Warmed by a love of horses

Mikhail Mordasov

The official name of the equestrian center is the School of the Olympic Reserve.

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/1.jpg The official name of the equestrian center is the School of the Olympic Reserve. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/2.jpg Last year, the riding school celebrated its 80th anniversary. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/3.jpg About 70 horses live here at any one time. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/4.jpg Training sessions and competitions are held throughout the year. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/5.jpg More than 300 horse-lovers regularly come to the riding stables. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/6.jpg The vast majority of children who visit the stables on a daily basis are girls. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/7.jpg The riding teachers say that the girls are more determined and hardworking than the boys. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/8.jpg The girls are also responsible for cleaning the area and preparing it for competitions. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/9.jpg Outside the barn doors, it is -26C. Inside the stables, it is a lot warmer. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/10.jpg The light here is very dim, and there is no conventional heating system in place. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/11.jpg Despite the freezing temperatures, the children have to ride in official competition dress. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/12.jpg While the children participate in the competition, all the others watch carefully and cheer them on. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/13.jpg Any successful round is not just a victory for the rider – it is a victory for the whole team. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/14.jpg Any successful round is not just a victory for the rider – it is a victory for the whole team. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/15.jpg Character and determination are important qualities for the competition riders. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/16.jpg Character and determination are important qualities for the competition riders. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/17.jpg The award ceremony for the Open Championship of the Siberian Federal District. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/18.jpg The fading Siberian sunlight barely shines through the frozen wintry windows. Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/19.jpg A proud rider… Mikhail Mordasov

http://nl.media.rbth.ru/all/2011/0406/galleries/14868/20.jpg …and a proud horse! Mikhail Mordasov

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