Horse riding is one of the most popular sports. Both cold-blooded and warm-blooded breeds of horse are kept in the Czech Republic. Of the latter breed, for example, the Czech warm-blooded horse is used for riding, as are some imported breeds. One of the most famous breeds is the stare Kladruby horse, the only original Czech horse. This breed is kept in two colour variants - black and white - in Kladruby and Slatinany. A visit the local stables, as well as to the hippological museum in Slatinany is a real treat.
There are many horse riding clubs in the Czech Republic from which you can hire a horse for a fee either for a ride in a riding school or for open-air rides (according to the ability of the rider), most frequently with an instructor. Some of these clubs also provide courses in riding. You can also enjoy horse riding as part of the agro-tourism schemes at some farms that specialise in horse-breeding.
The Czech horse riding federation organises classical riding disciplines (jumping, dressage, multi-discipline, team riding) in 500 clubs. Some of these also arrange recreational and hippo-therapy, horse-riding in the countryside and summer horse-riding courses. There are many horse riding centres and clubs in the Czech Republic, some of them we cover in our regional guide.

The Velka pardubicka cross-country steeplechase is the oldest socially oriented sports event in the Czech Republic. Organisation of so called parforse hunts used to be a very fashionable liking of the aristocracy during the 19^th century. Groups of riders in colour jackets on horse's backs together with a pack of dogs chased the game and jumped over various natural obstacles at the same time.
A race course which regularly hosted the races had been built in Pardubice in 1856. In 1874 a decision to organise a big hurdle race was taken. The earl Max Ugarte, prince Emil Fuerstenberg and Oktavian Kinsky gave birth to this race.
The first Pardubice steeple-chase took place on November 5, 1874. Fourteen horses and riders were participating in this race and the total grant was 8 000 goldens. The course of the race and its results caused a significant response in Europe.
The first one, who entered his name onto the list of winners was FANTOMEM, who was an English thoroughbred with the English jockey, Sayers in the saddle. The following three races in 1875, 1877 and 1878 were taken by BRIGAND who became the most successful horse for the next twenty years. Triple victory had also been gained by LADY ANNE and the russian horse EPIGRAF. All the records were beaten by the phenomenal sorrel ZELEZNIK who gained four victories in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991.
The Velka pardubicka has been run in today's manner since 1952 when the race course was rebuilt. Before that the race took place also in the area behind the tribunes, that is in the area you would find an airport today.
In total, horses have to overcome 31 obstacles on the 6 900 metre long track which is lead both through grass and ploughed fields. The most famous obstacle is the Big water-jump ditch which is the fourth obstacle after the start. It consists of 140 cm high and wide hedge followed by 5 metre wide and 1 metre deep ditch. Other difficult obstacles are the Snake ditch, which consists of 4,5 metre wide water ditch with elevated spring off platform, and the Big water ditch which are in the last quarter of the race followed by feared obstacles such as the Big English jump and Havel's jump which consist of hedges combined with beams and smaller ditches.