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Equal to the Challenge: Pioneering Women of Horse Sports
Tells the stories of pioneering equestriennes and their struggles to gain recognition in riding, particularly Olympic riding, from the WWII era to the present. Includes b&w photos. For general readers. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
198 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 14, 2023
Some interesting stories of pioneering horse women. I found myself surprised (though I shouldn't have been) just how hard women had to fight to have the right to participate in any equestrian sport they chose. The assumptions of the men of the day, that women were too fragile or somehow their gender rendered them less capable, and the things that they said and did were a bit shocking to read. Having grown up in a time after women's lib, I never experienced this in competition, although there is a less blatant version of sexism still alive and well in the world of equestrian sport.
A good read, but slow to start for me. I could have used a little less of the early history of hunting and sidesaddle to keep it moving along.
A good read, but slow to start for me. I could have used a little less of the early history of hunting and sidesaddle to keep it moving along.
February 9, 2012
I found this book at a second-hard store, and am only sorry it wasn't a book store so the author would've benefitted from my purchase.
This is an informative, illuminating, and well-written book. I've been a horsewoman all my life, yet till I read this book I had no idea about the level of discrimination against female riders by the male-dominated equestrian establishment. Not only in Thoroughbred racing but in show jumping, eventing, and even dressage. Till as recently as the 1970s, men believed women lacked the strength and endurance to compete in equestrian sports. It took a bunch of determined and dedicated women riders to make them realize it doesn't take muscle to get a horse to do what you want it to do. It takes patience and intuition, which is why women excel at a sport that requires the meeting of two minds.
Girls and young women who ride today may not realize it, but they owe their place in equestrian sports to these pioneer women.
This is an informative, illuminating, and well-written book. I've been a horsewoman all my life, yet till I read this book I had no idea about the level of discrimination against female riders by the male-dominated equestrian establishment. Not only in Thoroughbred racing but in show jumping, eventing, and even dressage. Till as recently as the 1970s, men believed women lacked the strength and endurance to compete in equestrian sports. It took a bunch of determined and dedicated women riders to make them realize it doesn't take muscle to get a horse to do what you want it to do. It takes patience and intuition, which is why women excel at a sport that requires the meeting of two minds.
Girls and young women who ride today may not realize it, but they owe their place in equestrian sports to these pioneer women.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews