Horses are trained and also ridden for practical purposes such as dealing with large crowds or for controlling herds of animals. They are also used in competitive sport situations including, dressage, endurance riding, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing. There are three major types of horse racing which are, steeplechasing, harness racing and flat racing. the type of event varys alot depending on the country. France have one of the strongest horse riding communities in Europe which is mirrored by their price fund for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which is a staggering 4 million Euro’s.

The British who are obviously known for the obsession with horse racing and horsesin general have a long history of great jockeys and champion thoroughbreds. Naming the obvious race, The Grand National which attracts thousands of spectators on a yearly basis since 1839. The Grand national is held at Aintree Racecourse (close to liverpool) with horses jumping 30 fences within 2 circuits and the steeplechase which is the most vauble national hunt event running in Britain at the moment, the prize fund coming in at 950,000 pounds.