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Once upon a time, equestrian sports were just different – or what? Do you remember the days when the riding helmet sat loosely on the head without a chin strap? Or that it was once completely normal to ride with bandages on a show jumping course? Or entirely without any form of leg protection for that matter?
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With a smile, one can quickly conclude that the riding style as well as the approach to the horse's and rider's need for equipment was simpler in the past than it is now. Whether the way of riding has changed is certainly up for discussion. The riders' technique today has perhaps evolved in line with the experiences gained within equestrian sports. But the riders' go-getter attitude and the horses' temperament are clearly the same. Take a look below – then you can judge for yourself and maybe have a little laugh along the way.
Let's start in the 1920s. Back then, it was apparently not uncommon to give your horse a smack with the whip on the hindquarters over a jump. Thankfully, this riding style is rarely seen today. Nevertheless, it's funny to see how the obstacles are practically identical to those used in cross-country and hunting riding today.
In this video from 1939, it's noteworthy that riders wore hats instead of helmets, and that the equipment overall was minimal compared to today. Although the video is in black and white making it a bit hard to see, try to notice how little both riders and horses are wearing.
We can also look back at the 1960s, where neither the surface nor leg protection seemed to be particularly modern. However, martingales and sheepskin on the noseband were widely used. It's also worth noting the horses. Many of them are a bit heavier than the show jumpers we see today.
You shouldn't miss an entertaining jump off from 1977, where a cheeky rider dares to mingle with the judges. Could that happen in modern times? As for the equipment, the horse here is wearing front leg boots, but the bits and nosebands are undoubtedly simpler than what is often seen today.
Here you can enjoy a flashback from the 1990s, where you can clearly see the lack of a chin strap on the riding helmets. Also, looking at the stirrups, they seem more suited to a dressage arena than a show jumping course. Safety was evidently not nearly as much of a priority as it is today – and fortunately, that has changed.
Of course, we should also look back at the 00's. Here is a ride from The Olympics in Athens in 2004. There have been some changes compared to today, don't you think? The horse looks like those we know, but take a glance at the rider's helmet.
There are plenty of nostalgia-inducing videos of this kind around the internet – especially on youtube. We've just found a small selection for you. If you're curious, then it's just about searching further.
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