| They jump and they leap, and they make it look so | | | | became the next natural step in the evolution of this |
| easy and natural. While the act of jumping does come | | | | amazing event. |
| naturally to every horse, as does running instinct, when | | | | The 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games will be gracing |
| we see these athletes negotiating a stadium course, | | | | American soil for the first time since their inception in |
| there is so much more to each and every movement | | | | 1990, and this gives those of us who never would |
| than meets the eye. These horses have been training | | | | have dreamed of attending a whole new light at the |
| for literally years, and most of their riders have been | | | | end of the tunnel. Whether you are simply a lover of |
| riding since they could walk. The heritage, tradition, and | | | | horses or you have been training, breeding, owning, or |
| love of this sport goes back hundreds of years, but | | | | riding horses your entire life, Lexington, Kentucky is that |
| none of what you see during these competitions is | | | | place for you to be from September 25th to October |
| magic. Discipline, skill, diligence, hard work, and an innate | | | | 10th, 2010. The Kentucky Horse Park is being |
| ability must first be achieved by both horse and rider. | | | | perfected even as we speak, situating itself to host |
| Everything else falls into place, win or lose, during the | | | | the over 600,000 spectators and 10,000 plus crew, |
| jumping competition. | | | | equine teams, announcers, stable hands, and countless |
| Jumping started as a necessary component to the | | | | other folks who make an event a huge as this one tick |
| hunting course in England some 250 years ago. As all | | | | like clockwork. |
| properties began to land lock by order of the royal | | | | You may find that it's easier to get your bid in now for |
| family, huntsmen needed a way of racing their game | | | | house rentals and other travel arrangements, before |
| so that they could feed their families. Jumping began | | | | the mad rush begins and there is simply no place left |
| as a mandatory hunting maneuver, and the rest, as | | | | to stay. House rental is a greatly popular and well |
| they say, is history. Some horses had greater talent | | | | worthwhile lodging option to look into, offering the |
| than others, while some had more determination and | | | | comforts and conveniences of close proximity without |
| heart for the difficult sport than the rest. Competition | | | | the traffic and noise of hotel living. |