equitation vs riding

equitation and riding both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
equitation	Yes	No	No	No
riding	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, equitation and riding are synonyms defined as:

equitation and riding: the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

Other synonyms of equitation include horseback riding.

equitation (noun)	riding (noun)
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements	travel by being carried on horseback
	the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements