I was at the Shatin Equestrian Venue to watch the Equestrian Events of the 2008 Paralympic Games on Monday. I must say that it was truly an unique experience to be able to watch the games live in person – to say I was excited and delighted would be an utter understatement.
Initially I was actually slightly worried that I might feel bored watching the events because for the Paralympic Games Equestrian Events, dressage is the only discipline and according to newspaper reports previously, some people have complained that it was difficult to understand and it becomes boring watching the horses doing similar things again and again. However, when I was watching the games, I thought it was actually very interesting. Of course I was tuning in to the live commentary which definitely helped, but I still feel that the excitement of being able to watch the games up close overcame (by a large margin) by the apparently modularity and singuility of the competition. The live commentary allowed me to really understand how the dressage is really like, and now I know how to tell a good performance by a bad one. And to be honest, it really looks great when a rider and his/her horse managed to do a great routine – it’s really pleasing on the eye.
Furthermore, the paralympic athletes, who are disabled in one way or another, were really people that I have to take my hats off to. Despite their disabilities, they managed to pull off routines just like the normal healthy athletes. Just this fact alone commands much respect.