Young riders revive fading equestrian tradition

Ring riding, a traditional equestrian sport in Sønderjylland, is seeing a resurgence in participation after six years of decline, with a notable increase among younger riders.

According to DR, the sport suffered a sharp drop in numbers following the coronavirus pandemic. In Sønderborg alone, participation fell from around 450 regular riders before the pandemic to 300 fewer by 2022, with numbers continuing to decline until last year, when both Sønderborg and Aabenraa recorded their lowest turnout ever.

To counter the trend, organisers took proactive steps, visiting local riding schools to introduce the sport to young equestrians and boosting their presence on social media. The efforts appear to be paying off: Sønderborg has seen 30 more participants this year, while Aabenraa has gained 15 new young riders, many of them children on ponies.

Johan Clausen, the riding master for Sønderborg’s equestrian committee, called the turnaround a relief. “We feared the sport might disappear entirely,” he said. “It’s a fantastic feeling to see things moving in the right direction.”

Carsten Damm, riding master in Aabenraa, echoed the sentiment, noting that older riders are less likely to take up new horses. “We have to focus on the youth,” he said. “Now it looks like there’s hope ahead, and the next generation is stepping up.”