The horse riding market - Italy

The equestrian market encompasses all economic activities related to the practice, support and management of the equestrian world, including on the one hand the purchase, care and training of horses (feeding, veterinary, farriery, stables, transportation), and on the other hand the system of sport and recreational riding (technical equipment, clothing, riding stables, equestrian centers, lessons and competitions). Also included in this market are services for breeding, saddlery, rehabilitation and hippotherapy, fairs and equestrian tourism activities. Italy represents one of the most consolidated European markets in terms of the number of registered horses and the spread of horseback riding among adults, young people and professionals, with a highly fragmented economic system with strong territorial connotations. Globally, the horseback riding-related market is estimated at more than $300 billion, of which about $100 billion is generated by the sports and recreational sector alone. In Europe, there are about 6 million horses and more than 20 million practitioners, with a direct and induced supply chain generating about 100 billion euros. In Italy, according to the Istat Census 2021, there are more than 147,000 registered horses, with a network of more than 6,200 equestrian centers affiliated with federations or recognized bodies, and an estimated number of 500,000 practitioners (including agonists, amateurs and occasional riders). The total value of the sector exceeds 2 billion euros, considering the sales of products, services, lessons, events and tourism activities related to horses. The structure of the Italian market is divided into three main axes:

Sport horseback riding: dominated by FISE (Italian Equestrian Sports Federation), which in 2022 had about 123,000 members and 1,678 affiliated clubs, with strong growth in show jumping, dressage and full riding.