Ride the day away
19:05 04/03/2009

      Riding a horse may be common elsewhere but is surely "a cool performance" in Ho Chi Minh City.

However, it is not a dream at all but anyone can try and enjoy it. It does not require much testosterone to try.

The Saigon Pony Club is a great place for kids to escape the stresses of city life, providing a unique and alternative activity for urban youths and tourists here.

Many students of all nationalities head to District 2's Saigon Pony Club to ride ponies on the weekends or after school.

The club opened five years ago and attracts both local and foreign teenagers from all around the city looking to enjoy the animals and take a breath of fresh air.

On a first visit, each rider selects their favorite out of a group of dozens of small and even big horses.

Professional riders direct all activities and keep the animals under control.

Everything is quite easy for first time learners. All proper safety equipment is provided, including helmets.

The club's main instructor, Mr. Amaury, can speak English, French and Vietnamese.

Mr. Amaury also has a great sense of humor.

He always knows how to make his students feel comfortable with jokes or funny stories.

Such an easy going instructor is very helpful for those climbing on a horse's back for the first time.

His interesting stories seem to melt all their worries away.

Each horse has a different name, maybe in Vietnamese, English or French.

For instance, they are called Ngoc Tuyet, Flame, Deebee and so on.

Each name may express the character of the horse, or shows the owner's love for it.

Many students find it a challenge to keep a horse under control using the bridle but Amaury spends a lot of time and energy training his students again and again to make sure they get a good grip on fundamental ideas before moving on to more advanced lessons.

A girl named Ai Vy has been riding at the Saigon Pony Club for five years.

"I like to ride because it keeps me fit and improves my patience," she says.

Although Vy is very busy with her lessons and homework at school, her mother takes her to the club every weekend to practice.

After each lesson, Vy always stays at the club for a while to feed the horses.

She says you have to show your love and care to each horse; otherwise you'll never get to know their characteristics, and risk getting thrown off when you ride.

Only when you understand the horses can you control them effectively, she says.

Many students do as Vy, and pet and feed the horses while they hang out and chat after lessons.

Many students have been riding since they were very young and know the horses well.

It seems that most kids who participate in the club have learned valuable lessons about caring and learning.

The Saigon Pony Club is located on Road 42, District 2, Binh Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

The club charges around $15 for renting a horse for an hour.

Reported by Tu Ngan Ka

Source : thanhniennews.com