Equilife Magazine November 2016

Equilife Living the Lifestyle November 2016

Features: Spotlight ~ Derby 2016 • Portrait ~ Jason Slade • Kurland Eventing DISTRIBUTION FREE NATIONWIDE

Home of Fine Wine & Fast Horses

Highly rated sires VAR and Oratorio | Guided or Self-Guided Farm Walks Annual Mares and Foals Walk

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Home of Fine Wine & Fast Horses

Highly rated sires VAR and Oratorio | Guided or Self-Guided Farm Walks Annual Mares and Foals Walk

Avontuurestate tel: +27 21 855-3450 | info@avontuurestate.co.za | www.avontuurestate.co.za

From the Publisher......

The Equilife Team

Marketing and Advertising Jacqueline Wood jacqui@equilife.co.za

Design and Production Michele Wood design@equilife.co.za

Content Editor

Colleen Murlrooney

Photography

Jacqui S Photography jacqui@equilife.co.za

Never thank yourself, Always thank the horses For the happiness and the joy We experience through them

Contributors Ashleigh Hughes Turf Diaries Brigitte Billings Dressage Newsletter Cobie van Oort Avontuur Estate Colleen Mulrooney Portrait Georgina Roberts Derby 2016 ~ The Whipping Girl Hannah Botha Breeders Leandri van der Vyver Endurance Pauline Venter Breeders Sikhangele Mbambo A Grooms Insight Simone Howarth Young Dressage Horse Series

Our industry is made up of innumerable riders, breeders and horses lovers alike, who through countless conversations and shared activity in the saddle, share their profound knowledge of horses daily but it does not require a championship in the saddle to be a rider, it is in the quite moments, far removed from spectators that we often find a true connection with our horses. Pure joy and happiness can also come to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;ordinaryâ&#x20AC;? rider, the Sunday rider, their horses might not jump high fences nor perform difficult dressage movements. Instead they carry their riders out into the open spaces presenting them with a feeling of freedom and relaxation. These horses represent the millions of unknown horses that have never been dignified by the written word or a published picture, but to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude. The nature of the horse remains unchanged, Whether it carries the saddle of the prince, Or whether it draws the cart of a wagoner.

All Editorial material is strictly copyrighted and may not be

reproduced without the publishers permission. Equilife reserves the right to reject any advertising or editorial material which may not suit the standard of the publication without reason given. Opinions expressed in advertisements and articles do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or Publisher. Equilife (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for any material submitted for Publication.

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Front Cover

Nicole Horward ~ Mark White Nissan Capital Don Cumarco

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PORTRAIT

Contents 13. Spotlight ~ Derby 2016 The fact that this Tribute To The Horse is read before the start of every Derby is enough of a reminder for all of us (as we blink back teary eyes and complain bitterly about spring allergies) that our industry combines us all on one huge leveller – the love of the horse.

16. Portrait ~ Gavin Younge 22. Portrait ~ Jason Slade Equilife chatted to Jason Slade about his 2016 equitation success, while his mom, Di, provided the interesting anecdotes.

26. Turf Diaries ~ A Wander Down Turffontein’s Memory Lane

In July 2016, Turffontein Racecourse was awarded a prestigious Blue Plaque, by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation. Their vision is to preserve and protect our rich and varied heritage of Johannesburg.

33 . Eventing ~ Kurland’s SA Eventing Championships 2016 The Western Cape for the first time held the South African Individual Eventing Championships in the region on the picturesque Kurland Hotel and Spa estate.

37. Endurance ~ Sandymount Express 1000

Three years ago the team from Sandymount Park put their heads together and launched a non-competitive ride that is slowly getting traction and gaining the reputation of the ultimate endurance ride. In a nutshell the challenge is to ride 1000km over 8 days. That is 125km per day in the saddle, for eight days.

Content 42. Gaited Traveller ~ Avontuur Estate

46. Breeders ~ Danven Arabians Back in 1974,a young Ingrid Dannheimer, was looking to buy a few riding horses to enjoy a casual past time away from her strenuous occupation as a specialist physician. She was starting a family and was not particularly looking for breeding material.

Content Trending ~ Sunrise Sessions

The Sketch Pad ~ Espoir Equestrian

South African Derby 2016

Hillary Hoofpick

Dressage Newsletter

Portrait ~ Jason Slade

Turf Diaries ~ Turffontein’s Memory Lane

A Grooms Insight ~ A Gentle Hand

Stable Views ~ Protein Panic

Eventing ~ Kurland’s SA Eventing

Endurance ~ Sandymount Express

SA Young Dressage Horse Series

Gaited Traveller ~ Avontuur Estate

Breeders ~ Danven Arabians

The Whipping Girl

Book your place in our Christmas and New Year Issues Contact us adverts@equilife.co.za +27 82 698 3965

THE SKETCH PAD

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TRENDING

Turffontein Sunrise Sessions 2.0 Early Morning Magic By Ashleigh Hughes The second Turffontein Sunrise Session was held on Saturday 8 October, and it was a much more intimate event, with just 16 people coming through to Turffontein, to experience the early morning work outs on the training tracks. It was a very windy morning unfortunately, but we wrapped up warmly and pressed on. Our group was quite diverse this time, and it included 3 ladies from the horse riding world, Fiona Hitchcock, Nicole Meier and Nicky Dyson, as well as horseracing enthusiast Garett Murphy and his lovely wife Riana. Also in the group was Equilife Magazine Publisher and Thabiso Serage from Lebone Litho, who brought along his two young sons, and his nephew Naledi. After enjoying the thrilling gallops close up and first hand, from right up next to the sand training tracks, we moved up to The Deck restaurant in the grandstand, where while enjoying a rather scrumptious breakfast, we continued to discuss all sorts of aspects of racing and training. The topics were quite diverse, and ranged from the different training techniques for sprinters and stayers, race day procedures, schooling techniques at the starting stalls, the new rules implemented by the National Horseracing Authority for retiring racehorses, and their own experiences with competing on ex-racehorses in the show ring.

founder, Jacqui Wood showing him how to feed carrots to a horse, he was flitting through the yard from stable to stable, feeding the horses carrots and rubbing their heads gently. The fillies, especially, were besotted with this enthusiastic young boy! The ladies were also all amazed at how responsive the horses were to their attentions as well, and lots of photos were taken that morning! It was in those moments that I realised how rewarding it is to share it all, with people who are

unfamiliar with racing. I can safely say that I know the whole experience changed the percept ions of racing that everyone had before they arrived â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of them said unexpectedly so. Most surprising to me though, has been the positive reception and feedback I have received from the racing industry insiders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; without their support and encouragement, none of this would be possible. If you would like to join us for the TSS 3.0, please email your booking to loveracing@gmail.com before Monday 8th November. Numbers are limited, so please book as soon as possible. The following one will only be in February 2017, with the exact date to still be confirmed. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

We regrouped and made our way down to the stable yards, for some one-on-one time with the racehorses. For me this is where the magic begins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I find it incredibly rewarding to see the looks of surprise on their faces, when the visitors start to realise how friendly and gentle the horses actually are. Young Naledi was completely enamoured with the horses. Within minutes of Equilife editor and

THE SKETCH PAD

The

Sketch Pad It’s not just a Brand it’s a Lifestyle... By Mari-Lize Giovannoni

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Espoir Equestrian

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Equestrian

Jumping into the History Books

Kawena Derby Winner 2016 Nicole Horwood and Mark White Nissan Capital Don Cumarco

SPOTLIGHT DERBY 2016

2nd Place : Lisa Williams and Discovery Campbell

Where in the world can a man find nobility without pride Friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity? Here, where grace is laced with power, and strength tempered by gentleness. He serves without servility, he has force without emnity. There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient Our pioneers were borne on his back, our history is his industry We are his heirs, and he is our inheritance. THE HORSE Ronald Duncan The fact that this Tribute To The Horse is read before the start of every Derby is enough of a reminder for all of us (as we blink back teary eyes and complain bitterly about spring allergies) that our industry combines us all on one huge leveller – the love of the horse. A gruelling week saw the usual trials and tribulations, riders winning and losing, but ultimately the climax was the rise of horsey heroes. In a sport that is under assault at the moment, from the inside and out, it was such an incredible show to soak up atmosphere from, a kind of spiritual reboot for those of us that worship at the altar of the equine

usual influx of traffic, despite having no big name sponsor for the first time in several years. The community clubbed together, led by the Korbers, and soon support was coming in from many sectors, climaxing in a sponsorship for the live streaming from Kawena, a gesture that meant the Derby could be seen blow-by-blow for the first time in many a year! This adds to the cohesion that our sport needs, allowing so many fanatics across the country who couldn’t be there an opportunity to feel part of the excitement as it happened. Derby is special for several reasons. It is one of the few high-end multi-discipline shows we have left, but it’s the events that it comprises that add a thrill for competitors and spectators alike:

The Kyalami Equestrian Park looked immaculate, and obviously great effort as been put into ensuring that the entire venue was prepared to host the

SPOTLIGHT DERBY 2016

The Complete Horse The Complete Horse is a quest for the ultimate in versatility. Horses are required to compete in five classes – firstly, the working riding or “utility” test, always a big ask with obstacles that require a levelheaded and confident horse to negotiate them without question. Secondly the dreaded showing and “ride by judge.” Despite your how well a horse may go for the rider, which they watch with an eagle eye, the true test of rideability is where a stranger hops onto your steed and puts them through their paces, and they are expected to behave impeccably. If that weren’t enough criticism for one day, they then “strip” the horse of its tack and do a conformation inspection. From this, the top fifteen horses will proceed to the next phase, where they are required to do an elementary-level dressage test. From this, the top ten horse proceed to a 90cm jumping round, and from here the top five proceed to the final Derby Day, where they are required to perform a three minute free test in front of all the spectators. Previous years have seen riders jumping over fire, horses blindfolded, and carriages being pulled in, all in an effort to wow the crowds! It was a worthy tussle this year,

with five top horse and rider combinations vying in the Bob Charter arena, with the ultimate victors being the experienced show rider and co-owner of Phaeton Park Stables, Natalie Hogg, who literally danced to victory in her free test with her own partner, Maillon. Results 2016 Compleat Horse Winner Natalie Hogg & Maillon

Showing 2016 SA Derby Show Horse Championships

Champion derby show horse:

Clare Marcus and Thatchers Way

Reserve champion show horse:

Alexandra Maloney and Callaho Lissabon 2016 SA Derby Working Riding Championship.

Champion working riding horse: Kraai Kamffer and Le Zar Solero

Reserve champion working riding horse: Victoria Conlan and Waterside Triple Crown

2016 S A Derby Working Hunter Championship Champion: Claire Martin and Mark in Time Reserve champion: Kraai Kamffer and Le Zar Solero 2016 SA Derby Grooms Best Turnout Class Champion: Philemon Gumbo with MIdas Touch Snap Dragon

Clare Marcus and Thatchers Way Thank you to Tack n Togs for the sponsorship and fantastic prizes for all the showing classes at SA Derby

SPOTLIGHT DERBY 2016

Dressage In the dressage, teams have to do two qualifiers to select the top three to compete on Derby day, which is where this competition gets interesting: riders all compete in the selected test on their own horse, but then they are given just three minutes to acclimatise themselves to each of their competitors horses before going back into the ring and performing the same test again on a strange dance partner for the judges. At the end the marks are tallied up, and there is not only a winning rider (who scored the highest marks consistently) but also a winning horse (who gave the best rides to get the best scores). It was so refreshing to see new horse and rider combinations in the dressage arenas alongside veterans such as four-time winner Andrea Harrison, and record nine-time winner Adriaan van Wyk. But ultimately the winner in the Mini-Derby was Jessie Beyers van Eck of Terroughes Equestrian Centre on her own Callaho-bred Furieux, riding in her first ever Derby and not giving in to show pressure against big names! It was inspiring for so many aspiring riders, and we hope to see more of this. As for the big Derby, it was our 2015 winner who took the sash again, Saddle Fitting Special-

ist co-owner and professional rider Siobhan Records. It was a good win for the aspiring riders to see, because there are few people who work harder in the industry than Ms Records, and it is essential for riders to realise the hours of training, gym, lessons, maintenance, and horsemanship that go into winning a title like this. But the crowd-pleaser of the event was the rise of a new horse hero, a little Clydesdale cross Thoroughbred that was bought off of the Kaapsehoop Mountain Trails as a two year old by an accomplished event rider, Patrick Brown, also riding his first dressage Derby – the Wow sponsored Yellowood. The youngest horse to compete in this advanced competition at just seven years old, “Prozac” (as he is affectionately known for his ability to cheer everyone up) gave all three riders spectacular rides and big grins, taking the winning horse sash for the day. It is always a compliment to have trained the winning horse, as it means that as a rider you have produced a quality and amenable athlete for all occasions, and this certainly was the case here – we hope to see more multi-discipline athletes in the future! 2016 Mini Dressage Derby Sponsored by Milmac Horse Feeds 1st Jessie Beyers Van Eck Furieux ~The rider’s CallahoFurieux 2nd Andrea Harrison Socrates ~The rider’s Callaho 3rd Siobhan Recordds ~ The rider’s Equinox Padova 2016 SA Dressage Derby Sponsored by RSR Prospecting and Drilling Services A special thanks to Antoinette Groenewald Dressage for sponsoring a new trophy! 1st Siobhan Records ~ Patrick Brown’s WOW’s Yellowood 2nd Adriaan Van Wyk ~ Siobhan Record’s Rathmor’s Caprice 3rd Patrick Brown ~ Adriaan van Wyk’s Flaneur

Siobhan Record’s Rathmor’s Caprice

Siobhan Records ~ Patrick Brown’s WOW’s Yellowood

Patrick Brown’s WOW’s Yellowood

SPORTLIGHT DERBY 2016

Showjumping Then there is the showjumping Derby... the steep derby bank, the dyke, the St Andrews Cross, these are all things that give big riders the sweats. This course is designed to test the ultimate in a partnership’s bravery, scope, speed, responsiveness, and trust. Many a great showjumper is simply not a Derby prospect for these reasons, and that is exactly what makes it such a thrilling watch – the prospect of the unexpected. Speaking of unexpected, it was another eventer who rocked the boat at this show: 7-time SA champion event rider, WEG SA eventing representative, and horseman-extraordinaire Graeme Winn. Competing in his first ever “big” Derby, Graeme has us all on the edge of our seat with a clear round that put the pressure on the other experienced pureblooded showjumpers! It was a hard order to follow, but three-time winner Nicole Horwood was up for the challenge as ever, showing again

her big match temperament and incredible bond with her Capital Stud bred-and-owned Mark White Nissan’s Capital Don Cumarco, to take the first prize for a fourth year. Runner up, previous winner Lisa Williams and her ride Discovery Campbell (the number one ranked horse in SA showjumping at the moment) just managed to put Graeme and Maxstar Obi Wan Kenobi into third place with a bit more vooma. But, as those of us who have seen Graeme galloping in the country know, next year will be even hotter! And so concludes another year of the ultimate in competition. Horses and riders rising to the top, watching excellence in action, and never forgetting the generosity of spirit that these incredible animals offer us time and time again as we put them through their paces.

Dominey Alexander ~ Armageddon

Chelsey Gertenbach ~ Al Rasario (TB)

2016 Micro-Derby 1.30 Sponsored by Mac Mobile 1. Chelsey Gertenbach ~ Al Rasario (TB) 2. Chris van der Merwe ~ Capital Castigo 3. Stacy Fensham ~ Washington R

2016 Mini-Derby 1.40 Sponsored by Martin Collins 1. Dominey Alexander ~ Armageddon 2. Lara Neill ~ Opiu de Sange 3. Martin Minett ~ Milling Techniks Zonjati Bonny Clyde

Graham Winn ~ Maxstar Obi Wan Kandobi

2016 South African Derby 1.50 Sponsored by Kawena 1. Nicole Horwood ~ Mark White Nissan Capital Don Cumarco 2. Lisa Williams ~ Discovery Campbell 3. Graham Winn ~ Maxstar Obi Wan Kandobi 4. Jeanne Engela ~ Investic Chanel van de Zeshoek 5. Nicola Sime-Riley ~ Fulvic Connoisseur 6. Grant Langley ~ Berlioz Des Hautes Deroits

HILARY HOOFPICK

Hillary Hoofpick

What not to say to your coach Pupil: I know that you are in hospital having reconstructive surgery on your nose but I really need a lesson tomorrow morning.

Pupil: Can you ride my horse for me next week? There is a cold front coming and I don’t like getting out of bed in the early morning when it’s very cold.

Coach: No problem, just give me a few hours to get over the anesthetic.

Coach: Sure, I don’t feel the cold at all and embrace sitting on a horse that’s greatest wish is to see me lying on the ground.

Pupil: Baron von Sprinkaulhasen thinks that I should be in a light seat when I am cantering.

Pupil: I can’t believe that you are going away next weekend, I told you I was going to a show.

Coach: Considering that your horse runs away with you on a regular basis, I think you are asking for trouble.

Coach:This is the only time that I have ever missed one of your shows and you seem to forget everything that I have ever taught you the minute that you ride into the arena so there is really no point in being there.

Pupil: I could not be happier about winning that class. Coach: You were the only one in the class.

Pupil: I watched the Rio olympic eventing on TV and I really don’t think the track looked very big, I could definitely have done some of the jumps.

Pupil: I have a cash flow problem this month so I can’t pay you but will try next month. Coach: I suppose the helicopter that you arrived in for the lesson is your way of cutting costs?

Coach: Considering that you refuse to trot over a small branch that has fallen across the bridle trail, I think there is more chance of hell freezing over.

Pupil: You are so lucky to work outdoors with animals, it must be so rewarding.

Pupil: So I saw that Baron von Sprinkaulhasen (a top coach from Europe ) is out here coaching next month, I have booked 6 lessons with him and will not be able to have any lessons with you next month as money is going to be tight.

Coach: Yes, being outdoors in all weather and never knowing what sort of salary one is going to earn is certainly a rewarding experience. Pupil: Can you ride my horse for me on saturday morning, I like to have a lie in during the weekend because I have to get up early during the week to get to the stables by 8 am.

Coach: Fantastic news, I have never heard of the person and only because they have a name that sounds vaguely European are you booking so many lessons with them.

Coach: It would be such a pleasure, who needs a lie in? Especially when your 8 am lesson is my third one of the morning.

Pupil: During my clinic with Baron von Sprinkaulhasen last month he showed me a video of a stallion that he has been competing on the European circuit. It has olympic bloodlines and he really feels that it is the perfect horse for me. Can you ride my horse next week while I go overseas to try the stallion ?

Pupil: I did not recognise you without a hat on, you look so different! Coach: Yes, underneath the hat and sunglasses lurks a normal person that is not always covered in dust and suffering from sinusitis.

Coach: No problem at all but please can you settle your account with me that has now been outstanding for three months.

Pupil: I have decided to move yards at the end of the month, the new yard has a horse walker, indoor arena and a spa. It is R1750 more expensive than where I am now but I think it’s worth it, and by the way they do not allow outside coaches so I am going to have lessons with the in-house coach there, I am sure you understand don’t you ?

Pupil: I am exhausted after all the practice we have been putting in for the derby. Coach: The grooms handler class does not count as riding at the derby.

HILARY HOOFPICK Pupil: I just feel that I should look at some horses Photograph courtesy of www.gold circle.co.za overseas, we have nothing in this country that is really good enough to go to the top.

Coach: I have just put 5 years of my life getting you and your horse to jump an 80 cm track and am actually quite fond of the horse but it’s really no problem at all.

Coach: And you feel that you are capable of riding a horse that is considered world class?

Pupil: How do I get my horse to prance on the spot, you know when it sort of goes up and down? Like at the olympics.

Pupil: Guess what? I went to an auction this weekend and bought the most amazing horse.

Coach: Considering you can barely trot a 20m circle with your horse in a frame, I can safely say we are light years away from teaching it to piaffe.

Coach: Great news, that horse was being ridden at the auction by one of the best riders around and even he was battling a bit with it. The reason you only paid R150 000 is because it has a reputation longer than my arm and is known at home by the grooms as Mugabe because it destroys everything in its path. I will look forward to riding it for you after it face plants you into a fence.

Pupil: My horse is so talented and loves me so much, I have not ridden for two weeks and look at how well he is going. Coach: Yes, it is all down to the horse loving you and me riding it for two solid weeks (while you were in Europe trying horses) has nothing to do with its way of going at all.

Pupil: Thank you so much for all that you do for my horse and I, I don’t know where I would be without you.

Pupil: Do I have my spurs on the right way round?

Coach: It is such a pleasure, I do this job because I love it and every so often I meet someone who really appreciates and values my opinion.

Coach: Yes, and you would not need spurs if you actually started to use your leg a bit.

DRESSAGE NEWSLETTER

You’ve reached Medium!

Let the games begin … By Brigitte Billings

There are some riders who believe that real dressage doesn’t begin until you reach Medium. Obviously this is up for debate, much like the showjumping adage that a horse isn’t jumping until he faces a metre obstacle. Anyone who’s ever cantered up to a 90cm jump will admit that it’s not for sissies. Likewise, you’ll have found yourself challenged both mentally and physically by many of the tests you’ve ridden till now. The difference with dressage is that although this series of articles has provided a ‘fast-forward’ through the grades, in real terms, your journey to Medium may take you five years. During this time you will certainly have been doing dressage – particularly if you’ve been serious about helping your horse reach this point.

stage. Your horse will not only be fit and supple, but will also have ‘pushing’ power to maintain strong steady gaits, and ‘carrying’ power to engage his hindquarters, lift his forehand and move with grace. You’ve reached the point where you have days that you believe you might actually make it to the Olympics … and then there’ll be days that you feel as ineffectual as you did in Prelim. Because this is riding and horses were designed to keep us humble!

The tough stuff The hard fact of dressage is that not every horse will make it to Medium or beyond. One of the greatest frustrations many riders face is the realisation that they’ve hit a brick wall along the way. It may be a freak accident, a conformational challenge or simply understanding that the pressure is too much for their horse to happily work with. Some of these ‘walls’ are temporary – waiting for an injury to heal, or working at a pace that accommodates your horse’s body or mind. In some instances, this is where the hidden costs of the sport come to play. At the highest levels, riders invest great sums into keeping their horses sound and healthy. Unfortunately, you may also find yourself facing the certainty that you’ve hit your ceiling as a horse-rider partnership. Most will be happy to continue their riding relationship without pushing for more, but for a rider with a competitive streak, this can be a huge dilemma. If you’re fortunate, you’ll be in a position to buy a new horse and keep your old friend too. However, the costs of keeping horses can be prohibitive. If this is the case, bear in mind that South Africa is sorely lacking in schoolmasters and a well-schooled horse can be an absolute gem for another rider who plans to go through the lower grades. As long as horses are sold with full disclosure of reasons for sale, there is no shame in finding your horse an excellent new home.

The tests Once again, there are seven Medium tests – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 with a Freestyle. In addition to your double bridle and spurs, you may have graduated to riding in tails. In the past, top hats were another marker of reaching the higher levels, however with safety awareness on the rise, most opt to keep their hard hats. While you’ll be riding many of the moves introduced in the previous levels, now judges will be looking for greater accuracy and more extreme angles in the lateral work. There will also be attention to regularity and activity – each gait should be equally expressive, regardless of degree of collection. A collected canter is not simply a slow canter – it should have the same power and activity as an extended canter, simply without covering as much ground. Judges will also expect to see a horse who is correctly positioned and uphill in his movement. Even when riding a downward transition, there should be a sense that the horse gearing down, rather than slamming on brakes or flopping out of the gait. This will definitely become clear to you when you start to ride tests that either begin or end with a collected canter to a halt at X. In fact, canter work becomes pivotal in Medium, with many tests focusing largely on this gait, incorporating 10m circles, half-pass and flying changes. If you’re reading this as a Novice rider, it may be startling to think that there’ll be a time when you can expect your horse to do an entire lesson in canter – but such is the beauty of dressage that with correct training, he will be quite ready for it.

Fred and Ginger By this stage, you and your horse probably know each other as well as old dance partners; you’ll literally be joined at the hip as your seat aids become the mainstay of your communication channels. One of the things you may notice about the Medium tests is that they’re longer than the previous grades – six and a half minutes may not seem like a lot, but when you consider the amount of physical strength required for the movements you’ll be riding, as well as the sheer number of moves in each test, it will become clear that strength and fitness are not negotiable at this

Next month we’ll look at the Advanced classes. Want to try it out? Recreational membership is free! Visit www.dressagesa.com for contact information.

PORTRAIT

A neat rider and his neat pony Photography by Neville Bailey

By Colleen Mulrooney Equilife chatted to Jason Slade about his 2016 equitation success, while his mom, Di, provided the interesting anecdotes. How old were you when you started riding, and how old are you now? Jason: Just after I was born Mom used to hold me while she sat on her old horse Desert Island. I was five years old when I started doing the lead rein classes and I started riding properly again two years ago, I am now 12. How long had you been riding before you became seriously competitive? I started on a school pony called Snoepja at Riba Stables, before I got my first pony, Nala. Now I ride My Irish Boy, aka Laddie, who I’ve competed on for the last 18 months. CSW Photography

Have you had any experiences that weren’t great that you’d like to share with us?

Which means being organised. I focus on the good times I’ve had with my pony, there hasn’t really been one day where I didn’t want to ride.

My parents leased a pony for me when I started riding off-lead. When we went to try him, my Dad literally had to drag him around the garden so my parents thought he was perfect. When he came home and I started hacking him out, he would buck every time I cantered. I came off a good few times and didn’t enjoy that very much!

How has show jumping influenced your riding? Jumping the bigger fences has helped improve my accuracy in equitation. My recovery time is faster. Equitation has made me a much neater and effective rider. School holidays are the best because I’m allowed to sit on the ‘big horses’ – our team of open horses that Jonathan Clarke competes for us. I sometimes have lessons with Jono. I have jumped all five of our open horses, even our stallion Hummer, which was amazing!

Who are you currently having lessons with? Tamar Gliksman at Farnham is my jumping instructor and Mrs Bolton is my equitation instructor. What is the best advice you’ve been given and implemented, and what was the result?

Sitting on well schooled horses and jumping with Jono has helped me feel what things should feel like.

Tamar says: “What goes through your brain, goes through your reins.”

What are the major equitation titles you’ve won so far?

For me that means if I’m thinking negative thoughts, like if my pony can’t do what I want him to, then he’s not going to do it. If he can sense that I’m under pressure, then he won’t do what I ask him to.

SA Pony Rider Intermediate Champs, Gauteng Pony Rider Intermediate Champs and the Victor Ludorum of the Mark White Nissan Equitation Super League Series 2016 – Pony Rider Intermediate. How did come to focus on equitation?

My other best advice is from my mom: “Always have your mojo!”

PORTRAIT CSW Photography

know it off by heart. I talk about it during dinner, even though everyone looks at me!

How did you come to focus on equitation? Jason: Laddie moved home and I started having flat work lessons with Mrs Bolton. One day my mom came home with the test book and said: “How would you like to go to your first equitation show?”

I make sure I have everything I need: like my beige breeches, a different numnah to jumping, and clean tack and I make sure I know my riding order. How do you approach each aspect of the test when you’re in the arena?

Di: He’s been doing equitation with Mrs Bolton since March this year.

As I’m about to finish one movement, I look around and see where Mrs B has told me to go, so I’m always thinking and planning ahead.

There’s a noticeable difference between equitation and show jumping, where the latter only requites a clear, fast round. Equitation requires strategy and planning. What made you think you could tackle the discipline successfully?

How do you feel about riding without stirrups? Jason: I think my position is much better when I don’t have stirrups. I can’t get up Laddie’s neck, so it helps with his balance too. It’s strengthened my core muscles and made me a better rider.

When I was jumping the 80cm classes on my pony Nala, I realised that a lot of the competitors were only riding to go clear, which I guess is what showjumping is really about. Equitation teaches you to ride properly and have control of your pony. It’s not just about how fast you can go – it’s about neatness and discipline and thinking about your test and how to ride it too.

During a round at the Maple Ridge Youth Spring Extravaganza, I came around a corner into the last line and I lost one of my stirrups. I jumped the rest of the course with one stirrup because there wasn’t time to find the other one.

Mom: He’s quite an organised kid, for a boy of his age, I’m impressed with how neat and tidy he is, so I would say that shows in how he approaches his equitation.

Mom, Di: He jumps a line ending in a 1.20 vertical much better without stirrups! Do you have any tips for the readers on how to manage riding without stirrups?

Is there any aspect of equitation you prefer over another?

My cricket coach told me: It’s not practise that makes perfect, it’s perfect practise makes perfect. That means if you practise the wrong thing, you’re going to end up doing it wrong.

Riding the other ponies is a lot of fun. Swapping ponies really does test the rider’s ability. Have you faced any challenges with this aspect?

Relaxing in the saddle and going with the movement of your pony, in the correct rhythm, means you won’t bounce around as much. Go with the flow.

During the Derby Pony Rider competition, I rode a very lazy pony who was reluctant to go anywhere! Which aspect of equitation do you struggle with the most? Mom: Keeping his toes in! How do you prepare for competitions? I pack everything and get organised, I couldn’t do it without my mom. I go over my test and ride it with Mrs B. I mentally go over it, because I have to

CSW Photography

PORTRAIT Who are you competing on now?

and let me collect my work if I have a show on a school day. I’ll either write any tests before or after my show. Riding doesn’t really interfere with my school work. I study in the horse box in between classes or on the way to shows, if they are out of province.

My Irish Boy, aka Laddie. He’s 12, the same age as me. How would you describe your connection with Laddie?

What are your riding goals for the future?

We have a great connection. I can call him from anywhere on the property and he’ll come and find me. I don’t mind when he plays around on outrides, he’s a real character. I sit on him bareback in the stable while he eats his hay. I feel privileged to have him as my pony. He takes me underneath the branches of the mulberry trees where we eat the berries together.

My short term goal is to win the Pony Rider Open Equitation Champs and and successfully jump 1.20m with Laddie next year. Long term, I want to jump 1.50m and win SA Champs. My aim is to ride as well as Jonathan Clarke, because he is an amazing rider, and my role model.

I hack out with my Mom and Dad and he does the same outrides and track work as the big horses, he just walks faster than any of them!

The essence of equitation “Riders are judged on their performance, control of the horse, correct and effective use of the aids and a light, steady contact with their horse’s mouth at all times.

We really have fun together. When it’s competition time, he has big match temperament and he knows when its work time. I really believe he enjoys jumping and he has taught me so much. He’s my best friend.

A good equitation rider is one who is always in balance with the horse, maintaining a correct position relative to the movement they are performing and who possesses a commanding, relaxed presence, being able to direct the horse with seemingly invisible aids. Over fences, the rider should maintain an even, forward pace and meet each fence at an appropriate distance.

Who is on your support team and how do they help you out? My mom obviously, and my sister who hacks out Laddie on the days I’m unable to ride. My dad pays for everything – thanks Dad! We all work together. Willie, Laddie’s groom is part of the team too and my team mates at Farnham are great – we all support each other at shows. Normally Tam walks the course with me and helps me warm up. If she can’t make it, Dayle or my Mom will help me.

The goal of equitation is to educate, set a standard of correct horsemanship nationally and to give exposure at a grass roots level to as many instructors and young riders as possible.” www.saeqa.co.za

How do you fit in school work and riding? My teachers are understanding (thanks teachers!),

SHOWJUMPING

TURF DIARIES

A Wander Down Turffontein’s Memory Lane By Ashleigh Huges (Love Racing) In July 2016, Turffontein Racecourse was awarded a prestigious Blue Plaque, by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation. Their vision is to preserve and protect our rich and varied heritage of Johannesburg and its associated social history, for the use and enjoyment of both current and future generations.

lies who settled in the area. Abraham Smit owned the original farm called Turffontein, and in 1886, Paul Andries Ras, a descendant of another one of original settler families, bought the farm, when a rich gold reef was discovered in the area. The “gold rush” began in earnest by then, and much of the farm was pegged off by prospectors for mining. This new influx of people started to settle in shacks in what is now the Joburg CBD, and fortunes were made literally overnight, as the rich gold resources were extracted all over the area. With this burgeoning new wealth, gambling was a very popular past time, and with horseracing being already popular in many other mining towns, it was a natural progression for it to start in the new settlement too. The original racecourse had its finishing line roughly where the intersection of Eloff and Commisioner Streets is today, and the first Johannesburg Handicap over 2 miles was run on 17 June1887 - the winner had the rather ironic name of “Second”!

” Of course my curiosity was piqued and a bit of research into the history of the racecourse, and surrounding areas, started me on an incredible journey back in time, into the history of horseracing in Johannesburg, and how it was thoroughly intertwined with the very beginnings of our beloved “City Of Gold”. The name of the racecourse is often mistakenly thought to be associated with the grass surface that the horses race on, but the name goes back way further than the beginnings of horseracing. All the way back, in fact, to the original settlers from the Great Trek in 1938. When translated directly from old Afrikaans, Turffontein means “clay fountain”. It is listed as one of the original 20 settlers farms on the Witwatersrand, on the monument erected in 1988, to honour those first fami-

The popularity of racing in the new mining town grew significantly in just a few months, and in 1888, under the guidance of the very first president of the Johannesburg Turf Club, Captain Carl von Brandis, a new site was found just a few miles away, on the farm called Turffontein. Directly opposite the main entrance to the racecourse in Turf Club Street, is a Street called Von Brandis, named in honour of the

TURF DIARIES Captain who was so instrumental in the setup of this new racecourse. The Town Deep mine (later called the Village Deep) was also leasing a significant portion of the now Ras owned farm, and to this day the mining tunnels run deep underground, almost 1.5km under the racecourse. December 1888 saw the very first running of the Summer Handicap, which in its current form as the Gr1 Sansui Summer Cup over 2000m, is Turffontein’s premier racing event.

served when the new grandstand was built in 1974, and they are still easily recognisable as the main feature of the entire grandstand.

The enormous stakes offered at these early racemeetings attracted horses from all over the country, and Turffontein very soon became the hub of horseracing not only in Johannesburg, but in the entire country. But in 1899, the darkest period of Turffontein’s history began. The Anglo-Boer War broke out, which caused the indefinite postponement of many races, and the British designated the racecourse as a suitable site for what would become the biggest concentration camp on the Witwatersrand. Over 5000 Boer women and children were interred on the site, and even though there was an adequate water supply at the nearby Wemmer Pan, the conditions in the camp were atrocious. The British listed over 700 deaths in the camp, which was run from 1899 to 1902, and the bodies were buried on the nearby Kliprivier Berg farm, just 5 miles away. That site, known today as the Suideroord Concentration Camp Memorial, has a vast area dedicated to remember the people who died at the Turffontein concentration camp. The 150 year Great Trek Commemoration Memorial is also on this site.

There is also a training facility at Turffontein, split into 2 sections. The newer wooden stables were built to accommodate the trainers moved from Newmarket and Gosforth Park, when those courses were closed down and sold. The brick barns and yards are much older though, and construction on these buildings was completed in 1979. But the training tracks in the centre of the racecourse have been around nearly as long as they have been racing there. Up until the barns were completed, trainers had their yards in the neighbouring suburbs. Their horses walked down the tar roads, to the training tracks, and gained access through a gate, opposite the intersection Of Turf Club and High Streets. Gary Alexander and Ormond Ferraris are the only two current trainers still at the training centre, who have been there since the brick stable yards were originally built. Gary’s induna Boyi Mbele, and Mr Ferraris’s induna John Sebeko have both been with their employers since they first moved into the training centre. Both Boyi and John are very close to retirement, but you’d be hard pressed to find two more competent horsemen – I’ve asked for their sage advice on many occasions! Boyi Mbele

When the war ended in 1902, it was back to business, as usual, for the Johannesburg Turf Club, but this time they had competition from a number of other turf clubs, which had sprung up in Auckland Park, Germiston (Gosforth Park), as well as in Benoni and Pretoria. Over the next two decades, Turffontein grew from strength to strength, and when the Prince Of Wales (Later King Edward VIII) did a countrywide tour in 1925, a decision was made to move a racemeeting from Auckland Park to Turffontein, as the new facilities were more suitable for a Royal Visit. The new grandstand was a very impressive 3 story structure. There was a vast staired viewing area from the ground level, leading up to a very elaborately decorated first floor viewing area. The two rounded balconies were beautifully pre-

TURF DIARIES

Gary’s father Duncan Alexander got his trainer’s licence in the late 1970’s, after an illustrious career as a jockey. His stable yard was just 800m from the racecourse, next to the Turffontein Post Office in Stanton Road. The stables are still standing, with the corrugated iron reinforced walls still in place, although they are now used as a storage space and low cost housing. There are various other stable yards throughout the residential suburbs, which have all been repurposed, but are still the original structures – the building techniques of yesteryear have really stood up to the test of time. In 1980, the Alexander yard moved to the newly built stables, and Gary took out his own licence in 1982. He recalls horses having to walk to Gosforth Park to race. If they raced at the Vaal, they had to walk the horses down to the Springfield train station, to catch the train to Vereeniging to race! There was a gate on the north east side of the course, near the 1400m mark, allowing horses to walk down to the nearby Wemmer Pan, to take a swim or cool their legs. The stories of days of yore, are absolutely fascinating, and it is quite remarkable how things have changed in recent times.

the country. It is a 2800m clockwise turf oval, with a 1200m chute for straight races. Around the turn, between the 1400m and 800m marks, there is a sharp rise which has a 1:15m gradient, and is known as the “Turffontein Hill”. It has caught many a new jockey out, if they allow their mounts to stride to freely up that hill! The newer Inside Course was completed in late 2002, and has a tighter turn, and a much shorter straight, very much like the now defunct Gosforth Park. Racemeetings alternate between the two courses, to allow time for the turf to recover. When Newmarket Racecourse in Alberton closed down in 2005, night racing was transferred to Turffontein, and it is a tremendous way to spend a Tuesday night in the summer. There are various restaurants which cater for all pockets on racedays, which have traditionally been Saturdays since the inception on the racecourse, and it is a most delightful family outing on a weekend afternoon. The next two major racemeetings are The Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile Raceday, on Saturday 5 November, and the Sansui Summer Cup on Saturday 26 November. Restaurant bookings and general enquiries can be made through Isizwe Hostpitality on 011 681 1702.

Another fascinating site within the racecourse itself, is a small graveyard next to the irrigation dam, in the centre of the tracks. Four of the very best horses to ever race at Turffontein are buried there: Caradoc, Furious, Beau Art and Aquanaut. Each gravestone has a brass plate with their racing achievements displayed – a lovely tribute to these special racehorses. All four horses have restaurants named after them in the Turffontein grandstand, and both Caradoc and Beau Art were also Lead Horses for racedays, leading out the youngsters onto the track for each race. The original Standside racecourse, is regarded by many as the best turf surface and fairest course in

Dear Riders, Stud- and Yard Owners, Horse Owners, Managers, Trainers, Farriers, Medical Practitioners and Grooms, In collaboration with Mistico Equestrian Centre,

organized by Zentrum fĂźr Pferde- und Hufgesundheit International Podiatry Services by Paul Hellmeier, In co-operation with the South African Association of Professional Farriers,

present to you a one-of-its-kind INTERNATIONAL Event featuring

Dr. Andrew Gray (Veterinary Surgeon) from South Africa on Functional Anatomy of the Equine Distal Limb, Ray Knightley (Farrier) from England on Trimming and Placement of Shoes to the Bone Axis / EponaShoe System, Dr. Hans Casteljins (Veterinarian & D.V.M. certified farrier) from Italy on Shoeing for different Disciplines (Racing, jumping, dressage, polo), Mark Caldwell (Hall-of-Fame farrier) from England on Correct Hoof trimming, Paul Hellmeier (Farrier / Member of BFBA/AAPF) from Germany on A New Dimension in Hoof Care This is for anyone interested in the horses health and feet. There will be theory in the morning and practical demonstrations in the afternoon by both local and international vets, farriers and therapists. Snacks and Refreshments will be provided. R150 a ticket DATE: Saturday, 26 November 2016 TIME: 9:00am LOCATION: Mistico Equestrian Centre (R312, Paarl, Cape Town)

Directions: (From Cape Town) Head north on the N1 direction Paarl, take Exit 39 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Stellenbosch/Klipheuwel/ R304. Turn left on to R304 towards Klipheuwel. After 6.5km, turn right at the big 4-way stop on to R312. In 5.3km, Mistico Equestrian Centre will be on your right hand side.

If you would like to purchase tickets, kindly contact nikki.g89@hotmail.com

We hope to see you at this enlightening, once-in-a-life-time event in South Africa!

A GROOMS INSIGHT

A GENTLE HAND.... By Sikhangele Mbambo

One of the lesser known special events at this year’s Derby was the presentation of long service certificates. We caught up with one of the recipients, Thembelani Mabhena, a very soft spoken gentleman, who has been a groom for the Bowyers for most of his working life. The 39 year old gentleman is originally from Zimbabwe. He first became a groom in his country of birth, at the young age of 18, for Gill Davis where he looked after 7 horses. He left because of the continually plunging economy of Zimbabwe, looked to Botswana for a better job opportunity and this is where he met the Bowyers who were then based there and has since been their family groom. How long have you been a groom?: 21 years Tell me a bit about yourself : I am 39 years old, Zimbabwean, married and a father of 2. My children, a girl 14 and a boy 4, both live back home with my mother. My wife is here for a short while, working part time but she is going back home in December.

cerne. They also get Complete (Equifox) At 3pm the other 2 horses come in and I groom them all. Supper is served at 5pm and all horses are settled down for the night. At 8pm before I go to bed I check all their water and make sure everything is alright.

What did you do before becoming a groom?: I have always been a groom, first in Zimbabwe for 2 years, then in Botswana for 2 years and I moved with the family when they came to South Africa.

Do you have any riding experience?:

How did you get into grooming?:

Yes, I rode for a short while when I was 18. nothing serious, just walking around and I enjoyed it.

My very first job was as a groom in Zimbabwe for Gill Davis, I was 18 years old then.

Would you like to take your knowledge of grooming a step further?:

Why did you leave Zimbabwe?:

I would have loved to do a few courses when I was younger but now I think it’s too late for me. I am too old.

I left because of the economy was bad. What has been the highlight of your job?:

Do you think a horse understands verbal communication?:

I received a long service award from my employers at the Derby show. I have been with them for almost 15 years.

Definitely, one of my horses, Ascot Wonderland has serious trust issues, I don’t know what happened to him when he was younger but he gets very aggressive when someone just approaches him. When I approach him, I talk to him softly and he calms down very quickly.

Describe a day in the life of a groom: At 7am, I start by checking the water from the night before and replacing it. Everyday I lunge 2 horses on a rotational basis unless I am given a special request to lunge an extra one. I give them all grass and take them out then I go for my breakfast. When I come back I clean all the stables till 12pm when I bring 4 of the horses inside for lunch. The other 2 stay out for a while longer (their owner prefers it that way), then they all get their lunch. Their meal consists of Alzu 13% meal, teff and lu-

Can you immediately see if something wrong is wrong with your horses?: I have been working with them for a long while so I know when one of them is not well from the moment I enter the stables in the morning. We are lucky that none of them have ever been seriously ill.

A GROOMS INSIGHT What do you think are the characteristics of a good groom?:

you care for your horses?: I always do my best,I hope my employers would tell me if there was anything more that I needed to do.

For me, knowing your horse is very important, understanding their different characteristics. Get your horses to trust you and always be careful around them.

How do you prepare a horse before a competition?:

What has been the best venue for shows in your travels so far?:

The night before the show, I shampoo the horse with Equifox Silky n Soft shampoo and make sure that it is well groomed. I always plait my horses in the morning before the show. I make sure they get Untye, which is good for their muscles because they jump and one of my horses Carl also gets given Redcell.

We have traveled to Blouberg in Polokwane and Revil in Shongweni. I enjoyed Shongweni and would love to go back again. We were treated really nicely at both venues. We sleep in the truck when we are away. We were given food in Blouberg and cooked for ourselves in Shongweni.

How would you improve the life of a groom?:

What did you like most about going away?:

Respect is earned and should be given both ways. I witnessed a groom being shouted at one show and the same thing to the same groom at another show. It didn’t sit well with me. I also think it would be in everyone’s best interest if a groom had a basic grooms’ course when they start their job. Medical and life insurance would also be great as this is dangerous work.

I have not traveled much, this is a good chance for me see the country. I also meet other grooms and learn about their lifestyles. What are the characteristics of a good horse?: A good horse has a calm personality, it does not spook easily. How do you tell a horse is in a bad mood?:

How would you describe a good relationship between a horse and rider?:

Always look at the ears, they tell you if a horse is cross. The way that it stands can also tell you a lot about its mood. If its pawing the ground, you had better be careful

The rider should be brave and put more confidence and trust in their horse. If the horse is treated well, it will always perform best.

What horse food do you know?:

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?:

Teff, lucerne and Alzu meal.

I would like to be back home with my family, watching my children grow because I have missed out on a lot.

Do you think the type of food fed a horse affects its behavior?:

How do you deal with a difficult horse?:

Yes, a lot.

I try and let the horse knows that I know what I am doing and I am not going to harm it.

Have you ever tasted any of the food eaten by your horse?: Yes, when I was in Zimbabwe we used to eat these sweet cubes that were made by a company called Agrifoods. If you had the financial capacity, would you own a horse?: No, I would use it to send my kids to better schools. When horses are sick do you think they appreciate human comfort?: Everyone needs comfort when they are not well, even horses. Is there anything you would improve in the way

Ingrid Owen Sportography

Protein Panic

STABLE VIEWS

By Hannah Botha - MSC Equine Science (Royal Agricultural College UK) Of everything to do with equine nutrition, protein is often the most misunderstood. Many often assume it provides energy, however, protein’s main function is actually to provide amino acids (the building blocks of bones, muscles, and soft tissues) for growth and repair. It does not make your horse hot! So how do I know which amino acids my horse needs?

One reason why some horses may seem hot on higher protein feeds, for example Lucerne hay , is that the energy and protein levels are both higher than average hays. If you add extra Lucerne, yes you are adding extra protein but you are also adding extra energy. If you horse doesn’t require this extra energy, its likely he could become “fizzy’’ or “hot”.

Amino acids can be divided into two groups:

How Much Is Enough?

• Non-essential – these are amino acids that the horse can synthesize himself.

So what is the correct amount of protein for a horse? Continued research changes that

• Essential – these are the amino acids the horse must obtain them from his diet.

answer all the time, but there are some general guidelines. The amount of crude protein needed

A good quality protein source provides a sufficient amount of these essential amino acids, particularly the amino acids lysine and methionine.

in the diet depends on the needs of the individual horse (the most pivotal question being whether

Thus when selecting feed, it is more useful to compare the amino acid levels between feeds rather than simply their protein percentages.

the animal is still growing), the digestibility or “availability” of the protein, and the amount of feed consumed.

Can my horse get too much or too little?

You might be surprised to hear that if you feed the correct levels of hay and provide enough grazing, this can often provide enough protein to cover the average horse’s needs. This means that when selecting a concentrate, you don’t need to select the highest level of protein, but rather just the correct energy level. For the average horse a level of 9-10% Protein is more than adequate.

Horses that receive inadequate amounts of protein in their diets can suffer a number of ill effects, including decreased growth and development in youngsters, reduced appetite, body tissue weight loss, slow hoof growth, and a poor hair coat with reduced shedding in adults.

However, for horses which do not receive adequate hay/grazing or those that need additional concentrates for condition or work, a protein percentage of around 11-13% (100-130g per kg of feed) would be adequate.

Muscle deterioration, especially in the large muscle groups of the hindquarters, also might be evident, and some horses may begin eating manure. More common, and equally damaging, is an excess of protein in the diet. Signs can include decreased athletic performance, increased urination, increased water intake, strong ammonia smell within the stable and there is also some evidence that excess protein can interfere with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in weanlings.

Broodmares from the fifth month on, and during the first three months of lactation, will need a protein percentage of around 13-16% (130g-160g per kg of feed) However some individuals may need more or less depending on individual circumstances. These levels should always be treated as a guideline, and you should ask a qualified nutritionist to review your individual horse and advise accordingly.

But why does my horse seem hot on higher protein feeds/hay? Protein can serve as an energy source however metabolically this is an expensive and largely inefficient process, meaning the horses body prefers to use other sources of energy long before it uses protein.

EVENTING

Kurland’s SA Eventing Champs 2016

Photography courtesy G Photography

Winner Colin Hallaby and Wow Safwan

The South African Individual Eventing Championships, which took place for the first time at Kurland in the Western Cape, saw an extremely successful show come to a close on 18 September 2016. Balula. They have been really inspired and I must say, inspiring.”

The Western Cape for the first time held the South African Individual Eventing Championships in the region on the picturesque Kurland Hotel and Spa estate. Taking place from 16-18 September 2016, the event, sponsored by Nedbank Private Wealth, had a jam-packed schedule that more than made up for the somewhat awry weather over the weekend. Thursday, 15 September, saw guests and participants arrive, and opened with a talk by renowned international course designer Eric Winter. Not only has he been shortlisted to design the eventing track for the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, but he is also the new course designer for Badmington in the UK – not to mention the overseeing designer on Kurland’s 2* FEI courses.

Friday, 16 September, saw dressage taking place against a stormy backdrop.

“It has been great working in SA,” Winter says, “The people are so enthusiastic and have an amazing passion for the sport of eventing. Kurland is a very special place. It is set in the most breathtaking natural surroundings. The actual slopes and dips of the fields, alongside the large expansive flat areas of the polo pitches make it a very interesting place for a cross country course. I have been working alongside a group of very talented designers: Graham Winn, Jacki Cherry and Andile

Reports from attendees, riders and sponsors alike have been positive, with Sarah Arnot, President of the Western Cape Eventing Association (WCEA) saying that despite tough weather conditions on cross country day, the tracks rode really well. “Very few venues could have run in those conditions, but the ground at Kurland held up. We were rewarded with glorious sunshine on Sunday for an exciting showjumping finish at all levels.

EVENTING Winner Colin Hallaby and Wow Safwan

Renowned Gauteng rider Colin Hallaby and WOW Safwan were the champions of the day, taking home the Winner’s Trophy – The Whitbread Cup and The Yazoo Ranger Floating Trophy for highest placed Thoroughbred. “I’d like to give a huge thank you to the Kurland team for making this experience one in a lifetime,” Hallaby says, “If one was to win SA Champs, this is the place to do it! I’m still on cloud nine and will be for a long time to come. I’ll be back defending my title next year, that’s for certain!”

Major sponsors of the South African Individual Eventing Championships were Nedbank Private Wealth, Plett Polo, Porcupine Ridge, Equibox, Humbaur, Bella Matata By Dominique Thoenes, Tiletoria, Kurland Hotel & Spa, Trueb Construction, The Write Shoppe, Film & Event Media, G Photography, Tamodi Lodge, Bramon Wine Estate, The Miszewski Family, Marilyn Chaplin, Mike & Paulette Doo, Sunshine Coast Eventing, and DGIT Media.

Nedbank Private Wealth was a headline sponsor for the first time this year, with Richard Mulholland saying that it was “an incredible three days”. “I believe that the partnership has resulted in significant benefits for everyone: for the eventing community, the infrastructure at Kurland was elevated to international standards, and the experience of the riders, their families, grooms, and coaches was taken to new heights,”

Class 1-14 sponsors of the show were (in order of appearance) D360 Solutions, Farmers Choice Estate Agency, Redford Lane Wines, Giraffe View Safari Camp, Sunrise Productions (in honour of Tatooine Legacy), Nedbank Private Wealth, Kurland Hotel & Spa, Cape Vet Equine Practice, Trogon House and Forest Spa, C3 Food Services, TAC Horse Transport, Ocean Blue Adventures, The Moyle Family, and The Quinlan Family.

EVENTING Prize sponsors for the Championships were Africanyon, Face Adrenalin, Giraffe View Safari Camp, Equine Librium, The Table, Ocean Blue Adventures, Down to Earth, Plett Game Reserve, and Glow Lighting.

About Kurland Eventing: Kurland Eventing is hosted by the Kurland Estate in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape. The eventing course is designed by internationally acclaimed Eric Winter, and is a world-class equestrian experience providing aspiring riders as well as FEI star-rated riders with the opportunity to further hone their skills by riding this challenging international track. For more information, email kurlandhorseshows@gmail. com. To see the full results of the weekend, please visit the Kurland Eventing Facebook page on www.facebook.com/kurlandeventing.

As the first time the Western Cape has hosted this calibre of eventing, Show Director Lance Gibbons says it was much bigger than initially anticipated. “It was hugely rewarding and I think what makes it this rewarding is that it was received so well by riders and spectators,” he explains. “People genuinely loved what we put on and all left singing our praises after having a spectacular weekend. It is a destination that for some is a really long way to travel, and the fact that people valued it so much is really very exciting and encouraging for us to continue growing Kurland as the great eventing destination we want it to be.”

Kurland SA Eventing Championships 2016 Results Nedbank Private Wealth’s CCI** SA Eventing Champs 1 2 3 4 5

WOW’s Safwan - Colin Hallaby Saratoga Dublin’s Dancer - Nathalie Lugard Danzig”s Spirit - Linda Squair On Tap’s Ayers Rock - Francois Viljoen Voigtskirch Senator - Graham Winn

Kurland Hotel’s CIC** 1 Kankowski - Katherine Keller 2 Pohlands Molecule - Janine Chanarin 3 Return Gift - Roxanne Massaro 4 Pohlands Watchword - Megan Cunningham Cape Vet Equine Practise’s CCI* SA Mini Champs 1 She’s a Rebel - Julie Bennet 2 On Q for Gold - Coreen Barker 3 Fight for Freedom - Sarah-Jane Paviour

1 Eagles Lyric Molly - Gregory 2 Integrity’s Promise - Holly Hayward 3 Moonlight Gambler - Yolande Jonas TAC Horse Transport’s Pony Riders 80cm 1 Sugar Boy - Katherine Ward 2 Fortune Cookie - Sofia Reggio Ocean Blue’s Adult 70cm 1 Ultra Montani GI Valkyrie - Ashley King 2 Callaho Lisandor - Claudia Cloete 3 Holeshot Nickleback - Sarah Wallace 4 Rasheeka Raja - Julie Ward The Moyle Family’s Junior 70cm

D360’s Adult 1m 1 Pohlands Magician - Mandy Mason 2 Singita - Mandy Mason 3 Moonfire - Kerry Durston Farmers Choice Estate Agency’s Junior 1m 1 Il Dottore - Mia Rebula Redford Lane Wines Adult 90cm

Tatooine Legacy’s Pony Riders 90cm 1 Tayeebah - Molly Gregory Trogon House & Forest Spa’s Adult 80cm 1 Carribea Bay - Tarryn de Witt 2 Font Oblix - Alison Smith 3 Radio Star - Inge Silen 4 Orinoco Flow - Nikki Thurgood 5 Equifeeds Just Al - Mirella Vrolijk 6 Four by Four - Paulette Doo 7 Awesome News - Savannah Gierke 8 Orion’s Star - Maryke Marais C3 Food Services Junior 80cm

1 American Idol - Tamarynd Seeley 2 Callaho Filipe - Sarah Arnot 3 Lucido - Caroline Seton 4 Gondor Uber Rouge - Michelle Winn 5 Southcross Andromeda - Dominique Thoenes 6 Gemmology - Nicola Moodie 7 WOW’s Cockney Cowboy - Peter Evans Giraffe View Safari Camp’s Junior 90cm 1 Roll Right Up - Xisca Taylor 2 Lady Tori - Jessica Rushmere

1 Weathertalk - Matthew Oosthuisen 2 Ganador - Lily Jamieson The Quinlan Family’s Pony Riders 70cm 1 Chelsea - Daisy Rodmell 2 Tatooine Legacy - Grace Quinlan

Equine Hydrotherapy Spa For the Treatment of: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Tendon Injuries Soft-tissue Damage Ligament Damage Fractures Strains Sore Shins Splints Joint Inflammation Laminitis Flesh Wounds Abscesses Arthritis Hoof Related Problems Injury Prevention pre and post Competion

Contact: Tammy Cell: 060 355 5929 • Email: tammyventer256@gmail.com 36 2 km from Zambezi (Sefako Makgatho) Drive Kameeldrift East Pretoria, On Moloto Highway M573,

ENDURANCE

Sandymount Express 1000

There are endurance rides and then there is Sandymount Express By Leandri van der Vyver • Photograph by Photo Pixel Art Three years ago the team from Sandymount Park put their heads together and launched a non-competitive ride that is slowly getting traction and gaining the reputation of the ultimate endurance ride. In a nutshell the challenge is to ride 1000km over 8 days. That is 125km per day in the saddle, for eight days. Not only is the distance and time in the saddle gruelling, it all takes place on the demanding Fauresmith landscape. The toughest South African Endurance event by far, characterised by team spirit and a touch of madness. To learn more we followed Lize Labuschagne, a competitive young rider from the Western Cape, with many big races under her belt and no stranger to wearing the Green and Gold. Lize matriculated last year and decided to do a Gap year in 2016 where she works half day and then trains in the afternoons. “I wanted to make this my competitive horse riding year and I have been giving it 100%”. When I asked her what made her decide to enter she explained she wasn’t initially planning to do so. “With my Rocking the Daisies tickets in hand I asked myself when will I have the time, fitness and horses again to participate in this ride. It is a ride that I would want to do someday and I felt as ready as one could be after a busy competitive year.”

With quite a few horses that have been actively on the track throughout the year, Lize explains that the horses were prepared and that the biggest challenge would be to get their post Western Cape winter feet ready for the hard Free State terrain. The ride requires you to swap out horses after every 40km leg, and so she opted to take three of her experienced horses and four of her younger horses. “My reasoning is to give the youngsters some valuable exposure in a calm environment and have the older ones look after me. The terrain also varies, so I need horses for the flat smooth tracks and horses that suite the mountainous terrain better. My plan is to mix and match the horses based on the terrain and temperament, and rest them accordingly. “

ENDURANCE during day 2 and eventually the knees as well, but that she suffered none of the chaffing and blisters that hampered the other riders. The infamous day 3 and 4 turned out to be good days for Lize and she described day 6 and 7 as her toughest days “it was so incredibly hot and I felt finished. “ As any good rider would Lize could not stop talking about her horses and how this ride enabled her to learn so much more about them. “What surprised me was that my novice horses actually performed better. The pace was a relaxed 12 – 16kmph, we didn’t want to go too fast and risk injury, but also not too slow as then the day got very long. Since the novice horses have not been exposed to a competitive race pace, they just quietly got on with it, where my competitive horses did not quite understand the slower pace. This meant that I changed tactics to start my day on a novice horse so I can warm up and settle, rather than fight with a runaway first thing in the morning!”

Although hosted by the team from Sandymount Park, the race was still based at the Fauresmith show grounds, always a welcome boost to the small town. Lize described the atmosphere as very relaxed, but with a strong sense of anticipation and excitement. “I am a little nervous at the unknown parts and I have been told that day 3 and 4 are the worst as you are so tired by then, you fall off from the slightest spook or stumble from your horse.” Nine riders signed up for the challenge with a number of other riders attempting the shorter 500 and 750km challenge.

Riders all agreed that the biggest challenge of the ride is to stay focused and concentrate. You do not want to fall, the ground is hard and unforgiving and you are guaranteed to either end your race there or be in serious discomfort for the rest of the ride.

On Saturday 1 October a nervous bunch of riders set off with the kilometre counter sitting at a daunting 0kms. We followed social media with bated breath and fingers crossed that no rider or horse gets eliminated. For this ride there is the customary Vet Check after each loop and should your horse not pass this vetting the horse is eliminated, but you may re-ride the loop on another horse. Even though that is good news it does mean a lonely ride by yourself for the rest of the day. The WhatsApp’s and posts got fewer as the days carried on, but the following Saturday all 9 riders completed the 1000km with no major incident or injury along the way.

“I made sure I talked to my horses, kept their attention with half-halts, legs and doing whatever it takes to avoid a costly mistake. Riding as a group we had to work together, keep each other awake, correct each other’s posture and joint problem solve anything that presented itself”. Another challenge is tending to your whole team of horses. The riders spend long days in the saddle so there is little time, or energy, to pre-ride your horses, nor give them the attention you want. “I had to depend on and completely trust my grooming team there to manage all aspects of the horses. I can not thank my amazing grooms enough. FC Smit, Jessica Mostert, Saskia van Heeren, Eben Eksteen, Edmond en Christiaan Smith, I couldn’t do it without you”

An exhausted Lize described it as a life changing experience and a complete must-do for any endurance rider. When I enquired how her body felt she surprised me by saying that you ride the stiffness away, but that right now she is mentally and physically exhausted “It is fascinating how the body works. For 8 days I just focused and told myself, I cannot get sick, I am not tired, I am not sore and so you just keep going. The moment it’s over however, suddenly the mental and physical exhaustion takes over“. Lize explained that her biggest discomfort was her back beginning to hurt

By now the recreational rider in me is so inspired to add this ride to the bucket list and I had to know the top 5 things you couldn’t do this race without. Lize immediately exclaimed lip ice, sunblock and her back brace. “I would also highly recommend entering the full 8 horses you are allowed to enter – this takes some of the pressure off the planning and means if you have an elimination the other

ENDURANCE

horses don’t have to work that much harder.” The most important part however is you must ride with someone where you can. “We could self-monitor our rest times between loops and it was so worth it to wait 10 minutes more to ride out with someone. When you are alone out there, your head runs away with you, you start thinking you cannot do this anymore. “

“This ride is the definition of what endurance riding should be about, team spirit, incredible horses and breath-taking terrain. I learned so much about my horses, but even more about myself – I didn’t want to ride that last loop, in my mind I did the distance, but then I had a stern talk to myself and I was rewarded with one of my most beautiful rides on horseback and the support of my fellow riders. It has to be something special that when you get off after 1000kms you say to yourself that this ride I want to do again”

It is therefore no surprise that Lize describes the highlight of the race to be, without a doubt, the team spirit. “Every single person involved rider, groom, uncle, aunt, farrier, vet became part of the bigger team and willed every last rider on – there was this overwhelming sense of them wanting you to succeed and they would do anything to help.” This was especially true on Lize’s fateful last loop on the last day. The riders set off on Day 8 with the last 125km to go. The weather was at its worst with wind and rain. Lize completed the first two legs comfortably (or as comfortable as one is at that stage), but 25km into the last loop she felt her horse was lame. She dismounted and walked home knowing her fate was to re-ride this last leg. The tears were very close as she watched her fellow riders all finish as she had to start the last leg again, alone. Not long after Lize said she heard a vehicle approaching her “I couldn’t believe it, all my fellow riders abandoned their celebrations and piled onto the back of a bakkie to cheer and talk me through to the finish. It was the most incredible feeling. At the final vet check they all stood with me with looks of ‘you dare not fail her Dr Vet’” But she was clear and then the celebrations started.

SMEX2016 Finishers: Monique Kasselman •Natasha Willemse (AUS) Devan Horn (USA) • Andries Swart • Thinus Sonnekus • Werner Kenmuir •Ralien de Beer • Taralea van Zyl • Lize Labuschagne

A special mention to the incredible Sandymount team: Rykie Fourie, Leo Fourie, Engela Fourie and Jaco Pretorius.

DRESSAGE

SA Young Dressage Horse Series National Championships By Simone Howarth

At the championships in all three provinces the top five horse’s tests were videoed and the top three horses in each age group and in each province were submitted to the judging of the National Championships of the series. The judging of the National Championships is done by an overseas FEI young horse judge. The tests are judged totally independently without the judge having seen the results which the horses attained in their Provincial Championships.

the FEI World Dressage Challenge in September and we were able to employ him for his time and expertise. Peter Holler was the sole judge for the 4, 5 and 6 year old horses, and the 7 – 9 year old horses were also judged by National A panel and FEI 2* judge, Sue Horne. Sue Horne has recently qualified as a FEI Young Dressage Horse judge, and we are very grateful for the wealth of knowledge which these two judges could share with us. We are very excited to announce the results of the first Young Dressage Horse Series in South Africa and wish to congratulate all riders, trainers, breeders and owners on producing these horses so beautifully.

For 2016 we were very fortunate to have our National Championships judged by the FEI judge, Peter Holler, who had recently judged at the Olympic Games in Rio. He was in Gauteng for 4 year olds: 1st Place: Adelprag Orlando Van Doorndraai (Gauteng) owned and ridden by Chere Burger with 74,4%

3rd Place: Damascus vd Cumul (KZN) owned and ridden by Jocelyn Constant with 73,4%

Adelprag Orlando Van Doorndraai 4 year old winner

Adelprag Laes Fan’t Alddjip (Gauteng) 5 year Old winner

2nd Place: Jason van Doorndraai (KZN) owned and ridden by Mariska Botha with 73,2% 3rd Place: Jolanda van Doorndraai (Gauteng) Owned by Marlise Botes and ridden by Alida de Jager with 71,6% 5 year olds: 1st Place: Adelprag Laes Fan’t Alddjip (Gauteng) owned and ridden by Chere Burger with 76,6 2nd Place: Ambeck Ferego (Gauteng) owned by Shiree Darley and ridden by James White with 74,8%

DRESSAGE 6 year olds: 1st Place: Sandstorm (KZN) owned and ridden by Luke West with 72,1%

Sandstorm (KZN) owned and ridden by Luke West 6 year old winner

Compton House Highland Fling (Western Cape) 7-9 year old winner

2nd Place: Faris of Milford (KZN) owned and ridden Sarah Perkin with 66,2%

2nd Place: Adelprag Alwin (Gauteng) owned by Chere Burger and ridden by Wium Van Huyssteen with 67,13%

3rd Place: Mossandi Noctus (KZN) owned by Victoria Mostert and ridden by Calet de Vos with 62,6%

3rd Place: Adelprag Quick Silver (Gauteng) owned and ridden by Chere Burger with 66,25%

7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9 year olds: 1st Place: Compton House Highland Fling (Western Cape) owned by Debbie Wallin and ridden by Carsten Peeters with 68,60%

As always, we are extremely grateful for the generous sponsorship from Arco360 and H&R Dressage for this 2016 National Series. We would also like to thank each and every individual who has given so kindly of their time and effort to make this National Series such a success. A very big thank you also goes to Equilife magazine for covering this series throughout the year. We look forward to an even bigger series in 2017.

GAITED TRAVELLER

Avontuur Estate

The home of Fine Wines & Fast Horses

Avontuur Wine and Thoroughbred Estate is situated on the western slopes of the Helderberg on the R44 which connects Somerset West and Stellenbosch, in South Africa’s prime wine growing district, making it an easy 45 minutes drive from Cape Town. The estate has been owned by the Taberer family since 1984, with the second generation now at the helm. Brothers Michael and Philip Taberer are involved with the day-to-day running of the farm and General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh is in charge of the Stud Operation and Vineyards.

Baccarat (Bordeaux blend), Luna de Miel (Chardonnay Reserve), Sarabande (Sauvignon Blanc Reserve), Dominion Royale (Shiraz Reserve), Minelli (Pinot Noir Reserve) and Above Royalty (Fortified Liqueur Wine) live on in the wonderful wines which are nurtured in our cellars.

Wines and tasting room experiences The Estate boasts a cosy tasting room and an outside terrace where tastings of all Avontuur wines are conducted daily. Visitors are invited to choose 5 wines off the tasting list, which includes the premiere range and Methode Cap Classique Brut as well as our limited release 10 year old pot-stilled brandy. The fee is R30 pp.

Speciality Pairings Although the straight-forward enjoyment of Avontuur Estate’s award-winning wines will always be top of the list, the team in the tasting room love to spice up the experience by offering different wine & taste sensations which are changed regularly. The 2016/17 Summer pairing is “Sweet Treats & Wine” which offers a selection of nougat, fudge and turkish delight paired with our wines. Other seasonal tastings include biltong and wine pairings, macaron & wine pairings and the ever popular chocolate pairings.

The link between the thoroughbred horses and Avontuur’s premier range of wines is very strong and the names of our top wines bear testimony to some of the finest horses to have passed through the farm.

GAITED TRAVELLER

The Avontuur Estate Restaurant.

The pairings are self-guided with assistance from our tasting room staff and cost R60 pp.

The popular and highly rated Avontuur Estate Restaurant offers a selection of breakfast options and an a-la-carte menu, making use of seasonal and locally sourced produce.

For more info or to book contact Ella or Marcelle in the tasting room at winery@avontuurestate.co.za or +27 21 855-3450. Cabernet Franc Carnival In May every year the Estate, which is a passionate producer of this Bordeaux varietal, hosts the Cabernet Franc Carnival where up to 20 of South Africa’s top Cabernet Franc producers show off their wines for tasting and for sale. In 2017 the event will take place on Saturday, 20 May and soon thereafter also in Gauteng. Keep an eye out for more info via our social media pages.

Owners Melanie Paltoglou and Zunia Boucher-Myers are always on hand to ensure personal service and quality food which is beautifully presented. Signature dishes include the Roast Duck, “Var” and “Oratorio” platters, the Salmon Roses and Deep-fried Ice cream. They take pleasure in creating daily or weekly dishes which are displayed on the blackboard and change regularly. Patrons are welcome to sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the view over False Bay and the paddocks or in winter inside, in front of the fireplace. We cater for special events, themed dinners, yearend functions and small celebrations. The Restaurant is open daily for breakfast & lunch and for dinner on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during season. Bookings are essential at +27 21 855-4296 or openhand@polka.co.za

GAITED TRAVELLER

Thoroughbred stud farm & wines

Farm walks

Lying restfully amongst the vines on the estate is the beautiful Avontuur Stud Farm where the emphasis has always been on quality rather than quantity.

Casual access is not allowed at the stables itself but guests are welcome to enjoy a Self-Guided Farm Walk or book ahead for the Guided Walk where more information about the Farm, the Stud operation, the wine making process and the Taberer Family History is shared. The self-guided Walk costs R70 pp and the Guided Walk is R120 pp. Both include a Speciality Tasting and a map.

Two highly rated sires, Var and Oratorio as well as an excellent band of brood mares which include some well-known race winners like River Jetez, Val de Ra, Baltic Beauty and Sarabande, ensure positive results at the annual Yearling Sales in Cape Town at the CTICC and Gauteng at Emperor’s Palace and Gosforth Park. Horse lovers are welcome to pop in at our stud lounges at the different Sales to learn more about race horses or just enjoy the equine vibe.

Annual mares & foals walk In August every year, our annual Mares and Foals Walk takes place when a limited number of guests are guided around the farm to meet and greet some of our race horses, mares and foals as well as Var and Oratorio in the stable complex. These are very popular and booked out quickly so follow our social media pages to grab a spot.

Visitors enjoy the sight of our elegant race horses which are often on display in the paddocks right up against the restaurant and tasting room. At the end of the year the foals and their dams make for beautiful photographs, especially against the setting of the historic manor house and Helderberg Mountain.

Contacts and information

General: Visit our website on www.avontuurestate. co.za, contact us at +27 21 855-3450 or e-mail us at info@avontuurestate.co.za. Wine Tasting: Open Daily, except on Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Times: Mon-Fri: 08h30-17h00. Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 09h00-16h00. winery@avontuurestate.co.za, +27 21 855-3450 Restaurant: Open Daily for breakfast and lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday during season. Closed: Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Tel: +27 21 855-4296 or openhand@ polka.co.za Join our social media community on Avontuur Estate, or on @AvontuurEstate or on @ avontuurestate. Sign up for our monthly newsletter on our website and make sure you keep up to date with all the events coming up.

Breeders

Filina and Calvero Fabuloso T

GAITED TRAVELLER

Danven Arabians

By Pauline Mostert Back in 1974,a young Ingrid Dannheimer, was looking to buy a few riding horses to enjoy a casual past time away from her strenuous occupation as a specialist physician. She was starting a family and was not particularly looking for breeding material. She settled upon the Arabian Horse as her choice in steed, as they ate the same amount as a Nooitgedacht, but had more flair, they proved to be easy to maintain and adaptable to any riding discipline put before them. As with many an Arabian tale and the thought of breeding one’s own perfect riding horse, Ingrid was swept into the art of breeding and so the stud, DANVEN was born and established in 1984 to the North of Pretoria. Homework was done and it was decided to import horses from The United States to give their stud a good foundation to start from. Among them was ASHAM AMIR, DRIFTWOOD HALINDA and most notable, TWICK TARADA in foal to the legendary Arabian stallion, MORAFIC.

endurance like true Arabians. Due to their quality they adapted perfectly and show horse, DANVEN SHADIR by Danven Ibn Morafic were seen at his first endurance meets, sporting a dressage saddle. Pulses were low, they finished well and the added discipline obtained from their formal classical schooling in dressage gave them the edge to ride comfortably for hours on end. Danven Celine

The resulting foal, DANVEN IBN MORAFIC, became one of South Africa’s top riding horses and excelled at showing as well as dressage. Ingrid’s growing children joined their mother’s passion for the horses and the Danven show-team was hard to beat back in the day. DANVEN IBN MORAFIC was also siring foals with size, substance and quality, attributes of the classic Arabian Horse. The horses became a way of life for the family. Ingrid and her children, kept the passion growing and evolving as their lives matured into the third generation. With Ingrid’s children moving out of the house and into their own homes, a new adventure opened up and the spirit of Endurance took hold of the Danven stud. The horses were never changed, only the discipline and the Danven horses took to

Ingrid’s son, Sakkie, farmed in the Vryheid area, Kwa-Zulu Natal for 14 years. While there, he and his wife, Tammy took to playing polo and another avenue for the Danven stud opened up. The bigger, polo pony mares brought in extra size for their

GAITED TRAVELLER

Naja Batal (Photography courtsey Jaco Wiid)

endurance program, along with athleticism, good legs and strong bodies. One of these Anglos bred by Danven was subsequently exported to Dubai and is racing there successfully. Another, DANVEN LARGO, won the gruelling Fauresmith for which Ingrid and Sakkie are preparing to do again next year. Ingrid, at the age of 72 has completed her first Fauriesmith, on her mare, DANVEN CELINE (Danven Ibn Morafic x Danven Onica) and regularly does 80km rides, an inspiring example for the youngest generation at Danven. New to the team is granddaughter, Jordann, at 11 years old, who took her own horse, DANVEN BARBIE by Danven Tariq, for her first 40km recently, a great testimonial for the temperament of the Danven horses.

(Marzoukh x Gulilah Baraka). They are breeding foals with size, good legs, movement, body and workable temperaments. To expand on these characteristics, Danven has once again looked abroad for new blood and imported semen from the Arabian race winner, AKIM DE DUCOR (Akbar x Ishra) for added size and the addition of speed for their endurance horses. His first foal was born in April and the next is due in November. Danven has also been seen, back in the show ring and plan to do a lot more showing and dressage as they prepare the young horses for their future careers on the endurance track as well as proving that a beautiful well bred, well prepared horse, can be versatile and compete in a variety of disciplines. The Danven Arabian and Anglo Arabian Horsesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; future is bright and with the passion and dedication shown by this remarkable family of horsemen they certainly have earned respect as ambassadors for the breed.

Naja Batal (Photography courtsey Jaco Wiid

Today, Sakkie and his family have moved back to Pretoria and alongside Ingrid, are involved full time with the studâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities. They stand three stallions who are proving themselves valuable to the ideals aimed for in the breeding program. DANVEN TARIQ, the image of his sire, Danven Ibn Morafic out of Pretty Praire (TB), DANVEN LAVIX (Shazzam x Danven Leirisha) and the Asil stallion NAJA BATAL

Ingrid and Foals

Contact:: Danven Arabians Ingrid Dannheimer 083 306 1663 Sakkie Venter 073 467 9428 tammyventer256@gmail.com

WHIPPING GIRL

The Whipping Girl.... By Georgina Roberts We love horses for the gifts they bring us. Today, I’m discussing this at 8am from the coffee shop down the road, where I am recovering from this morning’s specific gift, courtesy of a steed and a Checker’s packet. The truth of life is that sometimes you find yourself feeling like it’s just too hard... Maybe your job pressure is insane, your finances tight, your career path uncertain. Maybe your relationships are collapsing, and you are consumed with self-doubt, self-pity, and are considering self-immolation. COWBOY WISDOM: “When you feel down, saddle up.” Do you know why they say this? Not necessarily because horses are lovely and magical (though I agree that they generally are), but because they are our escape, our fresh perspective on these actually trivial problems from a different, and sometimes alarming, height. Because, on one of these crisp autumn mornings, even though you mount a reliable horse with your heavy heart, a mere five minutes later you may find yourself clinging, tick-like, onto the back of a beast that insists that not only has he never seen a packet in the wind before, but he has just remembered he wasn’t backed either. What an exciting sport! A real box of chocolates, often full of nuts, huh. As we fly-leapt into the oncoming (but apparently not as scary as a packet) traffic, I heard the screech of brakes, and simultaneously debated which side to bail from, and where I had left my medical aid card... and then something amazing happened. Something that suddenly happens in the deepest recesses of every rider’s black little soul, a revelation when most desperately needed. You suck it up. Suddenly there is that moment of teeth-gritting, finger-clenching, adrenalin-inspired, “Oh no you bloody don’t”, and you manage to dig deep and find your inner die-hard. You literally refuse to fall off, refuse to be done, refuse to listen to the motorists yelling “ABANDON SHIP!”, and instead manage to stay-as-one with the bronco, and make it to the other side of the road.

There is no escaping the metaphors for life that horses are willing to teach us, should we be open enough to receive these (somewhat dubious) gifts. There are more lessons, of course, like learning from your mistakes: I’ll forever be wary of a fresh morning and a plastic packet, but I won’t let it rob me of all the beautiful packet-less mornings either. But what are YOUR lessons? What is your horse trying to teach YOU? And what are we teaching our kids, hell, ourselves, about perseverance and humility if we don’t seize these lessons? Because in life, even more than horses, you DO fall off, get your toes stomped, not make a team, or lose a class in the last round. And it’s becoming first response to just replace the horse, get another trainer, change saddles. The biggest thing holding us back from developing our riding, and developing our lives, is that we don’t want to suck it up and hang on. We want an easy answer to it all. The truth of life is that it is HARD. It’s not always fair, and horses are the perfect mini-experience of this on a daily basis. You have to push through the sticky bits, be uncomfortable to progress, make self-critical decisions, and yet never stop enjoying it. Your horse is your mirror, your wise, hairy, hooved Buddha. You need only look at the pupil who lacks confidence and thus puts a handbrake on her own success in jumping as well as business, regardless of her ability; or the cocky guy won’t admit when he’s wrong and makes the same mistake twenty times in his dressage test as well as his relationships. Meanwhile the horses just keep going, and wait for us to catch up. Today I woke up having a pity-party for one, and let me tell you, the sharp perspective of almost leaving my teeth on a Mercedes’ bonnet this morning has adjusted that rightly and rapidly. I freely admit, there was a second of “Well, that’s it, I’m done for,” followed by “You better hope I’m dead because if I get up and catch you then I’m going to beat you with a tree trunk”... but then I realised I still had all my teeth, it was a beautiful day, I was actually feeling pretty good. Adrenalin will do that to you. Plus, I still had to get home. So, today, I THINK my lesson was: * Don’t misplace your medical aid card, just in case. * Suck it up, you don’t see the sunshine when your head is up your own butt. * And last but not least: hold on hard to what you love. And when it tries to buck you off, hold on even harder.

And, in direct response to this shift in mindset on a cellular level, the second amazing thing happens: the bronco transforms back to calm schoolmaster, and carries on walking like he didn’t just give you a first-hand experience of going towards the light. He rubs his nose on his knee, and while you are tempted to wallop him (don’t lie), you instead relax your reins. And exhale. It is like a terrifying meditation in learning to stick out the storm.

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