Equestrian Athlete Debate India 2025 | Horse or Equipment?
The Curious Case of the Equestrian Athlete: Horse or Equipment? 🌐 Introduction When you think of an athlete, images of runners, gymnasts, or basketball players likely come to mind. But what about a horse? Is a horse an athlete or simply a piece of equipment used by its human rider? This debate has sparked significant discussion within India’s equestrian sports community and remains sub-judice in the Delhi High Court . 📜 Background The issue arises from a dispute between the Rajasthan Equestrian Association (REA) and the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) regarding voting rights for states and classification of horses in competitions. REA Argument: Horses are “just horses” and their costs are often grouped with boats/yachts in the National Sports Code , so they should be treated as equipment. EFI Argument: Equestrian sports are unique, involving two athletes – the human rider and the horse – and require specialized rules, infrastructure, and management. Internation...