Meaning & use
equitation
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountableformal
the skill or activity of riding a horse, especially with correct style and control.
Grammar: Uncountable: you say 'equitation is difficult', not 'an equitation'.
Patterns
- equitation classes
- a master of equitation
She has studied equitation for many years and rides with great elegance.
The judge praised his equitation, noting how still he kept his hands.
Equitation competitions reward good posture and smooth control more than speed.
Common combinations
- equitation class
- He entered an equitation class at the county show.
- equitation competition
- The equitation competition tests how well riders handle their horses.
- equitation instructor
- Her equitation instructor corrected her seat and rein length.
- equitation seat
- A good equitation seat means you stay balanced at every gait.
Synonyms and how they differ
- riding
- Riding is the everyday word for the activity; equitation is more formal and stresses style and technique.
- horsemanship
- Horsemanship covers all skills with horses, not just riding; equitation focuses specifically on riding form.
Word family
- equestrian adjective
- relating to horse riding.
- equestrian noun
- a person who rides horses.
- equestrienne noun
- a female horse rider (old-fashioned).
Commonly confused: equitation or equation? equitation or equity?
equitation vs equation
Equation is a mathematical statement that two things are equal; equitation is horse riding. They sound similar but are unrelated.
equitation vs equity
Equity means fairness or the value of shares; equitation is about riding horses.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'equitation' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Equitation means the skill of riding a horse, so it fits the horse show context. The other options confuse it with 'equation' (math) or use it as a physical object or abstract solution, which is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “equitation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.