Who was famous for equestrian poetry before Islam?

Antarah ibn Shaddad al-Absi (AD525–608), also known as Antar was a pre-Islamic Arab knight and poet, famous for both his poetry and his adventurous life.

The account of his life forms the basis of a long and extravagant romance.

Antarah was born in Najd in Arabia. His father was Shaddād al-ʿAbsī, a respected warrior of the Banu Abs under their chief Zuhayr. His mother was an Ethiopian woman named Zabeebah. She was a princess taken as a captive by his father as a slave during one of the tribe's raids against Axum.ʿAntarah grew up a slave as well. He fell in love with his cousin ʿAblah, but could not hope to marry her owing to his position.

He gained attention and respect for himself by his remarkable personal qualities and courage in battle, excelling as an accomplished poet and a mighty warrior. He earned his freedom after another tribe invaded the lands of the Banu ʿAbs. When his father said to him, "ʿAntarah, fight with the warriors", he replied that "the slave doesn't know how to invade or how to defend, but is only good for milking goats and serving his masters". His father answered him: "Defend your tribe, O ʿAntar, and you are free". After defeating the invaders, he sought to gain permission to marry his cousin.