Mare of the month

TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY

ASSEGAI QUICKSTEP

This month’s mare of the month is the lovely rising 12-year-old grey mare, Assegai Quickstep. This mare is ridden by her owner, Shannay Marais. The duo are currently competing in the 1.30m classes with the plan of being in the 1.35m classes next year and hopefully someday jumping the Derby. In fact, these two have already set foot in the Derby arena, the Bob Charter, and there were no problems - an excellent sign for a hopeful Derby competitor. Quicks jumped everything without hesitation - the dike, the steps and the water.

HISTORY

This team went from jumping in the 1m classes together to now competing in the 1.35m. All of this was made possible through the tutelage of Ronnie Healy of RH Equestrian. RH Equestrian is also home to Quickstep as well as Shannay’s other horse, Callaho Lariscott and her pony, Lindt.

It’s true love and partnership.

We have a bond unlike any other.

ABOUT QUICKS

Quicks is a mare through and through. She likes things to be done her way, but as Shannay told us, “Once you get to know her, trust her, and believe in her, she will do anything for you. She has a big heart and will protect you with it”. Shannay and Quicks understand one another. This is clear, and the results of the team speak for themselves.

When we chatted to Shannay, it was clear how much she has valued riding Quickstep. Shannay has learnt to ride a trickier horse through perseverance and grit. Every month these articles are testament to the fact that riding teaches you more than just equine skills – and this is undoubtedly the case for Shannay and Quicks. The pair have developed together, and the future certainly looks bright for them both.

BREEDING

Quickstep is the daughter of the stallion that was imported and owned by Branic Stud, Quartz d’ Eclipse. Unfortunately, before he could show his true potential, he succumbed to African Horse Sickness. It was never in doubt, said Branic Stud, that “he had the potential to be one of the finest stallions imported into South Africa”. Looking at his pedigree, it’s hard to argue with this statement; he is the direct son of influential sire, Quidam De Revel. Quidam united two of the most important lines in Selle Francais breeding, Jalisco B and Urial. He himself jumped at the Olympic level coming 4th in the individual jumping at the Barcelona Games, as well as producing over 165 offspring competing at the 1.60m level. Some of the most famous of his offspring include Verdi TN, Nabab de Reve and Kashmir van Schutterhof. Kashmir is the father to the recent Gold Medallist, All In. Quidam’s mother, Dirka, was a small mare at only 163cm but jumped at the international level and won.

DID YOU KNOW?

Quidam de Revel has a clone – Quidam de Revel II Z.

FUTURE

As a wonderfully successful and admirable partnership, Quicks and Shannay are to be sponsored by Equestrian House as of the 1st of July 2022.