Suburban
SCHOOLS which have introduced equestrian at their institutions faced a difficult year as the number of shows and competitions were few in the year 2021.
Equestrian has been growing in schools with a number of private institutions introducing the sport which include Peterhouse Group of Schools in Marondera and Lomagundi College in Chinhoyi
But in 2021 the sport faced difficulties like most sporting events as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to take its toll on sporting, economic and social events the world over.
Recently, Lomagundi bemoaned the difficulties the sport faced in the year 2021 but said it was not all doom and gloom as their pupils still managed to have some fun riding their horses.
“Despite being a difficult year for our Equestrian Centre in terms of the number of shows and competitions we could participate in, our pupils still enjoyed their horses and riding,” the school announced on their Facebook Page.
The school recently held its year end Gymkhana, which it described as a huge success with pupils from both the high and primary schools taking part.
“We recently held our year end Gymkhana which was a great success.
We had 25 competitors for the event, 8 of these were senior school riders and 17 were primary school riders.
“We were pleased and very proud of the performance of our new and Novice Riders as only three riders had ever taken part in a Gymkhana before.
The day brought out each horse and riders’ competitive spirit and ended with a very exciting Barrel Race which was open to the more experienced riders.
“We would like to congratulate all riders, not only for their performance on the day but for all the hours of work that they put in practicing for the event.
All the winners received a beautiful Rosette and special prizes were awarded to: ‘The Most Improved Rider’ of the Year,” said Belinda Bowie, the Equestrian Manager at Lomagundi College.
Gymkhana Results
Groups: LC
SHIRES
1ST – LUKE KRIEL
2ND – LINDSAY STOKES
3RD – EMMA LAMB
CLYDESDALES
1ST – JESSICA LAMB
2ND – REBECCA VAN ZUYDAM
3RD – WATIFADZAISHE CHIPANGURA
WARMBLOODS
1ST – SHAMILLAH IMEDI
2ND – TADISAISHE MKWAVIRA
3RD – NYASHA CHIPARAUSHE
FRESIANS
1ST – CHERRYLE TAMANIKWA
2ND – VANESSA WADZINGENYAMA
Groups: LCPS
Thoroughbreds
1ST – TEAGAN NGWARATI
ARABS
1ST – SATOYA TARASANA
2ND – TIANNA MUGARI
3RD TAVONGA RANGUNA
4TH – MICHELLE MHENE
WELSH MOUNTAINS
1ST – TAWANDA MACHAKA
2ND – TACHE CHINHARA
3RD – LATOA CHIPERERA
SHETLANDS
1ST – RAYNE SABILIKA
2ND – ROBYN FERREIRA
3RD – CAMILLE KEARNS
BARREL RACING
1ST – EMMA LAMB
2ND – LINDSAY STOKES
3RD – LUKE KRIEL
Equestrian, which can also be called horseback riding, can be referred to as the skill of riding with horses. Equestrian can be for recreational purposes and competitive sport.
In the early 20th century, equestrian events were introduced in the Olympics. Some of these events are still seen today. These events are: dressage, show jumping, and eventing.
Some equestrian events which are not in the Olympics are combined driving, endurance, reining, and vaulting. These events are of the World Equestrian Games which is organized by the FEI. They are organized every four years. The governing body for equestrian is the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
There are many other types of equestrian sports. Some equestrian competitions are, under saddle: thoroughbred horse racing, steeplechasing, American quarter horse, Arabian horses, akhal teke, appaloosas, American paint horses, endurance riding, and ride and tie. There is also harness racing which is done all over Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
FEI Equestrian Sports
Dressage — riders and horses perform from memory a series of predetermined events.
Show Jumping — riders on horseback attempt to jump cleanly through sets of obstacles within a specific time.
Eventing— riders compete in three types of races, dressage, cross-country and show jumping, in a single competition.
Combined Driving— a driver on a carriage pulled by horses takes part in three events: dressage, marathon and cones.
Endurance Riding— an equestrian discipline where riders and horses compete in races over very long distances.
Reining— equestrian riders guide their horses through a precise pattern of spins, circles and stops.
Equestrian Vaulting— a gymnastics and dance discipline done on horseback
Other Equestrian Sports
Cross Country— equestrian riders are required to jump over 30 to 40 obstacles within a fixed time, incurring penalties for exceeding the allocated time or if a horse refuses to clear an obstacle.
Western Pleasure — a horse show competition in which horses are evaluated for their manners and composure.
TREC— a French equestrian sport in which the objective is to test both the horse and the rider in competitions consisting of three separate events.
Gymkhana — a multi-game equestrian event which is performed to display the talents of the horses and their riders. – Suburban Reporter/www.topendsports.com
