What is a female horse rider called?

Whether racing Thoroughbreds or vaulting onto an Andalusian’s back while wearing period costume, female riders throughout history have been called various names – jockeys, stuntwomen or simply, equestriennes.

Female horse riders have always existed, though their public visibility and participation opportunities have fluctuated through the years. Thankfully in recent decades prejudices have declined dramatically, allowing women to showcase elite skills in disciplines long considered a “man’s sport.”

While barriers do still sporadically emerge, determined women continuously break new ground and serve as role models for inspiring young girls everywhere to pursue their equestrian dreams.

Notable Figures from History

Humans domesticated horses over 6,000 years ago and evidence suggests women rode them nearly as early as men – though primarily in transportation, not warfare. Queen Boudica famously led warring charioteers in ancient Britain. 8th century Norse mythology references strong female riders like the legendary “Valkyries.”

Both Calamity Jane and Annie Oakley gained fame as highly skilled riders who could perform daring shooting feats and rodeos rivaling cowboy counterparts.

Over 800 women worked as stunt riders in early Western films. Dot Farley, an original member of Hollywood’s Stuntwomen’s Association, exemplified excellence and toughness female riders maintained through eras when societal sexism actively deterred their participation.

Types of Female Equestrian Athletes

As gender barriers lowered in the mid-late 1900s, new specialized disciplines emerged. Today women actively fill diverse rider roles:

Jockeys

• Professional racetrack riders balancing atop sprinting Thoroughbreds
• Joanna Johnson became first licensed female jockey in 1969
• Women remain underrepresented but have won prestigious races like the Kentucky Derby

Trick Riders

• Perform daring maneuvers riding at full gallop like the famous Cossack Riders
• Features at rodeos/shows or specialized competitions like Equine Affaire’s Extreme Mustang Makeover
• Demands courage, balance, precision timing and deep horse empathy

Stuntwomen

• Leap onto moving horses, fall off at full run, handle guns in fast chase scenes
• High risk of serious injury requires intensive special training
• Top stuntwoman Tammie Baird has over 1,000 film/TV credits in 25 year career

Therapeutic Riding Instructors

• Use horses to provide physical, cognitive and emotional therapy for disabled riders
• Teaches patience, leadership skills catered carefully to each student’s needs
• Lisa Murray runs respected therapeutic riding school Spirit Horse Center

And more…polo players, competitive show jumpers, endurance racers – female riders actively fill almost every role.

Key Attributes for Success

Mastering riding skills sufficiently to compete professionally or recreationally demands extensive attributes including:

Physical Ability

• Strength – Strong core, legs and upper body to maintain posture and control horse
• Flexibility – Especially in hips and thighs to achieve ideal equitation
• Stamina – Endurance riding requires sustaining motivation across hours/days on lengthy trips
• Injury resilience – Capability recovering well from inevitable falls/kicks

Horsemanship Skills

• Animal intuition – Reading subtle physical/behavioral cues signaling horse thoughts/feelings
• Confidence building – Establishing mutual trust critical before attempting advanced riding
• Training knowledge – Understanding proper conditioning/discipline techniques fitting horse personality

Mental Toughness

• Courage – Overcoming fear while taking calculated risks with such powerful animals
• Competitiveness – Pushing past discomfort, fatigue, self-doubt that hamper progress
• Decision making – Choosing best strategies/paths riding at speed over variable terrain

Women gaining skills matching/exceeding male riders break lingering biases. Like 75 year old Dorth Gardner still rounding up cattle yearly on her Nevada ranch. Or stuntwoman Sophia Crawford executing explosive movie scenes worldwide. Women undeniably have potential equaling men given training dedication.

Modern Struggles for Equestriennes

Unfortunately horse riding’s long masculine history still enables lingering discrimination against female riders today:

• Judging competence prematurely based on gender without equal opportunities to demonstrate skills
• Restricted roles – women only recently allowed entry into elite levels of polo, racing and rodeo
• Fewer prizes/funding awarded to developing girl riders compared to boys
• Underpayment for professional female athletes/trainers compared to male peers
• Negative stereotyping as less courageous or aggressive than male counterparts

Persisting biases confront ambitious women frequently. But leaders passionately counter sentiments that “girls can’t ride as well as boys.” Supportive parents and trainers actively shift attitudes by showcasing amazing skills achieved by girls matched in dedication to their equine partners.

Tips for Budding Equestriennes

For girls seeking to ride recreationally or competitively, key advice includes:

• Start young before fear develops; stay calm if falling occurs
• Observe advanced female riders firsthand or via media for inspiration/techniques
• Join female-centric youth riding organizations to access mentorship
• Set small attainable goals; focus positive encouragement on gradual skill building
• Consider equine careers like groomer, trainer, masseuse or vet if competitions prove unrealistic
• Most importantly – only pursue riding if YOU enjoy it, not seeking others’ approval

Passion must fuel aspiring equestriennes in facing lingering resistance. But the powerful confidence and inner strength gained from mastering such imposing yet sensitive creatures rewards those courageously trailblazing new paths demonstrating girls’ incredible potential.

The Future of Female Riders

Representation keeps growing with icons like stuntwoman Zoe Bell, race pioneer Chantal Sutherland and top-ranked polo player Sunny Hale displayed across media.

Over 14 million girls went horseback riding in the US in 2020 and youth organizations like Pony Club actively cultivate upcoming generations.

As obsolete notions of “gentler sex” fade, female riders gain long overdue recognition as equals matching men’s abilities, while better retention promises increasing professionals pursuing their passion as jockeys, trick riders or therapists.

Equine sports once actively deterred female participation, but modern women courageously prove themselves against lingering biases. And confident girls today see limitless possibilities thanks to brave trailblazers paving the way.

The expanding community of professional and recreational riders demonstrate clearly answering “what is a female horse rider called?” no longer requires qualification. They are simply called “equestriennes” – and their vibrant sisterhood only grows year after year.