My sister does trail riding and stuff. But she DOES NOT COMPETE! She always says it is hard and it requires a lot of strength. Yet, I once rode her horse and it was SO EASY. Ger horse is quite calm and always listens to her. She does no running the horse, only walking. I AM AWARE THAT IF YOU COMPETE IT IS A SPORT. I myself play soccer, basketball, track and cross country, and you have to train for those. You have to train for all sports. And my sister does not train, she cant even run for more than 2 minutes without stopping. Based upon what I have told you, would you consider her an athlete and her type of horse riding a sport? Thanks for your time. :)

No, in that sense it's just a hobby or activity. It's just like comparing real tennis to just hitting a ball against a wall for practice. One is a real sport and the other is just something you can do during your downtime.

Yes. Horse riding is very physical. I don't know how long you rode, but you sound like you are very athletic. It is "easy"... but if you ride for a half hour or more, having not ridden before, you will be sore. The most used muscles are the upper thighs. When your horse trots or runs, you lift yourself off of the saddle slightly, putting weight on your feet and lower legs, and sometimes your upper thighs as your thighs squeeze into the horse for stability. If you are riding correctly and not just sitting in the saddle bouncing around, then yes, it is a sport.

its hard but for some it comes easier than others. also while your racing people go extremely fast, anyway horse riding is a sport.

NO horse riding is not sport.it is just a fun and loving experience.