The Noble Beast By: edward szczepaniak

Horses have played a vital role in the history of mankind. These animals were used for transportation of goods or to assist mankind in battlefields. In the modern times, we are blessed with numerous advancements in the field of technology that we have almost forgotten how these animals once have been an important part of our lives. Fortunately, these animals are still used in farms and ranches, and studding the circus arena and also for pulling of carriages in certain parts of the world, where it is considered en vogue. Horses are here to stay, in spite of the gigantic leaps we have made in the field of science and technology. By merely riding a horse in ancient Roman cavalry, you could get the dignity and status of a nobleman. Equestrians today refer to the people who involve themselves in several horseback sports.

In our times, to be an equestrian, you must be into equestrianism. This refers to your power of riding and driving your horse. To be an equestrian, you can even use your horse for practical work and not just for sports and recreation. It is not just the sport arena that defines an equestrian because a true equestrian will have several talents.

There were a whole lot of things that horses did in previous times. Horses found their uses in the wartime as well as the peacetime. Three main sectors depended on horses then – agriculture, transport and warfare. In Roman cultures, equestrians were equated with the elites. Since horses cost a lot at that time, if you had a horse it indicated that you were wealthy and did not need to do your physical tasks yourself. They were accorded top positions in the social hierarchy of Rome. These people were the knights. The horsemen got their salaries from the government so they were in the military as well as within the political groups.

When the political expansion took place in Rome, it began depending more on its partner nations for cavalry. This made the equestrians redundant so they lost their military standing. They were not used on the battlefield anymore, but their titles of nobility remained. But these were wealthy people and had overriding powers over the provinces, just like senators have today.

Senators of those times had powers in the law offices, but they could not earn any kind of business money or profits. The equestrians, on the contrary, were allowed to make investments and even collect fifes from farming establishments. A tiff began to bubble between these two classes. The equestrians involved themselves in making money but the senators were not too happy about the overtaxing. Civil wars broke out and the two factions compromised with each other but their individual positions were redefined and a reformation took place.

In present times, the equestrians are showing their mettle in the Olympics sports. Like before horse back riding is reserved for the rich. A horse is a much priced and prized animal, even today.

Eventing, dressage and show jumping are the three main equestrian events of today. Dressage in the professional field involves making horses obey commands when it is running. This is also popularly known as the horse ballet. Dressage shows both – the natural athletic capacity of the horse and its ability to obey commands. In equestrian circles a show jumping horse should be able to go over various hurdles making the fewest errors possible. The rider and the horse that will mow down the lowest number of impediments will be deigned as the winners.

There are both dressage and show jumping elements included in eventing. Here, the intention is to cover the largest number of obstacles in the smallest time possible so the horse may have to leap over walls, logs, banks, water, etc. The meaning of equestrian has changed over the ages, but still it is much venerated and respected.

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