Before she could even walk, Jenna Cailin Blaauw, a Grade 9 learner at St Mary’s School, Waverley was already riding horses. She grew up on the back of a horse and was exposed to the world of horses at a young age. “My mom was a rider. I had my first riding lesson at the age of two and the rest was history. The bond between horse and rider compares to nothing else in the world, and I can always trust my horse to have my back if no one else does,” said Jenna.
“The biggest thing about horse riding is that the horse feeds off your emotion, so the most important thing is to stay calm.
“You must trust your horse for them to trust you, but at the end of the day, horses have a mind of their own and are not entirely predictable. The first thing all horse riders are taught is- it is never the horses’ fault,” Jenna said.
She expressed gratitude for her two horses, Seeis Lapric and Eragon Star. According to Jenna, horse riding is a very competitive sport. She said one is often judged on results although winning may not be everyone’s goal. Everyone has bad days and different views on success; for Jenna, seeing the finish line amongst all else makes her proud of her horses.
Jenna said it is not an easy task juggling school and sport, and with horse riding one needs to have a lot of commitment. “Horses are not only about riding; it is also about the bond you form with your horse in and out of the saddle, which takes many hours. I try to take care of schoolwork during school as best I can, leaving my afternoons free for my horses.”
Jenna also participates in many other sports which include netball, swimming, water polo and athletics.
Jenna said she and her horse are in a fairly new partnership and are still forming their unbreakable bond. Although winning is not always her intention, Jenna said it feels good to be contributing to her school and gives her hope for a bright future. “My horses always try their hardest for me and I am forever grateful to them whether we win or lose.”
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