Do you consider Horse racing a sport?

[Norjak]

Sport is a form of competitive physical activity, but does it extend to animals? There is little the jockey has to do from a physical standpoint, other than to be little to begin with, stay in the saddle etc. and otherwise it has about as much skill as some video games. There is probably some communication with the animal that goes on but that doesn't qualify it as a sport, imo.

[TheCount]

No and I can say it in Spanish too, no.
When humans cease doing the actual work/activity its no longer sports. See NASCAR as well

[Deleted]

I think the word sports have lost its original meaning long ago. Today it can be used for anything competitive, see motorsports, esports and horce racing.

[McNeil]

Not really, because the horses are doing most of the work (and when you win a trophy or something it should actually belong with the horse lol). But there's no doubt that it requires some physical training to remain on the horses saddle and try to control him, something I sure as hell can't.

Pretty much anything can be called a ''sport'' these days so there's little point saying ''that no real sport!''.

[Norjak]

Not really, because the horses are doing most of the work (and when you win a trophy or something it should actually belong with the horse lol). But there's no doubt that it requires some physical training to remain on the horses saddle and try to control him, something I sure as hell can't.

Agreed, but it's always the Horse who people remember. Nobody really cares that the same jockey who won the triple crown this year almost won it last year, etc. The focus on the horses is what makes it a non-sport to me.

[Blueobelisk]

There is little the jockey has to do from a physical standpoint, other than to be little to begin with, stay in the saddle etc. and otherwise it has about as much skill as some video games.

Tell that to Victor Espinoza and whatever the horse's name was that won the first triple crown in 38 years.

No, I don't consider horse racing to be a sport. It's a race.

[ItachiZaku]

Agreed, but it's always the Horse who people remember. Nobody really cares that the same jockey who won the triple crown this year almost won it last year, etc. The focus on the horses is what makes it a non-sport to me.

I don't even know the name of the horse that won it this year. No, i don't consider it a sport.

[Deleted]

Of course its a sport.

sport - an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

As for the jockey doing very little, you must be joking. The amount of time and effort training horses, the horses and jockeys strict diets and regimes + individual skill.
I mean AP McCoy is a household name.

[Deleted]

No, I don't consider horse racing to be a sport. It's a race.

I'd also drop the word sport, and use race. I don't even think some track & field events are sports, where the competition is stripped down to which person is faster.

[TheCount]

I'd also drop the word sport, and use race. I don't even think some track & field events are sports, where the competition is stripped down to which person is faster.

I give those way more credit then horse racing. At least they involve a human performing the event. I agree that horse racing is a form of entrainment, but that's about it.

[Puupi]

All the people here saying horse racing/riding is not a sport have not spent a single second on horseback.

[Bosen]

Yes. It's an athletic competition.

[Bigbazz]

No and I can say it in Spanish too, no.
When humans cease doing the actual work/activity its no longer sports. See NASCAR as well

Are you saying that Stock Car Racing doesn't take skill?

[Deleted]

Horse racing? Yes. Darts? No.

*grabs popcorn*

[zanxy]

Of course it is.

[Auxora]

Yes it's a sport. The jockey makes as massive difference in horse racing. Anyone who even knows a small amount about horse racing knows that. Additionally, like a crew in car racing matters, trainers matter as well. It's not just riding a horse in a circle lol. Do a little research and look up Bill Shoemaker, John Velasquez, Victor Espinoza, etc.

Generally in most things (and this was a good example), trying to make a conclusion without knowing anything about a topic isn't going to reach a correct answer very often.

[Ornerybear]

Are you saying that Stock Car Racing doesn't take skill?

people who dont think auto racing is a sport are ignorant is all. and i mean ignorant in the nicest, "they just dont understand" way

If you've never been in an actual racecar you have no idea of what physical endurance, mental stamina/strain, and athleticism it takes to drive a car at speed. It is nothing like driving your car to work.

Same goes with horse racing/riding. its a sport for both the horses and the jockey. riding a horse is very physically demanding and requires a lot of skill and practice to on a competitive level.

you dont have to agree with me, but as someone who races cars and grew up with horses I actually know what I'm talking about.

[Bathory]

As a former jockey, "There is little the jockey has to do from a physical standpoint, other than to be little to begin with, stay in the saddle etc. and otherwise it has about as much skill as some video games."


LOL. Please, tell me more about your extensive background in horse racing. Call it whatever you want, sport, race, I don't give a shit, but don't try and tell me the work wasn't extremely demanding.

Wanna know why it looks so simple? Cause we worked our asses off to get to that point.

[Ornerybear]

As a former jockey, "There is little the jockey has to do from a physical standpoint, other than to be little to begin with, stay in the saddle etc. and otherwise it has about as much skill as some video games."


LOL. Please, tell me more about your extensive background in horse racing. Call it whatever you want, sport, race, I don't give a shit, but don't try and tell me the work wasn't extremely demanding.

hahhaha someone please please argue with him

[chipwood]

If you can bet on it, it's a sport.