Defending the Art of Riding

I was having a conversation with a non-horsey acquaintance a few days ago about riding. His daughter, who is seven is horse crazy and is hoping Santa will bring her a pony. This is not likely to happen, but his wife had been thinking about maybe looking into a horseback riding summer camp next summer or maybe some lessons. My acquaintance thinks the idea of taking riding lessons is absolutely ridiculous. After all he says "I've been on a horse, who needs lessons to sit on a horse?"

While I will allow that with the exception of some therapeutic situations anyone can sit on a horse and be packed around at a walk and think they are pretty hot stuff, I also know that the kind of riding practice and the standard to which I aspire requires far more than simply sitting there like you would upon a sofa.

As I tried to explain to the gentleman with whom I was having this discussion, riding well is an art something akin to the performance of a ballerina. Yes anyone can put on tights and a tutu and go skipping about the floor. Some will probably be naturally talented enough to avoid seriously embarrassing themselves; but professional dancers have spent many years in lessons and countless hours of practice perfecting the skills necessary to execute the awe inspiring display of athleticism and artistry that is witnessed in a professional ballet company.

I referred him to several online videos and asked him to see what he thought about the need for lessons after he witnessed not just someone sitting on a horse, but someone riding well. The videos I gave him are as follows:

WEG 2006 Dressage Freestyle - Andreas Helgstrand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw&feature=player_detailpage

WEG 2010 Dressage Freestyle - Edward Gal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8zWMDb5pQk&feature=player_detailpage

Rolex 2007 Cross Country - Karen O'Conner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=l1eiBcINTF4

Freestyle Bareback & Bridle Free Reining - Stacy Westfall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=acCFvBubQ-Q

Spanish Riding School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Pn6Jmqs9IHQ

Polo Match
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Mb0ioBw6Yds

WEG 2010 Jumping Finals - Hickstead (horse, various riders)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oD13PLawec8

My question for you is this: have you had similar discussions with non-horse people? Do you have other videos that are your favorite "this is what riding really is" videos? How else have you defended the art of riding?