The equestrian life with Kendra Forsyth
The young equestrian has big dreams she wants to attain in her sport and every win brings those dreams within reach.
One day you will see Kendra Forsyth live out her dream of riding at Kyalami Equestrian Park arena. Until then, it would be hard to miss this Northcliff High School Equestrian’s wins so far.
Her recent participation in the South African National Equestrian Schools Association (Sanesa) Qualifier 3, which took place at the Maple Ridge Equestrian Farm, saw her take home five, first places, two-second places and a fifth-place position.
Preparation for a single show like this does not solely stop at a rider’s confidence and ability level but also transcends to the horse too. At this qualifier 3 competition Forsyth and her horse, Abydos, whose nickname is Wally, took part in eight different disciplines. The night before a big event like this, she makes sure that all her various outfits, for all her varying disciplines, are ready and packed. She will also make sure Wally looks his best, which involves plaiting his mane, forelock (hair on the forehead), as well as his tail, “Lastly, you have to roll up the plaits in their mane in little balls so as to look neat,” she said.
For her, being an equestrian is a privilege. “It’s amazing to ride such animals and to be part of a community of people who love doing the same things that you do.” She added that being an equestrian is, however, not easy as you have to be mentally and physically strong to take part.
One of her best competitions to have taken part in, so far, would have to be the Toyota Easter Festival, “The show was five days long and I went with Wally three out of the five days.” This competition was not without its challenges, “The first day didn’t go too well. I did fall off and it was my first fall off Wally.” Her second day went great though, coming both third and fourth. On her last day, which was her champions’ class, she knocked two poles but got the fastest time out of 42 other riders in her class.
Forsyth sees this sport as an awesome team sport, one that sees riders’ bonds with their horse flourish as they develop trust in each other. “At shows, Wally gets so excited and has so much speed.” She loves to experience him on competition days because ‘It feels like he enjoys his job which makes me so happy’.
The sport, in her opinion, does require you to be a quick thinker and mentally strong as not all competitions go well. “This sport teaches you that it’s okay to fail and not do well every day. It also teaches you responsibility and dedication.”
Related Article:
