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Asport horse orsporthorse is a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term is usually applied to horses bred for the traditional Olympicequestrian sporting events ofdressage,eventing,show jumping, andcombined driving, but the precise definition varies. In the United States, horses used inhunt seat andshow hunter competition are often classed as sport horses, whereas theBritish show hunter is classified as a "show horse."

Horses used forwestern riding disciplines,Saddle seat, or any form ofhorse racing are generally not described as sport horses.

Sport horses are bred for specific qualities in theirconformation, movement, and temperament.^[1] The purpose and breeding of sport horses across the world varies little, but the exact definition of a "sport horse" differs slightly from country to country. In theUnited Kingdom, the term "sport horse" refers to any horse suitable fordressage,eventing orshow jumping. In the US, the definition is broader, sometimes encompassing horses used in any of thehunt seat disciplines.

Worldwide, the breeding of sport horses is overseen by theWorld Breeding Federation for Sport Horses. The WBFSH acts as a connection between sport horse breeding organizations and theInternational Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).

Characteristics common to quality sport horses include the following:

• Conformation: most sport horses have similarities in their conformation. These include a sloping shoulder, a well-shaped neck, and an uphill build. Conformation has direct effects on the animal's movement and jumping ability.
• Movement: although movement may vary between disciplines, most sport horses are bred for a long, athletic stride and movement that uses the whole body. Thetrot andcanter should have good suspension, and the horse naturally reaches under his body with his hind legs. This movement makes it easier for the rider to teach the horse to engage, collect, and extend his stride, which are necessary qualities in all sport horse disciplines.
• Jumping ability: horses bred for the jumping disciplines also possess good jumping form, with tight lower legs and goodbascule. They are also bred to have conformation that allows them to jump higher.
• Temperament: because of the great deal of training needed to produce a successful sport horse, they are generally bred for trainability and willingness to work. Horses intended for Olympic-level may be bred a bit "hotter", which can be controlled by their experienced riders and used to their advantage, while those intended for amateur use are generally bred to be quieter and more forgiving.

ManyWarmblood breeds were specifically developed for use as sport horses, particularly for use indressage andshow jumping.Thoroughbreds are also commonly used as sport horses, particularly ineventing, and some have been bred specifically as sport horses, rather than asrace horses. Such Thoroughbreds tend to have a heavier sport horse build, rather than the leaner conformation of a race horse. However, there have also been many instances of former race horses being retrained as successful sport horses. Thoroughbreds are often crossed withwarmbloods anddraft horses to create sport horses, and such crosses were also the historicfoundation of most warmblood breeds. One example is theIrish Sport Horse,^[2] a cross between theThoroughbred andIrish Draught breeds.

• Warmblood
• Equestrian at the Summer Olympics
• Polish sport horse
• Canadian sport horse

• Types of horse

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