EQUITATION AND THE PHILIP SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS

A HISTORY

Leo Tolstoy once said that "If you want to do something, do it well," and it seems that this school of thought prompted the birth of Equitation in South Africa.

The history

In 1969, George Morris visited South Africa to give clinics in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Salisbury (Harare, Zimbabwe). At this stage in Southern Africa, a great variety of riding styles and theories were practised. This likely stemmed from the diverse sources of horsemanship; namely farming, military and imported techniques from Europe. However, it was observed by George Morris that despite the eclectic riding techniques, most individuals could produce results with their horses. He rather diplomatically noted that 'some' achieved these results more attractively than others (naming Gonda Butters/Beatrix, Mickey Louw and David Stubbs as examples of the former).

Into this setting, George Morris introduced his American school of thought that presumed that "Perfection of style produces perfection of performance from the horse". This seems a very logical theory, as the perfect style would, by definition, be the most helpful position and series of actions a rider can perform to achieve the best results. Essentially, a rider would be giving their horse the best chance to do what they are being asked to do!

The introduction of this theory led to the realisation that, in general, riders' skills needed improving in Southern Africa and that there was a lack of access to regular and correct coaching.

The next steps

Following a period of extensive travel and research on this subject, Equitation as a discipline was formally introduced to South Africa by Charlotte Stubbs in the 1970s. The aim of Equitation was to provide constructive feedback to riders (especially those who may not have access to regular coaching) and to improve the effectiveness and correctness of riding in general.

Charlotte Stubbs, when questioned on what it would take to win the National Equitation Championships, said: "hard work would be essential, but the prestige of winning would be enormous for both riders and the instructors". This most certainly was the case then and still is today.

National Equitation Championships – then and now

In 1971 the first National Equestrian Championships were held, with 24 riders (silver medallists) who were provincial winners competing for Gold. Each province could award a maximum of four BP Silver medals, and these individuals were awarded bursaries consisting of subsidised lessons with their instructors and equestrian equipment. The National Equestrian Championship was held over several days and several phases in the indoor arena at the historic Rand Show venue, where the silver medal competitors were eliminated on a round-by-round basis. The penultimate round included the top six riders and required swopping of horses. The final round was then a head-to-head between the top two riders who had to complete a flatwork and jumping test on a 'mystery horse'. This competition, over time, evolved into what is now the SA Junior Individual Equitation Championship.

FAST FACT: Barry Taylor made it to the top six of the competition twice! He finished 4th in 1974 and 6th in 1975! Barry also coached the first winner of the PSM: Casey Lourens (2001), alongside Claire Webb.

In 1982 the Prestigious Witwatersrand Agricultural Society (WAS) Supreme Equitation Championship was launched and quickly became a new title for all ambitious young riders to aspire to win. The title was won by some of today's top riders, including Jonathan Clarke and Andrea Harrison. The WAS Championship invited the top six competitors from the SA Junior Individual Championship and used six borrowed horses, three for the flatwork tests and three for the jumping tests.

The first day of the Championship is the flatwork test, where each rider will ride the test on their own horse and then on each of the other three horses. They are judged on their ability to produce smooth and correct movements on a variety of horses.

The second day of the Championship is the jumping test which they ride on their own horse and then the other horses. This starts with a gymnastic, ridden one-handed with no stirrups, followed by a short course of jumps set at a height of 1.15m/1.20m. Competitors are not allowed any outside assistance for the duration of the competition, including for course walks and warm-ups! A glance at the previous winners of this event makes the trophy one that any young rider would aspire to win!

When Equitation was launched in South Africa, the main aim was to uplift the standard of riding, and this goal was most certainly achieved. This is still the goal of Equitation today, and becoming a more correct and effective rider should be an ideal for all riders. To quote international Showjumper Jessica Springsteen, "The best riders in the world with the best horses make it look so elegant and graceful. When you watch it done well, it looks so easy that it's difficult for the public to understand how hard this really is." This 'effortful effortlessness' is what we should all strive for as riders.

FAST FACT: Two of the Clarke brothers won the WAS: Jonathan in 1983 and Jeremy in 1986.

FAST FACT: Lorette Knowles-Taylor has coached four PSM winners, Alexis Stais (2011), Lawrence Mowatt (2012), Chelsey Gertenbach (2013) and Cheyenne de Beer (2017).

FAST FACT: Both Gertenbach sisters have won the PSM; Kayla in 2008 and Chelsey in 2013.

Final thoughts

If you want to check out the Philip Smith Memorial and support the girls in an event that you can only see once a year, the Flatwork tests will be on Thursday 6th April in the Stubbs Arena with the Briefing and Draw taking place at 10.00am and the Showjumping Phase is the last class of the day in the Bob Charter Arena on Saturday 8th April.