Ukrainian horsemen show class at Kyiv Derby
Competition may be severe, but it can also be graceful — this was something most those attending Kyiv Derby at the National Architecture and Daily Life Museum last Saturday understood. Jumping the hurdles was also struggle with one’s personal fears and lack of confidence, when one’s heart had to beat in unison with one’s horse, the only true partner, sending him flying over the obstacles, making the audience marvel the horsemen and riders, going all the way for victory.
It was the third Kyiv Derby held by the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation at Pyrohovo, trying to win their rightful niche. On this particular occasion the contestants included 28 professionals and 18 amateurs from Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Germany. The horses and jockeys, smoothly gliding over the hurdles kept the audience pinned for over four hours. However, those that had come earlier and visited the camp with horse boxes could have a much better idea about the mastery of animals and men united by team spirit. Some of such early visitors that had never dealt with horses were scared away by the animals’ nervousness; the horses reared and jumped, threatening to break free from what looked like fragile confines, whereupon no one would ever get them under control — or so it seemed, hearing constant neighing, stamping hooves, heavy thuds against the walls, with the wind howling, carrying the heady smell of hay and young field. That was how the Kyiv Derby started.
And the horses had cause to worry. The derby is a difficult kind of race. Iryna Riabokon, executive secretary of the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation, told The Day that it is somewhat different from classic races, particularly in terms of terrain. Show jumping usually takes place on even ground, while derby is cross-country, and the distance is twice larger as is the number of obstacles.
Ukrainian horsemen proved they had nothing to fear of potholes and pits. The daredevil spirit was set by a Cossack equestrian show directed by Oleh Yurchyshyn. Hanging down the side of one’s horse, his head brushing the grass at full gallop, then jumping back on the saddle and leaning back all the way, with no support except the stirrups, jumping up, standing on the saddle — you will agree that such stunts are more impressive than any theatrical performance. Here everything is genuine, no movie special effects, every stunt inherited our from forefathers, Scythians, Sarmatians, and Zaporozhzhian Cossacks. One can only hope that the Ukrainian horseman will preserve this daredevil tradition complemented by immaculate physique.
Among the amateur winners was Oleksandr Muzyka, a businessman, former race driver, with his stud Baklan; in the professional league, it was Volodymyr Voshchakin with his Khopr, whose attainments are known far outside Ukraine (he is a Soviet equestrian champion, winner of the last summer Spartakiad of the Soviet peoples, World Cup holder, and participant in the 1994 Hague championships.
The most interesting number of the entertainment program proved the least expensive. It was conceived and performed by Dmytro Kyseliov: the women’s hat contest held in the audience. Of course, personal preferences were varied, as women wearing all conceivable fashions and designs demonstrated on the podium, ranging from Stetson to lace with veils and black roses. The winner was to be named by the jury as well as by the audience. The decision proved surprisingly unanimous and the prize, a horseman helmet, went to Karina Prundar-Tudor, a young resident of St. Petersburg who happened to be visiting her aunt in Ukraine. Both, it transpired, had learned about the derby and hat contest from The Day, so Karina, fond of needlework, had contrived the hat design. The result would make any professional designer blush with envy. She managed to fix a herd of horses on the crown of the hat, with a commentator holding a megaphone in the center. Karina had liked the hat contest idea from the outset. “Perhaps there are people who don’t like horses, but anyone with a gaming spirit would want to vie in the hat contest. I’m glad you have such contests; one can watch a horse race and take part in yet another competition, getting one’s share of worry and an opportunity to show one’s own worth,” she said.
All those involved in and with Ukrainian equestrian sports are true enthusiasts. The thing is that the Ukrainian variety does not have one- tenth of the revenues registered in Western Europe. Even if some of our riders lacked technique, they all proved that horsemanship is an inborn Ukrainian skill, dating from time immemorial, pure and noble. You will never make a horse obey your commands by being aggressive; it takes patience, true dedication, and respect for your four-legged friend. It is painstaking work, without aggression and without allowing for lack of confidence, something we badly need these days — and not only in sports.
