Hound & Horse Lifestyle - April 2018

HOUND&horse APRIL 2018

L I F E S T Y L E

M A G A Z I N E

e e r F

TheLiving Country Life. on an Equestrian Estate

A H E A R T F O R H O U N D S W I T H C A R O LY N P E I R R O T FEELING DISCONNECTED WITH GINNY SCOOPER S U N S H I N E Y E L L O W W I T H L I N D S AY G R AY

HOUND&horse L I F E S T Y L E

M A G A Z I N E

CONTACT US

For advertising rates and advertisement design contact: sales@houndandhorse.co.za Adele: 082 490 6567 or Claire: 084 491 0467 DEADLINE for all advertising is the 15th of each month.

Editor: Claire Wager ads@houndandhorse.co.za Sales: Adele Howell-Pryce sales@houndandhorse.co.za Design & Art Direction: Aspyre Advertising simon@aspyre.co.za Cover Photo: Shutterstock Printer: Blythe Palmer Marketing Contributors: Claire Wager, Mandy Barret, Ginny Scooper, Lindsay Gray, Google Photographs.

Disclaimer: All editorial material is strictly copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the publishers permission. Hound and Horse reserves the right to reject any advertising or editorial material which may not suit the publication without reason given. The opinions expressed in the advertisements and articles do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or Publisher. Hound and Horse reserves the right to refuse any advertisement.

Hound and Horse publishes all photographs and written material in good faith and accepts no liability due to misinformation or loss incurred in relation to information from this magazine.

Editor’s Note Hi everyone, It’s our anniversary and what a fun year it has been at the H&HL offices. We have had a blast putting the magazine together and bringing you all the news. Distribution channels have grown to cover most of KZN and the response to our “New Look” has been fantastic. We promise to keep it coming.

Have you ever been on an unexpected journey? Be it to a destination or happening upon an unlikely companion?

Horses can be excellent catalysts, read how “a horse called Douw” proved to be a gem, on a ride of unforeseen discovery, while imparting a few lessons along the way.

For all you food lovers out there, we have an exciting new contributor joining us next month, Charlie Lakin, a Michelin star chef, will be writing about his journey into foraging and creating fabulous, local food and he will include a recipe for you to try your culinary hand at.

37 Old Main Road

Have a wonderful April everyone,

“Be the PERSON your dog thinks YOU ARE” J.W. STEPHENS

Regards, The editor.

HOUND & HORSE

• APRIL 2018 •

1

jarring trot”, I whispered in his ear as I climbed aboard. He flicked his tail.

Stuffing gear in my bag and questioning my sanity, we set off up the N3. Thunderous clouds dropped deluges of deep purple and green across the Midlands as I secretly hoped to spend the weekend, feet up with a book, agreeing that the weather was too foul to go out in, let alone sit on a horse. At Bergville the sun came out complete with the long, low beams of the golden hour and verges of lush green and pink Cosmos that couldn’t help but to charm. We headed through the amber light of the Golden Gate park, past Clarens, where the sun sank, dusk settled in and Lesotho rose up on our left. Around 20kms after Fouriesburg we took a right into the darkness of a dirt road.

door. How would I get to my first cup?

But he was an amenable chap and as I gave him a nudge, he gave me a wink and escorted me to the kitchen.

The caffeine kicked in and I opened my eyes to our surroundings. A crescent of mountains with rounded cliffs of pale orange, pale cream and pale grey stood in the distance across a lush open veld. Herds of horses wandered nearby. Breakfast chatter of the day ahead featured talk of “Wiesman”, owner, horse breeder,

The Moolmanshoek farm has been a family concern since 1829 and is a valley of tranquil beauty lying in the Witteberg mountain range which roughly runs in a north-south direction between Ficksburg and Bethlehem.

It was once an arable farm that has been skilfully transformed into a Game Reserve and Conservation area.The flora is typical of the Eastern Free State Highlands including scarce species of Sugar Bush Protea, Cats Claw and most notably, rare Mountain Bamboo. The presence of these species and the good conservation of the area led to it being declared a National Heritage Site in 1994.

Into this paradise our posse set off.

Douws feet swept through the veld grass with a soft rhythm. We headed to the mountains, breaking into a trot, well the rest of the ride did, not Douw, no eyeball rattling trot for him, he picked up a balanced canter that would not be out of place at a dressage show. How unexpected, what a pleasure I thought as I sat there feeling like John Wayne. We cantered across the plains. A herd of Wildebeest took flight with a snort on our approach, onward we cantered to the base of the mountains. Douw knew where to go, I sat there, a happy passenger, chewing on a stalk of grass.

The caffeine kicked in and I opened my eyes to our surroundings.

We rattled over corrugations as I groped around in the gloom of the foot-well to locate my glasses and send a message to our hosts, “we are 10ks out” I sms’d, “please open the gate”, as 3g and edge vanished. I guess we will be hooting to the silent mountains, but when our lights hit the gate of Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve, a welcome figure stepped out of the dark to let us in.

The morning was silent and as I lay, snug in bed, contemplating coffee, there was a snort and a snuffle followed by a thump. I threw back the covers and opened the top half of the door and there was the largest dog I have ever seen, a Wilbur Smithesque Lion dog, massive paws, giant head and the softest eyes, planted up against my 2 •

APRIL

large as life all round horseman. Wie is hierdie man? Wiesman.

Jods on, boots on, hat in hand and coffee inside, we headed to the stables.

At a large, I kid you not, large sign stating “Horse Riding Here” the boot was firmly put on the other foot. A tall, lean man held out a hand, with a welcoming smile. It was the legendary Wiesman. Can you ride I was asked, how much experience do you have?

Can you canter? After being summed up with a keen eye, I was handed Douw. Douw, a boerperd bred by Wiesman, looked at me, I looked back.

He sauntered up alongside a nearby log like a true professional and waited patiently. We would get to know each other fairly well over the weekend, but for now we eyed each other up. I checked my girth and fiddled with my stirrups, “I hope you don’t have a bone

2018 • HOUND & HORSE

Up the mountain we went, I mean UP the mountain. There were boulders, bushes, tracts of flat rock. Douw never missed a beat. He picked his way around the boulders, he put his head down and pushed through areas of dense bush and sure-footedly crossed areas of flat rock. All I did was lean forward and let him have his head, no need for me to get in the way and start telling him which way was best, he knew!

The trail threaded its way to the top and we popped out to a glorious vista.

Moolmanshoek spread out below us, beautiful and serene with Lesotho in the distance. Douw took one deep gulp of air after the climb and his breathing returned to normal. This was one fit horse. We continued on picking

our way along a path that clung precariously to the slope. “Don’t look to the right” joked Wiesman, I peeked, vertigo beckoned, I felt myself shrink over to the mountainside and sit still as a mouse, as the trail dropped away to what looked like infinity. Douw, a true pro, delicately tiptoed across.

We rode through grasses of greens, browns and almost blue, past the most delicate blossoms of summer orange

clear, cool, deep, narrow, pool of sweet water. A hidden waterfall called, Magical.

Our downward journeys were a thing to behold. The skill of the horses as they navigated down the descents was incredible. It was like riding extreme switchbacks.

Douw had a knack of being able to hop off a drop with his front legs and then manouvre his

On foot we crept around a bend in the rock, expecting Gollum, and there it was, a clear, cool, deep, narrow, pool of sweet water. A hidden waterfall called. Magical. yellow and into groves of Protea trees that led to a dense canopy that looked like a pathway from the set of ‘The lord of the Rings’. We were riding into the mountain itself. Gnarled branches hung overhead, the path became a stream and the rock face slowly closed over, dimming the light. On foot we crept around a bend in the rock, expecting Gollum, and there it was, a

hindlegs around his forehand or vice versa to make a zigzag turn. All the rider had to do was sit back, put one hand on the back of the saddle and stay out the way. The horses knew what they were doing.

Magical is the best word I could find to describe the weekend. We rode up slopes I didn’t think possible, to caves

with ancient Bushman paintings, zigzagged down mountains, jumped across gully’s, popped our noses over ridges and snuck into secret places, but it was Douw, who did it all and made it amazing. He had everything under control, he handled all terrains, no boulder too large, ravine too gaping, no bush impenetrable, he took it all in his comfortable stride, and as Wiesman said “ What’s worse than riding ?

Not Riding!!”

Why do DOGS stick their heads

out of CAR WINDOWS?

I

I have never owned a dog that doesn’t get madly excited when you say “would you like to go for a drive?” Even the little one that is prone to throwing up if we go more than 20kms is standing at the boot of the car with her tail wagging frantically.

So what makes going in the car and especially sticking their heads out of the car window so great for a dog?

Dogs are able to keep their odour detection and pheromone molecule analysis separate. The vomeronasal organ has its own set of nerves leading to the dogs brain that’s solely dedicated to interpreting those pheromone signals. Imagine how much information your dog is able to take in, just by having his head out the window. The faster you are going the more your dog can pick up about the outside world.

Seeing more of the World.

It’s cool.

Most of the dogs here in South Africa are fortunate to have fairly large gardens to call their own. Not too many of our pooches live in high rise flats, but the allure of the world outside of their little patch seems irresistible. I suppose for us it would be like travelling to a new town, having new people to meet and seeing the sights. Even if they don’t get out of the car for a walk – just the journey seems to be worth it.

Because it’s so exciting, your dog will be panting and being confined in your car things can start to get a bit steamy – even if the aircon is on. Having his head out the window and the air rushing over them helps them to cool off faster.

They love all those Smells.

Since dogs take in so much information about their surroundings via their nose all those outside odours become quite enticing. Dogs not only pick up a ton of different odours with that awesome nose of theirs they also have an organ called the vomeronasal organ (also known as Jacobson’s organ) that lets them sniff our pheromones.

The constant flapping of Fido’s ears in the wind can cause problems with some dogs that are susceptible to either ear infections or even those puffy ears (hematomas) that fill with fluid. This may lead to an extra trip in the car to the vet.

However, like most things in life, the pleasure your dog gets from having its head out the window will generally outweigh any potential risks – so let them just enjoy!

Although Fido loves having his head out the window – there are a couple of things you should consider.

Having the window wide open for example – sometimes the allure of all those sights and smells can prove too much and your dog could decide to jump out the window while the car is moving. I have had this happen to me (thank goodness we were going very slowly and she was unhurt) – so only open the window enough for your dogs head to fit and for him not to choke himself on the top of the window glass.

HOUND & HORSE

• APRIL 2018

•

5

Country life.

PROPERTIES

A D V E RTO R I A L

Upper Highway on 083 775 1029.

OF THE MONTH

City convenience.

at Kirtlington Park

Welcome to Kirtlington Park Equestrian Estate

You no sooner drive through the gates and the stresses of city life begin to melt away. No row upon row of carbon copy homes cheek by jowl in this exclusive Lifestyle Estate. The delight of wide open paddocks is the immediate greeting and the broad-minded approach to architecture has not only allowed owners to create their dream homes, but has encouraged the diversity that gives you that wonderful feeling that you have entered a Village and not an Estate.

A lazy Saturday starts with a coffee and the sound of hooves clipping across the gravel as the horses make their way to the lush paddocks.

A leisurely stroll to the gate for the paper through an avenue of trees, starting to burn bright orange in their Autumn attire, also gives the opportunity to watch the horses gallop across the paddocks releasing the long nights pent up energy.

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The tennis court is hosting a game between some early-rising teens and a few youngsters have already finished a trail and met up on their bikes planning a fishing trip to the dam before the heat of the midday sun sends all the bass and tilapia in search of deeper waters.

A bridle pass detour on the way home for a little extra exercise is rewarded by the magnificent view of the Nguni cow herd next door; their stunning patchwork hides standing out in stark contrast to the dew-filled grass in the early morning glow of the sun.

You may be thinking a weekend in the Natal Midlands like this is just what you need...but this isn’t the Midlands. This is Life in Kirtlington Park, just a two minute drive to central Hillcrest.

APRIL 2018 • HOUND & HORSE

Kirtlington Park offers Equestrian pursuits such as dressage, jumping and absolutely stellar outrides across acres of open spaces and kilometres of bridle passes. The Estate hosts 28 immaculate stables for the Equestrian enthusiast, excellent grooms and some magnificent horses which, for those of us who don’t partake in horse-centered pursuits, are still such a thrill to behold!

In keeping with the friendly ethos of this prestigious country Estate, Kirtlington Park also stands apart in warmly welcoming owners with two dogs and two cats as the gardens here are all ample size to accommodate your extended family members.

With little over 120 homes in total in this luxury Estate, the opportunities to live this truly exceptional Lifestyle are a rare find. We currently have just a few homes priced from R3.2 mil to R20 mil available in the Kirtlington Portfolio.

Should you wish to experience the Kirtlington Life for yourself you are invited to make an appointment with Resident Kirtlington Agent Vanessa Cook of Harcourts

Contact Office Hartwieg du Rand (Principal / Owner) 084 510 8864 / hartwieg@scottnet.co.za

Unquestionably one of Kirtlington Parks most magnificent homes has come to market for the first time!

Award winning architect Cedric Richards, creator of some of the worlds most beautiful resorts has imbued this home with the opulent luxury and grand sophistication the discerning buyer has come to expect.

This property is set on a landscaped acre and offers 1400 sqm of pristine home with 5 ensuite bedrooms, a boardroom and myriad entertainment spaces and high spec finishes.

A real family home with views and privacy! This property is set in a quiet cul de sac strolling distance to the stables and tennis courts and offers space to extend as well. Not that it is needed!

This home offers 4 bedrooms and an office as well as two lounges and is currently the lowest price property available in the main park.

For more information on these and other properties priced from R3.2 million in Kirtlington Park please contact Harcourts Resident Agent at Kirtlington Park Vanessa Cook on 0837751029 or vanessa.c@harcourts.co.za

HOUND & HORSE

• MARCH 2018 •

3

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Q&A

Carolyn Pierrot is the manager of KZN Valley Dogs and has been involved since it’s beginnings in 2015.

Every Sunday, a team of volunteers go down into the Kwangcolosi area of the Valley of a 1000 Hills to feed the animals in this rural community. H&HL spoke to Carolyn to find out what it takes to be part of this valuable project.

Q: How did you become involved with the KZN Valley Dogs?

A: Through an old school friend Anthony Asher-Wood and his fiance Danielle Jorre de St Jorre, who are the founders of the project.

Q: On average how many dogs does the project reach each week?

A: We feed approximately 500 per week.

Q: Welfare can involve high pressure situations, how do you cope?

A: I find talking it out with like-minded people very helpful and surrounding myself with positive individuals. I am lucky as my family are very supportive of the project. My husband, daughter and nephews are all part of the organisation. If we have a tough day, I deal with it at home, cry and vent if I have to and then put it behind me.

If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to go back every week. You have to develop a tough skin or you will not last.

Q: Do you have any one case in particular that has touched your heart?

A: There are so many that deserve a mention, however THE ONE has to be Orah. She was one of a large litter born to an older female nicknamed Brownie, one of our regulars, and one of my favourites. One of our volunteers posted a video on our Facebook page of all the puppies, hoping to try home them. We received a message from a lady in Cape Town enquiring about one particular dog she had seen in the video. They had recently lost their much loved Africanis and wanted a companion for their other dog. She had picked out one that had a little scar on its head and we went and collected her and in the space of a week she had been to the vet, had all her shots, and was on a flight to Cape Town. She now spends her time walking in the local park, adventuring on the slopes of Table Mountain and playing on the beach at Paternoster. A part of my heart will always be in Cape Town with Orah. Brownie, her mom, has been adopted by one of our team members and is living out her golden years in a loving home.

8 •

APRIL 2018 • HOUND & HORSE

A HEART for hounds

with Carolyn Pierrot

Q: What, for you, is the most challenging aspect of the project?

A: Fund raising and dealing with the frustration of not being able to spay and neuter as required and having to watch a litter of puppies die because they have contracted Parvo or some other preventable disease simply because there are not consistent state vaccination programmes in the Kwangcolosi area and we don’t have the funding to do this ourselves.

Q: What do you consider to be one of the greatest successes of Valley Dogs?

A: We are very proud of our Spayathon which took place earlier this year. With the help of The Kloof SPCA approximately 300 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies and treated for external parasites. We raised over R 70,000.00 for this, in less than six months, a daunting task! We are also extremely proud of the way we have managed to educate, especially the children, with regards the basic care and handling of their animals. We have seen huge changes since we started and it is very satisfying to observe and know how instrumental we have been in this change. The ripple effect is obvious as we often observe the children who help us every Sunday educating other children from what they themselves have learnt.

Q: What is the long term goal of the project?

A: We want to hold Spayathon’s at least once or twice a year, as it is the only way forward. We want to continue to reach more animals and households with our feeding scheme. We want to raise more funds for our vet account, to be able to continue to assist in emergencies. As we are in the valley on Sundays, all visits to the vet are after-hours and costs are higher.

Q: What is the highlight of your trips to the Valley?

A: All the wagging tails and smiling children and spending time with our awesome team. Seeing dogs that were skin and bone improve week after week knowing it’s because of us and seeing the pride on the owners faces when you compliment them on their animals condition.

Q: Do you ever have a Sunday off?

A: Nope not really, maybe one or two a year if I’m lucky.

We go into the valley on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Mother’s Day, Birthdays….if it falls on a Sunday, we go, as there are too many lives depending on us not to.

Sunshine

Yellow!

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With it being such a vibrant colour, if you weave yellow flowering plants in your sunny areas you will have a cheerful garden throughout the year.

by Lindsay Gray

Continuing with our theme of pretty plants for a waterwise garden, in this edition of Hound & Horse I would like to introduce you to some of my favourite plants that flower in yellow throughout the year.

There are varying intensities of yellow from pale-lemon through to acidyellow – something for everyone.

couldn’t stand this plant. I cannot explain why but it offended me. And then one day I came across the little shrub in a client’s garden and was blown away by the impact it made. It was love at ‘second sight’ but I am now hooked.

The bright yellow daisies are very showy and make a huge impact in a planting scheme. I would advise that you either use this plant singly or in uneven numbers.

Yellow combines beautifully with purple, violet and blue-violet. It also makes the perfect companion with harmonious colours such as orange, yellow-orange and red-orange.

Most yellow flowers enjoy full sun to bring out their beauty.

Bauhinia tomentosa: this delicate shrub grows to about two metres tall and has a light frame with dainty bi-lobed leaves. The bellshaped flower which appears now in late summer is a delicate yellow and blends beautifully into any herbaceous border. For those who aren’t too fond of bright yellow flowers, this little gem is the answer.

Euryops pectinatus (yellow daisy bush): This delightful shrub is seldom not in flower.

It grows to about a metre in height, has blue-green foliage and acid-yellow flowers.

Funnily enough, there was a time when I 10 •

From the homestead.

APRIL

Hypericum revolutum: This delicate shrub is related to the St. John’s Wort family.

It has a light frame with small leaves and only grows to around a metre in width. The flowers are five-petalled with stamens that protrude, giving the plant a ‘fluffy’ look. It is seldom without flowers either. It’s exotic cousin, Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ (St. John’s Wort), has a slightly larger leaf but an almost-identical flower. Both of these will brighten any garden. The exotic variety is not invasive and both are drought resistant.

There are several species with slight difference in the leaves but with a similar tiny, daisy-like flower. Colours range from white, purple, yellow and salmon. There is also a mustard-yellow variety. This genus makes the perfect groundcover for a waterwise garden.

It loves the hot sun and is extremely versatile. Plant it as a foreground plant, or, if you prefer, inbetween boulders or other succulents.

Kniphofia spp.

(Red hot poker): Some years ago, I spotted a gorgeous yellow red-hot poker and acquired a few plants for my garden. Some call it ‘citrinus’ but it was introduced to me as ‘Lemon Drops’. What’s in a name? This gorgeous yellow red-hot poker is a real delight with its tall spires of pure yellow. It has just finished flowering in my garden.

APRIL

April has to be my favourite time of the year, a month where the weather is temperate. It is still warm enough to go to the beach, but you don’t get burned. The humidity disappears & the nights start getting cool and you can sleep again.

There is nothing more satisfying than picking a vegetable from your own garden & using it for supper. You don’t need a huge space in your garden – just try planting a few things and in no time you will be hooked on “Growing Your Own”.

The School of Garden Design offers a wide range of courses (in-house and correspondence) to help you and your staff to broaden your gardening skills.

In the veggie garden you need to start pulling up all summer vegetables that have finished bearing & get them on your compost heap. If you are still planting out seed – you need to get it done this month before the soil starts to cool too much. You can plant out: Beetroot; Beans (all varieties); Brussel Sprouts; Cabbage; Capsicum (peppers); Carrot; Celery; Cucumber; Eggplant (aubergine, brinjal); Garlic (plant cloves); Leek; Lettuce; Onion; Parsley; Peas; Pumpkin; Radish; Swiss Chard; Tomato; Turnip and Vegetable marrow (all types).

Although we have been blessed with good rain very late in the season, now is the time to think about preparing your fruit trees for a good crop next year. If you haven’t already give them a good mulch, fertilize them and diarise to give them all a good watering once every three weeks throughout the dry months until the rains come again.

In all the garden centres, strawberry plants will be for sale. If you have any small corner of the garden, or large pot, they are definitely worth growing & once you have them you will get gorgeous fresh fruit for months in summer. Remember to water them about once a week during dry weather.

Above all – enjoy your garden this month.

Delasperma spp. (succulent groundcover): Delasperma has much to offer a waterwise garden.

2018 • HOUND & HORSE

HOUND & HORSE

• APRIL

2018 •

11

C A N I N E Choke Chains are NOT okay!

Myth Buster

D

Dogs are subjected to many methods of pain and force based training, in order to obtain a result that appears to be working. Traditional training sees groups of people marching up and down fields, yanking their dogs around and demanding perfect heel positions. Most of these kinds of training scenarios include a choke chain or slip lead.

The choke, or check chain as it is sometimes called, along with the nastier version, a prong or spike collar are tools traditionally used in dog training.

Trainers may suggest that using them causes no harm and some go so far as to say that it is the sound that the chain makes that assists with training, and that the devices cause no harm when used “correctly”.

Modern science is proving this to be untrue. Simply put, using pain to train a dog is not only unfair, it is also harmful and is linked to aggressive responses in dogs – perhaps only manifesting at a later stage, as well as permanent physical injury.

Think of it this way – your dog is barking and lunging out at another dog, and you jerk him backwards (or perhaps he just pulls against the collar himself) and the dog then experiences a sharp and painful

12 •

by Mandy Barret

jolt, along with a firm strangulation feeling. It may stop him instantly – but what is happening inside his brain, what damage has been caused to the sensitive neck and throat area, and what associations will be made?

The dog thinks like this “There is a scary dog. I will bark at it. OW! That hurt! My owner is hurting me, the collar hurts me. I know now, that when I see scary dog, I WILL get hurt. Next time, I won’t bark. Next time I will just go straight to a bite, before I get hurt”. Some dogs may not react at all, slowly building up fear and mistrust, simmering until one day, they snap. This is usually when the owners and trainers stand aghast and exclaim “we didn’t see THAT coming, we have been training him”.

The fact is that these collars have been proven to · Increase and cause aggressive behaviours · Cause neck and spinal damage

student Chiropractors indicated an alarming 63% of dogs trained with such collars had spinal injuries.

By using a proper fitting body harness, you will not only save your dog a lot of pain, but will also encourage a loving and trust based relationship with your dog.

Do the right thing – switch to a harness!

Train with rewards and limit corrections, with a goal to eliminate them entirely.

Harnesses are available at all animal and pet stores, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and designs, which are also attractive and trendy.

A qualified, modern and force free trainer will teach you how to work with the correct, pain free tools and use methods that are not harmful or abusive.

Next month : How to deal with a pulling dog using force free methods.

· Cause limping and other physical issues, and · Increase pulling behaviours in an attempt to avoid pain Percentages of injured dogs in a 1992 study by Anders Hallgren and

APRIL 2018 • HOUND & HORSE

HOUND & HORSE

• FEBRUARY 2018

3

RIDING SCHOOLS & Livery Yards

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May 06 Karkloof practice.

06 Midlands International at Lions River.

Ask Ginny Scooper

11-13 Lions River.

18-20 Shongweni.

POLOCROSSE Blue Horizons

Dear Ginny,

Drummond

I have recently taken up Dressage and I try to keep my hands dead still and as light as a feather, however the main comment on my tests is always “needs a more consistent contact to make a connection”.

What is the judge on about? It all sounds alien to me.

We are a 10 minute drive from Hillcrest and we cater for all ages from as young as three years. We also specialise in Special Needs riding. During the holidays we run a variety of Pony Camps from Beginners to Advanced. We also cater for those who would like to do a trail ride.

Yours, Disconnected from Durban.

Dear Disconnected,

Dressage, as difficult as it may be, has nothing to do with extra-terrestrial contact despite what the eventers may tell you. Contact is defined in the German Training Scales as “the soft, steady connection between the rider’s hand and the horse’s mouth”. Soft and steady is the way you offer your hand on the rein and it directly influences your connection. The horse needs to look for the contact and to do this it has to be offered a decent contact. You say you offer a light contact, but there are two types of light contact.

There is the unbearable lightness of offering no contact at all. This is when you may feel a lightness in the rein but what you really have is no contact at all, merely a set of reins akin to a tired out washing line, looped and swaying in the breeze offering an inconsistent, ambiguous contact not even worth hanging your riding socks on.

Then there is the lightness of rein associated with the contact that the horse seeks when it is using the hindquarters. This lightness gives a stable (!), even and elastic feel in your hand. It is not a pulling backwards movement from the rider (you are not reeling in a Marlin), nor a pulling down from the horse ( the sensation of holding onto a runaway wheelbarrow of bricks) or a stone dead inert feel in the hand (there is no life at either end of the rein). This feel should also be even in each hand, if you are developing cramp in one arm, you are doing it wrong.

Lions River Club practice every Sat 2pm. All Welcome Contact: Belinda 082 401 4361 April 21-22 ESP, DSC. Contact: Karen Sutton 082 459 7551 SMS only.

For further information contact: Debbie 083 269 4945

Jo-Jo’s Riding Centre & KZN Pony Club Centre.

DRESSAGE

27 DSC, SJ. Unaffiliated.

Contact: Holley Cairns 079 888 4600

Summerveld

April

MAY

As a mom I fully trust my daughter’s safety and passion to the instructors. I have watched how they interact with each child uniquely. I have seen my child grow in ability, confidence and passion. The lessons are fun and always varied. The instructors are qualified and enjoy what they do. The horses are incredible both in behaviour and condition. The atmosphere is friendly and fun, It’s amazing, I am so happy to have found this gem.

07-08 Galloping Winds. Affiliated & Training.

Contact: shows@gallopingwinds.co.za

05-06 Canterbury, 1st leg of KZN series.

Contact: Gideon 060 503 1139

08 Top Hat, DSC. Unaffiliated.

Contact: Heather 072 107 6657

12-13 Inter-Schools & WCQ Warm up DSC

14-15 Mane Events.

Mt Verde, Hilton.

Contact: Heike 083 253 1545

19-20 Triple P, DSC. Contact: Diedre Fox 082 653 1511

For more information please contact: Jo-Jo on 083 489 7834. www.jojosridingcentre.co.za

Canterbury Equestrian Centre Professional instruction from Qualified Instructors.

May

EVENTING

We have safe reliable and well schooled horses and ponies. We offer lessons, hold pony camps, clinics, and out rides. We have horses and ponies for lease.

05-06 DSA and Young Horse Challenge DSC.

April

20 Top Hat, DSC. Unaffiliated.

Contact: Heather 072 107 6657

07-08 Ulwazi, Derby Cross/Stadium Eventing inc. Sanesa.

Contact: 082 803 3440

Pietermaritzburg

Livery is available at affordable rates with horses out in paddocks with three meals a day and the stables are managed by a qualified Animal Welfare Inspector.

26-27 Equistar, FEI Warm Up. DSC. Contact: Heather 072 107 6657

Holding your hands stuck out in front of you and dead still, like Lego Men, will make your contact on and off rather than consistent and smooth. Still hands start at your shoulders and continue to a soft elbow which allows them to follow the movement of the horses head and hence appearing to stay still. (No butter fingers either!).

All levels of riding from hacking to advanced riders welcome, across all disciplines. We hold regular training shows and fun days.

For more information please contact: Gideon: 060 503 1139

May

You will know when you have your horse connected through the contact as they become a lot more comfortable to sit on, their back will feel relaxed, there will be a spring in their paces, they will feel forward, willing and light and the feeling in your hand will be elastic and smooth.

Buckingham Equestrian Centre

25-03 Royal Show, RAS. PMB.

Yours Ever Ginny PS: I hope you find that connection you are looking for, it’s not quite as difficult as trying to get your landline reconnected by a well known service provider, as the horse is usually a willing and receptive partner.

Got a question? Ask Ginny, contact: ginnyscooper@gmail.com 14 •

APRIL

2018 • HOUND & HORSE

26-27 Sanesa DSC.

28-29 Equistar, DSA Challenge Warm Up, DSC. Contact: Heather 072 107 6657

Hilton.

We offer livery, live in or out, backing and producing and we have a lovely selection of horses and ponies for lease. We offer 1/4, 1/2 and full leases.

Ponies available to lease: Bacardi 1.10m, Sunday Girl 1.m, Lavender 90cm.

Diante, 70cm & dressage/showing.

Queenie 70cm & working riding/showing/Sanesa.

Court Jester 90/1m Eventing & dressage/showing.

For more information please contact: Natalie 082 786 9511

SHOWING

27 Summerveld Lodge. Unaffiliated.

Contact: Holley Cairns 079 888 4600

21-22 Treverton 60cm - CNC * inc.

Sanesa.

Contact: Daneen 083 268 6670 May

May 26-27 Lions River Sections.

WESTERN MOUNTED GAMES April 15 Turn and Burn, SAWMGA Q3.

Contact: Candice 084 668 3737 May 05 Turn and Burn, SAWMGA Q4.

Contact: Candice 084 668 3737

REINING AND WESTERN PERFORMANCE Spectators welcome.

07 Roll Back Ridge.

9am. Ashburton.

Contact: Lynn 071 110 6532 29 Q3, 9am. Roll Back Ridge, Ashburton.

Contact: Lynn 071 110 6532 May

12-13 Ulwazi, Ev 60cm- 1m.

Contact: 082 803 3440

20 Q4 Western Warmer Ashburton, Roll Back Ridge.

Contact: Lynn 071 110 6532

SANESA

TENT PEGGING

All details available www.sanesa.co.za

April

POLO

15 Jo Jo’s Riding Centre. Unaffiliated.

Contact: Jo Jo 083 489 7834

April

08 Summerveld Lodge. Unaffiliated.

Contact: Holley Cairns 079 888 4600

21-22 Bishopstowe Tournament.

April

SHOWJUMPING

13-15 KZN Derby, DSC.

5-8 Junior Classic, Mooi River.

April 21 Okusha.

Contact: Dalene 082 824 2914

ENDURANCE

07-08 Mooi River.

April

20-22 Kokstad.

27-29 East Griqua at Underburg.

06-07 Underburg.

HOUND & HORSE

• APRIL

2018 •

15

HORSES for sale

Knick Knack Paddy Whack GIVE A DOG A HOME To advertise your horse, contact ads@houndandhorse.co.za

saddle and popping small jumps confidently. Lovely temperament. Contact: Troy 072 527 3607

KERWOOD BRILLIANT, 16hh 7yo dark bay mare by Bono out of a TB mare. Very pretty and finely built. Brave jumper, finding 1.10m easy now. Regularly placed in competition. This mare is an eventing and/or Derby prospect.

Contact: Troy 072 527 3607 GAUTENG 16.3hh, mare. Sire: Concorde. Mare sire: Carrick. Winner of all Major SA Junior Titles for Open Equitation including Gauteng Champs 2016 and 2017 and Open Working Hunter classes. Graded Elementary Dressage and 1.30m Show Jumping.

Winner of 2016 FEI Gold series World Cup Challenge. Owner going overseas.

POA. Contact: 082 490 3131 BRANDENBURG SOVEREIGN, 16.3hh, 19yo lovely schoolmaster.

Competed Show Jumping and Eventing. Would make a wonderful hack and enjoys competing. Very safe.

R15K. Contact: Natalie 082 786 9511 DANCE ASSEMBLY, 16.2hh, 11yo TB. Well schooled and would suit a junior wanting to jump in the 1m.

Good looking and moves well. R45K. Contact: Natalie 082 786 9511 BELLADONNA, 16.1hh, 7yo WB/ TB by Bono. Jumping in the 1m and ready to go up the grades. Higher price bracket.

Contact: Natalie 082 786 9511 NEWBE, 16.1hh, 8yo. Jumping 80cm, bold, brave and careful. Just needs a little more flatwork, but a lovely easy uncomplicated ride. R35K. Contact: Natalie 082 786 9511 KERWOOD CELEBRITY. Very pretty 4yo grey filly. By Casper out of a Bono mare. Working well under 16 •

APRIL

16hh, 5yo Grey Reg SAW Mare (2012). Udokes/ Dam sire: Ulior. Winner of the 2017 YHPS potential 4 year old show jumper and best SA Bread awards. Placed 3rd in Warmblood Mares 3-5 Yr olds at HOY – potential show jumper category. Currently jumping 1.10m.

Does Open Working hunter and 80cm eventing. POA. Contact: 082 490 3131 Lots of Luxurious. 6yo dark bay TB mare. Off the track for 2 years. A very kind safe mare, will be a wonderful junior horse. Schooled beautifully and jumping 80cm. Quiet on hacks.

R40 000 to an approved home only.

Contact: 072 459 8263 2 Horses avaiable as owner sadly deceased. 15.1hh 11yo beautiful stocky grey Arab gelding. Lovely temperament, nicely schooled and jumps well. Super hack.

15.2hh 7yo pretty bay gelding by Fort Beluga/ Coastal.

Has had proper basic schooling and jumping. Both horses were used regularly in the past 18 months and enjoyed hacks on a farm. Super quiet and well handled horse R6k each.

Contact: Gill 082 541 3331

Horses for Lease 16.1hh TB gelding

by Manalog out of a Foveros mare with good jumping ability. Has

2018 • HOUND & HORSE

competed up to 1m in SJ and 80cm XC, done dressage at Prelim level.

Super on outrides. Full/Half lease.

Must remain in current yard. Contact: Debbie 082 225 5080 Gorgeous 148cm, bay pony mare for lease. Currently stabled at Shongweni Club but can move to an approved yard. Contact: Shelley 082 411 4642

Tack for Sale

Prestige dressage saddle, 17”, good condition. R25K Neg. Contact: Denise 082 940 1183 A variety of second hand tack and assorted bits for sale. All in good condition.

Contact: Tina 082 415 4498

SIERRA- Our Mutt of the Month SIERRA. I am a female X breed.

I am the newest rescue at the kennels. When I was found and my owner located they didn’t want me back. I am a super loving girl, eager to play and I love to go on walks. I need a big yard in which to run and play. I have the kindest eyes and I love attention. To meet me, please call 065 836 3203 Mazarat Animal Rescue.

CHLOE. I am a gorgeous X breed girl. I have come out of my shell and am eager for love and attention. I walk well on a leash and I am socialising brilliantly with other dogs. I am about 15 months old and am just the best girl ever. To offer this faithful soul a home, please call, 065 836 3208 Mazarat Animal Rescue.

ROVER. I am a male GSD X and am just the most gorgeous and loving boy. I will steal your heart. I am about 5 years old and am extremely lovable. I am good with children, love swimming & going for walks and am overall a good natured chap. To meet or find out more about this gorgeous boy, please call 065 836 3203 Mazarat Animal Rescue.

KELLY. I am GSD X senior lady of about 9 years young. I am of medium size with a slender figure and I love sunning myself, going for long walks and being groomed.

I am a dominant girl so best with a submissive type male, with a proper introduction I would love a mature owner who will adore and protect me .

To meet Kelly, please call 065 836 3203 Mazarat Animal Rescue.

BISON. I am a happy, sociable 2 year old X breed male. I am healthy and strong after an awful beginning. I am now ready for a loving home and family. To meet me, please call 065 836 3203 Mazarat Animal Rescue.

STORM. I am a beautiful big boy! I am a Lab X and about a year old and I have so much love to give. I am a super bouncy and loving pup. I would love a family to play with and a home to call my own. To meet fabulous me, please call 065 836 3203 Mazarat Animal Rescue.

STOFFELS. I am a boy with the sweetest nature and I love to play. My sister Bubbles has been homed and I am terribly lonely. I am a loving, obedient, live-wire full of character. To meet this fun loving boy, please call 065 836 3203 Mazarat Animal Rescue.

DIESEL. I am a male Staffie X and I am one handsome boy, only 4yrs young. I haven’t experienced much attention or love and I was left behind when my owner moved on. I would love some TLC and some training to become the model family member, I know I can be. To meet me, please call 065 836 3203 Mazarat Animal Rescue.

JUPITOR. I am a small in stature Doberman X boy of about 4 years old.

I am a gentle boy and have really come out of my shell, since being rescued. I just LOVE walkies and being fussed over. He so deserves a loving home after the life he has led. To meet him, please call 065 836 3203 Mazarat Animal Rescue.