Horses on point at Galloping Winds

More than 75 equestrian dressage horse riders showed off the result of years of practice at the prestigious Dressage SA Challenge this past weekend.

With the KZN leg held at the Galloping Winds Stables, judges Carla Jacobs and Susan Human scored riders and their trusty steeds on their techniques based on the performance.

The three-day event saw riders in different levels compete to gain higher individual scores which would enable KZN riders to move to the top of the log.

One of the top level riders, Genevieve Mcneill described the sport as “ballet for horses” and said dressage started during the days when they were used in battle.

“It all began when horses were trained to move backwards, forward and respond to commands. Horses learn techniques, styles and are trained to perform certain movements at a specific time. It takes years to train a horse to do that.”

Mcneill said in order to get it right, riders had to have a close bond with their horses.

“In KZN, there are about 300 competing riders and a number of horses at the top level. The training is done without any form of abuse or force and depends on the harmony that is created between horse and rider.

“The riders have to spend a lot of time with their horses to develop mutual trust. It is not as easy as it looks as sometimes the horses can also be stubborn and flat out refuse to practice.”

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