EQUESTRIAN SPORT: Competitors cope well with riding on horses they don't know, writes Eileen Battersby
An international cross section of accents, competitors, coaches, family members, general spectators and an army of Special Olympic volunteers succeeded in filling the vast main arena at Kill International Equestrian Centre at Kill, Co Kildare, on day one of competition.
After several days of the slow process of matching horses with riders, the equestrian events began yesterday morning with the working trails. It was a busy programme divided into 21 competitions. Like a stage waiting for its players, the main indoor arena was laid out in an obstacle course. The bright day outside meant the arena was filled with natural light. The shrubs in large tubs arranged on the sand looked attractive. But they were not decorations, they were part of the course.
Richard Walton had just won a green ribbon. He had come fourth in division 3 behind gold medallist Dimitry Badanin from Russia and two Irish riders, John Deevy and Kevin O'Connor, who took silver and bronze. Richard, representing Team USA, South West, was pleased. He comes from Utah where he has his own horse and rides in a large barn, the roof of which is in poor condition.
"We don't have anything like this, three indoor arenas! This place is pretty fantastic," says the coach with him, who is also his mother. Her sentiments are repeated throughout the day. The facilities at Kill are impressive.
"Is this why the Irish ride so well?" asks one British visitor. The first events had already seen a US clean sweep. But as Richard and his mother explain, the US team is divided into four regions, "as there's such a lot of us".
Harry is a large bay Irish Draught gelding, more than 17 hands high. He has already seen his full brother Jakes take a gold. Mane-plaited Harry is tacked up and ready for action. He looks relaxed enough but his ears are pricked. His groom, volunteer Lorraine McDermott, is from Dundrum. She rides but does not have a horse.
His rider is Stine Morkeberg from Denmark. She is 26 and works as a groom in an equestrian school outside Copenhagen. Her instructor, Lena Schlichtkrull, is with her here as coach to the two-member Danish team.
Once mounted Stine goes out to the warm-up area. At first Harry is non too co-operative, he is dreaming but Stine gives him time to get settled. She walks him about for a while before asking for trot. Once in the arena, it looks as if this is going to be easy for Stine.
All goes well, through the maze, past the obstacles, picking up trot, over the poles and down to the toughest test, the gate. Harry refuses to budge and here is where Stine shows her determination. A battle of wills begins with Stine claiming victory as she pushes the big horse through the gate to loud applause.
It is an important moment. Before a large audience including a camera crew from Denmark, Stine would not give up. Two of Denmark's most famous Special Olympics athletes are outside in the dismounting area. They are waiting to interview her. The programme will be broadcast in Denmark.
Stine is a confident rider and enjoys cantering through the woods at the riding school in Copenhagen. Lena agrees that having to compete on horses you don't know is tough. "Stine is careful, she has to feel she can trust the horse and then she will have a try." She did and went on to win a silver medal.
Several riders were warming in the exercise arena. Several of them are good, one is outstanding. A man is riding a big black heavy hunter type horse. They look like an established partnership. They have only met. James Farrell, quiet hands, a good seat, from Napier, New Zealand is 25 and only learnt to ride at 19. Serious competing for him began two years ago.
Once in the arena, he bowed to the judges and rode with grace and style. Arriving at the difficult gate, he rode Ben side on into it, and took all of 30 seconds to open it and pass through. Beautiful judgment and a big smile. He is one of four riders from New Zealand, his team mate is Lance Dempsey, also 25. Both stayed at Naas with their host Maeve Queally and her husband. The men enjoyed their stay - the Queallys have race horses. Both men rode well, and both won gold medals.
All of the competitors want to win. Determination and excitement prevail. But things can go wrong. One Dutch rider was going very well on a black and white horse named Guinness. But the gate was to prove his undoing, the horse consistently refused to move through the gate - turning, stalling and backing away. His rider was distraught. He dismounted and walked tearfully away. His team mates smiled. They knew how important this moment is.