The South and Central American UMPINGPHEN
By Katie Shoultz
To say that South and Central America are steeped in equestrian tradition is an understatement. From ranch horses used for daily needs to world- class polo ponies, a rich equestrian heritage is intrinsically woven into these countries’ cultural backdrop.
T
he progenitors of the various breeds that range throughout the region today arrived at the colony of La Isabela in the present-day Dominican Republic
in 1494. Within decades, the use of horses was widespread, especially for transportation and farming. Fast forward to today and horses remain essential assets
to the South and Central American countries, particularly Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil and Uruguay, to manage the huge swaths of land that comprise the region’s cattle ranches. These cattlemen, known by different titles in each country, are as distinct as the wide-ranging terrain they travel, but they are akin to the classic gaucho of old. Despite a culture that celebrates the horse, until recently,
show jumping has lagged in these countries in comparison to their North American and European counterparts. The tide appears to be turning and, if you look at the top rank- ings at almost any major horse show, the writing is quite literally on the wall. So how exactly has this happened, and what does it mean for the sport of show jumping in the years to come?
An Emerging Powerhouse Of course, household names in the sport, riders such as
Nelson Pessoa and his son Rodrigo, along with Pablo Barrios and Andres Rodriguez, have represented Central and South America on the international stage for years. Until recently, though, the number of horses and riders able to achieve this level of success has been small in comparison to their Amer- ican and European counterparts. That has certainly changed. Last winter at the Horse
Shows in the Sun (HITS) in Florida, the HITS Desert Circuit in California and the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF),
20 September/October 2015
Andres Rodriquez and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Darlon van Groenhove by Clinton represented Vene- zuela very well taking individual silver at the 2015 Pan Ameri- can Games in Toronto.
South and Central Americans dominated the scoreboards, taking prestigious rankings in both the AIG Million Dollar Grand Prix and the Grands Prix that are hosted every week in Wellington. (See Sidebar for how these riders fared at the summer Pan Am Games.) Consider, for example, Emanuel Andrade. At only 18
years old, this Venezuelan rider, based out of his family’s Hollow Creek Farm in Aiken, South Carolina, has already amassed an impressive resume in the show jumping world. Competing in some of the most prestigious shows, includ- ing Spruce Meadows, the Hampton Classic and the Wash- ington International, this rising superstar rode as a member of Venezuela’s team at the Bolivarian Games held in Peru in 2013 and the 2015 Pan-Am Games in Toronto. Spending his winters riding on the WEF circuit, Emanuel
has earned a spot at the top of most every class entered. His horses’ breeds range from Holsteiner to Belgian to Argen- tinian Warmbloods. Like so many successful show jumpers, these horses are often imported from Europe or bought from someone in the United States.
Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography
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