Horses and hierarchies: a story of young equestrians’ participation rights through a cultural hegemonic lens

Children's right to have their voices heard is stated in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and is often referred to as 'participation rights'. The UNCRC extends across all spheres of children's lives, including sports, where having a voice is essential in creating safe and inclusive sporting cultures. This study, based on over 200 h of ethnographic fieldwork at two Swedish riding schools, focuses on young equestrians aged 15-17 years and the conditions for making their voices heard. Using a narrative approach, this research employs ethnographic creative nonfiction to examine the sporting culture and everyday life within the riding schools, examining how rules, norms and values influence young equestrians' opportunities to have a voice. The theoretical framework draws on the concept of cultural hegemony to explore how power structures and hierarchical relations become embedded within the riding schools. The analysis sheds light on how authority and influence are woven into the young equestrians' sporting experiences, impacting their ability to engage fully in their participation rights. The results show that values and norms within the context of the riding schools are both consciously and unconsciously accepted and maintained. The findings emphasise a need for cultural shifts, ensuring that the voices of young equestrians and the welfare of the horses develop hand in hand for the future of the equestrian sport.