Beyond the binary: Gender integration in british equestrian sport

Abstract

Equestrian sport is the only Olympic-level sport not organized around a binary gender division and as such offers a unique opportunity to explore the consequences of sex integration within competitive sport. Drawing on a study of professional riders in Britain, this chapter explores some of the limitations and productive possibilities of sex integration. Restrictive gender norms that position women as submissive and predominantly linked with caring (of both children and horses, in this context) continue to disadvantage women in competitive sport. However, although it is extremely difficult to do so, this study indicates that it is possible for women to perform well at the top levels of sport when competing against men on equal terms. This offers a challenge to normative ideals of femininity and to masculine dominance of sport.