Friday, 18 January 2019 CSI5* CSI2* CSIYH1* 2019

The greatest happiness on Earth is sitting in the saddle of a horse

Those who know that soft neighing with which they are greeted by their horses each morning in the stables, and can listen to the steady chewing as their beloved animals dip their muzzles deep into their fodder. Those who experience their horses galloping from the other side of the paddock and halting precisely so as not to stir a hair on their head. Those who experience how horses obey even the most minimal of gestures. Those who sense that oneness in the saddle, that interconnectedness with the horse, as if one might have been born on the back of this noble animal.  They don’t want to miss these wonderful moments.

The relationship goes deep
The love of your own horse is a bond that is hard to describe in mere words. It is a relationship that goes deep. It is a connection of which many people dream and something you need to experience at least once yourself in order to be able to understand it. You know their voice, their eyes, their walk. You know what they like and what they don’t like. You trust and receive trust. All of this comes to those who learn the language of horses; who can interpret signals, observe horses and distinguish between human expression of affection and a lack of respect. Working with horses, caring for them and riding them, is truly an affair of the heart. Because horses sense human pulse rates and react intuitively to our moods. Their bond is based on trust.

Happiness on Earth – living for horses
Every rider can tell many tales about his or her horses, something true of GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder too. In each individual case he knows where the horse comes from, when it first came to his attention, how it behaved as a youngster and how it developed into an international-top-class horse. With his horses he has celebrated successes, experienced failures and recovered from injuries. When he describes a horse’s character , you  might think there’s an actual person before you. “When a horse strives for you, it is special. You feel that round the course.”, says the internationally highly successful Dutchman. “Preparing horses great sporting events and then riding them there is a mission in life”, explains the twice Olympic silver medallist, World and European champion. A mission in life for which you must give the horses time, calm and care, so that they can develop physically and mentally. “Trust and respect for this living being form the basis without which enduring success is not possible. Without our horses we would just be people, not riders. Ultimately they make us what we are. For us, working with them is so much more than a sport, hobby or job – it’s our life. I simply can’t imagine anything better in this world.” Happiness on Earth in the saddle of a horse, indeed.

INFOBOX
What: International Show Jumping
When: 01–03/02/2019
Where: GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria
VIP day tickets: call +43 664 88 73 44 01
Free entry to all competitive events
www.ghpc.at

”Trust and respect for this living being form the basis without which enduring success is not possible.”, says GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder © GHPC / studiohorst

Gerco Schröder is trusted by his horses, as is evident in the facial expression and ear position. “For me, working with our horses is much more than a sport, hobby or job – it’s our life. I simply can’t imagine anything better in this world.” © GHPC / studiohorst