Horse-Rider Pairing Perception by Dressage Judges and Equestrian Coaches.

The research article discusses a study about the perceptions of equestrian coaches and dressage judges on the influence of a rider’s body shape on their performance and the suitable horse-rider matching in dressage competitions. It was found that both coaches and judges perceived a smaller physique as ideal and believed that body shape affects a rider’s ability.

Objectives of the Research

• The research aimed to identify coaches’ and judges’ perceptions of the rider’s body shape in equestrian sports.
• It sought to understand their perspective on the appropriate pairing of the horse and rider.
• The research also wanted to establish the effect of rider body shape on the perceived capabilities of the rider.

Research Methodology

• An online survey was conducted using GoogleFormsTM which was shared with both coaches and judges as respondents.
• In the survey, respondents were shown images of twelve riders of different body shapes, categorized as Ectomorph, Mesomorph, and Endomorph, on three different horse breeds/types.
• The respondents were asked to specify the best horse-rider pair based on the provided images.
• Judges were asked specifically if a rider’s body shape or mismatched horse-rider pair influenced their scoring.

Findings of the Research

• Both coaches and judges identified the Ectomorph body shape as the most suitable for dressage riding on all horses.
• Endomorph riders were perceived best paired with the cob horse breed.
• Both coaches and judges considered a smaller physique as the ideal body image.
• They also agreed that the rider’s body shape had an impact on their riding ability.

Implications and Future Recommendations

• The findings could indicate a potential bias or issue in judging where physique is considered linked to riding skill, favoring a smaller physique.
• This might contribute to certain societal pressures in maintaining a smaller body shape to excel in equestrian sports.
• Further research is recommended to identify whether judges possess a physique-related bias to understand the influence of body shape on the subjective grading in equestrian sports.