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COVER STORY

An enduring passion

Wipawan Pawitayalarp's drive and her rapport with her steeds has taken her a
long way

Published: 20
Apr 2013 at 00.00

Newspaper section: Muse

Despite having just returned from her most recent
competition, the 2013 Endurance Horse Ride in Fontainebleau, France, neither
jetlag nor a pre-Songkran workload could fizzle Wipawan Pawitayalarp's exuberant
enthusiasm in relaying her experience.

What she thought would be just a warm-up for her horse, Mulawa Angelus,
turned into a victory of a kind.

"I had not hoped to win at all because it was such a large-scale competition,
with professional riders from all over the world competing. It was also cold,
and my horse was not used to that kind of weather," said Wipawan, an
award-winning Thai endurance rider.

In the first phase of the ride, she and her horse were off to a good start,
being in the top five. They continued to speed through the snowy course at such
a rate that she could hear the air whizzing past. On the last 3km of the track,
holding third place, another horse overtook them, bumping them down to
fourth.

"At the time, I wasn't completely deflated or disappointed, because my
intention in this competition was really to just test the water and gain
experience. For me, to complete [the race] is to win," she explained.

However, at the last corner, things took a turn when the rider who had passed
her took a fall.

"I asked him if he was ok, and when he said he was, I just did my best to
complete the race. I ended up winning third prize and got to stand on the
podium," she recalled with excitement in her voice.

She was particularly happy when she described how proud she was when hearing
the emcee speaking in French, which she did not understand, but caught the word
"Thailande".

It has been 12 fun-filled years since Wipawan fell in love with horse riding,
but the excitement never fades. It began when she wanted to find an interesting
hobby that involved exercise. It was love at first ride, and her horse,
10-year-old Mulawa Angelus from Australia, is her favourite partner.

Horse riding isn't just physical skills, Wipawan said. "An equally important
thing is to be able to communicate with the horse, which takes a lot of getting
to know each other. You can't just hop on a horse and expect it to do whatever
you want. Riding a horse is not like driving a car - horses have feelings and
emotions, just like we do, and we have to respect that," said Wipawan, who is a
car dealership owner by profession.

She said that not many Thai people, and very few women, are into endurance
riding. In fact, Wipawan was the first woman rider to sweep her male
counterparts aside and win the Sultan Mizan Cup at Terengganu International
Endurance Park in Malaysia two years ago. She has also taken prizes from other
competitions, such as the Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge, Kejohanan
Melaka Grand International Endurance Ride and a few local competitions. Her next
goal is to leave her mark at the Open European Championships in the Czech
Republic in September, and ultimately, to be a part of the World Equestrian
Games.

Bigger competitions are not necessarily more difficult. Wipawan feels the
climate makes all the difference.

"In Malaysia, it is very hot and humid, so my horse and I feel more exhausted
[there]. Sometimes the race is at night to avoid the brutal heat, and that is
also very challenging because it is very dark. Some terrains are more difficult
than others."

The most memorable ride was in Malaysia during a night ride. It was the day
before her birthday, and also her first 120km ride.

"I rode from 5pm to 8am the next day. It was completely dark and the only
source of light we had was from the headlamps. I was quite scared, to be honest.
It was also hot and humid, which made me really tired, not to mention
unbelievably sleepy," she recalled. "But I must say it was a great birthday
present for myself."

Each competition, Wipawan shared, is meant to be a learning experience for
both herself and her horse.

"The main point is to learn, but if we get something out of it, all the
better," she smiled. If it weren't for her strong passion for the sport, she
believes it would be a struggle to keep up with the practise required. "I try to
practise at least three times a week, and by practise it means I have to drive
from my office in Nakhon Pathom to Khao Yai. The drive is more exhausting than
the practise itself." But that's how her life has been over the past decade, and
that's how it will be for as long as her passion for horse riding is alive. The
excitement from the competition is too exhilarating for her to give up.

"It's not just about controlling the horse. You have to know the map and look
for the signs, which sometimes are struck by the wind and lead riders in the
wrong direction. You also have to be self-confident. Just because everyone is
going in one direction doesn't mean they are right," said Wipawan.

The nature of this sport is also contradictory in a way, which makes it all
the more interesting.

"You have to be calm, but quick. You have to make your horse go fast without
harming it. You have to be driven, but not too excited. You have to be extremely
focused on what's in front of you, but also aware of what's around you," she
explained. "But in the end, I love every moment of it."

Asked what she has gained from the sport, the first answer was given even
before she spoke. The way she walks exudes grace and her posture is elegant,
thanks to all the symmetrical exercise the body does in response to the horse's
movements. Additionally, she said she has seen great improvement in her
decision-making skills and concentration.

"When riding, I have to think on my feet, and I feel that I can decide better
these days. I am also more focused in general. Ultimately, I have gained so much
self-confidence, which helps with every aspect in life."

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About the author

Writer: Napamon
Roongwitoo

Position: Outlook Writer

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