Post by *HorsePower* on Aug 30, 2006 15:04:36 GMT 2
Imagine this. You're jumping in the most prestigious event in the world, the World Equestrian Games. The atmosphere is electric, the jumps are enormous, there are thousands of spectators, you're riding a borrowed horse - it's all a rather daunting experience. Add to the mix that you are jumping the last three jumps with no reins. Impossible, you say. Not so for Roger Hessen, who yesterday during his first jumping round at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, had the one connector for his reins break just three jumps from the finish. Determined to complete the course, Roger gritted his teeth and rode on, knocking the poles of the last three jumps - he incurred a total of 16 penalties. If that doesn't give the world a new perspective on South African riders, nothing will. Needless to say, Roger was on top of the world - he had achieved the impossible! Mere weeks ago he felt he was not ready for this level of competition, and that he should pull out. He has truly done South Africa proud.
Roger will be jumping again this afternoon. Regrettably, Barry Taylor had a fall at the third last jump and was eliminated.
Roger will be jumping again this afternoon. Regrettably, Barry Taylor had a fall at the third last jump and was eliminated.
