GEORGE NEWS - The George Riding Club (GRC), in partnership with Nedbank Private Wealth, will be hosting the prestigious 2018 Western Cape Championship Eventing competition in George from Friday.
A total of 150 adult and junior riders from the Garden Route, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth regions will be competing.
Eventing is a comprehensive test of all-round horsemanship demanding discipline, boldness and agility from both horse and rider. It tests a horse's versatility more than any other equestrian sport.
Three consecutive phases are held over two days, starting with dressage. Cross country follows and it culminates in show jumping.
This provincial competition is a wonderful outing that the whole family can enjoy.
The show will run from midday on Friday 27 April through Sunday afternoon,
29 April at George Riding Club on Glenwood Avenue, arguably the best eventing grounds in the Western Cape.
Top eventing riders wil battle it out across the three competitive phases. Spectators can enjoy yummy food from various food stalls and refreshments on offer. It promises to be a great horsey outing for the whole family. There is nothing quite like watching the exuberance of a rider after completing the 2,5km cross country course successfully.
Dressage
The dressage judges are looking for "free forward movement" - where the horse is eager and energetic, yet perfectly obedient and controlled. By no means easy, dressage primarily tests whether a horse with the speed and stamina to negotiate the cross-country phase, also has the capability and precision demanded by the dressage discipline.
Cross country
The core of the whole event is the cross country test over a course of 4 500m and around 30 obstacles, to be completed within the optimum time. The varied obstacles in the cross country seek to test the horse's bravery, agility and obedience together with the rider's judgement of both his horse and the pace.
Showjumping
Showjumping is the final test. Here the test is agility, accuracy and balance, made more difficult as the horse will have completed the testing cross-country earlier.
The George Riding Club will be hosting the prestigious 2018 Western Cape Championship Eventing competition in George from Friday 27 April. Photos: G Photography
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