The horse serves to unite us
JOBURG – If you've ever questioned the ability of sport to unite – a philosophy exemplified by former president Nelson Mandela's reasoning for the importance of South Africa's win in the 1995 Rugby World Cup – then you only need to consider the South African Showjumping Derby.
If you’ve ever questioned the ability of sport to unite – a philosophy exemplified by former president Nelson Mandela’s reasoning for the importance of South Africa’s win in the 1995 Rugby World Cup – then you only need to consider the South African Showjumping Derby.
The South African derby show is quite the highlight on the equestrian calendar but the main attraction by far is the South African Showjumping Derby class that begins on the last day of the show. This year, it was held on 1 October.
This class sees the country’s top showjumpers compete against one another for, what is arguably the most prestigious showjumping title.
And so, the class unites – it brings together a workforce to plan, organise and sponsor the event. It unites the showjumpers’ teams to prep, train and offer support. It brings the competitors together to battle it out for the title. It unites spectators from the equestrian community and the general public to watch.
And when all of these parties come together for the annual show’s final day of festivities, held at the Bob Charter Arena at Kyalami Equestrian Park, there is a buzz of excitement that is not felt at any other show. The vibe this year was no different.
However, as the clock strikes 2pm and the first competitor of the 1.50m South African Showjumping Derby enters the arena, a hushed silence falls as spectators watch with baited breath to see how each horse-and-rider combination will do. It almost feels as if the spectators are riding the course with the rider as, in hushed tones, they gasp as the horses approach the fences and exhale with delight or frustration, depending on whether the horse-and-rider combination clears each of the 18 obstacles in the course.
It is in this way that the class unites the competitors and spectators, and there are always cheers and applause, no matter how the competitors do.
This year, the loudest roars were heard for Nicola Sime-Riley riding Sunny Park Stables Elpaso, who clinched the title after they were the only horse-and-rider combination to clear the jump-off track. (To read more about Sime-Riley’s well-deserved win, flip to the back page.)
At the heart of the attraction of this class is surely the demonstration of the unique way that horse and rider unite in companionship.
The bond between these cream of South African showjumpers and their horses is truly magical and brings to life the words of Ronald Duncan’s poem, The Horse that is fittingly read before the class begins every year.
In part, the poem describes the horse, ‘There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent; there is nothing so quick, nothing more patient’.
Duncan’s poem is said to capture the essence of the horse and, in doing so it really serves to remind us that at the core of this show are these sports horses and that it is these majestic animals that unite us. ‘All our history is in his industry. We are his heirs; He is our inheritance’, as Duncan’s poem reads.
Also read:
Nicola Sime-Riley wins 2017 SA Derby
