Went by horse to the ring for a display of cowboy skills (5)
I believe the answer is:
rodeo
'display of cowboy skills' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'went by horse to the ring' is the wordplay.
'went by horse' becomes 'rode' (I've seen this before).
'to the ring' becomes 'o' (letter resembling a ring).
'rode'+'o'='RODEO'
'for a' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rodeo that I've seen before include "Drive in Beverly Hills" , "skilful exhibition?" , "Annually" , "cowboy carnival" , "Originally, a round up of cattle" .)