>>22485633It's like that in the anime because it's specifically mentioned as Rhyhorn racing in the games. The player character's mother is a retired racer, and the Rhyhorn in the front garden was the one that competed.
You're right though, it doesn't really make much sense for such an uncomfortable looking, not to mention slow as shit, pokemon. Especially since they introduce Gogoat and Skiddo in the same damn generation.