I am not someone who would typically adopt the title of a “horse girlie,” but I recently went to a horse jumping competition. It was my first one, and I think it cured me. There was a certain elegance that made me feel like a guest invited to an exclusive, affluent party where everyone proudly flaunted and celebrated their style and skill. There was a true sense of pride as well as confidence in the sport that felt good to be present in.
I was surprised at how tame the show was. Instead of sitting on the edge of my seat and feeling the pressure of competitiveness, I sat calmly and comfortably as I watched each rider and their companion complete their jump. If a competitor made a mistake, only a soft “aw” echoed from the crowd followed by light applause. The ambience of good sportsmanship toward every participant made me feel at peace.
I garnered a newfound appreciation for the equestrian environment. It was so relaxing and I learned how respectable the sport is. I could totally picture my 60-year-old retired self attending horse shows in my free time.
Veronica is a Staff Writer at The Cascade. She loves to travel and explore new places, no matter how big or small. She is in her second year at UFV, pursuing the study of Creative
Writing.