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nelson mandela bay's family lifestyle
author:
xandre van der berg
equestrian entertainment
photography:
zuko, lifegate photography
issue:
6, winter 2008
They play with our imagination and are said to have done more to change human history than any other domesticated animal. Today our partnership is more peaceful as we share recreational and competitive sport. There is no arguing – horses fascinate. We envy the riders flying past us on Sardinia Bay's coast. We watch Seabiscuit two weekends in a row and set reminders so we won't miss Wildfire on DsTV's Channel Go. If you live in Nelson Mandela Bay you can stop dreaming and start living – and the options are vast – there is an equestrian sport to suit every individual. Polocrosse is an interesting choice for those who enjoy team sports. It was first played in South Africa at the Durban Riding Club in 1948, but originated on two different continents. It is a combination of the elements of the ancient game of polo, which is believed to have originated in Persia, and the American Indian game of Lacrosse. Polocrosse was first played in England in an indoor arena with the intention of improving the riding skills of students. In Nelson Mandela Bay this challenging game is enjoyed on an outside pitch on the Lakeside Road, in Kragga Kamma. This is an exciting team sport. Each team has six members, divided into two or three sections. Players utilize a bamboo stick with an attaché racquet head, covered with a loose thread net to carry the ball. In this fast paced horseback game, goals are scored by pitching the ball between goal posts. This is the ideal sport for an adventurous rider who has some experience and loves playing “catch me if you can.” Those who participate, most often prefer agile horses with a stocky frame as partner. This game is truly a partnership between man and horse and players will often confess it was their horse's initiative that made the day. Boys and girls as young as seven are initiated into the excitement of this sport, but starting as a teenager or even an adult would not be too difficult and there is nothing better to improve your riding skill. Four members from the Port Elizabeth Polocrosse Club are members of the South African Polocrosse Team representing our region against Zimbabwe this winter, so starting out you'll have enough people around who know exactly what they are talking about. hould Polocrosse sound too wild and dangerous, there is always Eventing. This sport comprises of Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping. It is a very captivating spectator sport requiring many hours of practice and discipline. Dressage features an exact sequence of movements ridden in an enclosed arena. More than one judge scrutinizes the routine, looking for balance, rhythm, suppleness and most importantly, harmony between rider and horse. The fundamental purpose of dressage is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, maximizing the horse's potential as a riding horse. This sport was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance with the Lipizzaner most often seen in non-competitive performances of classical dressage. Cross-Country moves away from the very formal and classical – take horse and rider into the domain of challenging riding that would have been encountered on a wild ride in the country. Horse and rider both need to be in excellent physical shape, trusting each other as they brave the obstacles. In this game, speed is a factor, the rider required to cross the finish line within a specific time frame. Obstacles range from ponds and ditches to drops, banks and stone walls. Show Jumping would be similar to Cross-Country, but much more technical and contained. The purpose is to jump cleanly over a set course of obstacles within an allotted time. In addition to basic jumping skills, eventing show jumping definitely tests the fitness and stamina of horse and rider. This is a relatively new equestrian sport. Until the Enclosure Acts came into force in England (eighteenth century) there was little need for horses to be able to routinely jump fences. You can imagine riders who are eager to entertain their sport, quickly training their horses to master the new obstacles brought on by landowners fencing their properties. I can just see my neighbors jumping fences all the way from Upper Seaview Road down into Sardinia Bay, the fences unable to contain them. Horse Racing is hugely popular in Nelson Mandela Bay – perhaps because it also affords the opportunity to the individual who does not own a horse, to enjoy horse and rider in action. The sport needs no introduction. In South Africa horse racing has a long and rich history dating back to 1797 – the first recorded race club meeting taking place in 1802. The Jockey Club of South Africa (now known as the National Horse Racing Authority) was founded as far back as 1882. Nelson Mandela Bay sports two fabulous race courses at Arlington and Fairview with spectators often enjoying a day at the races along with the family. This is a huge and extremely well regulated industry with jockey's starting intensive training from a very young age and trainers working even harder to obtain their licenses. This, however, is the serious side of horses and ridding - and Nelson Mandela Bay has many other options available to people who wants to enjoy a more recreational side of equestrian sport. There are quite a few riding schools offering beginners classes to riders as young as three or four years of age – allowing gradual progression, also catering for teenagers and adults who would like to taste this merging of man and animal. Professional Instructors are also available for one-on-one schooling. This is the perfect option for the rider who has decided to start competing, the owner who might be battling to understand an animal or the novice rider that does not want to enroll in a beginner's class along with youngsters. The benefits of riding should be evident from the very well-known “riding for the disabled” that was started in England in the 1950's. In Nelson Mandela Bay, the South African Riding for the Disabled Association operates from a farm in Charlo and holds riding sessions every Tuesday afternoon and two Saturdays a month. Riding is not only excellent exercise, utilizing almost every muscle the body has, it is also emotionally and psychologically stimulating – the union between man and these massive animals always stirring the soul. Some owners never actively compete, but prefer to practice hacking. These riders just enjoy the freedom of saddling up and getting out in nature. They ride often and never in groups of more than two or three. They enjoy the companionship of their animals and the rush of flying with the wind. In Nelson Mandela Bay the Sardinia Bay area with its beautiful beach and large adjacent nature reserve is perfect for those who just want to do hacking. If you want to own a horse, but do not own a suitable property, Nelson Mandela Bay has many options for stabling where professionals will care for your horse. And if you cannot afford to own and keep a horse, there are many stables offering Beach and Out Rides. At these establishments even inexperienced riders are taken in groups on rides along the beach. This is an easy way to discover riding and should you regularly ride at the same establishment, some would even allow you the privilege of developing a relationship with a specific animal. Alternatively there are also stables that do leasing and renting. Neville Comely, one of Nelson Mandela Bay's breeders and trainers would tell you there is no other option but to have your own horse and ride it often. “There is nothing in this world that could compare. Sell the second car if you have to!” Some refer to Neville as this area's horse whisperer and watching him work his horses would convince anyone that this description is correct. Neville is blind due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, but still works, trains, rides and breeds his own horses. If you ask, he will tell you about Broadway Mistress, the fascinating mare who “knew” he was blind and would never expose him to any danger. Most breeders choose one breed – Neville chose a variety. “The SA Saddle Horse is my favorite, but I love them all. The American Saddle Horse. Hanoverians, Swedish Warm Bloods, Holsteins and even Welsh Ponies.” Often Winter drives us into our homes and away from physical activity – this winter pull on a pair of jodhpurs and start enjoying the fantastic partnership of a sport you cannot do alone.
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