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the
language of E
questrians do not gallop into the arena on their own two
feet or defy the laws of gravity to propel themselves over the
fences with their own solitary power, so some might say that
horseback riding does not meet the necessary requirements as
a sport. And
these people
would be correct
— almost.
Horseback
riding is not
just a sport;
it’s something
much more.
It’s the delicate
negotiation
of power and
friendship,
servitude and
partnership,
strength and
grace. As
Medhi Kazemi,
coach and
trainer at Old
Homestead
Farm of Rocky
Point says,
“Horseback
Above: Kristin Skiba and Sweetie at Atlantic Equine
riding is a
Services. Opposite: Olivia Murray and Rotspun at Old
language. First,
Homestead Farm.
I teach the
alphabet. Then my students learn to construct words, then sentences and
paragraphs. Then they can go on to write an essay.”
The words, he goes on to explain, are the basics of horsemanship: how
to lead a horse in and out of a stall properly; how to groom a horse, the
names and uses of the brushes, how to pick hooves; and the names and
parts of the saddle. Words are formulated as riders learn the correct way to
mount and dismount, how to guide a horse at a walk and trot.
“This is when my students learn their job description and how they
should go about communicating to a horse,” Kazemi says.
WBM september 2013