33 equestrian quiz questions with answers on horse breeds, gaits, dressage terms and the great racehorses. Reveal each answer, or read the full key at the end.
Each question gives three options and keeps the correct one behind a button, so a rider can work through the set without seeing the solutions in advance. The answer key under the scoring table gathers the equestrian trivia questions and answers in order, which makes this an easy horse quiz to read out at a yard evening or a pony club meeting. The equestrian quiz questions mix stable vocabulary with sport, so the questions about horses reward riding experience as much as reading.
1. What is the term used for a female horse under the age of four?
- A) Colt
- B) Mare
- C) Filly
2. Which equestrian sport involves horses jumping over a series of obstacles?
- A) Dressage
- B) Show Jumping
- C) Vaulting
3. What is the term for a horse’s father?
- A) Sire
- B) Dam
- C) Stallion
4. Which of these is a breed of horse native to Ireland?
- A) Clydesdale
- B) Irish Draught
- C) Andalusian
5. Which racing discipline combines flat racing with jumping over fences?
- A) Endurance riding
- B) Steeplechase
- C) Polo
6. What type of saddle is most commonly used in dressage?
- A) Western saddle
- B) Dressage saddle
- C) Jumping saddle
7. At what age do most Thoroughbred racehorses start their racing career?
- A) 2 years old
- B) 3 years old
- C) 4 years old
8. Which famous racehorse was the first to win the American Triple Crown in 1919?
- A) Secretariat
- B) Affirmed
- C) Sir Barton
9. What is the gait that the American Saddlebred is famous for?
- A) Canter
- B) Rack
- C) Piaffe
10. Which equestrian event tests the horse’s obedience, athleticism, and harmony with the rider?
- A) Dressage
- B) Cross-Country
- C) Show Jumping
11. What is the tallest horse breed?
- A) Friesian
- B) Shire
- C) Arabian
12. In which equestrian sport do riders compete in teams to score goals by hitting a small ball with a mallet?
- A) Polo
- B) Eventing
- C) Show Jumping
13. What is the term for the movement in which a horse's hindquarters step around its front legs, which stay almost in place?
- A) Half-pass
- B) Turn on the forehand
- C) Flying change
14. Which country is the birthplace of the Lipizzaner horse breed?
- A) Spain
- B) Austria
- C) Slovenia
15. At which point of the canter stride does a horse perform a flying change of lead?
- A) During the moment of suspension
- B) While the leading foreleg is on the ground
- C) Only from the halt
16. Which equestrian sport involves performing acrobatic exercises on the back of a moving horse?
- A) Vaulting
- B) Polo
- C) Reining
17. How many phases are there in a Three-Day Event?
- A) Two
- B) Three
- C) Four
18. What is the term for a young male horse?
- A) Filly
- B) Colt
- C) Gelding
19. Which famous racehorse is considered one of the fastest of all time and broke the record for the Kentucky Derby in 1973?
- A) Seabiscuit
- B) Secretariat
- C) War Admiral
20. Which Western discipline asks horse and rider to ride a set pattern of circles, spins and sliding stops?
- A) Reining
- B) Vaulting
- C) Combined driving
21. What breed of horse is well known for its distinctive black and white markings and originated in the United Kingdom?
- A) Appaloosa
- B) Gypsy Vanner
- C) Paint
22. In which equestrian sport do horses and their riders participate in an event that includes dressage, marathon, and cones phases?
- A) Combined Driving
- B) Endurance Racing
- C) Horseball
23. What is the term for a group of horses kept together for purposes of training or breeding?
- A) Barn
- B) String
- C) Herd
24. What is the term used for an untrained or inexperienced horse?
- A) Green
- B) Foal
- C) Saddle sore
25. Which country is the birthplace of the Andalusian horse breed?
- A) Spain
- B) Germany
- C) Portugal
26. The Thoroughbred traces back to three foundation sires. Which of these is one of them?
- A) The Darley Arabian
- B) Eclipse
- C) Man o' War
27. What organization is responsible for governing international equestrian sports?
- A) International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- B) Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI)
- C) International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC)
28. What is the term for a horse trained to perform in rodeos or competitions that showcase Western riding skills?
- A) English Horse
- B) Barrel Racer
- C) Stock Horse
29. Which gait of a horse is a two-beat gait in which diagonal pairs of legs move together?
- A) Trot
- B) Canter
- C) Gallop
30. What type of horse racing involves riders competing on a horse-drawn vehicle known as a sulky?
- A) Safeguard racing
- B) Harness racing
- C) Flat racing
31. Which ancient civilization is credited with inventing the sport of chariot racing?
- A) Greeks
- B) Romans
- C) Egyptians
32. In dressage, what is the term for the sideways movement performed by a horse that involves crossing the legs in a diagonal action?
- A) Half-pass
- B) Piaffe
- C) Passage
33. In which year did equestrian events first appear at the modern Olympic Games?
- A) 1912
- B) 1900
- C) 1908
Results
| # of Correct Answers | Percentage Range | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 0-49% | Stable StarterArmchair Athlete | You've got some learning to do, but don't worry, there's always the next game! |
| - | 50-64% | Trot TraineeRookie Runner | Not bad! Keep practicing, and you'll be a sports trivia champ in no time. |
| - | 65-79% | Gallop GuruMidfield Maestro | Impressive! You're getting closer to the top, keep up the good work. |
| - | 80-94% | ShowjumperAll-Star Striker | Wow, you really know your sports trivia! You're a force to be reckoned with. |
| -33 | 95-100% | Equestrian ExpertLegendary Champion | Unbelievable! You're a true sports trivia master. Your knowledge knows no bounds! |
Equestrian Quiz Answers: The Full Answer Key
Every question in this equestrian quiz with its correct answer, in the order the questions appear above. Check your score against the table, or use the list as a set of equestrian trivia questions and answers for a quiz night of your own.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the term used for a female horse under the age of four? | C) Filly |
| 2 | Which equestrian sport involves horses jumping over a series of obstacles? | B) Show Jumping |
| 3 | What is the term for a horse's father? | A) Sire |
| 4 | Which of these is a breed of horse native to Ireland? | B) Irish Draught |
| 5 | Which racing discipline combines flat racing with jumping over fences? | B) Steeplechase |
| 6 | What type of saddle is most commonly used in dressage? | B) Dressage saddle |
| 7 | At what age do most Thoroughbred racehorses start their racing career? | A) 2 years old |
| 8 | Which famous racehorse was the first to win the American Triple Crown in 1919? | C) Sir Barton |
| 9 | What is the gait that the American Saddlebred is famous for? | B) Rack |
| 10 | Which equestrian event tests the horse's obedience, athleticism, and harmony with the rider? | A) Dressage |
| 11 | What is the tallest horse breed? | B) Shire |
| 12 | In which equestrian sport do riders compete in teams to score goals by hitting a small ball with a mallet? | A) Polo |
| 13 | What is the term for the movement in which a horse's hindquarters step around its front legs, which stay almost in place? | B) Turn on the forehand |
| 14 | Which country is the birthplace of the Lipizzaner horse breed? | C) Slovenia |
| 15 | At which point of the canter stride does a horse perform a flying change of lead? | A) During the moment of suspension |
| 16 | Which equestrian sport involves performing acrobatic exercises on the back of a moving horse? | A) Vaulting |
| 17 | How many phases are there in a Three-Day Event? | B) Three |
| 18 | What is the term for a young male horse? | B) Colt |
| 19 | Which famous racehorse is considered one of the fastest of all time and broke the record for the Kentucky Derby in 1973? | B) Secretariat |
| 20 | Which Western discipline asks horse and rider to ride a set pattern of circles, spins and sliding stops? | A) Reining |
| 21 | What breed of horse is well known for its distinctive black and white markings and originated in the United Kingdom? | B) Gypsy Vanner |
| 22 | In which equestrian sport do horses and their riders participate in an event that includes dressage, marathon, and cones phases? | A) Combined Driving |
| 23 | What is the term for a group of horses kept together for purposes of training or breeding? | B) String |
| 24 | What is the term used for an untrained or inexperienced horse? | A) Green |
| 25 | Which country is the birthplace of the Andalusian horse breed? | A) Spain |
| 26 | The Thoroughbred traces back to three foundation sires. Which of these is one of them? | A) The Darley Arabian |
| 27 | What organization is responsible for governing international equestrian sports? | B) Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) |
| 28 | What is the term for a horse trained to perform in rodeos or competitions that showcase Western riding skills? | C) Stock Horse |
| 29 | Which gait of a horse is a two-beat gait in which diagonal pairs of legs move together? | A) Trot |
| 30 | What type of horse racing involves riders competing on a horse-drawn vehicle known as a sulky? | B) Harness racing |
| 31 | Which ancient civilization is credited with inventing the sport of chariot racing? | A) Greeks |
| 32 | In dressage, what is the term for the sideways movement performed by a horse that involves crossing the legs in a diagonal action? | A) Half-pass |
| 33 | In which year did equestrian events first appear at the modern Olympic Games? | B) 1900 |
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FAQ
How many questions are in this horse quiz?
There are 33 questions. Each has three options, and the correct answer is hidden behind the reveal button under the question.
Where can I find the equestrian quiz questions and answers together?
The answer key below the scoring table lists all 33 questions with their correct answers in order, so you can score a whole round at once.
Is this a horse riding quiz or a horse knowledge quiz?
Both. Some questions cover riding disciplines and dressage movements, others cover breeds, gaits, stable vocabulary and famous racehorses.
Are these horse trivia questions hard?
The mix is deliberate. Anyone who has been around a yard will get the vocabulary questions, while the questions on foundation sires, Lipizzaners and dressage movements are aimed at experienced riders.
Can I use these questions for a pub quiz or a pony club evening?
Yes. Read out the question with its three options, let everyone note a letter, then work through the answer key and count the correct ones.
What is a good score on this equestrian quiz?
Above half is a solid result. The scoring table converts your total into a rank, from Stable Starter at the bottom to Equestrian Expert at the top.
What are the three phases of a three-day event?
Dressage, cross-country and show jumping, ridden by the same horse and rider combination. The discipline is also called eventing.
What is the difference between a colt and a filly?
A colt is a young male horse and a filly is a young female horse, both under four years old. A mare is an adult female, a stallion an uncastrated adult male.
Which body governs international equestrian sport?
The Fédération Équestre Internationale, usually shortened to FEI. It sets the rules for dressage, jumping, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting and para dressage.
What are the four natural gaits of a horse?
Walk, trot, canter and gallop. The walk has four beats, the trot two, the canter three and the gallop four.
