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

The next day, SafeSport announced that George Morris, one of America’s biggest equestrian stars, then in his early eighties, had been banned from his sport. — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

The Garment’s spring collection included equestrian staples like knee-high boots, elevated leggings, and gloves and other ensembles that could have gone right to a dressage show. — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

Prior to her relationship with Pelphrey, the actress was previously married to tennis player Ryan Sweeting from 2013 to 2015 and to Olympic equestrian Karl Cook from 2018 to 2021. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

In 1995, Reeve, a longtime equestrian, had a riding accident that paralyzed him from the neck down, leaving him unable to breathe without a ventilator and changing his life forever. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Aug. 2026

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

1730, 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