DECATUR -- While the first triple crown winner in 37 years, American Pharaoh, was parading before a crowded grandstand at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., another sporting event involving horses was taking place in Northwest Arkansas. Legends Equestrian Center held its annual Northwest Arkansas Hunter-Jumper show at its facility on Arkansas Highway 102 near Decatur on June 6 and 7. Seventy riders, ranging in age from 12 to 60-plus, competed in this two day event.
Judge for the events was Pam Bishop from Warrenton, Mo. Her job was to evaluate the riders as they performed a series of maneuvers, which included walking, trotting and quick directional changes. Bishop awarded points based on the horse and rider interaction with one another.
During the jumper competition, the horses and riders were required to navigate a predetermined course which consisted of eight fences. Each fence was set to specific height, according to classification. Points were awarded based on the interaction between the horse and rider and the ability to navigate the course without either missing a fence or knocking down a rail. The best riders in each class were awarded first- through sixth-place ribbons.
The theme for the Saturday afternoon event was "Honky-Tonk." Riders dressed up in western-style fashion and performed jumps to honky-tonk music. Even the horses were dressed for the occasion.
The event concluded on Sunday with a series of beginning, intermediate and amateur hunter-jumper events which concluded with a series of schooling breaks for young riders only.
Legends Equestrian Center will conduct a series of four camps for riders, grades 6-12. The advance camp is scheduled for June 15-19 and the beginner camp for June 16-19. The second series of camps will be the advance jumping, from July 28 - Aug. 1, and a beginner camp, July 28-31. At the conclusion of each class, the riders and horses will have a chance to perform in front of family and friends.
For more information, go to www.legendseq.com.
Sports on 06/24/2015