Not long ago, the Olympic equestrian competition wrapped up in Hong Kong. The
coordination between the rider and the horse, and the elegance of the sport are what
I've always found alluring. I think of the one riding a horse as a nobleman or a fierce
knight.
But let's not talk about my romanticism- let's talk about the physical advantages of horse
riding. Mr. Ao of the Guangzhou Yingzi Equestrian Club informed me that according to a recent
study, a 10 minute horse ride has a physical effect that is 100,000 times that of massage,
while a 30 minute ride is the equivalent of jogging 2.5 km. That is to say, horse riding is an
all-round aerobic exercise. Moreover, horses trot in a quadruple rhythm, which can massage
the entire body. This rhythmic vibration can better relax our muscles and relieve pain in our
shoulders and waist. Furthermore, the lower half of our body is pressed flat against the horse
while it is moving. It can help shape our belly, hips and legs.
It was the first time I was riding a house. Under the guidance of the trainer, I got on the
horse clumsily. I was feeling a lot of anxiety, as I always read news about celebrities who are
thrown off their horses and get badly injured while filming. Mr. Ao, standing beside me, said:
"Being patient, confident and focused is what you need to be. Feel the rhythm of its steps,
and try to respect it and communicate with it sincerely. If you are rude to the horse, it won't
follow your guidance." I took a deep breath, and the trainer began to adjust my sitting position.
I should sit in the middle of the saddle; lift my head, chest and waist; keep the upper
half of my body straight and balanced; position my legs in keeping with the horse's form;
and the front third of my feet should be placed in the stirrups. Once everything was ready, the
trainer tapped the horse and it began to walk. It walked slowly on the sand and I felt myself
dancing on its back. It was amazing! I felt so elegant.