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Synonyms

equestrian

American  
[ih-kwes-tree-uhn] / ɪˈkwɛs tri ən /

adjective

  1. of or relating to horseback riding or horseback riders.

    equestrian skill.

  2. mounted on horseback.

    equestrian knights.

  3. representing a person mounted on a horse.

    an equestrian statue.

  4. pertaining to or composed of knights or mounted warriors.

    an equestrian code of honor.

  5. of or relating to the ancient Roman equites.


noun

  • equestrians
    plural
  1. a person who rides horses.

equestrian British  
/ ɪˈkwɛstrɪən /

adjective

  1. of or relating to horses and riding

  2. on horseback; mounted

  3. depicting or representing a person on horseback

    an equestrian statue

  4. of, relating to, or composed of Roman equites

  5. of, relating to, or composed of knights, esp the imperial free knights of the Holy Roman Empire

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person skilled in riding and horsemanship

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of equestrian

1650–60; < Latin equestri ( s ) (compare eques horseman) + -an

Explanation

An equestrian is an expert horseback rider. If you only go riding for an hour while on vacation you aren't an equestrian, but the person leading the group and riding the flashy horse probably is. When you know that equus is the Latin word for "horse," the meaning of equestrian becomes clear. An equestrian is someone who is involved with horses. You can also use it as an adjective to describe anything having to do with horseback riding. An aspiring equestrian may have to give up socializing with friends in favor of equestrian duties like grooming horses.

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Vocabulary lists containing equestrian

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The property is also fully equipped as an equestrian facility, boasting a 3,800-square-foot horse barn, with eight stalls, a tack room, and a hay loft.

From MarketWatch Jul. 21, 2026

The Los Angeles City Council is pushing to ban the bikes on city hiking and equestrian trails.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 19, 2026

Her agency has fielded all sorts of parenting requests: providing equestrian nannies who travel to tournaments, baby chefs to prepare culturally specific purées for infants, personal stylists for the children.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 18, 2026

Horses have been evacuated from an equestrian centre near Paris as the Fontainebleau wildfire continues to rage.

From BBC Jul. 13, 2026

Elizabeth became a skilled equestrian and learned how to jump ditches and four-foot fences on horseback.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

A Los Angeles City Council panel is pushing to ban electric bikes from most city recreational trails, saying the machines pose a threat to hikers and equestrians.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 14, 2026

One horse sported wear on its teeth suggesting it was controlled by a bit typically used by elite equestrians in the Middle Ages.

From Science Magazine Mar. 21, 2024

It sported a hat reminiscent of equestrians styles – unsurprising given the house’s close association with show jumping.

From Seattle Times Mar. 4, 2023

Helmet inclusivity is important, Black equestrians said, because it could mean the difference between life and death.

From New York Times Mar. 3, 2023

“Now!” cried the Wart With a blood-curdling beat of iron hoofs the mighty equestrians came together.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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