Page 55 - Brandon Sun - Royal manitoba Winter Fair 2019

MARCH 25-30, 2019 • ROYAL MANITOBA WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN 55
The Basics of Show Jumping

Each night of the fair fea- petitions at four. A good Arena: The arena is the
tures some of Canada’s top horse starts to be successful stage. Westman Place has a
equestrian show jumping. at eight, and is at the peak of capacity of over 5,000 spec-
Riders and horses from all his career from 10 to 15, but tators and during show time;
over Manitoba, Saskatche- can keep performing until it is filled with people, TV
wan, Alberta, Ontario and the age of 20. cameras and, in the arena,
the Midwest United States the obstacles surrounded by
will be vying for a share of The Rider: The rider is decorations (flowers etc.)
over $140,000 in cash prizes. the pilot that usually begins which may distract the hors-
Judged on their perfor- to ride at a young age. The es.
mance, riders and horses rider is the brain of this “ath-
must complete a set pattern lete combination”. The rider Combination: A combi-
of jumps. Show jumping is must have skill and talent: an nation is a series of two or
the only sport where two liv- eye, and a sense of balance three fences separated by one
ing beings compete together: not to disturb the horse. He/ or two cantering strides. If
a horse and a rider. she is the one who “molds” the horse refuses one fence
the horse, requiring years of of the combination or runs
The Horse: The horses work, education, dressage, out between two elements,
are the product of long and and patience. On the course, the pair has to jump all two
patient work, studying ge- the eye of the rider and his or three fences again. A
netics and hours of training. ability to make quick deci- combination is considered
The young horse begins his sions are as important as the as one obstacle (with two or
sporting life at three with skill of the horse, his physical three difficulties).
light schooling and usually aptitude, his carefulness, etc. A jumper competes during the 2018 Royal Mani-
takes part in his first com- » Continued on Page 56 toba Winter Fair at the Keystone Centre. (File)