Belize’s country folk know all about horse riding – in fact in many areas, horseback is still the most efficient way to get from point a to point b. But that kind or riding is called western style, tonight we’ll introduce you to another very different style called English riding. It’s a privileged passion, but a passion nonetheless – and this weekend we found out how it’s getting started in Belize at the Equestrian Academy.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
It might look like a scene from some other country, but the Belize Equestrian Academy is right here in the Cayo District, off mile 58 on the Western Highway where founder John Roberson is determined to make English riding - as it is called- known and appreciated in Belize.
John Roberson III, Founder - Belize Equestrian Academy
“ I grew up loving horses, all my life my grandfather, my dad, me – all been around horses all our lives and wanted to do something new
in Belize other than racing that kids can get involved with and something more fun that’s never been done in Belize so that’s why.”
And it’s probably never been done because equestrian riding is a fairly elite past time – but Roberson says the mastery of horsemanship is a passion that is worth the pursuit.
John Roberson III,
“It’s just a bond between you and an animal and it is hard to explain because when you are out there, you can just feel it. You can feel the horse move one way or the other. When you’re body is on top of the horse, every movement in your body the horse can feel and react towards and whenever you get a sense of that and you move your body and the horse moves with you, its amazing. It is amazing what you can do.”
And for the short time we were there on Saturday it was amazing to see what young children between 9 and 13 can do. Their job was to get around this course, on a specified route in as close to a 59 seconds as possible, without knocking over any of the obstacles. Seems simple enough, but it requires deft control to get these 800 pound creatures to make hairpin turns and precise jumps.
Augustus Workman, Student
“It looks like a big master but it is not. It is really a nice animal
but it is pretty hard sometimes, they get mad, they get strong, but you just have to sit on it and tell them who is boss.”
Jules Vasquez,
So out there you and the horse have a kind of relationship, you all function as one unit or you should?
Angelo Figueroa, Student
“Yeah you should, you are not going to be thinking that I’ll jump that and then make the horse think you’re not there or the horse wants to go that way, you have to make sure it goes that way with you. So you move as one thing.”
Gabriela Van Utterbeeck, Student
“Its kind of scary at first but you just have to concentrate really hard and before you know it, it’s all over. It is fun.”
But for the parents it’s almost always scary. When 9 year old Cesar Figueroa took a tumble after this jump, his wounded reaction frightened everyone. His trainer remained calm – and paramedics rushed over, and checked if anything was broken or out of place and in the end he was fine and only slightly shaken up.
Jules Vasquez,
So what happened, you broke your wind, your lost your wind?
Cesar Figueroa, 9 years old
“Yeah when I fell on the floor I think I got knocked out and when I stood up…yeah.”
Jules Vasquez,
So you spoke to the horse after?
Cesar Figueroa,
“I couldn’t, they took it to jail.”
Paulita Figueroa, Cesar’s Mother
“Its nerve wracking, it is just scary and they fall sometimes and you just hope for the best but you hold on your fingers and you don’t know what to do. It is exciting but it is nerve wracking.”
John Roberson III,
“My heart is up here all day long when those kids are here but you have to understand that they are learning and things will happen.”
Things will happen, but when they do the lesson is not in the fall, but in getting back on the horse.
Jules Vasquez,
So when he fell earlier, what went through your mind?
Paulita Figueroa,
“I just said God please make him okay and you cry sometimes and the kids cry but they get back on the horse. Hopefully it will teach them to fall in life.”
John Roberson III,
“Yes you fall and you get right back up, that’s why we try to teach that as best as possible – if you fall and it is something minor, you get right back up and you do it again and you do it again.”
Augustus Workman,
“Whenever you are falling off its pretty scary and intense but after you fall off, you just want to get back on and do it again.”
Gabriela Van Utterbeeck,
“You just have to be really nice with him and you don’t have to jerk his mouth so much because if you jerk his mouth he gets really angry.”
Jules Vasquez,
Have you taken a fall?
Gabriela Van Utterbeeck,
“Yes, actually last competition I came in sixth place because I fell, it was bad.”
But the truth is falls are few, and most of the time, it’s elegant viewing and just plain fun for the young equestrians.
Angelo Figueroa,
“It’s like fun and its actually something you can use to get rid of thoughts of school. You’re always at schools, boring sometimes, and your friends aren’t there.”
Pablo Garcia Braunschweig, Trainer
“It actually stimulates the kids to be more organized and be more in control of their mind and body so it is a very good sport.”
Paulita Figueroa,
“There’s just something about this beast that they can handle that they love and I guess it is excitement.”
And if this four year old beginner has any say in it, this is only the start for Belize Equestrian Academy.
Jules Vasquez,
What’s your long term hope for this project?
John Roberson III,
“Go to the Olympics.”
Jules Vasquez,
Really? Belize Equestrian Team at the Olympics?
John Roberson III,
“At the Olympics.”
And if dreams are horses, this may be the beginning of a ride to glory.
