From the olden times, Koreans have been greatly interested in horse riding and its competitions.

Horsemanship was remarkably developed in Koguryo Kingdom (B.C. 277-A.D. 668).

Pictures of horse riding are lively featured in mural paintings of Yaksu-ri and Tokhung-ri tombs, which date back to the kingdom.

Horse riding was very popular also in the periods of Palhae Dynasty (698-926), the successor to Koguryo, Koryo Dynasty (918-1392) and Feudal Joson Dynasty (1392-1910).

Koryo instituted it as a law to teach horse riding among youngsters.

Horse riding was encouraged as a nationwide amusement event in the period of Feudal Joson Dynasty.

In the period, the Korean people's horsemanship gave a considerable effect on cultural development of other countries, Japan in particular.