Glover Paddocks held a training jumping show on their premises for all their riders and trained horses to partake in, on May 25.
As the riders made their way to their riding school, their riding coaches assisted them with horse-warming-up exercises to increase the amount of oxygen circulating in the bloodstream, flex the joints and increase the elasticity of muscles before the competition.
According to the head of the paddocks, Kerryn Maher, the equestrian show jumping event is hosted once every three months to allow all the riders to not only compete but also prepare for bigger competitions.
“It was a fun and exciting day for all riders and a great learning event. Everyone could participate, from beginners who would ride the pole on the ground with the ponies to the advanced show jumpers doing an incredible 1.2m,” Kerryn said.
As the competition commenced, the riders trotted with their horses for at least half an hour before entering the arena. The horse is then guided by the rider towards the centre of each obstacle to measure speed, which is contingent upon the breadth of each fence.
Kerryn told the Roodepoort Northsider that since the competition is based on jumping ability alone, the riders were granted two attempts to jump over a set of obstacles while maintaining a certain speed with the horse.
Teagan Knipe was the shining star who completed her 80cm course and placed first overall, jumping with ease and poise.
