. Lots of venues that host SJ, XC, hunter trials (e.g. Bishop Burton college near Beverley). There's also at least three racecourses (Beverley, Ripon and Wetherby) if that takes your interest.

Pat Smythe’s autobiography is well worth a read.

As is John Francome’s.

Do a bit of googling. Many of the bigger stables run clinics or events where the famouses give lectures/lessons

Join fb pages of bigger stables and see what they’re up to. Check BHS websites for events.

Youtube got me onto training videos and coaching and I have then followed their lives and journeys from their really.

If you are interested in eventing,it's well worth volunteering as fence judges. You can learn a lot from a day sitting watching other riders,and it certainly makes you feel better about your own riding. It's easy to do,the rules are set out and you can always radio in if you are unsure about how to mark. Plus you normally get fed and looked after very well. I started out fence judging at local pony club one day events and hunter trials,and even managed a few this year.