Perpetuating Equestrian Stigmas in Interviews

There are a lot of people who think that show jumping riders are not athletes. Those who truly know the sport, or who anyone who has tried jumping a horse over a course, know that it is a difficult athletic endeavor, requiring many different athletic skills.

 

The doubts about their athletic prowess is a stigma to be overcome. Proper use of the media is a highly effective way to overcome stigma. Successful health organizations have demonstrated that time and time again.

 

However, when given a chance to do an interview, too many show jumping riders perpetuate that stigma. This is particularly true of the younger ones and is something that should be overcome early in a competitive career. There are some veterans who are guilty too.

 

I have been told by numerous journalists that their least favourite answer from a rider is also the most common. The complaint is that riders “give all the credit to the horse” when they do well. But, if the goal is to overcome the stigma that you are not actually an athlete, why credit only the horse?

 

Unless your goal is to perpetuate the stigma that riders are not athletes, then don’t follow a good performance with “My horse was really good today” or “My horse jumped really well today”. By the same token, following a bad performance don’t say, “My horse was tired today”, unless the latter happens to be especially true and you have also said something else.