Boys ride too! Including Jaxon Riley:
It is estimated that almost 80% of riders are females whether at an Olympic level or a beginner - advanced amateur rider level! Although horse riding is girl dominated sport in the 21st century, boys ride too, and as good as females do!
Originally, around the 18th century, both men and woman rode for pleasure as well as for the health benefits. Overtime, horses were used in battle especially around the early 1900’s, in the world wars where men fought for their countries. Shortly after the end, all surviving people and equines returned home. Soon after that is when the equestrian community of riders became female influenced.
But there is one 11-year-old boy who still rides and competes, like women and girls his age. This is Jaxon Riley.
For anyone who has never discovered his social media accounts spread across three platforms: Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, Jaxon has ridden for approximately four to five years. He now has his own mare, Lottie, who he loans, and mare Dancer. His mum Becky Vickers also owns a gelding named Cheeko. He has featured on Boys Ride Too Magazine’s Instagram account.
Jaxon Riley
Jaxon is a talented British eventer. He occasionally competes but enjoys pampering ponies outside of busy school life. He shares his falls and fails, training sessions as well as other content on Instagram and TikTok regularly sometimes with his best friends Kya – who featured recently - and Bea with her pony Frankie.
Jaxon and Lottie in a show jumping competition
Now you might be thinking: Why am I writing about Jaxon? Well, sharing and documenting your life on the internet, comes with challenges, negative criticism and bullying especially when it comes to riding. People always spot the flaws and must comment them! Yes, you could argue the point that you chose to share the things that went wrong, but why not since life isn’t perfect. Plus, you don’t know what hate may come your way and you why should you have to take that into consideration when creating accounts and posting things.
Unfortunately, in the past and quite recently, Jaxon Riley has experienced bullying through nasty messages and comments because of him being a male rider. Sadly, they are the challenges he has to face whilst continuing to do the thing he loves and be with the animal he adores! I feel like I should be taking some responsibility and participate in combating this negative energy and stereotyping that is floating around. I want to help stop this bullying towards boys who ride for the same reasons as girls, especially towards such young people.
Lottie
Please be kind! Please be caring! Please be considerate and think about the saying “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes or boots in this instance. How would you feel in their situation? Please don’t type your anger, stress or jealously into the comments and instead write it in the notes page on your phone. If you have something mean to say about someone or Jaxon online, just don’t.
Thank you to Jaxon for allowing me to share his story. If you would like to follow him on social links are here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaxon_dl23/?hl=en
TikTok: @ThatPonyLottie
YouTube: @thosemuddyandmessyhorses
Also leave me a line down below as to what you thought about this. Do you like these real-life stories? Send me suggestions as to topics I should talk about to my email address: admin@theequestrianblogger.com Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a brand-new blog and follow my Instagram: @the.equestrian.blogger to keep updated! I’ll speak to you all next time.
Bye!
The Equestrian Blogger
Instagram: @the.equestrian.blogger