Report - Appendix I: Who rides horses?

Appendix I   RIDER PROFILES

Who rides horses?

Horse riders are predominantly female and predominantly young although some people do ride into their 70s.

The National Equestrian Study 1999 found that 67% of riders were female. The GHS records twice as many women (4%) as men (2%) as horse riders. However, each different discipline within the equestrian population attracts its own rider profile. e.g.

• Polo and racing attracts predominately • Dressage and hacking predominately • Show Jumping • Riding club • Endurance • Pony Club • Cross Country

Males Females Both sexes Females Both sexes Children Both sexes

The National Equestrian Survey 1999 found that riding was very popular amongst young people: 33% of riders are aged 5-15, compared with 16% of the UK population in this age group. The GHS 1996 found that the median age of adult participants was 35. A breakdown of participation rates by age group is given below.

Table AI.1: Participation rate in horse-riding in the 4 weeks before interview, by age

	% of population	% of women
16 - 19	2	3
20 - 24	2	2
25 -29	2	3
30 - 44	1	2
45 - 59	1	1
60 - 69	0	0
70 and over	0	0
All ages	1	1
Median age of adult participants	35	34

General Household Survey 1996

Riding does appear to draw participants from across a wide range of social groups, although the volumes involved do not allow the more detailed understanding available for, say, walking and cycling.

Table AI.2: Participation rate in horse-riding in the 4 weeks before interview - by socio-economic group

	% Horse-riding	% Walking	% Cycling
Professional	1	56	19
Employers and managers	1	48	12
Intermediate - junior not manual	1	46	9
Skilled manual/own account non-professional	1	44	11
Semi-skilled manual and personal service	1	39	10
Unskilled manual	0	33	7
Total	1	45	11

General Household Survey 1996