text: do you have to go to college to be an equestrian rider?   absolutely not. you can have a professional train you. or you could've grew up on a ranch and taught it like me, by your dad (or someone). i've been riding almost as long as i've been walking.   i trained my children and i now train my grandchildren. they start learning by the age of three. my oldest started breaking children horses by the age of 7 years with my help.  you might even get a job at a boarding stable and work for the training.  but it certainly doesn't require college.