ABSTRACT
Most of the advancements in women’s sport and gender research in sport management over the last half-century can be characterized as liberal feminism. Supporters of liberalism present the pragmatic point that it is essential for females to have access to participation to have access to power. However, although the current practice of redistributive liberal feminism may increase the number of female participants, it does little to challenge or alter dominant gendered discourses and power structures within sport organizations. In this chapter we aim to explore the evolution of female participation in the sex-integrated sport of equestrian. Using the frameworks of liberal, socialist, and poststructuralist feminism, we discuss the place of gender in the context of participation and governance. We conclude that, although sex-integrated sport provides an opportunity to reframe the place of gender in sport, dominant discourses prevail. For example, although there is evidence of inclusive forms of masculinity, these are still constructed in opposition to a devalued femininity. Specifically, we highlight the constructs of patriarchy, class, elitism, and capitalism, which in particular appear to influence access to the higher echelons of sport governance.
