Rode around the arena giving commands (8)
I believe the answer is:
ordering
'giving commands' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'rode around the arena' is the wordplay.
'around' is an anagram indicator.
'the arena' becomes 'ring' (eg a boxing ring).
'rode' with letters rearranged gives 'orde'.
'orde'+'ring'='ORDERING'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ordering that I've seen before include "Issuing commands" , "Arranging or asking for delivery of goods" , "Giving an instruction" , "Commanding" , "procurement" .)