National Statistics
• Total U.S. population (over age 12) who ride a horse on a regular basis:
14 million
• Number of horses owned in the United States: 6.9 million
• Total attendance at sanctioned horse-related events: 88 million
• Total horse owners in United States: 2.2 million
Key Equestrian Demographics
• Females comprise the majority (85 percent) of United States Equestrian
Federation participants
• Average age is 39
• 80 percent hold four-year college degrees
• Average home value is $412,000
• 81 percent own their primary residence outright
• 15 percent own a second home
• 43 percent travel on airlines more than 16 times per year
• 78 percent are members of an airline frequent flyer program
• 97 percent hold one or more credit cards
• 55 percent of automobiles owned were purchased last year
Equestrian Sports Snapshot*
• Grand Prix Show Jumping is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports in terms
of both number of participants and event viewership.
• Show jumping is growing at the same rate that NASCAR racing enjoyed five
years ago.
• Equestrian membership has grown each of the last four years with more than
3.6 million people participating in horse showing in the United States.
• Among young riders (ages 16-21), equestrian membership has grown
300 percent.
Other Facts
• Estimated consumer expenditures by US Equestrian Federation membership
each year is $2 billion.
• The total equestrian audience consists of owners, riders, trainers, grooms and
spectators.
Sources: US Equestrian Federation Profile of 80,000 members and online audiences and *Wall Street Journal,
July 2001.