By Tom Brennan
Israel has its first ever Equestrian Team for the 2016 Summer Olympics and they are off to an impressive start. Israel has fielded teams in the Olympics since 1952, working its way up to its first medals in Barcelona’s summer games in 1992. Israeli athletes have shown grit, determination and increased their share of medals. A world grieved when terrorists murdered Israeli Olympians in 1972. We remember they memory and render honors!
The Jews and the Olympic Games have had an interesting history. When the Seleucids tried to eliminate Jewish
religion and culture they attacked from many directions. Greeks in Jerusalem had a small local version of their Games and offended Jewish modesty. The hard working agricultural people had no problems with staying strong but kept themselves covered. The elite Greeks didn’t and exercised to keep their muscles strong. In Jesus’ time Jerusalem had a Hippodrome and other places the Romans built to entertain themselves with chariot races. But excessive entertainment and the physical cult of the body are not Biblical. Paul used athletic metaphors such as running the race and keeping your eye on the prize. Paul was from Tarsus, a Romanized city and knew about Roman boxing, athletic and other sporting events and used them as a way to convey the message to the Gentiles he visited.
Equestrian events and competitions are perhaps the most demanding sporting activities since a large animal, a four legged team member, is an integral part of the competition. Speaking from the experience of one who has worked on breeding farms and shows horses, the partnership between the two athletes and how close it is determines gold from silver from bronze. The global nature of the Olympic Games makes equestrian competition in them a complex and extremely expensive endeavor for smaller nations.
Not every location has environments where horses thrive. Many breeds are particular to certain geographic locations. Horses adapt but need time to adjust to sounds, food and water differences, humidity and elevation. Transporting a trained competitive horse to a location where a competition will occur involves shipping by air, quarantine and a period of adjustment. It’s harder for a horse than for us.
Meet the Israeli 2016 Team equestrians.
Kate Levy has experience as a dressage and jumper as well and will represent the team as chef’ d’equippe. Kate is an experienced rider, trainer and holds dual US and Israel citizenship as well. Her job will be as essentially an ambassador and manager for the team to the Olympic Committee and other Games authorities. She has her own facility and business offices in the USA.
Danielle Goldstein holds dual citizenship as well. She rides hunter jumper. She trains at Starwyn Farms in Florida. Starwyn is for the most part the US Headquarters for the team. Danielle is a prime mover for the TEAM. Check her website for how to support the team. You can buy and wear a unique T-shirt as well.
Elad Yaniv is an Israeli-born equestrian who began his riding career at 14, professional rider 16. He rides dressage and jumping and will compete like his team mates in show jumping. A real horseman!
Joshua Tabor was born in Israel and holds a dual citizenship of US and Israel. His equine background includes basic work in sport horse stables and stallions in Germany for the most part. Joshua is a dressage rider and jumper. He and his wife have their own facility in Texas.
Al these riders are experienced at their jobs, riding powerful horses and having them do something extraordinarily breath-taking: jumping over a barrier. Believe it or not, having a burden on its back is not at all natural to a horse. Horses are nomadic herd herbivores. They live in groups, move from place to place and are prey animals. Having them not only carry a predator (us) on their backs, work with that predator as a partner and jump over a barrier and in a repeated pattern is totally against their natural instincts. Here is where the skill, personality and bond of trust of the rider are crucial to success, gold silver or bronze or at its worst serious injury. The late Christopher Reeve (Superman) was permanently paralyzed in a jumping incident and was an experienced horseman.
Why should we support TEAM Israel?
Their participation is about a bond. The most important bond is about the connection we have to our Creator and His Holy City is Jerusalem, this is repeated constantly in the Bible. The Israel Equestrian Team will exemplify the bond that not only exists between horse and rider in events such as they will be competitors but will show what has held Israel together as a Nation. A common bond, reliance on each other and a belief in what the Creator has done in calling His people back to The Land. The TEAM members hold dual citizenship’s and the United States has had a unique relationship with Israel since 1947-48. This must endure and be strengthened and the other nations of the world must also support Israel in face of constant threats and hostility. The riders are champions, as are the magnificent horses they will ride. Each and every one and will represent a nation of Davids who face Goliaths every day.
How you can help.
Can you support them financially? There are T-shirts for visual awareness. Do you have horse-loving friends? There are many ways to help. If you are close to one of the rider’s training facilities can you supply goods-in-kind? Danielle’s website has a link to TEAM’s homepage. Team’s goals don’t stop at 2016. Building equestrian sports, developing riders and encouraging the next generation of horsemen and women in Israel are high on the list. Be imaginative and see how many ways there are to help these riders and the beautiful animals who are their partners. You will be investing in the future of the next generation of riders as well. You won’t be sorry, not ever.
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