GEORGE NEWS - George Riding Club (GRC) is hosting the exquisite FEI Discovery Western Cape Eventing Championship from 26 to 28 August. Spectators are welcome to come and support the athletes.
"This event is an internationally qualifying show and of great significance to all our equestrian youth," said show secretary Paula Bronkhorst.
"We have 160 horse-and-rider combinations entered in this show between the age of 10 and 55, from all over the country. They will be descending on George, accompanied by family, friends and instructors, adding up to an expected number of about 500 people.
"We are happy that the tourism industry of George will benefit greatly from the inflow at the show. GRC is grateful to Discovery, our main title sponsor, and to all other sponsors, including Tiletoria and Sunrise Animation Studios, for being generous and contributing greatly to making this event a huge success."
About the show
Eventing is an equestrian triathlon, consisting of dressage, show jumping and cross country, each with its own test for the horse-rider combination. It is about courage, stamina, endurance, speed and obedience.
Dressage consists of a set of prescribed movements, which are performed at or between markers that are placed around the arena. Marks are rewarded according to how accurately, fluidly and precisely the movements are executed.
It is important that the horse is graceful, calm, supple and obedient throughout the test.
Cross country is the most exhilarating test. Horse and rider are asked to gallop over undulating terrain while negotiating intimidating solid jumps like ditches, banks, drops and water, testing courage and accuracy.
The course must be completed within a specific time; penalty points are calculated based on time taken and faults incurred for disobedience over the course.
Show jumping tests the horse's agility, suppleness and obedience over a normal show jumping course after the rigorous test of the cross country. This phase can often change the ranking order and thus is generally the most nerve-wracking part of an eventing competition.
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