Playing Outside
Meimi Zhu in a show jumping competitiion with her 11-year-old European warmblood, Bugatti
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beijingkids
2013 September
were actually very big things for [Rebecca].” When I complimented Rebecca on how mature and independent she seemed, the siblings were so delighted they did an impromptu high five. As much as Candice supports her daughters’ hobby, she notes that horseback riding is not for everyone. The person has to have a real passion for horses in order to become a consistent rider. In addition, horseback riding is considered a high-risk sport even for veterans. “Horses are dangerous, and that’s something you must never forget so you never become casual with [them],” says Paloma’s coach, Jeremy Michaels, a British Horse Society-certified trainer. “I don’t care you are with them for years; you never trust them.” On the other hand, it’s impossible to know whether you’ll like something without trying. Four years ago, Candice was looking at an equestrian website and asked Paloma off-hand whether she had any interest in riding. “I was not really listening and just said OK,” she recalls. “A few years later, my sister started to ride as well.” Since then, the girls’ surroundings have changed numerous times. They have lived in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and now Beijing because of Candice’s career – but horseback riding has remained a constant, and has always been a great comfort to the girls everywhere they’ve settled. “When I first started, I never knew we would one day be together in China, riding at Equuleus,” says Paloma.
photo: courtesy of jenny wu
that horseback riding promotes responsibility and independence in children. “On the horse, you are alone as a rider. There is no one to support you,” she explains. “You have to make decisions. You have to be sensitive, safe, and follow the right procedures.” Horseback riding also involves taking care of the horse. Before riding, the rider has to ready the equipment and take the horse to the arena. After riding, they have to take the horse back to the stable, groom it, scrub the water buckets, and clean the stable. “To do that, they have to be really independent,” said Candice. “I can’t teach them that.” In addition, horseback riding fosters strength and discipline. Paloma has a deal with her mother: She can only continue riding if she does well in class. Candice feels that her daughter has learned how to manage her own time, as well as buckle down and be serious in order to pursue the things she likes outside of school – whether that’s horseback riding, hiking, or swimming. “Good academic achievement requires a strong mind and a strong body, and once the children are passionate about something, they do everything they need to [make it] happen,” she explains. Horseback riding has also brought Rebecca and Paloma closer. When Rebecca was asked how her older sister has helped her with horseback riding, the girls started talking over each excitedly. “I would tell her, for example, you just kick the horse a little more and make it go more forward when you jump,” said Paloma. “Those small things