equestrian

1 of 2

adjective

eques·​tri·​an i-ˈkwe-strē-ən 

1

a

: of, relating to, or featuring horseback riding

equestrian Olympic events

b

archaic : riding on horseback : mounted

c

: representing a person on horseback

2

: of, relating to, or composed of knights

equestrian

2 of 2

noun

: one who rides on horseback

Did you know?

Equestrian comes from equus, Latin for "horse". Old statues of military heroes, like the famous one of General Sherman on New York's Fifth Avenue, are frequently equestrian. In these sculptures the man always sits nobly upright on a horse, but the horse's stance varies; depending on whether the rider was killed in battle or survived, was victorious or defeated, the horse traditionally stands with four, three, or two hooves on the ground. Equestrian statues have been popular through the centuries, because until the 20th century almost every officer in Europe and America was trained in equestrian skills and combat.

Examples of equestrian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Located an hour from São Paulo in Porto Feliz, Boa Vista has hundreds of large homes and apartments, lush landscaping, four golf courses, three equestrian centers, a triathlon training center, three polo fields, spas and a wave pool for surfing. —David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025

The sprawling equestrian estate known as the Robert Taylor Ranch, named after its former owner and cinematic icon, just made an appropriately Hollywood-style premiere on the Los Angeles real estate market. —Partner Content, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Noun

Open the doors of this imaginative playset to reveal a spacious barn where young equestrians can groom, feed, and care for their pint-sized ponies. —Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025

There will be floats and marching bands, equestrians and community groups. —Heather McRea, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin equestr-, equester of a horseman, from eques horseman, from equus horse — more at equine

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1774, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for equestrian

• pedestrian

Kids Definition

equestrian

1 of 2 adjective

eques·​tri·​an i-ˈkwes-trē-ən 

: of or relating to horses, horseback riding, or people who ride horses

equestrian

2 of 2 noun

: one who rides on horseback