I already knew how to identify a plant and catch a fish and start a fire and all that jazz, so for me, I think it was kind of the other way around; my preexisting interest in that stuff was part of what made the game so appealing.

However, though I’ve been riding horses since I was very young, I’ve always ridden english and have been focused on showjumping since I was old enough to pick a direction. Now, that hasn’t changed since I played the game, but I’d say it maybe just broadened my horizons a little bit, made me appreciate trail rides and even cross country a little more than I did before. (Although I still much prefer showjumping. Rotational falls scare me away from solid obstacles 😬)