Richard had some experience on horseback prior to Robin Hood. We know the role of Epiphanes in the 1999 TV movie Cleopatra required him to do some riding.
But that was seven years before he attended Hood Academy and I believe he said he had to deal with some nerves in mastering Richie, Guy’s horse.
Even so, by the time he donned Guy’s black leather RA looked pretty darned good in the saddle. Of course, those powerful horseman’s thighs, the straight back and proud tilt to his handsome chin all played a role in how magnificent Sir Guy was astride a steed.
And as the show progressed and he spent more and more astride the horse, Richard seemed to gain greater confidence. He looked like a noble knight, even a king; if you didn’t know better, it would have been easy to think him the hero of the piece. All that horseback riding could only serve him well in preparing for his dream role of Thorin. Judging by the trailer, the King Under the Mountain will look positively regal, a true leader among his people.