Horses and humans have long had a deep connection – something jockeys rely on today when they compete in equestrian sports.
Click start to play today’s Crossword, where you can test your knowledge about sports involving horses.
Today’s major equestrian sports date back to ancient Greece, where dressage was developed as a way to ready horses for war. Horses were also used in the ancient Olympics, as early as 680BC, when chariot races were introduced. Decades later, in the 17th century, fox hunt and steeplechase, along with eventing, were created as ways to prepare and test cavalry horses.
Now, there are dozens more equestrian sports that involve people competing to win the top prize. Here, we highlight a few of the more unusual ones:
Tent Pegging
Not a new sport, this event originated from the days of Greek conqueror Alexander the Great. Since then, tent pegging has only flourished, with international championships held in various parts of the world. The objective of the sport is to use a sword to pick up small pegs from the ground, by hooking through the loops attached to the top of the pegs. The rider has to do it incredibly quickly, as his/her horse gallops past. Sometimes, riders also use a lance to pick up rings hanging from poles. The sport was originally developed as a training technique for mounted soldiers to develop their battle skills and accuracy.
Horseboarding
Launching in 2004, this extreme sport involves a horse and rider towing a person on a mountainboard (a sturdier version of a skateboard, using for riding down hills and mountainsides). The popular, multi-discipline sport requires both riders to be completely in-sync, with the mountainboard rider maintaining his/her balance while adapting to the terrain. As a competitive sport, there are awards for best speed and fastest time.
Ride and Tie
This sport was created in the US in 1971 by Bud Johns, who was the public relations director of the American clothing company Levi Strauss & Co. at the time. The brand wanted a rugged sport to promote their line of outdoor clothing. So, Johns, who was a keen historian, remembered reading a historical record of something similar to Ride and Tie, and organised the first event. Since then, it has spread to many other parts of the world. The sport involves teams, with each comprising two riders and one horse. Both set out at the same time, with the rider deciding when to tie his/her horse up and carry on, on foot. When the first runner reaches the horse, he/she then rides the next section of the race, until deciding to tie up the horse again. The riders pass the horse to each other, in this way, at least six times and can cover any distance between 32km to 160km. The horse passes vet checks along the course.
What do you think of these unusual equestrian sports? Play today’s Crossword and let us know at games@gulfnews.com.
