Abstract
Equestrian sports can be successful only with effective interaction and cooperation between a man and a horse; therefore, the personal characteristics of equestrian athletes and their motivation may have their own specific characteristics. The purpose of the research was to study the motives for equestrian sports. The experimental research involved 10 equestrian athletes; the average age is 24 years old, with training experience from 5 to 24 years. The Likert scale was used in the study of motives. The study compared the significance of 6 groups of motives related to sports improvement and career building, health and recreation, physical and personal development, social interaction, focus on "rider-horse" interaction, the experience of pleasure associated with the emotionality and entertainment of equestrian sports. The results of the study have revealed that the most significant motives of equestrian athletes are specific motives. Further research can be aimed at studying the motives of equestrian sports, depending on the age, level of sportsmanship and qualifications of athletes, as well as the development of pedagogical strategies for their formation.