Reiterliche

Reiterliche is a German adjective formed from Reiter (rider, horseman) and the suffix -lich, meaning relating to riders or horsemanship. It is chiefly found in historical, military, or technical contexts and is most often encountered in phrases describing arts, skills, or formations connected with mounted troops.

The term can appear in compounds and fixed expressions such as reiterliche Kunst (the art of horsemanship or equestrian technique), reiterliche Truppen (cavalry units), and reiterliche Schule (a school of horsemanship). In modern usage, the adjective is relatively uncommon and is often replaced by terms like Horsemanship, Reitkunst, Pferdesport, or simply Reiten in everyday speech.

As an attributive adjective, reiterliche inflects according to standard German declension when placed before feminine or plural nouns (for example, reiterliche Kunst, reiterliche Übungen) and follows typical grammar rules for adjectives in German.

The term should be distinguished from Ritterlichkeit, which means chivalry or knightly behavior. While both concepts touch on mounted tradition, reiterliche more specifically denotes aspects of horsemanship and mounted military or civilian riding, whereas Ritterlichkeit addresses ethical and cultural ideals of medieval knighthood. In contemporary writing, reiterliche is most likely to be encountered in historical studies, archival sources, or discussions of equestrian heritage. See also equestrianism, cavalry, horsemanship, and equestrian art.