Skill in horse riding, as practiced under International Equestrian Federation rules. An Olympic sport, there are three main branches of equestrianism: showjumping, dressage, and three-day eventing.
Showjumping is horse-jumping over a course of fences. The winner is usually the competitor with fewest “faults” (penalty marks given for knocking down or refusing fences), but in timed competitions it is the competitor completing the course most quickly, additional seconds being added for mistakes.
Dressage tests the horse’s obedience skills and the rider’s control. Tests consist of a series of movements at walk, trot, and canter, with each movement marked by judges who look for suppleness, balance, and a special harmony between rider and horse. The term is derived from the French “dresser”, which means training. It became an Olympic sport 1960.
Three-Day Eventing tests the all-round abilities of a horse and rider in dressage, cross-country, and showjumping.
The major show-jumping events include the World Championship, first held 1953 for men, and 1965 for women (since 1978 men and women have competed together). The European Championship, first held 1957; and the British Showjumping Derby, first held 1962. In three-day eventing, the first Badminton Horse Trials were held 1949 and the first World Championship 1966.

ETYM Latin equitatio, from equitare: cf. French équitation.
A riding, or the act of riding, on horseback; horsemanship.
Horseback riding.

1. An act of riding; especially; a trip on horseback or by vehicle
2. A way (as a road or path) suitable for riding
3. Any of various mechanical devices (as at an amusement park) for riding on
4. A trip on which gangsters take a victim to murder him; something likened to such a trip
5. A means of transportation
6. The qualities of travel comfort in a vehicle
7. A mechanical device that one rides for amusement or excitement.

ETYM For thriding, Icel. thrithjungr the third part, from thrithi third, akin to Eng. third. Related to Third.
1. Riding a horse as a means of transportation; SYN. horseback riding.
2. Riding a horse as a sport; SYN. horseback riding, equitation.
3. One of the three administrative jurisdictions into which Yorkshire, England, was formerly divided.
4. An administrative jurisdiction or electoral district in a British dominion (as Canada).