The Swedish riding school: a social arena for young riders

Abstract

The aim was to explore how young riders experience the riding school. By analysing focus groups interviews, a picture emerged showing that young riders' main motive for participating at riding schools was the social aspects. Riding schools could be characterized through an institutional perspective in which the young riders became internalized and socialized into a stable culture. The young riders identified with the norms and values of the riding instructors through master-apprentice learning. In addition, the results revealed a change in the stable culture since the instructors encouraged social interactions and participation in the community that became central to learning and development. Opportunities to influence and interact were important for the individuals and from a child's rights perspective. Through participation in the community of practice at riding schools, young riders not only learn about riding and horse management but also develop important personal social skills.

Published in

Sport in Society
2018, volume: 21, number: 9, pages: 1416-1431

SLU Authors

• Morgan, Karin

  • Swedish National Equestrian Center

UKÄ Subject classification

Sociology (excluding Social work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2017.1390564

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122654