How do
you define an athlete? Is it someone who is six foot five, bounces a ball, and
shoots from a ridiculous distance? Is it a girl who is almost four feet tall
launching herself over a pommel for that perfect landing. What is the
measurement for a sport that is accepted into our society? Many times it is
mostly played by men or adapted for women like soccer or women’s rugby. Even Ultimate
Frisbee being co-ed. America has become very supportive of male and female sports
but there is still a rivalry for many men but mostly women. These women are a
select few in the world whose partners are not stored in gyms or garages; they
require two meals a day and six days a week of hard exercise. We are equestrians
and in order to win at our game we must have an unbreakable bond with our
horses so that when we jump a six foot obstacle we make it over.
Many
people do not consider horseback riding a sport it is merely a game to them. My
own brother who is a varsity soccer and football player tells me every time he
sees me that horses do not require a ton of work. Anyone can get on one, yes
but can they make it do a piaffe (trotting in place) or tempi changes (switching
leads in the canter) without a single movement. Most equestrians think canter
and their horse is off. It’s much deeper than the world sees it. A horse
requires day in and day out care they need to socialize with their rider and
other horses. They want to know you and be your friend we just have to let them
in to find out the exciting adventure that awaits.
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