I was reading about the 2022 Agria FEI Jumping World Championships in The Chronicle of the Horse this weekend. Held in Herning, Denmark, Henrik von Eckerman on King Edward won the gold medal.
(Click here to watch King Edward's gold medal-winning round . The announcer is really rooting for King Edward to win! It's a Facebook video; could not find a YouTube one.)
Even though I rarely show performance anymore, I still look for reference pictures, and took a close look at the jump in this photo.
Whoa! Now that is an unusual jump!
Often the jumps in worldwide events are a nod to the country holding the event, so I figured there had to be a story behind the three seated men - probably statues somewhere in Denmark.
I was right - a quick check on Google brought them right up.
Take a look at the Man Meets the Sea sculpture in Esbjerg, Denmark.
Atlas Obscura states,
UNVEILED IN 1995, THE QUARTET of sculptural titans known collectively as the art piece, Man Meets the Sea is a timeless tribute to man’s contemplative nature. The piece was designed by Svend Wiig Hansen, and is meant to have a universal appeal to represent all of man as opposed to any one ethnicity. The huge, 27 foot tall figures recall Roman colossus’ and Egyptian pharaoh sculptures in equal measure. The stark white statues are completely devoid of decoration, allowing visitors to map their own contemplative thoughts on to the figures, and their own countenances across the statues’ blankly staring faces. Although the figures may look alike, keen observers will find subtle differences among them.
I've seen some unusual jumps over time, but I think this one has to be the most unusual ever. And if you show performance, this would be an eye catching, one of a kind jump to recreate.
If you do make a jump using Man Meets Sea, please send me a picture of it - I'd love to see it!
