1. a member of a volunteer cavalry regiment, especially the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt in the Spanish-American War
Usage: historical
2. a skilled horseman who can ride unbroken or difficult horses

Examples

• Theodore Roosevelt led the famous Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.
• The Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill in 1898.
• He worked as a roughrider on the ranch, breaking in wild horses.
• The rodeo featured several experienced roughriders competing in bronc riding.
• Many roughriders joined Roosevelt’s volunteer cavalry unit.
• The old cowboy was known as the best roughrider in the territory.