The equestrian pursuit of dressage looks very simple at first glance, especially when the horse is obedient to the rider. But this simplicity is the result of lengthy training and the “eradication” of differences between a rider and a horse. Experts in equestrianism are aware that half the success of dressage depends on the horse and the other half, on the rider. Without a good horse, no matter how great a rider you may be, with an average horse you will get average results. So the main thing in this sport is to find a horse that corresponds to your skills. It is thus no surprise that in dressage riders are also judged in the Horse Obedience category.
Over 20 Ukrainian sportsmen riding horses of various hues took part in the finals of the Kyiv Open Cup, which took place at the Royal Horse Club equestrian complex. The names of the horses were impressive: Lehioner, Bakhus, Teheran, Shef, Bulat, etc. “A horse is an interesting creature, and the result frequently depends on its training and mood. For example, we grade him between six and eight points, and the next day it will show a nine-point result (10 points is the highest mark),” explained Vira Kyrychenko, a judge in the international category. “The jury assesses the performance, not the horse and the rider. We have dozens of riders in this competition that started this year on different bases and have the best results. A rider and a horse work on each element, which we grade separately, and the general impression too. The general grade is made up of all these points. It’s difficult to say how much time it takes to prepare a good sportsman. For example, on a young horse between three and five years of age a rider can perform only on the Small Prize and Middle Prize levels, and only when the horse is eight years and older — on the Great Prize level.”
According to the competition organizers, the finals of the Kyiv Open Cup has become a turning point in the development of equestrianism in Ukraine, because the first systematic competitions in different equestrian activities have taken place according to the regulations and requirements of the FEI (the International Federation for Equestrian Sports). Most of the participants rode their own horses, although equestrianism is a rather expensive hobby. The cost of a four-legged friend varies, because the final evaluation depends on many criteria. According to experts, a young horse aged between three and four can cost $3,000-4,000, and a more experienced, well- trained, and pedigreed one — even $100,000. Nevertheless, the high price of a horse does not make equestrianism an unattainable sport for the elite. According to the head of the Federation for Equestrian Sports Volodymyr Prysiazhniuk, anyone can learn to ride a horse. Ukraine has several children’s state sports schools and Olympic reserve schools, where children start riding from a young age. According to experts, competitions among 9-10-year-old children are held in Europe. Our national rules state that children aged between 12 and 14 can become riders in the Children’s Category.
Since the state only gives financial support to a handful of sports schools, equestrianism is developing in the private sector. There are three sports clubs in Kyiv: the Royal Horse Club located in Lisnyky, near Kyiv; Mahnat; and Bolivar, where members of the Ukrainian national team are trained. These private clubs often provide funding for Ukrainian sportsmen to take part in competitions abroad.
Lviv resident Natalka Leshchii, who has taken part in dressage competitions, is an example of Ukraine’s developing equestrian business. She is a candidate for the degree of Master of Sports and owns her own horse club, where she also doubles as bookkeeper and cleaner. She owns six horses that have become part of her life after eight years devoted to this sport. They are both her friends and assistants in earning money.
“We frequently act in films and advertising: this is the way we earn money for ourselves,” Leshchii explained. “We recently acted in the sequel of the film The Three Musketeers with Boyarsky. The filming took place in Potocki Castle outside of Lviv. This is the way we promote ourselves in order to involve young people in sports. True, there are only a few at the moment because we are strapped for money, but the business goes on. Equestrianism is underdeveloped in Lviv and we are promoting it by ourselves.”
Leshchii dreams of building her own stables and taking part in Kyiv competitions more often. For her they are just the start of her equestrian appearances. She hopes to achieve better results over time.
“Although the Ukrainian tradition of holding equestrian activities at the international level began in 2002 and was linked to holding the first stage of the World Cup, our riders do not lag behind,” Vira Kyrychenko said. “This year I was a member of our dressage team at the FEI European Dressage Championship in Turin (Italy). I can’t say that we are on the highest level because there are world- level German, Swedish, or Swiss riders. But Ukraine has a good potential.”
The finals of the Open Dressage Cup completed the six stages of competitions that lasted throughout the year. Participants competed in three categories: Amateurs, National Category Riders, and Children. The winners were named on the basis of the results of two performances (total of all points). Natalia Henshke riding Allegro (Bolivar Equestrian Club) was best rider in the Bronze Round, and Halyna Khorostil riding Teheran (Sport-Elit Equestrian Club) — in the Silver and Gold rounds. Oksana Husarova and her horse Sharada (Pysarenko Stables) were acknowledged the most elegant couple of the Gold Round. The purse was 40,000 hryvnias provided by the sponsors of the competition. At each stage winners and participants received paintings of horses, tapestries, and cups. According to the competition participants, prizes are not the goal, but a stimulus to work, improve their performance, and take part in the higher leagues.
