DECATUR -- Legends Equestrian Center, located near Decatur, held the first of the sessions of camps designed to teach young riders the disciplines of handling horses that, in some cases, are twice as tall as the rider.
Heather Swope, owner of Legends, held two classes June 15-19, one for beginners and the other for more advanced riders. Sixteen girls from all over Northwest Arkansas and one from Dallas, Texas, took part in the five-day event which ended with a demonstration show on June 19.
These camps taught students the art of horseback riding and the unique opportunity to become one with their animals. On day five the campers shared their knowledge with family and friends during a two-hour demonstration show at the center's show arena east of Decatur.
The advanced riders demonstrated their horse handling skills during a short cross-country run and jump course on the south side of the complex. The course started on the northwest end of the complex. Riders raced at a full run across the open field, up a slight incline and over a set of jumps to end at the south end of the arena.
Then the campers had a little fun as they played a variation of musical chairs called "musical post." A series of posts of different colors were scattered throughout the arena. When the music stopped, the riders were instructed to maneuver their horses toward a designated post and grab on. The rider without a post was eliminated.
Another activity during the demonstration was called "Save a Friend." A pair of riders from the adventure class paired with a beginner in a modified barrel race. The rider would drop off her partner at a lone barrel on the east side of the arena. She would then ride back to the starting point, turn, and ride around two barrels before returning to pick up her partner. Then, it was a race to the finish line. It was a tricky maneuver to set and then retrieve a partner from the barrel. The riders had to get close enough to the barrel and hold the horse steady while helping the partner on and off the obstacle.
This event tested the horse's and rider's ability to communicate and execute the tricky maneuver. The rider used one hand to control the horse while the other was used to lift her friend. The retrieval took a great deal of concentration and dexterity to pull off. This became apparent as one rider maneuvered her horse too far from the barrel. As her partner tried to get back on the horse, the barrel tipped over and the younger girl slipped off the horse. She was uninjured.
The exhibition ended with the advanced class riding through a course of barrels and posts.
It was impressive to watch this unique class of girls, some in their first year of riding, handling a 1,000-pound animal with the precision of an aerobatic pilot. Many of these riders will go on to compete in jumper-hunter equestrian events. Others will simply enjoy the satisfaction of riding a horse for pleasure. The lessons learned at Legends Equestrian Center under the guidance of Heather Swope will remain in their hearts and minds for a lifetime.
Heather Swope will hold two camps, Advanced Jumping on July 28-Aug. 1 and Beginner Camp on July 28-31 at the Legends Equestrian Center, located three miles east of Decatur on Arkansas Highway 102. For more information, visit Swope's website at www.legendseq.com.
Sports on 07/08/2015