Ethnic minority?

mollichop

mollichop

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Over the years, through riding, competing and teaching I haven't really come across too many black or ethnic riders.
There are exceptions I know. Show jumper Oliver Skeete and eventer Yoshi are 2 that spring to mind but - without wanting to sound ignorant, is there a reason why there aren't more?
 
thats really weird, it had never occured to me that I hadnt seen anyone but white people riding locally until I read your post, how strange.. :S
 
As a mixed raced rider, I have to say that you do notice the lack of multiculturalness (a word? who knows) in riding. I went to college in ireland last year, and was the ONLY non white in the whole equine college, the one i'm at this year there's 2 of us on the equine course.

I'd say, and I could well be wrong, but the statistics tell us that ethnic minorities tend to not be as well off, and i don't speak for all but i can draw from my experience, that these types of sports seemed quite out of our reach really, I mean once you get into riding you realise people pick on you anyway not cos you're mixed raced (haha joking... ) but also tend to live in areas where riding isn't as easily accesable and expensive.

Although now in London there are SO mnay schemes to get more black people into riding. I know in Brixton they run alot of schemes to get young black boys apprenticeships at racing yards, and quite a few work around as work riders etc, and the riding schools in London you will see alot more children from all sorts of backgrounds. I think it's just as you get to the higher levels that you don't see as much diversity, which is a shame.

I agree that it is mostly in the UK (or west anyway) because tonnes of Indian people ride and are some of the best polo players around aren't they :-)

Sometimes though I kinda like being the minority... is that bad!!????

xxxx
 
Thanks Horsehead - that's really interesting. And to know that there are schemes and apprentiships to encourage diversity sounds positive.

Also, the accessibilty and funding issue makes sense. Thanks for the response :)
 
That's alright, i'd never really thought about it until my friend said to me 'you'd probably have better luck being successful than me because there aren't many mixed raced riders, but there's tonnes of white blonde girls' (which obviously is not true, but you can see where she was coming from)

I'm from central London where prices for anything are through the roof only started riding as an adult, just turned 21, and now horses are my chosen career, and it is a tough industry to be in (though i'm still studying) but I can definitly say the colour of my skin has never been the issue and I think the equine world should be so proud of this :-) and personally I don't need black riders as role models, I just like good riders :-)

interesting topic to bring up though, and it will be intersting to see what the future brings, especially with the London Olympics and East London being jam packed with ethnic minorities, not sure the project for building new equine facilities in Brixton is going ahead though, hope so.

I think we can all say that no matter who you are, there is nothing more amazing that sitting on a horse!! haha

xxxx
 
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