| As a species human beings enjoy | | | | be disastrous in Dressage for example, |
| competition in all its forms whether it | | | | where you need to work as one. The |
| be a simple kick around in the park or | | | | precise movements are almost a ballet |
| taking part in a major event, either as | | | | and any disharmony would be like the |
| part of a team or as an individual. | | | | orchestra playing out of tune. |
| Equestrian Sports fulfil this desire to | | | | In any Equestrian Sport the condition of |
| compete ion every level, either as part | | | | the horse plays a major part, he needs |
| of a team or as individual. You can | | | | to be healthy and happy, well fed, |
| represent yourself, your club or at the | | | | watered and groomed so that he is |
| very highest level, your Country. | | | | comfortable and ready for the excitement |
| Riding demonstrate the harmony between | | | | of the competition - after all you want |
| Rider and Horse in a way that nothing | | | | to win a Rosette don't you? |
| else does. Men and women can both take | | | | There are many competitions in the world |
| part on level playing field which is | | | | of Equestrian Sports but there are some |
| rare in any sporting event. The speed | | | | that stand head and shoulders above the |
| and dexterity with which they and their | | | | rest - the Burleigh Horse Trials in the |
| mounts flash around the course can be | | | | UK where the best three day eventers |
| quite astounding to a novice. This is | | | | compete. The National Horse Show in |
| the result of many months of training | | | | America covers many fields of equestrian |
| and developing the relationship between | | | | endeavor and is held in Palm Beach under |
| the pairing. Before this can be | | | | the auspices of the National Show Horse |
| developed you first have to choose the | | | | Association of America who focus the |
| horse you want to ride. | | | | competitions on good horsemanship. |
| The size of the horse has to be one of | | | | One of the most popular events in the |
| the first criteria - what good is it to | | | | calendar is the Horse of the Year Show |
| have a horse that can run like the wind | | | | at Olympia, London, which is held in |
| and jump a mile if your feet dangle on | | | | December each year. A huge party |
| the floor or you are too heavy for him. | | | | atmosphere prevails throughout the show |
| Next comes temperament, you need a horse | | | | which specializes in Show Jumping but |
| that you can work with, they have | | | | with lots of other competitions thrown |
| personalities just like people and | | | | in as well. I have many happy memories |
| sometimes personalities clash. If you | | | | of competing there, it was like the |
| find that you rub each other up the | | | | beginning of Christmas. The ultimate |
| wrong way it will show in the | | | | competition is of course, the Olympic |
| competition and you will always be | | | | Games where Equestrian Sports are one of |
| fighting to control your mount. That can | | | | the oldest categories. |