Equestrian Life Jul-Sept 2019

Equestrian [ LIFE

JULY-SEPT 2019

Candice Bass Robinson THE QUEEN OF THE COURSE

Switching Saddles MTB TRAILS WORTH RIDING Funda Nenja LEARNING WITH DOGS

Chris VAN DER MERWE The sky is the limit

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Contents 10

REGULARS 04 ED'S NOTE

06 CALENDAR 09 ONLINE

32 TRAVEL Kaapsehoop

48 PERSONALITY PROFILE Nicole Horwood

FEATURES 10 COVER FEATURE hris van der Merwe – The Sky C is the Limit

14 QUEEN OF THE COURSE Candice Bass Robinson

22 10 THINGS HORSES TAUGHT ME

20

26

46

32

….. About Parenting Dating

26 BULLET JOURNALLING Channelling Creativity for Planning Success

30 E QUESTRIAN BEAUTY LIST Monthly Must Haves

34 NEIGH-BOURHOOD SECRETS Black Horse Brewery

36 SWITCHING SADDLES Mountain Bike Trails Worth Riding

42 FUNDA NENJA Learning with Dogs

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Denford Studios

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

Equestrian [ LIFE

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TOGETHER FOR SUCCESS

KwaZulu Natal

Western Cape

Gauteng

Tel: 031 768 1453

Tel: 021 976 8044

Tel: 083 661 1543

ED'S NOTE

Equestrian [ LIFE

ello Winter! Whilst for many the cold, winter months signify duvet days and hot chocolate by the fireplace, for equestrians it’s far less romantic - rising in the dark, an inability to regulate body temperature due to all the layers of clothes and a running nose wiped raw from the back of a riding glove! On the plus side however, it does mean less rain and beautiful sunsets (if you’re in Gauteng that is), significantly fewer flies (winning!) and a reduction in the contrast of your t-shirt tan.

Our fifth issue has a feminine touch to it in light of Women’s month coming up in August. As a new mom I'm even more in awe of just how much women manage to handle on a daily basis – from building careers, raising children, managing the household and, for those who ride and compete, still finding time to fit in one of the most time consuming hobbies! We feature Candice Robinson in this issue – one of the few female horse racing trainers who is holding her own in a traditionally male-orientated industry. We also get to know the lovely ladies who founded and manage Castano Equestrian Equipment and chat to sadddle fitter, Candice Ploos.

rider has won the Children’s and Junior Grand Prix and this year managed to add the Adult Grand Prix title to the list of accolades. He had a very successful Nissan Easter Festival earlier in the year and we can’t wait to watch how the rest of 2019 unfolds for him.

In the canine section we meet the team from Funda Nenja, a township dog training initiative that seeks to nurture children into caring, responsible young adults through responsible dog ownership and training. Lulu Pets provides us with another delicious recipe, this time for dog-friendly Pupcakes with a cream cheese and biltong frosting – perfect for canine birthday “pawties” and celebrations.

If you’re looking for a change of saddle, or another (equally expensive and time consuming) hobby then we’ve got you covered in our article on mountain bike trails worth riding around South Africa. If speed, dirt and ramping obstacles is in your blood then we can guarantee that you’ll enjoy a mountain bike almost as much as you do your equine ride (we repeat “almost” - mountain bikes don’t get excited to see you nor are they pleasant to cuddle).

If you choose to hibernate for the balance of winter, there is no judgement here, but for those who are braving the Our cover story features a rider who is on icy mornings – may the coffee be strong top form at the moment, open showjump- and the headwind weak! Let’s make the er Chris van der Merwe. The PE -born second half of 2019 count!

eedy

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

Equestrian Life is published by Spinner Communications (pty) Ltd. Established in 1980 Equestrianlife.co.za Spinnercom.com PUBLISHER Justyn Spinner EDITOR Shevaun McCreedy SENIOR DESIGNER Siphokazi Masele DESIGNER Bheka Ngubane SALES MANAGER Tyrone Maletsky 072 929 1727 SALES EXECUTIVE Bianca du Preez 061 179 8588 LIFESTYLE EDITOR Bianca Spinner CONTRIBUTOR Candice May DRIVER Linda Boyi ADMINISTRATON Lorraine Ndlovu PRINTING Creda Communications www.creda.co.za Subscribe Now Call 086 11 HELLO Tel 011 788 1516 Fax 011 880 4730 Email subs@spinnercom.com SUBSCRIPTION RATE South Africa R99 per annum Other countries R119 per annum

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ISSN: 0620-3188 Company Registration Number: 2003/022099/23

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CALENDAR

July

6 July 2019 The Vodacom Durban July racing calendar – the Vodacom Durban July, takes place on the 6th of July at Greyville Racecourse.

This is the day when the best of the best of South African race horses square up at the start line to cover 2200m in a bid to be crowned the Grade 1 VDJ Champion. The race day, renowned for its emphasis on fashion and flair, has announced this year’s fashion theme as “Stars of Africa”. Various hospitality packages available to suit all entertaining and budget requirements.

When: Saturday 6 July 2019 Where: Greyville Racecourse Cost: R220 (Hospitality Packages available) Where: www.computicket.co.za

6 July 2019 Christmas in July – A Grand Affair Channel your inner Gatsby and head to the Black Horse Brewery (read more in Neigh-bourhoods Secret) for Christmas in July. The Grand Affair calls for flapper dresses, pearls and all things Gatsby as you dine on a 4-course meal in a beautiful setting, combined with great music and company. Only 100 tickets are available – they're R855 each but includes free drinks and the promise of an unforgettable party!

When: Saturday 6 July 2019 Where: Black Horse Brewery, 32 Bekker Schools Road, Magaliesberg Cost: R855 Book: www.quicket.co.za

Aug

13 –14 July 2019 Bastille Festival The annual Bastille Festival brings a touch of Parisian food, wine and culture to Franschoek every July. The event, which takes place at the historic Franschoek Hugenot Monument, is a highlight on the social calendar as the town is converted into a sea of red, blue and white. With a number of activities, including caricaturists and wine barrel rolling along with the live music, there’s no better reason to grab a beret and a baguette and join in the fun.

When: 13 – 14 July 2019 Where: Franschoek Hugenot Monument Cost: R350 -R395 Book: www.webtickets.co.za

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

9 – 11 August 2019 Slow Food and Wine Festival If you’re looking for a farm-to-table experience in the countryside, then diarise the Slow Food and Wine Festival, set along Route 62 in Robertson. This gourmet festival encourages you to wine and dine with the winemakers in their homes and private cellars. Indulge in diverse food traditions from fine dining and gourmet offerings to farm style platters and picnics, including vetkoek and waterblommetjie soup to chinese duck, paella and kudu inspired dishes.

When: 9 – 11 August 2019 Where: Roberston, Western Cape Cost: The Family Market is free of charge, and experiences with the winemakers must be booked individually.

Book: www.robertsonslow.com

25 August 2019 Hollard JUMA (Urban MTB Adventure) Their slogan “From rush hour traffic to rush hour racing” sums up this urban mountain bike race as cyclists power through northern Jozi including scaffolding bridges, a kilometre long storm drain, unseen green belts and across Emmarentia Dam on a floating bridge. There is a 22km first-time rider route, the most popular 54km route, or the new 72m Punisher route, for those looking to push their limits. The 2019 edition of this race has also seen the introduction of a 1km and 2km fun route for the kids – ensuring entertainment for the whole family.

When: 25 August 2019 Where: Marks Park Sports Club, Judith Road, Emmerentia Cost: Various (distance dependent) Book: www.joziadventure.co.za

Sept 14 September 2019 Nedbank International Polo One of the most anticipated events on the equestrian and social calendar – the Nedbank International Polo takes place on 14 September at the Inanda Club in Sandton. This year, South Africa will face up against New Zealand – an age-old rivalry that extends beyond polo into almost all sporting disciplines. Synonymous with polo is food, fashion, celebrity appearances and of course the mandatory half-time divot stomping with a glass of bubbles in hand.

When: 14 September 2019 Where: Inanda Club, Sandton Cost: Various Book: www.sapolo.co.za

21 – 22 September Strawberry Festival If you’re looking for something a little different to celebrate Spring then set off on a road trip for a weekend in George! Set against the stunning Outeniqua Mountains, one cannot ask for a better backdrop for this annual strawberry picking festival. Apart from the berry picking itself, sweet surprises await guests including a Berry Bar, food and craft stalls, trail runs, live music, beer and wine tastings, outdoor kids park, pony rides, go-karting and plenty more. There is something for everyone at this festival so the whole family can enjoy time out in the sunny spring weather!

When: 21 – 22 September 2019 Where: Redberry Farm, George Cost: Various Book: www.sapolo.co.za

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Online

www.equestrianlife.co.za

It’s hard to believe it’s already half way through the year! Winter is officially here... the early morning lessons are getting progressively more difficult to wake up for and doing up the girth with ice cold fingers is a challenge only equestrians can relate to. The cold may not be fun BUT this does also mean we’re past the halfway mark and on the downward slide to December holidays!

COMING IN HOT The blistery, cheek-blushing chill of winter isn’t coming – it’s here!

There’s no better way to fight off the cold than by sipping the best hot chocolate – some laced with Nutella, some packed with pink peppercorns and others spiked with whiskey. These may have required quality controlling and we were happy to oblige!

SUMMER LOVING Are you dreaming of Mauritius beaches but your bank account says ‘Durban’? The economy is a little shaky at the moment and has many of us watching our wallets so we’ve gone in hunt of some local hidden gems for December holidays.

Whether you’re looking for social interaction or a quiet hammock with a view, we’ve found sports worth travelling to.

OUR TOP 5 PROUDLY SA COCKTAILS No matter the destination or whether you’re staying at home - make the first offering at your next dinner party hassle-free and utterly palate thrilling with our top five proudly South African cocktails. From The Fynbos shaken with brandy and rooibos tea, to the Elephant’s Reverie made with Amarula cream and a pinch of chocolate powder - there’s a taste of home in every one!

Q Who To Follow on Instagram Need a little extra help feeling inspired, or just want a positive note to brighten your mood?

Make sure you add these Instagram accounts to your list.

@marthandabe Designer Nicola Williams is featured in this issue for her beautiful digital pet portraits as part of the #adogaday project. Her instagram is filled with pictures of the most swoonworthy pups and their portraits.

@equestrianmemery A page dedicated to all things equine and entertaining. If you need a smile after a rough lesson or just have some extra time to scroll (to warm up those thumbs before you jump on board and take up your reigns) then have a look through this collection of equine memes.

@equestrian.kingdom.official If you’re looking for visual inspiration then look no further than this feed. Daily photos and clips of the most exquisite horses from around the world.

One of those feeds where you scroll as slowly as possible to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

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C O V E R F E AT U R E

CHRIS VAN DER MERWE The Sky is the Limit

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When and how did you get into riding horses?

When I was five years old I saw a riding school on our way on holiday, I then begged my parents to take us for a ride, and the rest is history as they say! The riding school was situated between Jeffrey’s bay and St Francis bay, and it was run by Ben Stander who was my first riding instructor.

Greatest achievement to date?

I would say my greatest achievement would be winning my first World Cup Qualifier at the Reonet WC 2019, and following that would be the outdoor Grand Prix., k,that was a special win for me, I won the pony rider outdoor Grand Prix, and the junior outdoor Grand Prix, and now finally the adult outdoor Grand Prix , You’ve been riding the crest of a wave recently, what can you attribute your success to?

There are many aspects that need to come together to be successful. First and foremost, hard work and dedication – there are no short cuts! I train with Barry Taylor and he’s had a definite positive influence on my riding. I think a big change to my training, and perhaps one that has contributed significantly to my success, is to train each horse as an individual and understand what is best for that horse in particular. I need to thank David McPherson for teaching that to me.

None of this would be possible without good horses however. I am very fortunate to have Conrad en Rene Fourie as owners, as well as Capital Stud , and BB Auto Nissan Polokwane who are my main sponsors. They have been with me through the quiet times and we are growing a strong partnership for the future. I am very grateful to everyone who has been part of my recent success, none of this would be possible without them - it’s a team effort!

Tell us a little about the horses you’re competing on currently – Capital Castigo and Chantilly?

Chantilly is a 13 year Holsteiner mare. She is the most talented horse that I have ridden - she has a heart of gold and always gives her absolute best. She has a lovely personality and I know she will always fight for me and with me.

Capital Castigo is a 14 year old stallion. He has a strong personality, but we understand each other and he has won some very good classes for me. He is a beautiful specimen of a horse – but he knows that very well! He is lovely to ride and is a very well-behaved stallion, Equestrian Goals for the rest of 2019?

My goal at the moment is the World Cup Qualifier series. This has been a dream of mine for many years and for the first time I have the right horses, sponsors and owners on my side. Knowing that I have this team behind me I would say the sky is the limit - but it is still early days in the series, a lot could still happen, so I need to stay focused and keep my eye on the prize.

Is there one horse or pony you’ve ridden that stands out for you?

I have ridden three very special horses in my life time:

They say the proverbial wheel turns and in 2019 it’s been in the favour of Chris van der Merwe. The in-form Open showjumper who hails from Port Elizabeth has been riding the crest of a wave of late with recent victories in the Erreplus Presidents Cup, the NIssan Easter Festival 6-Bar and the Reonet 1.50m Riders Grand Prix. We caught up with Chris to find out more about his recent successes and ambitions for the rest of 2019 and beyond:

First was a pony called Ruby wine, she was the first great pony that I rode.

Second was my Junior and Young Rider horse called Little Big Time, and thirdly Chantilly. All three of these horses have hearts of gold - when they walk into the show ring they go in and fight every round for me. In my opinion, this is what separates a good horse from a great horse.

Who is your role model from a riding /coaching perspective?

Barry Taylor was always a childhood hero of mine and he remains a leader in our sport. I look up to him and feel privileged to be coached by him. I would love to ride like Rolf Goran Bengston one day when I am big ha ha - still a long way off though! From a coaching perspective I think every rider is different, you need to find someone who works best with you – who knows your strengths and weaknesses and can bring out the best in you. For me, that coach is Barry.

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C O V E R F E AT U R E

What does an average day in your life entail?

My morning starts at 5 am - I make coffee for myself and my wife Leona and a bottle for our little girl Leone, if she is awake. I start work at 6 am in summer and 6h30 in winter. I ride around 10 horses a day - I start my day with my higher-grade horses and then work it down to my young horses. I also teach some adult clients during the morning so all in all this takes about 7 hours, depending on how the horses are going. I have lunch from 12 until 13h00 and I normally have about two horses left to work after lunch. I am also the yard manager at Blouberg Ryskool in Vivo, so I check the yard and make sure everything is running smoothly and then at 15h00 I start teaching my junior clients. The lessons usually end at arund 5pm and I then check the horses and occasionally I enjoy a light gym session afterwards (when motivated).

What do you do for fun away from horses and the show ring?

I love the bush, I enjoy game drives and I love fishing and spending time with my wife and our little girl. I also enjoy cooking so on an off-day we often make a potjie or have a few friends over for dinner.

Motto or quote you live by?

Don’t follow your dreams , chase them.

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IMAGES: DENFORD STUDIOS.

What is on your riding bucket list?

My bucket list, at the moment includes the WCQ Series and the SA Derby. I have a horse called Crashman who will be a good horse for the Derby, and, as I mentioned, the sky is the limit - if I am fortunate enough I would like to do it all.

Advice you’d give young riders who aspire to jump in the open classes?

Never give up! Work hard, be dedicated and stay humble! Spend time in the warm up arena and watch more experienced riders while they train. Always be willing to learn and listen - I learn something new every day. You don’t need to be a millionaire to make it in this sport, if you work hard and stay true to yourself opportunities will come to you.

CHRIS'S FAVOURITE THINGS

Favorite TV series?

Big Bang theory

Dream Travel Destination Bali

PIzza Toppings Chicken , avo and feta

What can we find on your bedside table?

A Bible (I am a Christian) and a book

by Anthony Paalman called Training Showjumpers.

Favourite Product?

I like Hugo boss

Book you’re currently reading?

A book called Gold, written by Preferred saddle brand?

CWD

Nick Skelton

What would be your super power if you could choose?

I would probably say my super power would be to see into the future - then I would get into a lot less trouble!

Chocolate or vanilla?

I love vanilla ice cream

Song on repeat on your playlist?

This is a difficult one! Probably Adam Tas’ song Skilpadtepel

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Queen

F E AT U R E

OF THE COURSE Candice Bass Robinson

Those who are familiar with horse racing will recognize the name Candice Robinson without hesitation. One of the very few female trainers in the horse racing industry who is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure, and an equally acclaimed dressage rider on the Western Cape circuit.

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involved in the business – my father still comes in most days which is great, he is my role model and still a great shoulder top lean on.

Can you run us through an average day in your life?

The alarm goes off at 5:15am and I leave for work before 6am every day barring Sunday - my one day to sleep in! We start working our horses at about 6:50am and we have 3 strings of about 40 horses each to work over the course of the morning until about 10am.

Thereafter its a lot of paperwork, admin, nominations and acceptances until about 11:30/12 I then head down to Morning star to work my own horse.

After riding it’s off to school to fetch my son, or if he finishes late then some grocery shopping. I head back to work after that until about 4:45 after which i head home and then it’s supper to be prepared and cooked, and homework to be done.

t’s no secret that horse racing is a male dominated sport – with girls only being allowed to enter the jockey academy from as late as the mid-1990’s. Whilst many assistant trainers are female, there are very few who have gone so far as to take out a training license in their personal capacity.

Candice Robinson was born into a racing family, with her dad, Mike Bass, having trained for over 45 years with great success over the course of his career. She joined the stable full time over 15 years ago and officially “took the reigns” from her father 3 years ago when he retired.

With Women’s Day looming in early August, we took some time to chat to Candice about her racing and riding career:

At what age did you start riding and in what disciplines?

I started riding at about 5 years of age, but only started competing when I was in Juniors - in both show jumping and some showing. I show jumped right through juniors and then stopped jumping as an adult and did a lot of showing on thoroughbreds. I only started doing dressage on my warmblood about 5 years ago.

I have recently started a new business called Creme which should be launching in the near future (a boutique style store housing clothing, shoes, handbags and jewellery along with soft furnishings all made in South Africa). I am very excited about this concept and along with my partners and husband should be up and running in the next couple of months. So after supper its back to work on new ideas and plans and by 11pm I think I am ready for bed!

Tomorrow is a new day!

Tell us a little about Bass Racing?

We operate out of the training centre in Milnerton in Cape Town and currently have about 130 horses in training and employ about 48 grooms. I have a great team behind me of which without them none of this would be possible and a very loyal base of clients. My family are all

Horse racing has long been considered a “male dominated sport” - how has your experience been as a female trainer in the industry?

It is a very competitive industry to be involved in and is very much male dominated but I don't feel any less capable

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F E AT U R E

Which is the best racehorse you’ve had the privilege of training?

There are a few favourites who come to mind!

Marinaresco who I won the Vodacom Durban July with 2 years ago and Nightingale who gave me my first grade 1 winner as a trainer. Dutch Philip, Horizon and recently Clouds Unfold who won the Grade 1 Majorca stakes on Met day for Drakenstein Stud are also very special to me.

Is there one race (local or internationally) that is on your bucket list to win as a trainer?

I have a few races I would like to win but “The One” would have to be the Grade 1 Sun Met,

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Do you have any role models within the equestrian industry?

Apart from training, you are also an accom- I love watching Carl Hester and Charlotte Du plished dressage rider, tell us about some of Jardin – they’re amazing riders, instructors and horse(wo)men. your achievements to date?

I started doing dressage seriously about 5 years ago when I imported my Warmblood from Hol- Do you have any advice for girls looking to make land through Tina Farr (my coach) and Rien Van a career within the horse racing industry?

Der Schaft. I am currently riding medium level and It is a very tough industry to get into especially ready to go advanced. I have an amazing horse and if you are starting from base level. There are not have many a trophy in my cabinet from him. We a lot of opportunities within the industry so perwere Western Province champs EM and Medium haps maybe looking into the veterinary or physio WP Musical Kur Champions. Unfortunately, he has side is a good idea. An assistant trainer is also an had some soundness issues along the way so we option but there are not that many opportunities probably should have been a lot further along but available. You need to be very passionate about I thoroughly enjoy my dressage and love my horse! horses or racing to make it work. thereafter perhaps the Colts Guineas.

What are your ambitions for the future for Any mottos or quotes that you live by?

In this game, patience is a virtue and you need to both training and your dressage career? have a lot of patience in this sport. I have had to I would love to get to Grand Prix level learn that the hard way, as in my normal everyday life I am not a patient person and like things to be How would you describe yourself in 5 words Very motivated, driven, compassionate and honest done pronto!

PHOTO CREDIT: CHASE LIEBENBERG

than any of the men out there to do the job. I have a great understanding of horses and am confident in what I do. There are definitely more woman trainers coming through and being successful, which is nice to see. I think generally a lot of our industry’s owners are male and perhaps prefer to have a male trainer especially from a social aspect, but I have wonderful clients.

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ALCHEMY STUD & EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

All Round Equestrian Excellence There are some people who have the ability to create success no matter where they apply their skills – and George Philippides is one such individual - with an impressive riding career, successful livery yard and riding centre in Kyalami and a reputable breeding establishment producing offspring with sought-after bloodlines. ith more than 40 years’ experience in the equine industry, George’s riding career began at the age of 5 and his ability was evident from early on. He was part of the first official Children’s team representing what was then known as the Transvaal and received his national colours in doing so. He was granted his Junior license early at the age of 12 – usually only granted at the age of 14 – making him only the second person, other than Gonda Betrix, to achieve this feat.

His Junior career was equally successful, earning his Transvaal National colours three times, his SANEF National Colours twice and his Young Riders National colours at the age of 18. Just a few highlights of his illustrious adult career thus far include qualifying for the SA Riders Final in 2012 and winning the Grand Prix at the SA Riders Final at Burlington a year later. He’s competed in the SA Derby once and appears on track to make a second appearance this year provided preparations go according to plan.

His livery yard, Alchemy Stud & Riding Centre is conveniently located within walking distance from Kyalami Equestrian Park and is equipped with fantastic facilities including jumping and dressage arenas

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with excellent surfaces as well as an equine walker, individual paddocks and experienced staff, some of whom have been with George for over 20 years. The 35 stables are used for both his own competitive horses, young horses being produced and for livery clients who range from beginner level to open, top level riders who receive coaching from George. They pride themselves on the social aspect of the yard and it’s not unusual to see a contingent of Alchemy riders out in support of one another at shows.

Both George and his wife, Bonni-Leigh (who also produces an equestrian apparel range named Studdz Equitire), are involved in the breeding aspect of Alchemy stud, along with family members, Rolynne and Donovan Wilken. The Cité Equestrian Park, located in Walkerville, is home to top quality mares with whom they are very selective about matching with Stallions for artificial insemination and George travels regularly to Europe to stay abreast of global breeding practices and trends.

His own stallion, 11-year old Hercules, who has won the FEI 1 Star and is successfully competing in 1.30m and 1.35m classes currently, has also produced a number of successful offspring. The youngsters remain at the Walkerville farm throughout their juvenile years before being backed at about 4 years old and then moved to Alchemy in Kyalami to be produced.

To visit or for more information on Alchemy Stud & Riding Centre, contact: George Philippides m 082 775 5339 k alchemystud@gmail.com

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THE FLEXINEB E2 EQUINE NEBULISER

Aiding in the Prevention & Treatment of Equine Respiratory Diseases Equine Respiratory diseases combined are the number one athletic performance inhibitor in Equine competition. Respiratory diseases affect both young and old horses - some of these diseases can have high mortality rates and affect the longevity of a horse. One of the best means of treating and preventing respiratory diseases in horses is through the use of nebulisation and the Flexineb E2 Equine Nebuliser from Nortev in Ireland is one of the best on the market. e spoke to South African distributor, Danielle Brown, to find out more and tested the nebuliser ourselves.

is a chronic airway disease that tends to be seen in older horses, usually from 6 years onwards.

Respiratory diseases are both a common and a serious problem in horses, they are typically divided into conditions affecting the lower respiratory tract (ie the lungs) and the upper respiratory tract (i.e. the nose, throat and trachea).

These diseases can be chronic, short lasting, infectious and hard to diagnose.

Horses with Severe Equine Asthma tend to show respiratory difficulty at rest - including increased effort and rate of breathing, flaring of the nostrils, coughing, and mucus in the trachea and occasionally in the nostrils. Due to the difficulties associated with Severe Equine Asthma, a horse works harder to pull air into and expel air from the lungs than a healthy horse would - forcing the horse to use its abdominal muscles during the late phase of exhalation. Over time, the additional workload results in the visible enlargement of the abdominal muscles and the formation of what is known as a “Heave line”.

In human medicine, Asthma is defined as “a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing”.

It is usually connected to allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity.

For decades it has been known that horses suffer from Asthma-like respiratory diseases, with the same indicators as human Asthma. These respiratory conditions were known in Equine Medicine as IAD (Inflammatory Airway Disease), RAO “Heaves/Broken Wind” (Recurrent Airway Obstruction) and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

TYPES OF EQUINE ASTHMA Mild-to-Moderate Mild-to-Moderate Equine Asthma, previously Classified as IAD, is typically a respiratory disease that affects young to middle aged horses - some as young as yearlings. Horses with Mild-to-Moderate Asthma do not show signs of respiratory difficulty at rest but may cough, have increased mucus in the trachea, and have decreased performance. The exact cause is unknown, but, is thought to be associated with inhalation of irritants such as dust and air pollution.

Severe Severe Equine Asthma, previously RAO “Heaves/Broken Wind” or COPD,

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

OTHER EQUINE RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS EIPH in Horses EIPH (Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage), also known as bleeding, is most commonly seen in horse during high-intensity competition or exercise such as Thoroughbred Racing and Eventing. In the majority of cases, EIPH is not apparent unless an endoscopic examination of the airways is performed following exercise, however, a small proportion of horses may show bleeding at the nostrils after exercise (known as Epistaxis). EIPH reduces a horse's racing performance and severe EIPH shortens a horse's racing career. Repeated bouts of EIPH that occur with daily training may lead to more significant changes and a greater degree of tissue damage over time with consequent loss of lung function.

Respiratory Infections Equine respiratory infections can be caused by Bacteria, Fungus or Viruses, affecting horses of all ages, and can be present in both the lower and upper

respiratory system. Respiratory infections are the most common infectious diseases of horses and an acute infection in horses can incapacitate a horse anywhere from a week to a month. Symptoms of respiratory-tract infection can include nasal discharge (clear to yellow or white,) coughing, lethargy, poor appetite and changes in breathing pattern.

WHAT IS NEBULISATION? Nebulisation is a respiratory management technique in which tiny droplets of aerosolised medication are generated and inhaled by the patient. A nebuliser device enables the horse owner to easily administer care to their horses’ airways and lungs. The device incorporates a mask that fits on the nose and a technological means of generating a fine mist.

Many respiratory diseases affect the lower airway and nebulisation ensures the medication particles are small enough to reach the small airways within the lungs for optimal performance. The Flexineb E2 nebuliser was developed in Galway, Ireland with the help of Irish and International veterinarians. It is a portable equine nebuliser that silently produces a fine mist of aerosolized You can purchase the medicups for the machine separately so the machine medication for the rapid, safe and affordable management of respiratory con- can be used by multiple individuals on multiple horses with no risk of infecditions in equine athletes. tion spread. This makes it viable for large yards, physios and for groups of individuals to purchase collectively.

WHY EQUESTRIAN LIFE LIKES THE FLEXINEB E2 NEBULISER: 1. It is Silent & Portable 3. It is Effective We successfully utilised the machine a very nervous thoroughbred with We spoke to a number of racehorse trainers currently using the Flexineb little resistance. He easily accepted the nose mask and considering there system who have noticed a significant difference in performance and horse was little sound when switched on he was unphased by the fine mist being health. According to Nortev, the particle size required to reach the lower airinhaled. It operates off a battery pack so there is no risk of damage to cables way is 5 microns or less in diameter (for perspective on size, a human red cell and can be utilised anywhere (at stables and at shows etc) is approximately 5 microns in diameter). The Flexineb E2 systems have been extensively tested and, through the use of nuclear scintigraphy, have proven 2. It Can be used for Multiple Purposes that up to 71% of the medication inhaled using this system will reach the The nebuliser can be used for short term, illness specific treatment or regu- lower airways. larly for long term maintenance. Examples of medications which can be utilised in the nebuliser include: Medical Information courtesy of NORTEV.  Antibiotics for Infections

FLEXINEB DISTRIBUTION (SA)  Corticosteroids for Inflammation Danielle Brown  Bronchodilators to open airways k Flexineb.rsa@gmail.com  Mucolytics, saline and natural solutions to remove mucus and support m Sammy – 082 787 2922 immuno system recovery

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 21

EDITORIAL

10

THINGS HORSES TAUGHT ME... about dating Taming the beast... the 2 and 4-legged type Dating is hard, yo. But you know what is harder? HORSES. ANYTHING WITH HORSES. They are bigger, more expensive to spoil, less easy to communicate with, and temper tantrums can legitimately hospitalise you. For equestrians, relationships pale in comparison, but to be honest we could actually be damn good at them if we just apply our training principles to our partners.

1. Don’t assume ANYTHING Especially, do not assume that they know what you mean. Don’t assume they have been backed. Don’t assume that their saddle fits. NOTHING. YOU KNOW NOTHING. As with horses, humans require ridiculously clear communication, repeatedly. Go back to basics if things feel like they are falling apart, because the single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. Like making out, keep it HOT - Honest, Open, and Two-way. The best riders listen to their steeds, and the best partners make sure their other halves feel listened to.

2. Sometimes you have to lose the battle to win the war So today your horse doesn’t want to go through water to get into the arena. You KNOW they know how to go through it. What do you do?

Well if you have three spare hours, sure, let’s work on solving this issue.

If you are about to go into a championship class, just - go - around - it. It is not the time or place.

Likewise, sometimes your partner will be three glasses of wine down at your parent’s house and you ask them how they are and they say the

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

magic word (“Fine”) DO NOT REACT. Let it go, be civil, and keep that brownie point in your bag for when you need a night out with your mates.

3. The carrot and the whip method… it works To maximise your training it is simply a question of making the good things easy, and the bad things difficult. Pressure and discomfort, praise and release - it works for boxing, it will work for getting the lightbulb changed.

It doesn’t matter if you had to scream your head off to get your significant other to do what they were meant to do: the second that they do, you have to bat your eyelashes and tell them how wonderful they are. Positive reinforcement for the win!

4. There is no accounting for personal taste Some people like Arabians, some like warmbloods. I prefer bays, my bestie prefers greys. It doesn’t matter. On the contrary, it’s better because then we don’t all need to fight over the same ride. Just the same, don’t judge and roll your eyes at tattoos or weird hair - that is someone’s Totilas.

Just like we won’t laugh at your Quarter Horse.

(I am kidding. We would never laugh at a QH. But we might laugh if you date a Scientologist.)

5. The most useful emotions are humour and patience ESPECIALLY when you are feeling particularly annoyed, it is really important that you don’t overreact and take a whip to their butt. The same goes for horses.

There is a great saying that my first coach told me, which is “Anger begins where knowledge ends.” There is another one which says “I wouldn’t have to control my anger if you could control your stupidity”, which may or may not have been said by my first husband.

The fact is, the only way to survive the unsurvivable sometimes is to laugh - your sense of humour is not tested by how you give a joke, but how you take one. And as someone who has ridden a LOT of naughty horses and dated a LOT of weird people, I assure you, laughter is the best medicine.

Put on the lingerie. Buy the flowers. Hang the towels up. Do something without being nagged. Make the effort - every - single - day - to be the best rider that you can be.

PARTNER, I MEANT PARTNER. 9. If things are going wrong, remember this and feel better: you are at least half the problem!

Even if it is a feeding problem, a tack problem, a schooling problem, or a confidence problem, IT IS YOUR FAULT when your horse gets it wrong. Likewise, when your partner is having PMS and your psychic powers failed to realise that they need chocolate and champagne, just admit it. Apologise. Amend your egregious error. Buy them a new pair of gloves too.

After Valium.

And Pharmacalm.

6. What you force in, you force out, what you play in, you play out There is a great saying that goes “If you act like you have five minutes it will take all day, but if you act like if you have all day you will take five minutes.” Similar to getting anything constructive out of your partner, two AND four-legged. Don’t fight with your partner - it’s bad for cooperation galloping into a water complex, and it’s bad when you have to share a bed with them. Be friendly when stress arises and make it a calm and positive experience.

10. Sometimes you gotta throw them out to pasture If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. After that just give up. No use being an idiot about it.

Sometimes things just become toxic for everyone, and then a change is as good as a feast. Sometimes a new ride on another horse is all you need to realise that you have been wasting your time on a bad relationship with someone who didn’t suit you.

Er… No. You know what? I stand by that.

Basically, don’t sweat the petty things, and keep petting the sweaty things.

7. Accept that some days will not go well: it’s just a bad ride, not a bad life We all have bad days. Blue days. Days we aren’t at our best. Extend your partner the same courtesy you extend your horse, and assume the best of them, not the worst. All relationships go through hell: the best relationships come through the other side because of perseverance, not flowers and other idealistic nonsense. Stick it out, do the work, and remember the good days when you’re having a bad one! We hang our rosettes to remember the rides that made it worth it when we have a limb in plaster. Keep looking at your partner’s cute butt when you need to be reminded why you love them mid-hangover.

The ultimate thing here is that although I am a professional rider, my own horses have always been cheeky and wild. So basically, do as I say, not as I do. I am incapable of taking my own advice, although I know I am excellent at dispensing it.

On the upside, you can own more than one horse, they eat out the palm of your hand, and you can ride them any time you like. Plus if horses break your heart, you can lock them in the stable, geld them, or sell them.

Just saying.

CONTENT: @THE_OFF_SIDE_OF_GEORGIE, GEORGIE ROBERTS WWW.THEOFFSIDE.CO.ZA (COMING SOON!), IMAGES: PEXELS

8. Do the girth up one hole at a time Be gentle, take your time, stay thoughtful, even when putting the saddle on for the hundredth time. You don’t want to get complacent and just yank that sucker up… unless you want to get hoofed in the knee or propelled into outer space.

Relationships are not easy, whether they are athletic, friendly, or romantic, But they help us to define who we are, and what we can become. Most of us can trace our ultimate successes to important relationships, whether with cheeky chestnut pony stallions who push us into our comfort zones, or ridiculously tall baby daddies who push us out of them.

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 23

EDITORIAL

Castano

EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT Living the Dream August is Women’s Month and we’re inspired by the number of lovely ladies within the equestrian industry who have created successful businesses from their passion for horses.

Castano Equestrian Equipment, a tack and riding apparel store on the West Rand of Johannesburg, is one of these success stories – founded and owned by Adele Coetzee and Louise de Beer. hey say that if you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Many of us have dreamed of creating a profession from a passion, but entrepreneurship can be a long, hard (and expensive) road which most aren’t prepared to travel. For those who do however, the rewards can be significant and for Adele and Louise, the adventure is just beginning…

and responsible for the design and décor and all things “pretty”. Louise’s strength lies in the operational side of the business and the systems and processes. Having different strengths and weaknesses is part of the winning recipe for the shop and we give each other space to live out our strengths in the business. (Although…. Louise has put a limit on the number of unicorn items which Adele is allowed to bring in to the shop!)

When & how was Castano established?

We had been dreaming and planning to open our own shop for a long time, and finally took the big step in 2017 - we officially opened our doors on 1 September 2017 and haven’t looked back since.

We have been best friends for more than 20 years and both of us have always had a passion for horses and riding. We believe that we have established a successful business, and despite the notion that one should never work with friends or family, we feel that our friendship now is even stronger than before. We manage to keep the business side professional, and yet still build on our friendship.

What was your motivation to create the brand / open the store?

Being equestrians ourselves, we realized that there was a need in the market for a shop which could provide quality items, at affordable prices. We did a lot of market research on products, suppliers, prices, geographical location of the shop and the relevant market etc. It involved months and months of planning and many late nights and long hours before we were finally ready to open our doors. And then after the doors opened the even Our longer term goal is to become a leading tack longer nights of hard work started! and apparel store in South Africa - supplying standard as well as exclusive ranges of products.

We wanted to create a unique shop, with a cozy atmosphere where equestrians and friends would How did the name Castano originate? feel welcome and at home. We try to create an at- We wanted the name of the shop to have a mosphere where people want to stay and have cof- special meaning. CASTANO is Spanish for a fee and meet with other equestrians and swap out chestnut colored horse. The Spanish word is a stories and pictures. A lot of the décor in the shop reminder of the phenomenal trail which we rode has a very personal meaning to us. Some of the in Spain, and the connotation of the chestnut pictures were taken on the trails which we did to- horse is related to Louise’s chestnut mare.

Both of us come from a legal background. We had some retail background, but most of all, we are passionate about horses and about making the business a success. What we lacked in business knowledge, we made up for in hard work and tenacity. Each of us have different strengths which we bring to the business. Adele is the creative spirit

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gether. We have been on trails in Montana (driving a herd of 80 horses from the snow capped mountains to their home ranch over a period of 5 days), a trail of 350 km alongside the Fish river Canyon in Namibia, and through the beautiful forests, farms and on the beaches of Spain.

What is your vision for the brand?

Our immediate goal is to establish our brand in the market and to build our reputation. We want to be known for our quality products and reasonable prices, but also for the ethical manner in which we conduct our business and the relationships which we build. We have been fortunate to meet some amazing customers and to partner with great suppliers and we treat those relationships as we would treat personal relationships – with unquestionable loyalty and commitment.

Louise de Beer • Title / Role: Founding Owner • Previous Occupation: My career has always, and currently still, revolves around specializing in Labour Law. • How would you describe yourself in 3 words: Hard working, Loyal & Determined • Equestrian Discipline(s) you participate in: Dressage • Most challenging part of owning a tack shop: Probably the same as with any other start up business - managing the budgeted capital out-lay, and not getting seduced by opportunities which will not serve the business best. Keeping a careful eye on our procurement and trying to meet customer’s needs as best as we can.

Also, being a retail business, the hours are long and we trade 7 days a week, which means that a lot of the work starts only when the doors are closed in the evenings and over weekends.

• Most rewarding part of owning a tack shop: Hearing positive feedback from customers and seeing kids full of smiles and giggles leave the shop, knowing that somewhere out there, an unsuspecting pony is about to be spoilt! I still look at the shop and at times just appreciate how far we have come and how much we have achieved.

• Best Advice for women in business in the equestrian industry: Business principles remain the same, no matter which industry you find yourself in. Procurement, financial management, advertising and all of these fundamentals can make or break a business. Do not over extend yourself and get seduced by every business opportunity which comes your way. Carefully select those whom you wish to partner with and prepare for lots of hard work and long hours. But don’t forget to celebrate your achievements. Remember to see the bigger picture… don’t let the short term hurdles prevent you from seeing your long term goals

Adele Coetzee • Title / Role: Founder Owner • Previous Occupation: Magistrate • How would you describe yourself in 3 words: Optimistic, Motivated & Loyal, • Equestrian Discipline(s) you participate in: Dressage, Endurance riding, showing • Most challenging part of owning a tack shop: Finding balance between family, friends, my horse and the store. It is an ongoing juggle, but so rewarding when customers regard you as their friend and want to spend time in the store.

• Most rewarding part of owning a tack shop: Being able to connect with other equestrians on a daily basis • Best Advice for women in business in the equestrian industry: Always put the well-being of the animal first. Nurture relationships with customers and suppliers alike.

• Motto / quote that you live by: Put your hair in a ponytail, drink some coffee and handle it!

• Motto / quote that you live by: When the going gets tough, the tough goes riding. Persevere, it is always worth it

• What is on your Equestrian Bucket List Watching the World Equestrian Games live

• What is on your Equestrian Bucket List?

Doing a horse riding safari on every continent

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 25

BUSINESS

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Bullet

JOURNALLING From Chaos to Calm through Creativity Bullet Journalling or ‘BuJo’ has become the new buzzword across social media and YouTube tutorials. Part day planner, part diary and part creative outlet, Bullet Journalling coordinates your life into a streamlined system to improve productivity and help you achieve your personal and professional goals – whilst creating a visual masterpiece at the same time.

f you are anything like me – a working mom with excessive amounts of work plans and personal commitments and slightly OCD about neatness – then you’ll appreciate my current time management system which includes a day-to-view diary (for detailed daily plans), a week to view A4 page (to allow for a quick glance before committing to new plans), a month to view calendar for planning ahead and a yearly calendar which is stuck up in the garage to keep track of school holidays, birthdays and family vacations. It’s effective, but not overly conducive for transporting it around and none of the commercially available planners seem to be perfectly suited for everyone. Then someone mentioned Bullet Journalling and it was life changing.

about writing on paper and flipping pages.

Plus our brains approach analog and digital methods differently – with analog engaging your brain and encouraging more thorough thought processes.

BASIC STEPS FOR BULLET JOURNALLING The one premise behind Bullet Journalling is categorising entries or ‘collections’. Entries are tagged with bullet points, dashes, and other graphics so you can see their categories at a glance. By updating it daily, you learn to prioritise and add more of the things you care about and reduce the items that are distracting you.

Step 1: Buy a Notebook, Pens and Embellishments All you need is a blank notebook and a collection of pens, highlighters and stickers to enable you to start your BuJo masterpiece.

Some books are designed specifically for BuJo, with dots instead of grids to enable you to customise your pages accordingly. Whilst looking at other peoples’ bullet journals online, you may feel completely out of your depth from an artistic perspective – but fear not, the only thing a bullet journal needs to be is effective – how you choose to decorate it is up to you (no judgement from this artisticallychallenged bullet journaller).

Imagine one book, which achieved ALL of the above and more, AND enabled you to express yourself creatively so it was pleasing to create and look at. The best part is, BuJo is completely customised to your life and you can include as much or as little detail as you prefer. You can include daily-to-do's, monthly calendars, budgeting spreadsheets, motivational quotes (for the rough days!) and even more customised things like fitness logs, breastfeeding schedules (yes I did those!) and the childrens’ extra mural schedules. Bullet Journalling has even proven effective for patients with chronic illnesses – enabling them to manage doctor’s appointments, medication Step 2: Number all your pages schedules and symptom tracking all in one Like all books, the first page will be an index space. so you can quickly find what you’re looking for at a glance so number your pages and you You may argue that an online system or app will update the index as you progress through would be far more practical in this day and the book. age (considering there are apps for literally everything these day) but call me old school Step 3: Create your Index and Standard if you will – there is something refreshing Collections

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 27

BUSINESS Every bullet journal should include these collections in the following order:  Index: This section is at the front of your notebook and serves as a table of contents with page numbers to different collections and a symbol key that you update as you go  Future Log: This four-page spread is a year-at-a-glance calendar with future events, goals, and long-term tasks. Add birthdays, travel plans, and major holidays.  Monthly Log: This two-page spread includes a calendar with a bird's-eye view of the month ahead and a task page with things you want to tackle during the month.

You can also add other monthly tracking pages such as food, fitness and finance logs.  Daily Log: This is your day-to-day to-do list.

Step 4: Create your own BuJo Key / Symbol Legend While you can create a key that fits your needs, the following are often standard symbols used for Bullet Journals:  Tasks: A tick box which can be coloured in once the task is done  Events or Appointments: O or a triangle which can be coloured in once done  Notes or things to Remember (facts, ideas, and observations): a dot  Priority (anything urgent or important): *  Inspiration (mantras, insights, and ideas): !

Basically anything that matters to you, you can create a page for it. (which includes horse shows, riding lesson trackers and even your horse’s mood tracker). Just remember the golden rule: everytime you create a new page, remember to add the title and the page number(s) to the index page.

At the end of every month, when you're setting up the next, you'll migrate stuff that needs to be carried over. You'll flip through the previous month, look at undone tasks and events, i.e. empty squares and triangles, as well as read through your notes. It's best to get into the habit of closing up every month once it's come to an end – it gives you that satisfaction of starting afresh.

These are 5 very basic steps to bullet journalling, but the best recommendation is to google tutorials or even attend classes (yes they’re a thing!) to acquir e inspiration. There is no limit to what you can include in yoru bullet journal and the beauty is that It is completely unique – no one else will have a journal quite like yours.

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IMAGES: VARIOUS SOURCES INCLUDING PINTEREST SOME CONTENT SOURCED FROM: GOODHOUSEKEEPING.COM

Step 5: Create your BuJo Idea Collection Page These are the pages that will truly make your bullet journal yours. Essentially, you take the ideas you jot down in the daily log, and group them accordingly. For example, you may have a page for books you want to read or places you want to visit one day or even your habits you want to track.

Many people also have mood trackers, weight loss graphs and even sleep charts to monitor hour many hours of beauty sleep they’re getting.

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Address: 274/2 Cedar Ave, Chartwell, Fourways 2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 29

BEAUTY

GLISS INTENSE THERAPY WITH OMEGAPLEX® RANGE A buff is a tubular garment which can be used as multi-This range brings revolutionary Bonding Plex technology into your home for the first time – and it’s the perfect solution for severely damaged hair.

Shampoo, 250ml R52.99 and 400ml R69.

Conditioner, 200 ml R52.99 and 400ml R69.

Structure Repair Treatment, 300 ml R89.

THERAVINE DAILY DEFENCE CHARCOAL PURIFYING MASK, R383.

This creamy clay mask is an ultra-luxurious pollution– fighting mask suitable for those home spa routines.

SKIN CREAMERY OILMILK CLEANSER, R375 This luxurious cleanser gently nourishes as it lifts make-up and impurities, whilst conditioning lashes and brows in the process.

Monthly

MUST-HAVES Consistency is Key... including your beauty routine!

SKINPHD SKIN PROTECT SPF30, R320.

SkinProtect SPF 30 is a moisturising Sunscreen that contains anti-oxidants to protect the skin from all harmful UVA and UVB rays as well as free radicals in the air.

Lamelle Clarity Active Control, R125.

Clarity Active Control is an incredibly effective antiinflammatory gel spot treatment that’s designed to calm and heal problem areas.

With Women’s month fast approaching, we’ve put together our hotlist with some girly favourites to make sure you’re always looking and feeling your best.

Lou Harvey cosmetic bags, R210 Because you need something to put it all in.

SKNLOGIC SKNNIGHT, R183.

A night cream that combats prematureageing while it repairs and protects.

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

Africa Marrakech Argan Exfoliating Salt Scrub, R84.

Made with Vitamin E and Argan Oil this luxurious salt scrub exfoliates and smooths the skin leaving it soft, nourished and radiant. Perfect for a spoil after long days in the heat, sun and dust!

AD 2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 31

T R AV E L

Kaapsehoop

Where Wild Horses Roam Free Kaapsehoop is an old historical mining town situated roughly 25kms from Nelspruit and has since turned into a nature lover's retreat. It has become famous for its herds of feral ponies who wander freely through the town making misty mornings resemble a scene out of the Lord of the Rings movie. f you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head into nature for a healthy dose of scenery, simplicity and small-town charm then Kaapsehoop should be high up on your list. The town was established in 1882 when gold was discovered in the streams nearby but with the gold rush long past, the ghost like town remains as a popular tourist destination, hidden amongst the dense commercial forests.

Apart from the magnificent birdlife for which it has become renowned, the greatest appeal for visiting Kaapsehoop is its herds of feral ponies who wander freely throughout the town. The horses are said to be remnants of British troops who were stationed in the town during the South African War and legend has it that the horses were left to the wild when the Kaapsehoop police station was shut down to make way for motorised transport.

One of the best known and longest standing establishments within the town is Kaapsehoop Horse trails - a well-known and peaceful retreat for both horse and nature enthusiast. It was established in 1994 by Christo Germishuys, on the 17,000 -hectare Berlin forestry plantation of Komatiland. He has over 30 years of trail riding experience and works on a

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natural horsemanship basis, making the trail riding business one of the most highly reputable for safe riding, well cared for trail ponies and magnificent, scenic rides through one of South Africa’s unspoilt and best kept secrets.

Kaapsehoop Horse Trails offers a one or two-hour ride for novice riders as well as four to six-hour rides for more experienced, regular riders who can meander into town for lunch, or choose to pack a lunch and ride across the plantations. They also have accommodation on-site in the form of four unique houses, each one packed with history and charm.

The houses are equipped for self-catering and have braai facilities, or you can choose to eat at the Gypsy Caravan Café (just advise the owners in advance) which saves you driving back into town in the dark for dinner. That first early morning coffee on the verandah, curled up in a blanket, overlooking endless views of pine trees with the occasional thunder of hooves from wild horses passing by is literally like living out a scene from a story book – soul food for sure!

If the thought of hiking the trails without a four-legged companion is more appealing, then consider the Kaapsehoop Hiking Trail which meanders through lush plantations and historical sites with breathtaking scenery. The hiking trail goes through the Berlin forest and can be split into various options (the shortest route is 19km while the longest is almost 55km) ranging in duration from two to five nights. Overnight huts are available in the Kaapsehoop Village overlooking beautiful streams or surrounded by pine trees.

Despite its small size, the town of Kaapsehoop has a number of dining options for visitors. One of the better known is Koek ‘n Pan – famous for their large variety of delicious pancakes – both sweet and savoury.

If you’re undecided they have a platter pancake option, allowing you to order two to five different fillings and avoid the food envy that comes from too many options.

Whether you’re a horse lover or not, Kaapsehoop is one for the must-see list – even as a quick detour en-route to Nelspruit just to see the feral herds running free. If you need a few days to unwind and recharge then the quaint cottages at Kaapsehoop Horse Trails are the perfect place to do as much - or as little - as you desire.

Travel Advice for a trip to Kaapsehoop 1. Make sure you plan your arrival time at Kaapsehoop Horse Trails during daylight hours as navigating the winding roads in the mist and dark is fairly challenging.

2. Keep an eye out for wildlife in the road (not just feral ponies) who have right of way – we were lucky enough to witness a porcupine stand-off in the middle of the road during a late-night return trip.

3. Kaapsehoop tends to experience four seasons in one day, so we recommend you take a warm jacket along regardless of season as late afternoons can get chilly.

4. No matter how great the temptation, resist feeding the wild horses.

No matter how instagram-worthy it may be, the horses are feral and should be respected as such.

KaapseHoop Horse Trails m +27 (0) 76 108 0081 K www.horsebacktrails.co.za

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 33

NEIGH-BOURHOOD SECRETS

BLACK HORSE

BREWERY Beers, Burgers & Black Horses

There are few things better than a long, lazy lunch with friends on a weekend, complete with drinks on ice, platters to share and views that make you get lost in your own thoughts. If you’re looking to escape the rat race for a family-friendly, boozy brunch then look no further than Black Horse Brewery. ptly named after the beautiful Friesian horses who reside on the property, Black Horse Estate is an artisanal brewery and distillery situated in the Zeekoeihoek Valley, along the Magalies River. Apart from the brewery and distillery, the estate is also home to a restaurant, a banquet hall for weddings and conferences as well as ample accommodation for those looking for a stay-cation close to home.

then save space for dessert as Black Horse’s gourmet milkshakes alone are worth the drive!

Gin and tonic jelly, salted caramel panna cotta and banoffee waffles are just a few of the postlunch treats on offer.

ground to run around to their hearts content.

Take a stroll through the paddocks between courses and meet the resident friesians who provide the perfect backdrop for those instagram-worthy images.

The drinks menu is as enticing as the food menu – with a number of artisanal craft beers on offer from the on-site brewery, from Lagers to Weiss Beer and Pale Ales to Ginger Beers. If craft beer isn’t your thing then try the locally distilled, hand-crafted spirits – Burnatowska Vodka or Morality Amber Gin, vapour-infused from fresh mountain spring water. If you’re undecided, you can order a taster tray with 5 different options so you can try before you buy!

If we have to find fault it would be the number of flies, but as any equestrian will understand, where there is livestock there are flies and we’re happy to keep one hand swishing while the other holds a cold beer! The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm. It is advisable to book tables over weekends.

The restaurant is situated under beautiful Pecan trees with uninterrupted views over manicured gardens, lush green paddocks and the Magalies mountains in the distance. The simple, but wholesome menu offers something for everyone – from gourmet burgers, to thin crust, made to order pizzas as well as delicious meze Children are well catered for with a play area, platters for sharing. If you have a sweet tooth trampoline, swimming pool and miles of open

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

32 Seekoeihoek, Bekker Schools Road, Magaliesburg, 1793 k information@blackhorse.co.za m 082 453 5295 K www.blackhorse.co.za

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2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 35

F E AT U R E

Switching

SADDLES Mountain Bike Trails Worth Riding

For many of us, we find a sense of freedom in the saddle – and not necessarily one on horseback. Being in the great outdoors with the wind in our face, views over mountains and open spaces and only the sounds of nature and the pedals turning makes mountain biking an equally desirable hobby for adventure seekers.

Cradle Moon o matter where you live in South Africa, we are spoilt for choice in terms of mountain bike trails.

From man-made parks within the city to natural trails in the mountains, there is a terrain and route profile to suit all skill and fitness levels. We took a look at some of the best mountain bike trails worth switching saddles for.

GAUTENG Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge Situated in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind, the routes at Cradle Moon wind through and over the hills and valleys surrounding Lake Heritage. Despite being a short drive from the Northern suburbs of Johannesburg, you could be mistaken for thinking you’ve arrived at a Game Farm as you share the trails with over 300 head of game - including Impala, Springbok, Wildebeest, Blesbok and Giraffe! The routes vary in technicality and apart from cycling, there is the option to trail run and open water swim – very convenient should you be training for triathlons. For the non-cyclists, there are 2 restaurants on site, the newer of which is situated on a deck overlooking the dam with a small stretch of “beach” with loungers – perfect for enjoying sundowners while waiting for the better half to finish cycling.

Distances: Blue: Distance 10km Yellow: Distance 21km Red : Distance 17km (technical) Cost: Day permit rate - Adults R 50 (including the conservancy fee)

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

Giba Gorge

Giba Gorge

Lake Eland Braamfontein Spruit The Braamfontein Spruit has become an iconic ride for Joburgers, with access to the route in dozens of places – the most popular section running between Emmarentia and Sunninghill. You can look forward to excellent single track, bridge crossings and multiple locations for Instagram-worthy selfies (after all, if it’s not on Strava and Facebook – did you actually ride?!). Safety on the route is a concern due to the public nature of the trail – there have been muggings, so preferably ride in a group and be vigilant. The Botanical Gardens at Emmarentia have beautiful water features and are perfect for a relaxing picnic post ride or for the family while they wait for you to finish.

Distances: Various Cost: No Cost Website: www.joburg.org.za KWAZULU NATAL Giba Gorge Located close to Pinetown, Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park offers riders various trails for riding as well as an obstacle course with ramps and bridges. The green trail is just over 5kms long and is quite steep while the orange trail is double the distance but traces its way along the valley. Giba hosts some of the best dirt jumps in the country - starting with a small kids line, through to an intermediate and progressively larger set of jumps and finishing off with a professionals-only set of jumps that require a free fall drop in off a bridge and ending with an epic quarter pipe for big air contests.

Giba Gorge is wonderfully quiet and tranquil and is also pet friendly, so it’s perfect for friends and family to enjoy a leisurely walk with Fido or a coffee at the coffee shop while they wait.

Distances: Purple: 4,6km Green : 10,7km Blue : 16,3km Downhill: 1km

Holla Trails Enduro: 1km Cost: Day permit rate - Adults R 70 Day permit rate – Kids (u12) R 40 Website: www.gibagorge.co.za Lake Eland Game Reserve Nestled between the legendary Mzimkhulu and Mzimkhulwana Rivers, Lake Eland Game Reserve spans an impressive 10,000ha.The trails that have been created in this nature reserve on the edge of Oribi Gorge provide spectacular scenery and the opportunity to do some game viewing from the saddle. There are three trails, ranging from a short four-kilometre ride to a 45-kilometre route that goes from solid sand, through grassland to more technical rocky sections around the gorge.

It’s a perfect holiday destination as there is so much for the family to do – from horse rides, zip lining, scooter rides and game drives –

they'll hardly notice if you’re gone on your mountain bike all morning.

Distances: Trails rated Intermediate. Distances: 4km 24km 45km Cost: Day permit rate - Adults R 60 Day permit rate – Kids (2-8) R 40 Website: www.lakeeland.co.za Holla Trails, Ballito Holla Trails has over 340km of routes in total which is made up of an exhilarating mix of district roads, jeep track and seemingly endless stretches of single-track. The routes range from a short and easy 14km Green Route for rookie riders, through to a tough and testing 84km Black Route for the most hard core of mountain bikers. If the scenery is what keeps

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 37

you motivated during a ride then Holla Trails is a good option for you - the single-track has mostly been purpose-built to contour through the river valleys with amazing views and photo opportunities.

Distances: Trails rated Easy to Extreme. Distances: Green: 14km Blue: 10km / 20km Red 28km Orange:13km time trial route Purple: 25km Yellow: 45km / 48km Maroon: 25km Black: 3 options – 53km Howard’s Bush, 72km Black Skipping Reserve or 84km Monster Black.

Cost: Day or annual permits available Website: www.hollatrails.co.za WESTERN CAPE Paul Cluver Wine Estate Apart from beautiful scenery over the Elgin valley, the Paul Cluver MTB trails provide riders with a mountain bikers paradise filled obstacles and bridges. The trails start in the amphitheatre treating the rider to Raka (a bridge built on a massive tree trunk) and The Swing (a suspension bridge) as well as lots of berms, flowing singletrack and some technical riding. For the brave you can tackle the Mamba, a rollercoaster through a river valley with 6 bridges, or the Pofadder, a bermed bridge built from wine barrel slats at the foot of a waterfall. This trail has formed part of the Absa Cape Epic route for a number of years, also providing an awesome viewing point for spectators.

Paul Cluver Distances: Red: Distance 43km: Elevation Gain 900m – Jeep & Single technical Red & Black option: Distance 46km : Elevation Gain 1000m – More technical Blue Long: Distance 20km : Elevation Gain 500m – Jeep track only Blue Short: Distance 8km : Elevation Gain 218m Cost: Day permit rate - Adults R 50 Day permit rate - Kids R 30

Oak Valley

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Oak Valley Made famous by the Wine2Whales stage race, the Oak Valley Trails are renowned for their flowing single-tracks built by late wine maker, Pieter Visser. Cyclists can choose between a longer red route or a shorter blue route. There are also black loops off these trails with a slightly more technical option if you’re feeling up for a challenge. The views are breathtaking and expect to see loads of cows, plus the occasional bontebok and springbok - It is, in summary, everything you ever wanted in a trail ride. Finish a great day out with a lunch (or wine tasting) at the Pool Room or visit the new Elgin Railway Market.

Distances: Rated Easy to difficult. Distances include: 14km 24km 32km Cost: Day permit rate - Adults R 50 Day permit rate - Kids R 30

Website: www.oakvalleywines.com Jonkershoek An endless map of trails, the Jonkershoek MTB routes cater for just about everyone, featuring Armageddon, Canary Trails, Red Phoenix and Neverending Story, just to mention a few. Every trail has its own unique element to provide thrills and spills for mountain bikers of all experience levels with a few jumps, drops and technical sections.

There are plenty of jeep tracks to explore as well.

A steep climb up to Saaltjie is always a great way to get the legs burning and the blood pumping, and the views are worth it.

Distances: 10km to 50km + depending on which routes you choose Cost: Day permit rate - Adults R 50 Website:

IMAGES: HILARY O'LEARY.

NORTH WEST Van Gaalens Cheese Farm Van Gaalen historic cheese farm, situated on the edge of the rural community of Skeerpoort in Magaliesberg, has become a much loved (or hated, depending on your fitness level) destination for mountain bikers. The trails are a combination of top-quality single-track with an endless network of gravel roads through reed beds, arid bush veld, open grassland and across rivers. Trails begin at reception with well-marked routes – colour-coded for various skills levels – and riders can explore the river trail with floating bridges, play through reed tunnels and then tackle the technical climbs.

For the non-riders, enjoy a lovely relaxing picnic on the banks of the Skeerpoort River and admire the abundant birdlife, do the cheese tour or run the many trails available.

Distances: Various distances - trails change frequently.

Cost: Day permit rate - Adults R MPUMALANGA Sabie MTB Trails The trails at Sabie suit anyone from novices to racing snakes, with so many purpose-built trails that you will literally be able to crank along a different route every day for a whole week. Riding options range from flat and easy to gravel roads or single track, spanning the full range from technical to kid-friendly. The black and red routes are the most technical with big climbs and technical descents.

Trails take riders along the banks of the Sabie River, through plantations and provide views over the Sabie Valley – ticking all the boxes when it comes to scenic trails. For those non-bikers or for some off the bike entertainment, Sabie is also home to 4x4 trips, fishing, hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting, rock climbing and hiking, amongst others.

Distances: Rated Easy to Extreme.

Yellow: 6km Green: 16km Blue: 25km Black: 13km Red: 28km Cost: Permit required from Merry Pebbles Resort.

Website: www.sabie.com

Jonkershoek

Van Gaalens

Sabie MTB Trails Underberg / Lesotho Sani Pass The scenic and challenging Sani Pass is a bucket list item for most mountain bikers and 4x4 enthusiasts, and with rumours of the road being paved in the not-too distant future, the urgency to ride the pass while it’s still gravel is that much greater. This is a dirt road mountain pass in the scenic Southern Drakensberg, which starts as a gradual incline and gets increasingly steeper with hairpin bends and drops into the valley below. The last 2km are the steepest, but reward for the exertion is the ice cold beers at Sani Mountain Lodge Pub (the high-

Sani Pass est pub in Africa) at the top. To get an idea of the ascent - it takes an average rider about 5 hours to get up and less than an hour to come back down.

Carry warm clothing, since the weather can change from sunny to freezing in minutes and don’t forget your passport as you cross the border between SA and Lesotho.

Distance: Rated intermediate to difficult.

80km Cost: None Website: www.sanilodge.co.za

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 39

Sitting

PRETTY If the saddle fits...

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Continuing with the theme of Womens Day coming up in August, we interviewed female saddle fitter Candice Ploos. For many of us, saddles are an expensive, long term investment and Candice helps to make sure that it fits the horse over time as it grows and changes.

Brief overview of your business and what you do?

Sitting Pretty offers a fully customised saddle fitting solution tailor made for the individual for the long-term comfort, health and soundness of both human and equine.

Qualifications and/or experience?

I am a fully qualified and independent Certified Master saddle fitting consultant. I studied at the MSFC college in France under the guidance and training of Dutch Vet, Dr Gerry Oossanen. In addition, I am trained as an Equine ergonomist (Saddlefit4life (S4L)), privileged to train under the renowned Master saddler Jochen Schleese, and a certified WOW saddle fitter.

What are the main points to look out for to know if your saddle fits correctly?

Good saddle fit is an intricate and on-going commitment as Horse’s are constantly changing shape and physic just like humans do. Prevention is always far better and cheaper than cure.

There are some basic guidelines riders and owners can follow to gauge whether their saddle might be causing issues or not.T he following aspects are very important and easy to recognise and understand to help horse and rider’s comfort and performance: • Symmetry and straightness • Balance • Does your saddle fit you?

• Sweat patterns Lastly and most importantly How is your horse feeling? Is he happy to move forward and work easily and correctly over his back or not? Horses are very generous, forgiving and willing animals. Behaviour problems and resistance are almost always a result of your horse trying to “tell” you something.

Long term goals or bucket list items?

South Africa is quite far behind Europe and North America saddle fitting wise and we have a long way to go on the journey of good saddle fit, so I am working on ideas to hopefully help get the saddle fitting industry more regulated in the future for the benefit of both equine and human alike. I hope to be part of the movement that will see saddle fitters in this country continuing further education using Things like CPD training to keep saddle fitters up to speed and ensure we provide the best and most informed service possible.

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

IMAGE: HILARY O'LEARY.

Advice for girls interested in following a similar career path?

This job is very hard work both physically and emotionally. It is long hours spent standing outside in the elements. You have to be both an animal lover and people’s person, I found out very quickly that dealing with and successfully navigating people’s emotions is a large part of being a successful saddle fitter. Have a knowledgeable and ethical mentor to guide you. Mistakes are lessons, learn from them. Continue to learn and educate yourself on a daily basis, you can never know enough! be a good listener …to both the horse and the rider. Be a Fierce advocate for the Horse’s welfare and don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.

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2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 41

C A N I N E F E AT U R E

FUNDA

Nenja

Teaching Life Skills through Dog Training Funda Nenja is a township dog training initiative which seeks to achieve improved animal welfare combined with the provision of life skills to nurture more responsible, caring young adults. It uses the principles of the bond between dog and child to encourage children to think and act differently in real life situations by learning responsibility, discipline and mutual respect. unda Nenja, which loosely translated from isiZulu, means “Learning with a Dog”, began as a short-term animal welfare project in July of 2009 in Mpophomeni, a semi-rural township just outside of Howick in the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands, placing special emphasis on humane handling of dogs. It quickly grew however, becoming a regular activity due to ever increasing and popular demand and now has almost 100 children and dogs attending training classes on a weekly basis.

We chatted to Adrienne Olivier, Program Administrator at Funda Nenja, to find out more about the initiative: Can you give us a brief overview of the program and what services you provide?

The traditional approach to animal welfare in Africa is to promote sterilisation and rabies vaccination campaigns, together with a limited distribution of educational material. In 2009 the founding members of Funda Nenja decided to deal with humane education and animal welfare with a more hands -on approach, by using dog training classes as the vehicle towards these goals, and as a portal into the community of Mpophomeni.

By changing children’s attitudes and emotional responses towards their dogs, we are investing in the future and not just applying a “band aid” approach to animal welfare. These children become agents of change and role models of responsible, caring dog owners in their communities.

Besides offering weekly dog training classes, Funda Nenja runs a sterilisation programme and a weekly primary veterinary care clinic which includes rabies inoculations, deworming, flea and tick treatment as well as attention to minor ailments such as skin conditions, minor cuts, ear and eye infections etc. Those cases needing specialised veterinary attention are referred and transported to clinics in nearby Howick.

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

Our social welfare program sees our social worker assisting community members access social grants, counselling, family interventions etc. Funda Nenja adopts a holistic and integrated approach known as one-welfare, as we believe that the well-being of animals and humans is interlinked and dependent on each other.

The attitudes of the general population of Mpophomeni towards dogs has greatly improved since the start of this initiative, resulting in humane dog population management and higher levels of responsible dog ownership, primary health care, including sterilisation, and humane handling of their dogs.

What is the process for children to become part of the program?

We accept a new intake of approximately 25 handlers and dogs at the beginning of each month. Each new entrant receives a home visit from our Education Officer and the Social Worker who assesses if social welfare assistance or animal welfare guidance is needed. All participants attending the dog school are required to agree to have their dog sterilised through our sterilisation programme.

Is there a cost for children to participate or how do you raise funds?

There is no registration cost to join the program but we require dog owners to purchase their own collars and leads sold at our facility for a nominal amount. Each new dog receives a free dog bowl and blanket and we sell dog kennels and dog food for an affordable price. We try, as much as possible, to avoid free hand outs as we aim to encourage responsible dog ownership.

How many children and dogs do you currently support in this program?

We average 80 to 90 children and dogs attending the Friday afternoon dog training classes and an approximate total intake of 300 per annum. Our social worker also gives life-skills workshops twice a month to those children who do not have a dog, as well as holiday workshops when the dog school is closed. We reach over 400 children per annum, most on a regular basis, as opposed to a one-off engagement.

Can you tell us about some of the children and their dogs currently in the program?

Luyanda Chiiza and Pops have been attending the Friday afternoon training classes at Funda Nenja for over two years now. Pops is a very lucky dog that was rescued by the Chiiza family from a neighbour that, according to them “was nasty to him… they didn’t want to feed him and he was chained to a pole”. Pops didn’t have a name when he was rescued, but twelve year old Luyanda called him Pops "because he POPS all the time”! Indeed, Pops is a very sweet and friendly dog, who literally ‘pops’ with joy when you approach or give him attention.

Luyanda and Pops have done very well with their training. They started in the adult beginner class and have worked their way all the up to the top advanced class, where they have been for the last six months. Pops adores his young guardian and will do anything to please him. “Pops tries very hard at the training… he loves doing the heel work the most… but he doesn’t like to do the stay for too long, sometimes he ‘pops' during the stay and comes to see me” says Luyanda.

Luyanda lives with his mother and older brother and sister and says that “Pops is my other brother”. Luyanda used to watch the Funda Nenja classes from the other side of the school yard fence - “I saw that you must be nice to animals because then they will be nice to you and be your friends". During his two years at Funda Nenja Luyanda says that he has learnt “to love all animals... and how to be kind to animals and make sure that they are happy”.

Luyanda says that “Pops makes me too happy all the time” and that the thing he loves most about Pops is that “he always wants to play with me… sometimes we run up and down lots but he never gets tired of playing with me”.

How can the public get involved?

Funda Nenja relies completely on donations and grants to sustain the vital

outreach work. The public can support with items from our wish list or provide much-needed monetary donations. Our banking details are as follows: Funda Nenja Bank: FNB Branch code: 22 07 25 Account no: 6245 8766 197 In addition, we advertise special needs projects on our Facebook page so followers can stay up to date and contribute to specific projects if they prefer: https://www.facebook.com/fundanenja/ What is on your wish list if people would like to donate towards the program?

Our wish list for the dogs include:  collars,  leads,  dog bowls,  dog jerseys  blankets and  dog toys.

For the children, we need small items which are given out at our monthly class assessments, for example, toothbrushes, facecloths, sweets, balls, crayons, stationary and backpacks.

In addition, we are really needing to acquire a double cab bakkie for the many tasks required to run the various outreach programmes. Currently we rely on volunteers or staff to use their own vehicles to collect donations, transport dogs to the veterinary clinics in Howick and so forth while our staff have to mostly walk when doing the home visits which is both time consuming and unsafe.

What is your long term goal for Funda Nenja?

Our long term goal is to see the project being owned and sustained by the local community of Mpophomeni. We also hope to inspire other groups to replicate our model in other parts of South Africa so that the values of kindness and compassion, together with a non-violent approach to life in general, can spread to many other communities. By teaching our children to be kind today we can hope for a kinder world tomorrow.

Funda Nenja c/o Zamuthule Primary School, Mpophomeni , KZN m 083 636 0891 k adrienne@fundanenja.co.za E Funda Nenja K www.fundanenja.co.za

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 43

THE a Dog a Day PROJECT Custom Portraiture by Marth & Abe

Whilst most of our phones are at maximum capacity with photos of our fur children (the canine, equine and feline types), very few of us ever have these printed and displayed.

If this sounds familiar then fear not as we have a solution – custom digitally illustrated portraits from Marth and Abe – and to make it even better, a portion of proceeds from each portrait are being donated to animal charities in need!

he #adogaday project was a side project started by designer Nicola Williams to ensure that she accomplished something creative every day and, in doing so, be able to give back to those in need with the help of her customers.

She creates beautiful digital portraits of clients’ dogs at a cost of R600 per image – but R100 of each order is donated to a different dog charity organisation each month. Clients wishing to have a pet portrait done can select a specific date, ensuring the charity of their choice receives the donation. The charity organisation for the month of June, is Funda Nenja, a fantastic township upliftment program featured in this issue.

Each portrait is a custom digital illustration, which is then printed on A4 200gsm acid-free art paper – which can be framed and makes the most perfect gift for a fur-mom or dad.

Whilst the price is only valid on the dog portraits in order to raise as much money as possible for the various charities, we challenged Nicola to try her hand at equine portraits and the result is awesome (I’m slightly biased as I obviously think Pound Seat (pictured below) is by far the most beautiful horse in the world).

ABOUT THE ARTIST Name: Nicola Williams Age: 29 Where are you situated: Cape Town Occupation: Self-Employed - Designer and If you would like to have a portrait of your Business Owner horse done or take part in the #adogaday project and have your canine bestie turned into How long have you been doing pet portraits: I did my first dog portrait a few years ago as a fun a work of art, contact Nicola via her website project, and then I launched into it when I posted www.marthandabe.com or email marthandthat on instagram and people started to request abe@gmail.com

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

portraits. I then decided I would make it into a project and started the #dogaday project in March.

Do you have any pets yourself: Yes, we have two rescue dogs, Alfred and Eva Marth & Abe K www.marthandabe.co.za k marthandabe@gmail.com Q @marthandabe

OPEN

RECIPE

Lulu’s Pawsome Pup-cakes

WITH CHEESY BILTONG FROSTING

Yield: 8-10 treat sized cupcakes Fresh from the Lulu Pet Products kitchen this issue are delicious Pup-Cakes with Cheesy Biltong Frosting. These dog -friendly cupcakes are ideal for canine birthday “pawty” celebrations or simply as a treat so your fur-bestie can join in on afternoon tea and cake.

Ingredients: 1 cup (120 g) 1 ½ tsp.

2 Tbsp.

2 tbsp.

200 g 80 g

Lulu Pet Treat Mix (Chicken, Beef or Oxtail) Baking Powder Water, cold Coconut Oil, melted/Vegetable Oil Butternut Puree, cooked, cooled* Carrot, grated

Frosting: ¼ cup Plain Greek Yoghurt (ensure that it contains NO sweetener) ½ cup Cream Cheese, plain 30 g Biltong, powdered Method: 1. Line a cupcake tin with paper cups and pre-heat the oven to 180˚C. 2. In a large mixing bowl whisk the Lulu Pet Treat Mix and the baking powder together and set aside.

3. In a separate bowl whisk together the water and oil.

4. Add the pumpkin puree to the water and oil and mix well.

5. Add the grated carrot and mix to combine.

6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir using a wooden.

Spoon. Mix until just combined taking care not to overmix.

7. Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full and shake the tin lightly to flatten the batter.

8. Bake for approx.. 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

9. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.

10. For the frosting whip together the Greek yoghurt and the Cream Cheese until light and smooth.

11. Fold in the powdered biltong and place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.

12. Once the pup-cakes are completely cool, spread or pipe the frosting onto each cake and decorate with a little bit of extra biltong or a Lulu Pet’s Doggy Treat. *Steam or boil the butternut until completely soft. Drain well and allow to cool. Mash or puree until completely smooth To order your starter pack or to find a stockist near you, contact Jodi-Ann Pearton on k Jodi@lulupets.co.za or visit E Lulu Pet Products on Facebook.

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

MANDELA DAY 2019 Passing it forward for Animals

The 18th of July is an annual celebration of both Nelson Mandela’s birthday and of human kindness. It’s a day when all South Africans put aside 67 minutes to help make a positive difference to a community within the country. For many this may mean volunteering at shelters and orphanages or creating pop up soup kitchens for the needy and homeless. For those whose hearts lie with the animals, we’ve found 2 worthy causes to support this Mandela Day:

THE DOG BOX PROJECT The DogBox Project started off in 2012 as a Mandela Day Initiative but has become an ongoing project due to popular demand. The need of animal shelters is growing by the day - blankets, food and kennels are always needed. Of these 3 items, kennels are unfortunately the most expensive and as funds are limited, shelters are not always able to purchase them.

The Dogbox Project hosts public and private events around South Africa. At the events, teams get the opportunity to paint and decorate a kennel. Each kennel, along with a bag of food and a blanket, gets donated to an animal welfare organisation that distributes to less fortunate communities. More than 1200 kennels have been distributed since 2012.

For 2019 we would like to fund 67 kennels that will be distributed to different farm areas where dogs are living in harsh conditions. Part of the project is also to educate farmworkers on how to take better care of their pets. For R500 you DONATE a kennel, a bag of food and a blanket.

IMAGES: SUPPLIED.

Bank: Nedbank, Cape Gate Account Number: 1165431475 Branch Code: 104509 Account Name: The Dogbox Project Account Type: Current Account K www.dogboxproject.co.za k info@dogboxproject.co.za E www.facebook.com/DogBoxProject Q www.instagram.com/thedogboxproject

CART HORSE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION The Cart Horse Protection Association, based in Cape Town, was established to provide essential services and education to cart horse owners to address the conditions in which cart horses live and work.

Apart from keeping a close eye on working conditions and driver behaviour, they also provide veterinary and farrier services, cart and harness repairs as well as providing subsidised feed and oat hay to cart horse drivers.

They will be celebrating Mandela Day by helping owners of cart horses to rebuild their stable yards and they would love you to come and join them: Date: Thursday 18 July Time: 08h00 – 14h00 Place: Meet at the CHPA Offices (92 Bofors Circle, Epping, Cape Town) Bring: Hammers, saws, nails, boots, gloves, drinks and snacks & a fun attitude!

K www.carthorse.org.za k pr@carthorse.org.za E Cart Horse Protection Association

2019 July-Sept - Equestrian LIFE | 47

PROFILE

NICOLE HORWOOD

they do. Without their buy-in they will never be able to reach the top in this very competitive sport. Successful horses come in all shapes and sizes, but confirmation wise I like a horse with a good top line, athletic in type, not too big and I like the horse to be up in front.

Do you have a mentor or role model?

Of course my long term coach Gonda Betrix, I have been with her since the age of 18 she has shaped me into the rider I am today. Also Marcus Ehning is just a legend and I really enjoy watching him ride.

What advice would you give your 18-year old self?

It's taken me years to learn humility in this sport. I would advise myself to remember that tomorrow is another day. Forget your ego! It’s ok to make mistakes just learn from them, make your come backs stronger than your setbacks and remember that we are privileged to ride these animals so make them your partners and friends. Reward them for doing well and they will fight for you.

How long have you been in the equestrian industry and in what disciplines have you participated?

I have been riding since the age of 6 so that would be 39 years of which I took about a 6 year break from the sport. I tried my hand at eventing when I was about 14 but my true passion is and always has been show jumping.

Apart from riding – are there any other hidden talents we don’t know about?

No not really. I came from a very sporty family though - I did get Natal colours for Volleyball and enjoyed cycling when I gave up riding for a few years, but riding horses is in my blood so it’s the only sport I’m passionate about.

Which is the best horse you’ve ever ridden and why?

Best is a relative term but I have to say that there are two that have stood out for me that set my career on an unforgettable path. They are Capital Colnardo and Capital Don Cumarco. They have both achieved remarkable careers. Colnardo now owned by Jennifer Gates is competing successfully on the American and European circuits and Don Cumarco is just a legend of our sport in South Africa. To win the SA Derby was a lifelong dream, so to win it four times on Capital Don Cumarco is just so incredible. He owes me nothing but I owe him everything...

Is there one characteristic that you look for specifically in a horse?

To me the most important characteristic is the attitude and ride ability.

They must be willing; with a good work ethic and they must enjoy what

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Equestrian LIFE - July-Sept 2019

Best Part of your day?

In the early morning when I’m riding. If I don’t ride first I’m usually grumpy at the office.

Any pre show routines or lucky charms?

I often get on my horses before the class to get an idea of how they feel on the day. I ride mostly stallions so it can be a challenge, they are unpredictable and you never know from day to day how they’re going to react. If they’re quiet I will literally just ride them for 5 min and get off but if they’re feeling too good they will work a little more until they settle down.

Do you have a motto or saying that you live by?

The more I practice the luckier I get - Gary player IMAGES: DENFORD STUDIOS

When they created the saying “dynamite comes in small packages” we think they may have had Nicole Horwood and Capital Don Cumarco in mind. This duo of pocket rockets have won the SA Derby four times along with a multitude of other major show titles and continue to be crowd favorites wherever they compete.

What are your life goals?

Personally, to be the best mother I can be, to learn as much as I can and just enjoy the journey. Riding wise – it would definitely be to ride at a World Cup final or the Olympics

AD Western Cape

KwaZulu Natal

T: 061 414 9147

T: 031 768 1453

Gauteng

T: 083 661 1543

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