One did not have to know how to ride a horse to enjoy the stadium jumping competition during the Sprint Wayne Horse Trials last weekend at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne.
Horses and riders appeared to glide effortlessly over the various fences set up for the event as hundreds of spectators sitting on bleachers, lawn chairs and blankets watched the action from the perimeter. “No matter where you are sitting or walking, you can watch it,” said Bobbie Incaini of Carol Stream, who attended with her daughter, Michelle, 11. “The horses are just beautiful.” Although Incaini enjoys horseback riding herself, she was content to sit and watch the competition.
The stadium jumping was the final phase of a triathlon of sorts: horses competed over a three-day period in three different competitions: dressage, cross country and stadium jumping.
There were 185 horses in the competition, now in its 19th year, organized by the Wayne-DuPage Horse Trials.
Four levels of competition, novice to advanced, made up each event. Charlotte Surta of St. Charles, one of the organizers, said, “This (sport) is available to people of all ages, and you don’t have to have a lot of money.”
It was obvious just how inclusive the sport is. While riders competed in stadium jumping, competition also was underway nearby for the Illinois Special Olympics.
Chris Murphy of Washington, Ill., watched anxiously as her 10-year-old son, Joshua, mounted his horse. “I think I get more of a thrill watching than they do riding,” she said. “It gives them such a feeling of accomplishment.”
Money raised Sunday from the sale of food and from entry fees was donated to Marklund Children’s Home in Bloomingdale, which provides care for children and young adults with profound physical and mental disabilities. Marklund has been a beneficiary of the horse trials since 1991. Surta said that about $9,000 was raised for the home.