Superstition has its way…
I thought this was a really interesting topic being covered as a series in Horse Sport over the next couple of issues, so I thought I would add my two cents worth in the blog. Jochen has deferred to me for this week and allowed me a presence, especially because one of the stories is actually about him and it is better told in the third person.
I find it hard to understand how there can still be so many varieties of superstition still around, so far into the 21st century! One type of superstitious person might be called a ‘magic worlder’ because to him the world is literally filled with magic. Whenever anything happens, this person thinks not in terms of simply physical causes and random coincidence, but it in terms of ‘magic’. His personality and moods are controlled by the stars, and luck is a real thing that is courted and wooed like a mistress. The universe is alive and interested in him and he needs to keep on its good side. He believes in everything, even if some of these things are contradictory. Good luck charms, astrology, fate – all of these are real to this person.
The other variety of superstitious person (this would be Jochen, for example!) would actually be offended if you called him superstitious – however, although he may never be caught dead at a palm reading, he still blows on the dice before he throws them, or wears a lucky something when attending a special event. He doesn’t really worry about ghosts or the Bermuda Triangle, but figures there might be something to them… He is pretty sure he has a little psychic ability himself (this is so Jochen – he used to freak out the kids with his ability to call them out on stuff, but I think he was probably just a good listener when they had their friends over) He does knock on wood when he mentions something that he wouldn’t want to happen, but it’s hard to tell what the motivation is. Does he actually think this makes a difference or is he totally playing it safe ‘just in case’? I don’t think he’s ever asked himself this question.
I have always been amazed and often amused at people’s superstitions or good luck charms – athletes in particular have often shown a penchant for specific items, mannerisms, or rituals which are supposed to bring them success in their particular sport. When considering behaviors that stem from superstitions, touching wood is the most common one, although almost all of these behaviors stem from habit rather than an actual belief that one behavior will bring luck or protect from harm. We have been owners of nothing but black cats for over 30 years and they have never seemingly brought us anything but joy – no bad luck here!
However, Jochen does make (certain) decisions with a flip of a coin, or based on how long his wedding band can be made to spin on the table, and – to bring this full circle back to riding superstitions – he has been known to wear the same pair of socks and long underwear from day 1 to day 3 when competing in a three-day event!
My logical, ever-so-practical, extremely fastidious husband astounded me with this “habit” – something superstitious which I found out during a competition which now belongs almost to the chronicles of ancient history – the German national championships held in 1982 at Achselschwang in Bavaria. At that time Jochen was riding for the Young Rider’s Team, and it was very early on in our relationship – we were still discovering lots of new territory!
Germany had been in the throes of an unusual heat wave, and the temperatures were a nearly unheard of 90+ degrees for weeks. We were headed to southern Bavaria for the event, and Jochen insisted on wearing his long underwear under his full leather breeches. Had I been at the proper age, I would have been suffering hot flashes just by looking at him. But that wasn’t really even that unusual – I had picked up this habit from him as well, especially since riding full leather breeches without something underneath was not really that comfortable. What did surprise me, however, was the addition of bright orange silk socks – his so-called “good luck socks”, which he refused to wash and refused to remove from his boots for the duration of the time we where there. By the end of the three days you could throw them at the wall and they would stick.
Be that as it may – they must have brought him luck, because he placed and qualified to compete at the next level – the European Championship qualifier in Boekelo, Holland! So you tell me – good luck charms, yes or no? And what are yours?