Time for something new?

Bored of the same old equestrian activities? Debbie Graham takes a look at eight lesser-known equestrian sports that could just become addictive

Simply put, there’s something here for everyone, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or happy hacker, whether you have your own horse or don’t, and for some you don’t even need to be able to ride. So, go on fill your boots and give one of these eight a go… and let us know how you get on.

REINING

Wondering what exactly reining is? Well think cowboy spins, circles and rollbacks in an arena, with judges marking every move; the dressage test of western riding. The sport has developed from skills ranchers used rounding up cattle on the plains.. The sport is now F.E.I. recognised and part of the World Equestrian Games and European Equestrian Games programmes.

And in Britain, it is the closest you’ll get to the Wild West.

Horseboarding

As a former (bad) snowboarder this is the one I really want to try, although at my age I should really know better. If you have never heard of it google it. just google it and watch the videos.

The sport is basically a cross between skateboarding and wakeboarding. Like skateboarding, you’re on a board with wheels and like wakeboarding you‘re towed, but this time by a horse and rider instead of a boat, and together you overcome a course of obstacles. Crazy? Yes. Mad? Yes. Exhilarating? Definitely, and probably not one for the faint hearted, however if you’re someone who loves an adrenaline rush, I defy you not to want to give it a go.

If you become hooked you can compete, once you have passed a race assessment. There are novice, intermediate and elite classes all over the country.