Bridging the Gap: Being black in the Saddle
- Marie
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
At Horse Riding XP Ghana, we believe in building more than riding programs — we are building an international network of Black equestrians, horse lovers, educators, and culture keepers. We believe that when people who care about horses connect across borders, something powerful happens.
And at the end of last year, the universe delivered exactly that.
We were reached out to by the Compton Cowboys — a legendary group of Black horsemen and women from Compton, California, who have been reclaiming space in the equestrian world and reshaping how Black riders are seen globally. That connection opened the door to a series of deeply meaningful exchanges, conversations, and collaborations that we are still carrying with us.
Louis C. Hook came to Ghana for his book signing of “Black in the saddle” and they invited me to be a part of the events panel talk on the same topic.
The Panel: Black in the Saddle
The panel brought together:
• Louis C. Hook, author of Being Black in the Saddle
• Randy Savvy, CEO of the Compton Cowboys
• Marie (Horse Riding XP Ghana)
• Moderated by Ivy Prosper
Together, we explored what it really means to be Black in the saddle — not just in the U.S., but globally.
We spoke openly about what being Black in the saddle really means.
About how Black people have been systematically excluded from equestrian spaces — and how our stories have been rewritten, erased, or softened over time. We talked about oppression, not just as a past event, but as something that still shapes access, visibility, and opportunity today.
We also talked about truth:
• That Black people have always been leaders in the horse world
• That our relationship with horses is deep, skilled, and historic
• That many of us were trained, bred, rode, and built equestrian systems long before we were allowed to “belong” in them
And yet, many of us are no longer aware of that history — because it wasn’t passed down to us in books, schools, or media.
We also explored how horses are perceived in Ghana today:
• Often as tools, status symbols, or survival assets
• Rarely as emotional, sensitive beings with complex needs
• And almost never as partners in education, healing, and culture
This is exactly where our work comes in.
Why This Matters for Ghana
In Ghana, horses are part of tradition, ceremony, and identity — but the systems around care, training, and welfare have been left behind. There are hundreds of horses in Accra alone, yet:
• No specialized equine shops
• Very few vets trained in horse medicine
• Limited access to tools, supplements, and education
Our work at Horse Riding XP Ghana — through Bridging the Gap — is about changing that from the inside out. We are building:
• Education & training programs
• Emergency response systems
• Tool access & community resources
• A culture of respect, safety, and care
The panel reminded us that this work is not just practical — it’s political, cultural, and deeply rooted in reclaiming identity.
Watch part of the talk here
Building Forward, Together
The Compton Cowboys didn’t just show up as guests — they showed up as brothers in purpose.
From Louis’ book Being Black in the Saddle to Randy’s leadership with the Cowboys, to the young riders and jockeys who joined the conversation from Ghana, this moment felt like a bridge being built between histories, futures, and shared responsibility.
We are not working in isolation.
We are part of a global movement of Black equestrians reclaiming space, knowledge, and care.
And this is only the beginning.
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