DECATUR - When the subject of a conversation turns “equestrian,” the talk is usually about horses when, in reality, equestrian refers to the art of horseback riding. And nowhere is the art more prevalent then at a jumping competition.
The graceful lines and forms of a horse and rider in sync, flowing effortlessly over a fence, are truly a work of art. Many artists, sculptors and photographers, using canvas, bronze, and paper to replicate this melding of rider and horse, have captured an instant and frozen it in time forever.
But equestrian is more then an art, it is also a sport. It has been in place for centuries all over the world and in different cultures. Only since 1900 has horseback riding entered the Olympics as a sanctioned sport. In 1912, all three disciplines - show jumping, dressage and eventing - made their first appearance as an Olympic sport and remain unchanged to date.
On June 1 and 2, the Legends Equestrian Center of Decatur held its annual Hunter/Jumper show. Equestrianism was indeed prevalent on the farm off Arkansas Highway 102 near Crystal Lake.
Heather Swope, show manager and course designer, brought together 69 competitors and 54 horses to display their mastery of the sport. Along with Swope, Ashley Versluis, show secretary, and Rebecca Randall, paddock and schooling master, worked long hours putting this show together. The competition also employed several volunteers assisting with course setups and show operations. The guest judge was Cristal Brumbough from Tulsa, Okla., with Micalle Moore serving as the announcer and points keeper.
A hunter/jumper show is broken down into two parts. In the hunter section, the horse and rider are judged on manner, style and way of going. In the jumper segment, the competitors are judged on number of attempts, clearing fences and finishing in the allotted time (usually one minute).
The theme for this year’s event was “Ride to Music of the ‘80s.” Several of Swope’s students who participated in the jumping events dressed in ‘80s fashion. Their brightly-colored apparel added a certain flair to the competition.
There were 33 classes scheduled during Saturday competition. They ranged from the Under Saddle-Open Walk/Trot class to Dash for the Cash Open Jumper 2.
The Sunday event entertained 69 classes, the vast majority of which consisted of open jumping and under saddle hunter classes.
Spectators from the Decatur community and surrounding area turned out to experience horseback riding at its best.
Legends Equestrian Center will offer three riding camps throughout the summer. Two beginner camps, the first of which is scheduled for July 22-26 and the second August 12-16 from 8 a.m. until 4p.m. The Intermediate and Advance camp starts June17- 21 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. More information is available online at www.legendseq.com.
Sports, Pages 9 on 06/12/2013