With the Tokyo main Olympic games complete, our excitement is now directed towards the Paralympics. Leading up to the para equestrian competition, the Council of Equine and Equestrian Professionals South Africa NPC (CEEPSA), gives us some insight into para equestrian competition, taking place from 25 to 30 August 2021.
South African Paralympic rider, Philippa Johnson-Dwyer, a member of CEEPSA, is preparing for her Paralympic campaign and will be flying the South African flag heading into the event. Philippa is already proudly in possession of two gold and two silver medals from previous Paralympic events.
The full South African Para Equestrian Team includes:
· Cayla van der Walt (Rider)
· Trisha-Lynne Bell (Trainer/Groom)
· Philippa Johnson-Dwyer (Rider)
· Chris Haazer (Groom)
· Robyn Van Lijsdonk (Osteopath)
“We will be following the para equestrian competition very closely. The calibre of riders this year is really high which should make for close competition, in both the individual and team events,” says Nicola Sime-Riley, Director for sport at CEEPSA. “As the para equestrian competition kicks-off, we want to give you some insight into this level of competition.”
Para equestrian competition focuses on Dressage.
The Olympic equestrian competition hosts three different disciplines, Dressage, Jumping, and Eventing. Para Dressage is the only Equestrian Competition represented at the Para-Olympic competitions.
Dressage is an eloquent and artistic form of the competition. The aim is to achieve a beautiful synchronicity between the rider and the horse. Dressage assesses the rider’s ability to get the horse to move quickly from side to side, transition into a gallop or rapidly change direction, using subtle commands.
Dressage competition consists of both an individual and a team competition.
In the individual event, riders compete against other riders with the same grade of disability. The team event consists of three riders with mixed grades of disability.
In competition riders perform to a specific floor-plan and a set routine. Riders with the top scores proceed to the next phase of competition, ‘Freestyle’. During the freestyle competition, riders and their horses perform a personally choreographed routine set to their own choice of music. Freestyle is known as the sport of ‘dancing horses.’
Riders in the para equestrian competition can use a wide range of compensating aids including adapted saddles, reins, stirrups and boots. Vision-impaired riders also make use of a caller, someone who calls out the positioning letters at different areas of the floorplan to help the rider know where they are.
Horses in certain grades can be supported by another horse on the side-line, known as the ‘friendly horse’. The friendly horse walks to the arena with the competing horse, and then stands outside the arena while they perform. This helps keep the competing horse calmer and more relaxed.
While spectators can watch the simple elegance and beauty of a dancing horse, for riders, it is years and years of training, preparation and building trust with their horse. For this reason, riders and their horses travel together to Tokyo. “This is not unusual as riders who compete at an international level, travel with their horse who they have been training with for years,” says Sime-Riley. “Riders form close bonds with their horses, and this reflects in their performance during the competition.”
To keep up with the conversation follow CEEPSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceepsa or visit their website: www.ceepsa.org.
