Page 58 - Brandon Sun - Winter Fair 2018

58 THE BRANDON SUN • ROYAL MANITOBA WINTER FAIR • MARCH 26-31, 2018

The basics of

show jumping

Show jumping is a sport where tion.” The rider must have skill and tal-
two living beings compete together: ent: an eye, and a sense of balance not
a horse and a rider. to disturb the horse. He/she is the one
who “moulds” the horse, requiring
THE HORSE years of work, education, dressage and
The horses are the product of long patience. On the course, the eye of the
and patient work, studying genetics rider and his ability to make quick de-
and hours of training. The young cisions are as important as the skill of
horse begins his sporting life at three the horse, his physical aptitude, his
with light schooling and usually carefulness, etc.
takes part in his first competitions at
four. A good horse starts to be suc- ARENA
cessful at eight, and is at the peak of The arena is the stage. Westoba
his career from 10 to 15, but can Place has a capacity of more than
keep performing until the age of 20. 5,000 spectators and during show
time, it is filled with people, TV cam-
THE RIDER eras and, in the arena, the obstacles
The rider is the pilot that usually be- surrounded by decorations (flowers
gins to ride at a young age. The rider etc.) which may distract the horses. Femke Van Den Bosch of Red Deer, Alta., competes during a jump-off at
is the brain of this “athlete combina- » Continued on Page 59 the 2017 MTS Grand Prix.(FIle)