There a few serious and not-so-serious challenges doing the rounds during the national lockdown and equestrian riders have their own.
One is called the TP challenge, or toilet paper challenge and, as explained by dressage star Siobhan Records, involves a rider balancing toilet paper rolls in one hand as they canter their horse in a circle.
They take a video of themselves doing this and upload it to social media.
“The idea is that people supposedly have so much spare toilet paper because they bought so much before lockdown that they stack it up and balance it as they ride,” she said.
She uploaded a video of herself holding three rolls while cantering in a circle.
A more serious challenge is called the lockdown horse interview.
This involves riders listing features, habits, names, disciplines and other characteristics of a beloved horse of theirs, with a photo, on social media. They then nominate another rider to do the same.
Top rider Arina Niyaki did this with her horse, Rathmor Napoleon, before nominating two friends who responded with their own lockdown horse interviews.
In the interview, Niyaki described Rathmor Napoleon as a sweet, kind, gentle and silly dark bay horse who loves carrots and Likit horse treats.
Under funny habits Niyaki mentioned, “Spies on me if I’m with another horse. Also loves playing with me in the paddock.”
She also said, “[He] can be a brat, and can take forever to box if he doesn’t feel like it.”
If you know of other challenges or videos you would like shared, send an email to nicholasz@caxton.co.za
