Equestrian Sport or Equestrian Industry?

Most sports have a corresponding industry. In equestrian sport, the related industry may be more closely intertwined with the sport than are most other sports with an industry. However the intricacies of the inner workings of the equestrian sport/horse industry relationship is not understood by the media and their readers/viewers. Still, I often hear the word “industry” used in place of “sport” by athletes, officials and administrators of the sport.

 

Professional sports, like hockey, also have an entire industry built around the game. People make their living in coaching, equipment and other related products and services. Buildings are required ranging from community rinks to large public arenas. NHL franchises, and even minor league teams, are owned by investors. Yet, you wouldn’t hear a hockey player say, in an interview after a Stanley Cup win, “It’s great for the industry”. We do hear equestrians say it. Recently, the national governing body of equestrian sport responded publicly to a newspaper’s criticism of one of their top athletes. They extolled the great support he has in the “industry”.

 

In equestrian sport, these two words are frequently swapped inappropriately. Sports reporters don’t cover industry. It’s just another of the many ways that equestrian terminology is confusing to the audience that the equestrian community needs to reach.