The Panamanian rider lives her moments at the JCC

If in Games of Central America and the Caribbean they will train medals for the champions of love, it will be for the horses of the jumping competition, the only competitors who practice a sport foreign to their nature out of adoration.

“The result doesn’t matter. I always thank my horse because by nature he shouldn’t jump; he does it out of love. It’s important to connect with joyfulyes, my mare; it will make her fight for me on the track,” assured the Panamanian Marissa Thompson.

Yesterday, Thompson and Gladdys They were a harmonious couple on the penultimate day of riding at the regional games. They completed the course without a mistake, after which the competitor patted the animal on the side on the back, a gesture that in the couple’s language means: “Thank you, my love.”

The language with horses is one of the most attractive mysteries of the Games. According to thompson, there are different ways of communication. In her case, she hardly ever talks to Gladdys; she cuddles better, is present when she is fed and tries to stay in shape so that she feels she deserves to have such a noble being as an accomplice.

“One of the ways to show respect for the horse is to keep fit. I go to the gym three times a week,” he admits.

for his part, Victoria Heurtematte, Panamanian who trains in Florida, He arrived in Santo Domingo after experiencing depression at the beginning of this year. His horse, Scarlett from Start, he sustained a fracture and caused the young woman’s beautiful blue eyes to water from a fit of crying.

“They took him to the farm and I didn’t stop crying. It was a broken arm. He stood there for a month and a half and he recovered, but the fact that I ended my career with her broke my heart,” she admits and emphasizes the word arm because for those from his clan’s horses have two arms and two legs, just like humans.

Heurtematte she learned belly breathing exercises, meditation and visualization, which helped her communicate better with Scarlett.

“He is 13 years old, in the ‘best moment’, the best moment. I like to talk to him, if he goes really fast, I tell him ‘oh, oh’, and if we have to adjust the distance I yell, come on!, it always works,” he assures.

The Panamanian had another faultless performance on the penultimate day of the Games.