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

There’s also the 48-acre Surf & Turf park for RVs and recreational facilities just east of the fairgrounds, and a 64-acre equestrian center farther east at Via de la Valle and El Camino Real. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

The club’s original home at Griffith Park was torn down to build an equestrian center for the 1984 Olympics. —ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

Noun

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Hikers, drivers, birders, backpackers, anglers, equestrians, astronomy lovers—there’s something for everyone at Shenandoah National Park. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026

While the Queen was deeply involved in breeding and racing, Anne became an accomplished equestrian in her own right, even competing in the Olympic Games in 1976. —Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 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