Should Competitive Horseback Riding be More Widely Considered a Sport?

Imagine you are riding a half-ton horse in the jump off at the World Equestrian Games. The clock is counting down with ten seconds to go. You have worked your entire life for this one moment. There are zero penalties with only one jump left. As you take off over the six-foot fence, you let the horse do his job. He clears the fence with room to spare and the two of you are announced the world champions of 2012. Who is to say that this moment is different than competing in any other sport? By definition, a sport is an activity involving physical effort and skill where one competes against others. Competitive horseback riding should be more widely considered a sport because of the dedication involved, the strenuous work exerted, and the competition with others in events. I have been riding horses since the age of six and competing since the age of nine. Like myself, millions of other competitors started riding at a very young age. Beginning at an early age, kids get their parents to take them to weekly riding lessons. The line between competitors and horse lovers is drawn here. Most children love horses at a young age but grow out of that fantasy. A few kids, however, continue taking lessons in hopes of owning a horse and competing one day. To make this dream come true kids take more advanced lessons, work at the barn, and eventually buy a horse. By now all of their free time is spent at the barn. My free time was always spent at the barn during the week and throughout the summer. I also traveled to monthly shows on the weekends. I had to miss many social activities because of my dedication to the sport. Some activities include: field trips, spending time with friends, relationships, and even missing prom two years in a row. So who is to say there is no dedication involved?