Page 122 - Majestic Vol4

A GOOD EYE

Apart from providing horse training, a
horse trainer finds and purchases top
quality horses for horse owners and stables.
With Thompson’s extensive experience,
is he able to take one look and judge a
horse’s form? “There is no hard and fast
rule when it comes to judging a horse.
However, I believe that an outstanding
horse possesses one distinct quality, that
is, a pleasant attitude – be it in training
or in race. A healthy appetite and a strong
physique are also important. All these
years, the winners that I have worked
with all have one thing in common, that
is, they possess a strong physique.”

On the other hand, Thompson realized have the ability to do that too. Horses are CHC horse owners visit
that a trainer’s personality has a strong very intuitive animals, so they need to be Thompson's Randwick stable
influence on the horse’s temperament. “I taught with love and patience. CHC杰士马主到澳大利亚汤培
am a good natured and relaxed person, so 信的马房参观
the horses that I train have similar traits. “I believe that a good trainer needs to
Vice versa, if a trainer has a bad temper, first experience a horse‘s natural behavior 另一方面，长时间与马匹相处的他也发现
then the horses under his care will display patterns. From there, you would be able 到练马师的性情会深深影响到马匹的脾
the same kind of characteristic.” The to understand how over time, training 气。“我是一个性情温和轻松的人，所以
saying “an animal resembles its owner” can transform an untamed horse to a 操练的马匹也拥有如我一样的性情。相
proves this point. If a horse with great willing partner who can be guided to 反，如果练马师的脾气暴躁，那么训练马
potential is put under the care of bad perform a series of activities that include 匹的性情也会有着相近的暴躁脾气。”俗
tempered trainer, it will over time start to jumping over obstacles. Witnessing these 语说：“物似主人形”，即印证了这个事
develop behavioral issues, and become an significant changes before and after 实。一匹原本潜能无限的优秀赛马，如在
inferior horse. Therefore, a good-natured training, is very gratifying” 一个性情暴躁的练马师手下操练，长久下
horse requires a gentle trainer, to bring 来就会受到负面影响而渐渐行为脱序失
out the best in the horse. 控，一举从良马变劣马。所以说，本质优
良的赛马，尚需品行温敦的练马师相辅，
Not every animal can rely on training to 才能发挥正面影响呢！
follow orders to complete a task. Apart
from house pets such as dogs, horses 不是所有动物都能靠后天训练，服从主人
指令，完成任务。除了众所皆知的狗以
慧眼识良驹 外，马就是另一种能高度配合主人指令的
动物。马是一种非常有灵性的动物，必须
练马师的职责除了操练赛马以外，还需为 长时间付出爱心与耐心才能成功“教育”
马主或马场物色收购精良好马。以汤培信 它。
如此资深的经验而论，是否能一眼就评断
出一匹马的优秀与否呢？“事实上，评断 “我觉得一个好的练马师必须先体会到马
一匹马优秀与否并没有固定的准则可言。 匹未被驯服的狂野一面。从中，你可以见
不过我唯一深信的是，优秀赛马必然具备 识到一匹马从一开始的桀骜不驯，难以驾
一种特质，那就是良好的态度；无论是平 驭，到经过一段时日的训练后所展现的驯
时操练或比赛时。此外，拥有好食欲与强 服自律，能配合策马者的指示，完成一连
壮体格也很重要。这些年来，我所遇过的 串如跨越障碍等动作。这前后的巨大改变
冠军赛马都有一个共同点，那就是体格健 是非常具有意义的。”
美。”

Thompson giving his horse morning workout.
汤培信正进行马匹晨操

120