HQ Magazine Issue 160B

Hello hello!

Welcome to this latest edition of HQ Magazine.  Derby-fever is growing in the  HQ office, and we CAN’T WAIT to bring you our next edition, which will be filled with ALL the United Aviation South African Derby news. It promises to be an excellent competition (as always), and we can’t wait to see who our new Derby champions for 2022 will be.

But before all things Derby take over around here, we’ve put together this jam-packed issue that we hope you’ll enjoy.

In it, we have an exceptional article from the Nooitgedacht Breed Society, which is celebrating 70 years of this special breed. We also have a stunning piece from Philippa Rose-Tite of United Aviation looking at the grooms who make this sport what it is. We have ‘Woody’ as our Gelding of the Month and a great article from Alex Munn on her time with Fox-Pitt Eventing in the UK.

All in all, there’s plenty to keep you occupied until the middle of this week when Derby kicks off IN STYLE.

Let the Derby fever begin!

Much love,

HQ | 160B 3Designer | Mauray Wolff

Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor

Lizzie and the HQ team xxx

IN THIS ISSUE

06 The Way to the Top

With Nicole Horwood, Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos, Dominey Alexander and Ronnie Healy

24 Gelding of the Month

Driftwood LC

28 The Unsung Heroes Meet the grooms

38 My time at Fox-Pitt Eventing

By Alex Munn

44 70 years, what a ride!

Celebrating 70 years of the Nooitgedachter breed

64 Lighten the load

Managing burnout as a competitive rider

72 Soul Journeys with Horses

Retreats guided by empowered herds of horses

80 Spotlight on up-and-coming stableyards

Thomas Reynecke shares his dreams and goals for himself and his new stableyard, Bilavadu Stables

92 AskHQ

Your equestrian questions answered

94 Products we love

Shopping fun

THE WAY TO THE TOP

With Nicole Horwood, Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos, Dominey Alexander and Ronnie Healy

To get to the top, there has to be something special about a horse and rider combinationthe connection, the team, the ability, the personality and the training. Here we chat to four riders of Capital Stud horses who have produced their horses all the way up through the grades to the pinnacle of showjumping competition in South Africa – the 1.50m classes.

“I believe that for Levubu the sky is the limit.” - Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos and Capital Levubu

BRONWYN MEREDITH DOS SANTOS

• What do you believe are the key elements of success in this sport?

You need good horses, and you need to be passionate about them. Then you need to be relentless in mastering your craft. To me, success is born of a love of the horse, good work ethic, patience, attention to detail, grit and a great team behind you.

• How do you approach the challenge of taking a young horse all the way to a 1.50m class? What is involved?

I think you have to approach the production of any horse with patience, with the end goal in mind and with a solid system and plan - but with very little rush. I have learnt it takes as long as it takes and that the reward and joy have to be found in the journey. My obsession needs to be to learn how best to ride the individual horse, in a way that celebrates the best of the horse, and plays to their strengths so that by the time they are in the 1.50m they have huge confidence in their ability to jump anything for me.

• What made you choose Capital Levubu?

Levubu is quite clearly perfect. My heart was set on him from the moment I saw him as a young horse at the stud. He is the ultimate horse, and it would be impossible for anyone not to choose him every single time.

• What are the qualities that make Levubu a successful sporthorse?

Levubu’s unrivalled pure talent, intelligence and consistency are his greatest attributes. He is substantial yet light and athletic, which makes him great as a sporthorse. Levubu knows how good he is and loves to show it off. He is the complete package; you name it, he has it - scope, care, courage. It also doesn’t hurt that he is, quite simply, the most beautiful horse!

• Do you see any of his sire/dam/dam sire come through in his character/performance? Levubu has a superior pedigree. Notably, he is the spitting image of his stunning sire Cachas and finds extra scope and rideability from his damsire Cassini I.

• When you enter the arena, and it’s time to shine, which elements would you say are your strengths?

We thrive on rising to the occasion. I find that we are at our best when it matters most; Levubu knows when it really counts and gives it that little bit extra. My greatest strength lies in my relationship with and trust in my horses. I believe this is gained by thorough preparation and taking meticulous care of my horses. I know my horses are the best and that they will give me their all if I earn it. We can tackle any track because I choose to train properly, listen to my coaches and never go into the arena to compete before I truly feel both myself and my horse are ready for that particular event or challenge. It is essential to have your horse on your side and good training will always win out.

• Describe Levubu’s personality.

Levubu is the king, and he knows it. He is dominant and super sensitive. He does not like being bossed or fussed unnecessarily but loves a quiet cuddle.

• When we talk about partnerships, how would you describe your connection with this horse? I love Levubu beyond all sense and reason. It has taken time to build our relationship as he is a breeding stallion and, in all honesty, too much horse for me. I am in awe of him and very respectful of his talent and sensitive nature. I have produced him knowing what a special gift he is, so I negotiate with him rather than demand. While this has meant it has taken a little longer, I feel this has given us a special connection. I ask, and he loves to answer - and he is always right!

• When is your horse at his happiest? Levubu is happiest showing off in the prize giving or in his big paddock munching a pile of oat hay.

• Can you describe one challenge during the production process and how you overcame it? It has been a challenge for me not to get in Levubu’s way but still maintain rideability. He likes to have the freedom to use his scope, stride and power, but I also need to be able to ride him correctly around a technical track. We manage this ongoing challenge with diligent flat work and a dedicated system. Levubu is impeccable on the flat, which translates into my ability to jump him easily.

• What has been your proudest moment so far? Every time I get to jump Levubu is an unbelievably proud moment for me. The privilege of being his friend is indescribable. I am particularly proud of the partnership we have developed and of our WCQ performances to date.

• Where to from here?

I believe that for Levubu the sky is the limit, so we will have to wait and see ;)

• Who inspires you?

I am only inspired by the best. I try to follow the example set by the most consistent riders and those that work the hardest and whose horses seem to like them - because I believe that is the only way to achieve anything. So notably, I would mention Steve Guerdat, McLain Ward and Henrik Von Eckerman.

I will forever chase a better version of myself as a rider. I am obsessed with this.

• Do you have a motto or quote that you live by? “Horses never lie” - George Morris. I love this because horses will tell you everything you need to know if you just pay attention.

Or, “the harder I work, the luckier I get” - Samuel Goldwyn. I am proof of this.

• Gratitude - who has helped you get to this point?

I am so grateful for the incredible horses I have been lucky enough to ride; as a rider, I would be nothing without them. Then, we would never have got anywhere near this point without my team, including my coaches, Gonda Betrix and Chad Cunningham; my hubby Clem (my biggest supporter and sponsor); and my horses’ groom Arnold Nyoni.

• Tell us one thing about your horse nobody else knows.

Levubu can discern between different perfumes. He definitely prefers some to others and has his favourite.

“He’s brave. He likes to jump. He’s fast.”

- Dominey Alexander and Capital Colman

DOMINEY ALEXANDER

• What made you choose Capital Colman? I loved him at the auction. I liked what he did with his body. I thought he jumped very nicely. We all loved his father (Colnardo), and I quite frankly loved the damline (For Pleasure). I’ve had great success with For Pleasure horses. I went to the World Cup Final, and I won the SA Championships on direct For Pleasure horses, so I liked his pedigree. I was very fortunate that Natalie and Ross were kind enough to buy him at the auction, which was a bit of a surprise as I didn’t know. I had asked them to buy him in the beginning, and then I said that the connection would be Ross as a coal miner and ‘Colman’. But then I came back to them and said, look – don’t buy the horse - he’s going to go for the top price. I was very fortunate as I didn’t know they were bidding on the horse, and I got him a few days later.

• What are the qualities that make Colman a successful sporthorse?

He has a great temperament and the true definition of blood. You can walk him on a long rein, and he’s not spooky, but I jump him with no spur. He’s not hot, but he’s bloody. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s got a big turbo. People don’t understand when they see him lazily walking along; he’s not at all lazy. He’s also super brave.

• Do you see any of his sire/dam/dam sire come through in his character/performance?

We all loved Colnardo, and he jumped with endless scope. I think Colman’s got endless scope. I think he can jump anything – I really do. I don’t think he’s even started yet to push. He jumps a little bit like For Pleasure with the neck up a little bit. He’s tight enough in front but could be a little looser over his top line, but that is typical For Pleasure. He’s brave. He likes to jump. He’s fast.

• Describe Colman’s personality?

He is the sweetest horse ever. You can walk into the stable when he’s lying down and give him a carrot – he doesn’t get up. He is easygoing. I’m yet to find anything he has a problem with.

• When you enter the arena, and it’s time to shine, which elements would you say are your strengths?

This is what makes him difficult and easy all at the same time; he has no preference. He jumps beautifully on the fibre; he jumps beautifully on the grass; he’s not at all spooky at any of the jumps; he jumps open water; he jumps everything; he can go fast or slow; he can jump high or wide or both – he can do anything. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve trained him, so I’ve exposed him to everything, so he understands it, but he does understand everything. Has he yet learnt to walk into an arena and grow? Not yet, but he’s going to. He certainly doesn’t walk into any arena and shrink. He’s still in that development process. You know, when you get on a horse, and he canters into the arena, and you know he’s going to jump well? He’s feels just under that level, but he’s always consistently at that same level. There’s no bad day where he canters in, and he’s spooky or tired - that doesn’t ever come into him. He tries very hard in the arena.

• When is your horse at his happiest? He loves cantering on the track and he loves to jump and eat carrots.

• Can you describe one challenge during the production process and how you overcame it? It’s taken me some time to get to where we are now. I took a long time with him in the beginning because he was very careful and jumped a little too high, so I had to figure him out. I still don’t think I’ve got him at his maximum strength. He’s only 8 or 9 years old, and he’s been very easy as he’s found everything easy. Training him has been uncomplicated, which is actually difficult – I realise that is an oxymoron – but he finds everything so easy that you perhaps don’t do enough, so I’ve had to make the concerted effort of doing it more than I normally would as he got it right the first two times, but I still had to develop his strength and stamina.

• Where to from here?

This year he is going to jump the 1.40m Derby. He didn’t jump the Derby last year as there was a lot of rain, and we were worried about him on the surface. The year before, he jumped in the 1.35m Derby and he wasn’t worried about anything. He’s brave! He isn’t quite ready for the big Derby yet, but I think he’ll win the big Derby one day.

He’s also jumped a couple of 1.50m classes this year, so he’ll do a World Cup next year. I don’t think next year will be his time to shine as they need a year in the World Cups to understand the height and width of the fences, but he’ll be okay – he never disappoints me.

• Who inspires you?

The two most influential jumping people in my life are definitely Rob Hoekstra and Gonda Betrix. I’ve always been a Gonda protégé. I’m a bit old to be a protégé now, but I’ve been with her for a long time, and she’s an amazing task master, and I think she brings out the best in me. It’s lovely for a change that I have somebody on the ground helping me, rather than me being on the ground helping everyone else.

• Do you have a motto or quote that you live by?

I have a few things that I love to say: “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”. I like to cross my t’s and dot my i’s before I enter the arena. I don’t want to leave anything to chance. I am absolutely meticulous about preparation. I check everything myself from how the horses are shod, to the equipment etc.

Then, I also love to say that if it doesn’t work the first time, you’ve got to put your head down and try again because this isn’t an easy sport. What is good today might not always be good tomorrow.

Oh and finally, you must never stop learning. Continued learning in this sport gives you a real performance advantage.

• Gratitude - who has helped you get to this point? Without Natalie and Ross, I wouldn’t have the horse. I’m also grateful to Capital Stud who bred him. Then I’m hugely grateful to my wife, always standing next to me and pushing me/kicking me to be better. She has to kick me quite a lot… Then I’d say, Gonda and my grooms. There’s a whole team behind us.

“I immediately knew he was special.” - Nicole Horwood and Capital Night Star

NICOLE HORWOOD

• What do you believe are the key elements of success in this sport? You definitely need a good work ethic. Consistency is key; there are no shortcuts. Our sport requires hours of training and discipline, and horsemanship and management also play a big role. It is also important to take responsibility for your mistakes but not dwell on them; use them as lessons and move forward. You must also learn to communicate correctly with your horse; 90% of the time, errors made in the ring are human errors and not horse errors. If you accept this, you will go far in the sport. Finally, preparation is key; if you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail!

• How do you approach the challenge of taking a young horse all the way to a 1.50m class? What is involved?

It’s a long journey that requires time and patience. I’m a firm believer in producing horses carefully until they are 100% ready to be put under pressure. Producing horses is a long-term project, and I believe in slow production so that the tank is full when they get to the top. You will never see me winning classes in the lower grades. Each horse is different, and they develop at different rates, so they need to be treated as individuals; some develop faster than others.

• What made you choose Capital Night Star? When I first rode him for the auction videos, I immediately knew he was special. He was so well balanced and easy on the flat. He had such a big jump, I could feel the power and scope, and he was so careful and brave. I made a business deal with friends and sponsors who purchased him for me, and now three years later, we (myself and Capital Stud) have repurchased him. I have sat on some very good horses in my life, but never a horse as scopey and as careful as he is, so I have high expectations of him.

• What are the qualities that make Night Star a successful sporthorse? Definitely his attitude, together with his scope and agility. He is brave, super careful and fast. These days it’s not just about scope anymore; it’s also about speed. He has a good work ethic and enjoys his job. This is vital, as, without your horse’s buy-in, they will never be able to reach the top in this very competitive sport. Finally, he is sensitive but always gives his best and wants to please.

• Do you see any of his sire/dam sire/dam come through in his character/performance? Toulon offspring are known for their tricky mouths; it has been a challenge finding a bit he is comfortable with but we have made so much progress. Then, I can also see Darco in terms of his scope. Darco was small but extremely scopey and fast; these are definitely traits that have carried through to Night Star.

• Describe Night Star’s personality. He is just a big teddy bear. He loves cuddles and always wants to be in your space for some affection. He is a very social horse, and as long as he has a friend, he is happy. His nickname in the yard is Fat Boy Slim, as he gets porky very quickly, so we have to watch how much food he gets. He is a hard worker and has an incredible work ethic, but he is very sensitive. You have to sit very still when you jump him and try not to fiddle too much.

• When we talk about partnerships, how would you describe your connection with Night Star? We trust each other. I think a great advantage has been that I have produced him from the beginning, so we know each others’ strengths and weaknesses and can manage them correctly. I know if he understands what I’m asking, he will give 100% effort.

• When is Night Star at his happiest? As long as he has friends around him, he is happy and content. He loves his work and loves to jump

• What was one challenge during the production process, and how did you overcome it? Bitting him correctly was difficult. I am still constantly changing and trying new bits, but we have found a few that he is now comfortable in. His full brother is Magic Boy, ridden by Ronnie Healy, and we are constantly swapping notes.

• Your proudest moment so far? Jumping in his first SA Champs this year. He had not jumped 1.50m prior to the show, so I really threw him in the deep end. He jumped two amazing rounds with just one silly error.

• Where to from here? We are coming up to Derby, so depending on how the qualifiers go, I would like to give it a bash this year in the big Derby. He jumped his first World Cup in July and was placed, so I think he will be a great contender for the series next year.

• Who inspires you?

My best female rider is definitely Beezie Madden; she brings on her horses patiently and always makes it look easy. My best male rider is Marcus Ehning, ‘The Maestro’. He rides with such little effort and is so devastatingly fast in jump-offs.

• Do you have a motto or quote that you live by? “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t show up.” I am a firm believer in this. If you are determined and willing to put in the hours no matter what sport or area of your life, you will be successful.

• Gratitude - who has helped you get to this point? There are so many that have helped me on my journey. I definitely have a dream team. My coach Gonda Betrix who I have been with for over 30 years, has basically coached me from 1m to the top levels. Then, where would I be without the incredible horsepower that Capital Stud has supplied me over the past 20 years?

They have been my biggest supporters through the good times and bad. I’m also very grateful to my long-time groom and right-hand man Elikana Mvula; my unbelievable sponsors, Western Shoppe, United Aviation, Mark White Nissan; and of course, our stable manager, Linda Kirchmann. Lastly, I have to mention my horse of a lifetime, Capital Don Cumarco; he put us on the map and helped me achieve all my dreams in the sport - there is no title he did not win.

• Tell us one thing about your horse nobody else knows.

He loves to nibble on your hair and is so affectionate; he follows you around like a dog.

“I’ve never ridden a horse like him - ever.” - Ronnie Healy and Capital Magic Boy

CLICK HERE TO VIEW RONNIE HEALY’S FULL INTERVIEW

FINAL THOUGHTS

We are incredibly proud of these partnerships and honoured to share stories like these. It has been a privilege for us to watch these riders with these horses.

Thank you, and we look forward to the successful chapters that follow.

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Gelding of the month

DRIFTWOOD LC

D riftwood LC aka Woody, is owned, ridden, and loved by Robyn Ehlers. However, unlike most of our stories here, it was not love at first sight, at least for Robyn. Robyn had major apprehensions regarding Woody’s size when she met him as a four-year-old, but Robyn’s non-horsey dad was quick to dismiss these, convinced that Woody was special. Woody came home with Robyn, and it turned out that Robyn’s dad was right all along - Woody has proved to be a real find. In fact, just five years after purchasing Woody at the age of four, this duo is competing in the 1.30m classes.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the pair. In fact, after a freak accident, Robyn was left with bleeding on the brain. This scary incident not only affected her physically

but also, understandably, gave her confidence a major knock. However, despite this trauma, the time out of the saddle gave Robyn and Woody time to build a really solid bond that has stood the test of time.

BREEDING

Woody is sired by the late Capital Donarco, the son of none other than Capital Don Cumarco. Don Cumarco has won everything there is to win. He’s really and truly done it all. His son, Donarco, was described by Lan Crest Stud as having tremendous power, unlimited scope, and the ability to pass these qualities onto his offspring; this is clear through his son. Donarco’s damline was just as impressive. His mother, Limelight, is the daughter of Lansing. Lansing

He looks after me every time.

is a stallion known for producing champion stallions, top premium mares, and top foals. He had great movement and extraordinary jumping ability.

CURRENT COMPETITIVE CAREER

Although relatively new to the open grades, this team has already built up quite the resume, including coming second in their first 1.30m class. Additionally, this year, they won the 1.20m SA Champs and won three classes in a row at the first Shongweni show, and these two results are just a glimpse into the year this dynamic duo has had so far.

ABOUT WOODY

Woody makes up for his small stature with his spunky, big, ‘everybody loves me’ personality, and, as Robyn tells us, everyone does love him. He is just as competitive as Robyn and wants to be in the tickets every time. Although feisty, Robyn has mentioned that he has been the easiest horse she has worked with, with no task ever being too big. This kind of attitude is exactly what you need from a young

horse, and at the end of the day, they have no idea how big or small they are! On top of his charming personality, we must also mention the very cute marking on his nose, which just so happens to look like a moustache; it is one of Robyn’s favourite things about him.

THE FUTURE

With the continued help from coaches Ronnie Healy and Marianne Conlyn, who have been with Robyn and Woody from the get-go, there is no doubt this team will continue to impress and grow. And although competitive, Robyn’s primary goal is to enjoy the journey.

Woody has the biggest heart; no task is too big.

HORSE

THE UNSUNG HERO’S

MEET THE GROOMS

My

earliest memories are sensory. The heat of my sun-warmed pony’s back as I lie dramatically draped across Porky, my not-as-bombproof-as-promised-first-pony, pretending to be dead, as only a 5-year-old can.

The delicious ruffle of my hair as Right On Time searches me for apples, gentle lips nibbling on my ponytail, convinced it was the best hiding spot of all.

The smell of Mike Ross’s boot, packed with all sorts of delightful vet supplies, inspiring me to a career I was far too mathematically challenged to actually practice.

And the feeling of homecoming whenever I heard Lovemore’s delighted laugh ring out over the yard, a sound that came frequently, most often directed at me and my dreams of vet school or my frustration at not being able to do something.

I have been honoured, during my riding career, to have been taught by many great teachers, most of whom, I am sure, have forgotten me, as I never did quite crack the Derby heights I was so positive were in my future. But also during that time, I had four of the greatest teachers walk beside me, never losing faith, more astonishingly, never losing patience; listening to me whine, often cry, and sometimes behave like a spoiled teenager, even as an adult.

TEXT: PHILLIPA ROSE-TITE PHOTOGRAPHY: IMAGES SUPPLIED BY UNITED AVIATION GROUP TAKEN BY SHAUN MALLETT AND HILARY O’LEARY

HORSE AND YARD

These teachers were Lovemore, Emmanual, Alfred and Robby. They gave advice, they quietly listened, they cajoled, they coached, they berated (particularly Robby, who didn’t like it when I ‘let my horse down’), they put up jumps, they put down jumps, they checked on me while I was checking on night stables, they walked sick horses with me, they teased me when I needed to be brought down a notch, they supported me when I needed to be lifted up, they were proud when we won, and they commiserated when we lost. They traded the horses they held for my babies when we were alone at an event and were just as delighted to hold both.

People who don’t know horses don’t understand the incredible trust relationship that is built between a rider and their support team. The relationship between the riders and grooms is often dismissed or overlooked, but I wouldn’t know horses the way I do if it hadn’t been for the lessons I learned from each of those men at some point in my life.

There are bonds forged between people when they care for the same animal. A shared love of a particular horse, the leap of faith to trust another human being to care for your treasured baby and, of course, the hours spent together that are required in order to build a winning team mean it’s inevitable that riders and grooms end up more like family than employers and employees.

We spoke to some of our current riders on the circuit, and the consensus is the same; “I couldn’t compete at the level I do if it wasn’t for the support and assistance of my groom”. Our riders depend on them not only to carry out instructions related to the horses but to provide the best possible care, attention and love to these sensitive, athletic animals. The grooms know and understand the vagaries of their charges, and this in-depth knowledge is what enables them to provide relevant feedback to their riders which in turn can make all the difference in a top class.

HORSE AND YARD

“I trust Shepard with my horses’ lives! I know that he takes me better than I know myself and is always such a positive,

HORSE

HORSE AND YARD

JEANNE KORBER & BENDA KAMMENYA

“Benda has been working with us for nearly 12 years now and has definitely become part of our family. He takes such wonderful care of his horses and has a special bond with each and every horse he works with! He loves to tell me how my horses are feeling before I’ve even ridden them!

For example, he’ll say that Lexington is feeling particularly strong today, so I must work him properly, especially if I have a lesson the next day. Or that Julia is feeling tired, so I must rather just take her for a hack.

Benda has also been so great and helpful with our kids. He loves teaching them about the horses and showing them how to care for them - groom, tack up, feed and do all the other stuff.”

LORETTE KNOWLES-TAYLOR & FREEDOMS MOYO (AKA FREE/FREEZO)

After 15 years at Farnham and ten years with Lorette’s horses, Ms Knowles-Taylor’s second husband (as she refers to him) adores her horses, a relationship that is entirely reciprocated! Lorette says she couldn’t manage her horse life without Freezo, who knows just when to push her and when to leave her alone, and she depends on him and his dedicated care of the horses who adore him.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

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My time at Fox-Pitt Eventing

By Alex Munn

As soon as I finished my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology, Psychology and Genetics at the University of Pretoria, I hopped on a plane and headed to the UK for as many Groom Apprenticeship interviews as I could fit into two weeks. I went all over the countryside to a number of big names and riders, including Izzy Taylor, Padraig McCarthy, Jodie Amos and Dassett Eventing. Despite each different role presenting exciting opportunities, I was completely obsessed with the team and setup of Fox-Pitt Eventing. Not only that, but I was completely starstruck by the legend himself. It took me a good five months to be able to have a normal conversation with William that didn’t follow my usual interview style of ridiculous rapid-fire questions.

As to why FPE actually decided to hire me is still a mystery to me today. I was incredibly slow on the yard and naive to the British eventing world. I had no idea how to operate a broom and was too weak to even carry a half-filled water bucket. They must have been truly desperate, or, as I like to think, it was my sparkling charm and determination that got me the job! William was very kind to introduce me gradually to the hardships of a groom’s life by assigning me as the second groom for Kazuma Tomoto (Team Japan, based at FPE). Kazu only had four horses which allowed me to learn the tricks of the trade and increase my work speed under the watchful eyes of Jackie Potts.

Kazu and Jackie were (and still are) the most wonderful and supportive people that I could’ve asked for to show me the ropes at the very top level of our beloved sport. Just the other day, they both stayed an extra half hour to watch me run around my first 4*-S cross-country track!

Jackie has been William’s head girl for 28 years, and there is no one in the industry with more experience! I found Jackie a tough cookie initially, as she was harsh but very fair in her lessons regarding time management, organisation and routines. I learnt so much about show preparation, turnout, international travel, horse nutrition and daily care from her that I have carried on to the care of my own event horses today.

Poor Kazu had the pleasure of dealing with my verbal diarrhoea on lengthy jollies (hacking along the verges of arable land), and I like to pride myself in thinking that I contributed to his improvement in understanding and speaking English. Kazu, who later was dubbed King Kazu, was a fantastic teacher and gave me so many wonderful opportunities to ride, school and even jump his 5* horses. Most grooms in the UK are not even trusted to ride the top-level horses; the lucky few are able to lunge and hack, so to be in a position where I was trusted to school 5* horses without constant supervision was the stuff of dreams.

Having said this,the first six months at FPE were really tough. It was the dead of winter, I was very homesick, and the horses were all fresh as dandelions. I was also the new girl who didn’t know anything, and I had to work very hard to earn small privileges and, understandably, the team’s trust that I wasn’t going to run back home with my tail between my legs.

Kazuma Tomoto

THE SEASON STARTS

All the tiresome winter work was finally worth it once the season began, and I was taken to my first away event at Belton International Horse Trials. At this point, I had been without a horse of my own for five months and was not coping very well. Some online shopping and a very brief ride around the Belton warmup arenas found me the best horse I could ever have asked for! At the time, Basil had only run around a few BE100 events and was a spritely but very polite 6-year-old. I jumped three crosses and knew straight away that he was coming home with me! I had tried him in such a rush (over my lunch break) that I hadn’t even looked at his face, so I had no idea how handsome he was until he arrived. My only mistake was that I got him delivered to FPE two weeks before Badminton which was a rookie error on my part as he ran the risk of bringing viruses or Equine Flu onto the yard. After a brief scolding (for me), Basil was placed in quarantine at the bottom of the yard for two weeks.

I left for Ireland four days after he arrived. Luckily the team at home looked after him and got riding straight away for me while I had an epic Irish adventure at the most entertaining event of them all: Ballindenisk International Horse Trials! Not only did we have the best weather, food and company while we were there, but we were treated to the annual traditional and hysterical event of donkey racing! The sight of 5* event riders bailing off dinky donkeys going slower than a snail was epic. We worked very hard with 3am starts and midnight finishes, but all was rewarded when Kazu came home with first and second in the 4*-S. The ferry ride home was unreal as all the grooms and riders from their respective nations sat together in the canteen and had dinner. But still, the best part about going home was that I was about to start my partnership and international eventing career with Basil!

Basil is a “solid boy”, as William described him. He is reliable but sensitive and absolutely can’t handle the midges in summer. The first time Kazu sat on him, his first words were, “ooh, chunky”, which wasn’t the ideal response for my hopeful lean, mean eventing machine. Our first few events went relatively well; Basil was honest, bold and careful, resulting in us picking up a 4th in our first BE105 at Wellington International.

ALEX VIDEO 1

The social endeavours of summer at FPE were sensational; we had multiple pub lunches, long lunch breaks, tanning in the sun, swimming in the river at Cutt Mill, beach trips, nights out, solstice parties, young farmer events and hunt balls. All of which gave me an insight into the way of British country living, and I couldn’t have been happier. I made some lifelong friends and invaluable connections. One of these unforgettable moments was Badminton 2019, in which William took us for an exclusive team XC course walk! Magical doesn’t even cover it! We planned to have the whole yard done by the time XC started, so we (the team at home) could watch everyone run on the TV from the office above the tack room. We were also guaranteed one of the Badminton days as a day off, so I doubled up with my Irish house buddy and met family for lunch by the lake on showjumping day. We shopped until we dropped and were very proud of William, who finished 9th and 13th on his fabulous nine-year-olds (at the time), Little Fire & Oratorio II.

Off to Ireland, we went for a second time, except this time we were off to the Nations Cup at Camphire International Horse Trials! This trip was fantastic because not only did Kazu win the 4*-L on my favourite of his horses, Vinci de la Vigne, but I was lucky enough to trot up both of Kazu’s horses for him on the final morning before showjumping. This was because Kazu was running cross country on another horse at the time of the trot up. Naturally, I had not prepared for such an honour and ended up doing so in ripped jeans! Jackie was instrumental in teaching me how to prepare and present tired and stiff horses on the final morning, and presenting him was an honour I will cherish forever. The trip home took what felt like days, and I couldn’t blame Jackie for having a sense of humour failure when she dropped her McDonald’s toffee latte at 2am. We then started to settle down for a long and disgustingly wet winter. I was now up to speed and feeling inspired to tackle another season higher up in the FPE team ranks.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the job and the constant staff turnover, my year-long earned privileges were given to the new girls in an attempt to get them to stay, which was a bitter pill for me to swallow. However, Kazu was on the final stretch towards the Tokyo Olympics, and I was confident I’d still have a vital role to play in the team.

COVID-19

Disaster struck in March 2020 when the whole world shut down due to COVID-19. The whole eventing calendar was abandoned, the Olympics were postponed, and we weren’t allowed to leave the yard. Team FPE eventing did their utmost to keep us entertained and diffuse any tensions. We had weekly dinner parties at the FP’s house, where we teamed up and took part in a Come Dine With Me-style competition. My partner, Ollie Fox-Pitt, and I were victorious in our PJ party-themed night and even managed to get lipstick on William! We also had two dressage competitions where William judged us riding through our respective levels of FEI dressage tests. I was beaming when I received 70% for 2* test A. With nothing much else to do except get lost in your own thoughts, I then decided to move home to my parents in Hampshire and go back to University to gain a Masters in Psychology, as we simply didn’t know how long this was going to take and what the future looked like for competitive sport. It was a tough decision, but team FPE supported me and continues to support me in everything I do and has become an extended family for me. Jackie admitted to me once I had decided to leave that she was very impressed with my determination and resilience because she didn’t think I was going to make it at first; she was proud that I proved her wrong.

Note: We lived and worked together and regularly tested for COVID-19 over this period.

RESUMPTION OF COMPETITIONS

Even once competitive life resumed, I freelanced and went with William to Burgham International Horse Trials in August 2020. I regularly bump into the team at events, and they have been so supportive of my progress. I know I always have a friendly face and someone to call if I need advice from the best of the best. Basil and I would not be where we are today without that kickstart in British Eventing, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow and flourish as a result of the brilliant team and the Fox-Pitt way of eventing.

NEXT MONTH

Next month I will dive deeper into the inner workings of the British Eventing system and explain just how different it is from the way we event back home in SA!

South Africa's oldest recognised, proudly South African horse breed has officially reached its 70th birthday. So many of our top riders started their careers on the back of a Nooitgedachter over the past seven decades, and it gives us great pride to have reached this point. The lesser-known stories of everyday riders and their Nooitgedachters are the true gems of this beloved South African treasure.

HISTORY

From its humble beginnings in 1940s, when it was known as the Basotho Pony Project, to the breed the Nooitgedachter has become today, the journey remains a remarkable achievement. The colourful history of the breed has had its ups and downs, as do all horse breeds of the world.

Even though the Nooitgedachter might not be as visually recognisable as the American Saddler, Arabian or Friesian, their non-visible traits are by far their greatest attributes. The Nooitgedachter is prized for its temperament, affection towards humans, hardiness, structural integrity, surefootedness, trainability, work ethic and absolute adaptation to the South African environment.

Historically we can recognise four time periods that roughly coincide with the four genetic infusions into the breed. These phases are referred to as the Foundation Phase (1952-1964), the Consolidation Phase (1965-1975), the Expansion Phase (1975-1990) and the Modern Era (2000 onwards).

THE FOUNDATION PHASE

The Foundation Phase was marked by the selection of suitable stock to start breeding with, and details of this phase were recorded in meticulously kept stud records by the Department of Agriculture. This phase was critical in establishing the genetic basis and breed standard we see today. As the project was a staterun project, top animal experts and veterinarians made breeding decisions based on the scientific methodology of the day. However, the selection criteria were so stringent (only 1 in 4 of the horses bred made it to breed the next generation), that the already small genetic pool was confronted with the realities of inbreeding from very early on. The original stock was bought from Jan Cloete, of which all were related to the stallion Punch. Later on, the breeding team acquired similar but unrelated stock from Mr Willemse, which can be seen as the first genetic infusion. Even though the numbers were still low, with creative breeding strategies, the potential of this initial stock was maximised, and this gave way to the next phase.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first story many hear when they get to know the breed is the origin of its name. However romantic some fairytale versions may be, the truth is much less so. The breed owes its name to the name of the Department of Agriculture ExperimentalFarm, Nooitgedacht, in the Ermelo region.

THE CONSOLIDATION PHASE

The Consolidation Phase saw the birth of the eight daughter studs. These studs were identified to increase the numbers and serve as reservoirs for the stud still at Nooitgedacht to source stock from as needed. Within three years of the first eight daughter studs becoming active, the multiplying of stock became so successful that another four daughter studs were established. Because of the rapid increase in numbers, the need to make use of genetic donors again became a reality, and this gave way to the second infusion with Arabian stallion, Rommel, and Arabian x Boerperd stallion, Defence. This raises the obvious question of why Arabian stallions were chosen. When looking at what was otherwise available at the time (American Saddler, Friesians, Thoroughbreds), the Arabian compromised the least on the type and ability of the Nooitgedachter and reinforced their inherent stamina. This second infusion ultimately resulted in slightly larger animals with more refinement without compromising the Nooitgedacter's prized attributes.

THE EXPANSION PHASE

The Expansion Phase, which lasted till the end of the 90s, is still considered the glory days of the breed. Ponies sold for good money, and there was still a considerable riding culture in the broader public. Shows, competitions, parades, and just generally riding for pure enjoyment were at the order of the day at a time when everything was still relatively affordable. The improvements in the breed saw many Nooitgedachters making a name in the showing, dressage, eventing and showjumping disciplines. Many Nooitgedachters worked on farms in the week and went showing and eventing on the weekend. Nooities even

Tempered, tested, true has never rung more true in 2022 than with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Nooitgedachter breed.

made an impression on the endurance scene back when the tracks were slower and more technical.

The third infusion was again inevitable, and many attempts using different breeds were made. Today almost none of the Quarterhorse descendants remain, and none of the Hackney descendants made the cut. Two studs were able to successfully breed Arabian, and Warmblood donors up to SP level, and the SA Boerperd/A2 line attempt has also had some representation. However, SA Studbook's analysis shows that less than 2% of this outside blood has stood the test of time.

Nooitgedacht Breeders of the 1990s naturally became uneasy again with the lack of new blood and recommendations were made to investigate the Spanish horse as a potential genetic donor that would not dilute any important traits. The other reason for deciding on the Spanish horse was that the initial ancestor of the Basotho was the Cape Horse. The latter was a melting pot of Arabian, African Barb, Javan Pony and Spanish horses.

With the use of Arabian stallions in the breed's early history, it made sense to balance that with Iberian blood again. Spanish horses were revered throughout history for their temperaments (often being used as the horses for royalty), nobility and trainability. Back in the 90s, the world was not as small as it is today, and the cost of importing a horse was just not feasible for the Nooitgedacht breeders. The idea was shelved, but it did not deter the competitive rider from excelling in the equestrian sports. Names like Ubi-Cras Rubie, - Vlam, Nooitgedacht Predikant, Triggol Sultan, Nooitgedacht Kassie, Triggol Student, Dirita Konsul, Kindgsdale Kole, Univers Gunimed and Nooitgedacht Logan were well known and would probably have their own social media accounts today. These horses rubbed shoulders with the best of the day, and they are still looked for in pedigrees by today's breeders.

From the early 2000s, we were treated to legends like Pretman Tornado, Arop Raka, Daydream K Burning Sand and even later Waaksaam Staal, which made even international judges make mention of the high quality of these Nooitgedachters.

But nothing in life is plain sailing, and between the years 2000 and 2004, the breed lost genetic material to the SA Boerperd (SAB). Subsequently, the SAB has closed its studbook, and the SA Studbook only allowed this as a onetime concession. The reasons for the move are irrelevant, but the event must be mentioned to indicate why we accept genetic donors from the SA Boerperd.

NEWS THE MODERN ERA

The Modern Era, especially since the 2010s, marks a period of rising interest in the breed. However, the number of breeders is still relatively low and spread throughout southern Africa; thus, Nooitgedachter's demand outstrips its supply. A good Nooitgedachter with a solid foundation in training still fetches high prices even in a buyer's market. Because of this, there are many that falsely claim the breed when selling/ dealing horses. To make sure you are actually getting what you paid for, it is handy to know the following: all Nooitgedachters will have a brand on their left shoulder depicting a line diagram of a Basotho hat (looks like a turned-over martini glass). The brand indicates that the horse/pony has passed inspection and may breed the next generation of Nooitgedachters. Alternatively, the seller must provide proof of foal-book registry and DNA verification of parentage. If not, you are probably being taken for a ride (pun intended).

Many of the studs are currently being taken over by the younger generation, and because of the renewed interest in the breed, there has been strong growth in recent times. Together with the Iberian project established in 2015, breeders have many exciting avenues to explore. Finally, the vision of the breeders of the 1990s has been set in motion, and the results from the first Iberian stallions used looks promising. The Iberian project as an infusion project is the brainchild of Braam Olivier, who acquired top Lusitano stallions (a Portuguese Iberian breed known for bullfighting) to breed to his Logan line-bred Nooitgedacht broodmare base. The other avenue for bringing in Iberian blood, using Candice

Hobday's Calvero Esclavo FM (PRE Andalusian), was the more traditional up-grade breeding used by Maret Van Rensburg and the late Lizelle Smit. The first mentioned avenue will result in a higher percentage of donor genetic material but much more risk and cost to the breeder. The second avenue is a slower progression resulting in less risk to the breeder but a steadier impact on the population as a whole. Both options have their pros and cons, but the Nooitgedacht Constitution makes provision for both, and there is no risk of the breed losing its identity. The quality of imported Iberian stallions has markedly improved over the past decade to the point that the project is viable and vital. Even though this will markedly improve the quality and incidence of horse-sized Nooitgedachters, this action by no means will replace the population that will still service the maximum height pony and 'hony' market. The result should be that the whole family can now own a Nooitgedachter and use the same mount for leisure and sport. Both Nooitgedachter ponies and horses have a place in the breed. The average human has become taller in the past 100 years; it is natural for their horses to follow suit. The biggest challenge with the influence of the Iberian project is that horses may become atypical when bred for height only, but this is only of concern to breeders and inspectors, who must remain the custodians of type.

An atypical Nooitgedachter horse can still treat the riding public to an exceptional competition partner even if they did not pass inspections to contribute to Nooitgedachter breeding. Temperament and type will remain the disqualifying criteria. Temperament in this context refers to how quickly a horse calms down (how controlled their reactions are) and focuses on work even when they have had a fright. There might be more sensitive and less sensitive Nooitgedachters, each suited to different uses. You don't want a first pony to be as sensitive as your Advanced dressage prospect, but both can be solid and reliable no matter what life throws at them. Internationally, breeders of sporthorses are moving away from the overly tall, hyper-mobile horses with limited rideability. The Nooitgedachter is positioned so well to competitive riders’ needs.

THE BREEDERS

Seventy years down the line, and its time to celebrate the unsung heroes of the breed, the breeders. The following studs have lasted for 50 years or more: Daydream (one of the original eight daughter studs – currently owned by Dr Petrus Engelbrecht), Kleinwitberg (Johan Schreuder), Gillroy (Faunty Gillmore), and Toronto Stud. Studs that have bred for 40 years or more: Silvretta, Arop, Kolonie, Kleinfontein, Studvet (Onderstepoort), Groenveld and Suikerbos Stud. Studs that are still active

and contribute more than three foals a year over the past decade: Kleinwitberg, Suikerbos, Daydream, Wilgerus, Studvet, Clifford, Marmari, Destalsmit, Breivilo, Daydream, Arop, Adup, New England, Cherubium and Karorado Stud.

The future looks bright with the core of dedicated breeders and the newer breeders as well. The aim is not to overstock the market but to focus on top quality from a genetic point of view and quality production of riding prospects. It is also key to continuously communicate with the buying public, so they have the correct information to make informed decisions.

Finally, the Nooitgedachter still has strong scientific influence, partly due to its origins as a state-run project and partly because our small genetic pool necessitates using scientists and scientific methods to prevent population decline. For this reason, the way the society communicated traditionally was maybe not as compatible with the changing times. However, transparency and sharing of information have become much easier in recent years, which may well be one of the reasons for the renewed interest in the breed.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When Nooitie people (breeders, enthusiasts, owners and riders) find each other it inevitably results in a social event of note. They can get very excited about their horse's pedigrees and attributes, but the main success of the Nooitgedachter lies in the bond between human and horse. Whether you explore the natural beauty of the South African veld, compete in many an equestrian discipline or just pour your heart out to your Nooitie, the friendship these horses offer is second to none.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

HORSE AND RIDER

TEXT: RYAN TEHINI

LIGHTEN THE LOAD

MANAGING BURNOUT AS A COMPETITIVE RIDER

For the vast majority of competitive athletes, sport is a place of love and enjoyment. Even in the face of stress, anxiety, and defeat, your passion for the sport still drives you to keep competing and keep pushing yourself to do better at every show. But what happens when you no longer feel that way? Does falling out of love with your sport mean that your career has come to an end, and it is time to hang up the reins? More than likely, the answer to this question is no; you are simply reaching a point of burnout.

While you may have heard of burnout in the context of work, it exists equally (if not more so) in the world of sports. Elite athletes push themselves every single day and ask not only a lot of their bodies but also of their minds. If this pressure is unmanaged or the athlete lacks effective coping mechanisms, this relentless trudging towards excellence can lead to athlete burnout.

CAUSES OF BURNOUT

Much like in many other topics in sport psychology, the causes of burnout can typically be broken down into two main categories: external factors and internal factors. External factors usually include things like injuries and physical exhaustion (pervasive amongst riders, as a result of generally having other commitments – such as school or work - along with the significant time commitment of riding). However, while external factors do contribute to burnout, they are seldom defined as the main reason behind athlete burnout; the core of the issue is typically ascribed to internal factors. Internal factors can include high expectations for your ride, placing unrelenting pressure on yourself, as well as the most common reason for burnout amongst athletes – maladaptive perfectionism.

HORSE AND RIDER

Maladaptive perfectionism in athletes refers to the athlete having unrealistic standards of performance and rigidly abiding by these without any consideration for the unpredictability of the sport. This leaves the athlete unable to cope with changes thrown at them and results in burnout. In riding, maladaptive perfectionism would look like this:

• Returning from an injury and expecting to place first at your first show because you believe anything less would not be acceptable.

• Looking back at a less-than-desirable ride and berating yourself for the performance without taking into account any of the mitigating conditions of the day (such as

considering that you just went up a level, or maybe your horse was recently sick, or you didn’t get time for a proper warm-up etc.)

• Rewatching a ride where you placed first, but nonetheless fixating on the minor mistakes you may have made.

The above should give you an indication as to whether or not your perfectionism may lead to burnout. If you find yourself doing any of the above on a consistent basis, you should consider looking out for the warning signs of impending burnout.

HORSE AND RIDER

IDENTIFYING BURNOUT

Burnout is extremely unforgiving, and once an athlete reaches the point of full-blown burnout, it can take months, even years, to recover from it. This is why it is vital to take note of the warning signs and take early action to prevent reaching that stage. Not all athletes will experience the same symptoms; however, the following are a few of the most common:

•

Perpetual fatigue and reduced energy – regardless of whether or not rest has been adequate.

• No longer enjoying things that you used to enjoy (anhedonia).

• An overall reduction in focus and confidence.

• Feelings that the performance and other things simply do not matter.

• Increased level of illness and injury.

• Mood swings that are typically characterised by anger and/or apathy.

• Withdrawal from training.

HORSE AND RIDER

OUR EXPERT

Ryan Tehini (BA, BSocSci (Hons) Psych, MA Research Psychology (cum laude)(UP)). For Psychological Skills Training for sports’ competitions, please get in touch with me: ryantehini@gmail.com or 073 567 7387

While the above is not a comprehensive list of burnout symptoms, it should provide you with enough of a window into the type of symptoms that you may see around burnout so that you can identify whether you or someone you know is edging towards it.

COMBATTING BURNOUT

Once you have identified that you may be presenting with one or more of the above symptoms and are at risk of burning out, it is time to take action. It does not take long for these symptoms to develop into burnout during times of heightened training and performance.

The first step you should take in combatting burnout is to schedule rest periods as actively as you schedule your training days; this doesn’t necessarily have to be a day off from riding, but can include taking your horse on an outride or doing any form of work with them that is not intensive and training focused. Another technique that can be used is to try and remind yourself why you love the sport and then spend some time focusing on those aspects. For

example, if you love riding because you love to be outside in the fresh air and you love the time spent with your horse – then take some time to do those things outside of the competitive environment; not only will this help you, but it will help your horse as well.

While the above techniques can be effective, they might not prove enough to prevent (and continue preventing) burnout. If that is the case, the best recommendation I can make is to get in touch with a sports psychologist. We can tailor a stress management and coping mechanism programme to your needs to ensure that you avoid burnout and continue to ride with the same passion and love you always have.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Burnout is a harsh reality of competitive sport and is not to be taken lightly. While several elements can ultimately lead to burnout, the key to preventing it is to identify the symptoms early and take relevant steps to ensure that these do not develop any further.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

HORSE AND RIDER

SOUL JOURNEYS WITH HORSES

In the gorgeous hills of Stanford, Western Cape, and Bathurst, Eastern Cape, life-changing experiences await you. If a weekend in nature, surrounded by horses, and focused on transformation piques your interest, then Soul Journeys With Horses should be your next escape. Run by Liesl and Kirsten, who you'll hear more about shortly, the weekend's program focuses on your healing, with an exceptional herd of horses helping you along the way. We chatted to Liesl to find out what to expect at Soul Journeys.

ABOUT SOUL JOURNEYS WITH HORSES

Soul Journeys with Horses Transformative Weekends became a collaboration between Kirsten Neke (The Dancing Horse Life Coach) and her herd of seven horses in Stanford, Western Cape and my Equine Facilitated Wellness practice (Mearas Whisper, which means 'horses whisper') and four horses based in Bathurst, Eastern Cape.

Our equine-facilitated wellness activities are not about horsemanship or riding, which is so often the first thing that comes to mind when horses are mentioned. They are about inter-species connections, deep personal discovery, reflecting, and sharing a heart-based friendship with a horse. Any

RETREATS GUIDED BY EMPOWERED HERDS OF HORSES

HORSE

RIDER

RIDER

HORSE

person who has spent time around horses will understand the meaning behind this sentence. There exists a friendship that seeks to acknowledge and honour horses as sentient, cognitive beings while exploring our own inner workings. During our retreats, there is an in-depth focus on emotional, psychological and mental health.

WHY SOUL JOURNEYS WITH HORSES?

With the world in turmoil, the global demands for mental health care are ever increasing and the challenges of our time call for more and more ingenuity from us. In order to help solve problems and support children, teens, adults, families and communities experiencing more and more extreme life circumstances, we needed to change the recipe. In fact, we need an even greater reserve of compassion, courage and creativity. The value of nature-based therapies and support in this recipe (Ecotherapy, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, Counselling and Learning and Equine Facilitated Life Coaching) cannot be underestimated.

Horses hold such wide fascination for millions of people, and their very image sparks feelings and thoughts of freedom and power. Thankfully, interest in the horses' gifts

in helping humans access healing has grown exponentially over the last decade.

LIESL'S JOURNEY

Childhood dreams have a way of staying with you throughout your life, and being horse crazy as a kid can become a lifelong passion for being with horses, learning from them and helping others grow and heal through horse wisdom for the heart. That's exactly how the journey went for me.

My childhood dream was to run a 'therapeutic ranch'. A place where humans and horses could reconnect, with themselves, each other and nature. A place of hope, healing, learning and transformation. When you spend time with the horses as a herd, seeing what they see, hearing what they hear, and feeling what they feel, you end up discovering parts of yourself that may have been hidden. Parts in need of celebrating, nurturing, growing, healing, forgiving, building and even sometimes letting go. We often forget that these parts of ourselves exist.

The intrinsic value of horses as Anam Cara - soul friendhas transformed my life!

HORSE AND RIDER

What is interesting to a horse is being able to understand his surroundings, spatial representations, social dynamics, problem-solving situations, or pre-conflict (where one horse interrupts two others that are starting a conflict) and consolatory (consoling) behaviours. – Equus Lost? by De Giorgio & De Giorgio-Schoorl.

LIESL AND KIRSTEN

As a life coach and a social worker, respectively, and both dedicated horsewomen, Kirsten and I recognise the tremendous importance of confidentiality, professional growth and ongoing support to our clients, and in the case of other professionals, the positive impact on their practices and businesses. We balance this with meeting the species-specific needs of our herds of horse partners. With the need for innovative, solution-focused, and longlasting change in our world to keep growing, we, together with the horses, offer a heart-based space for wellness. Self-care and debriefing for carers and service providers alike is a very necessary and life-enhancing investment in personal development and maintenance of our capacity to

Our 'office' is based outside, in the veld, surrounded by the tremendous healing power of nature and of the emotionally empowered horses who choose to co-facilitate with us. Each aspect of a session, workshop or retreat is consciously geared toward safety on all levels for all, physically, emotionally and mentally. For the duration of the retreat, we're on equal footing with our equine co-workers, and there is no riding. There is, however, plenty of time spent with the herds of horses, engaging in activities such as hiking and healing. Relationship building always seeks to honour non-judgmental understanding, and our approach is positive-intelligence-based, three-brain (head, heart, gut) focused, trauma-informed and equine-guided. On our Soul Journeys with Horses Transformative Weekends, we spend time walking in the beauty of nature with a horse as a soul friend, while safely guided interactions invite reflection, joy, and a strengthening of your body, mind and spirit.

SOUL JOURNEYS WITH HORSES

TRANSFORMATIVE WEEKENDS

Our transformative weekends offer an intensive burst of support and building mental muscle, which is something hugely beneficial in today's climate. We welcome individuals, couples, families and groups. We invite you to join us.

TEXT: RHIANNON CECIL

The equestrian industry is forever growing and changing, and new generations of young equine professionals are always on the rise. It's a challenging sport to break into, and only the most talented and committed make the cut. Thomas Reynecke is one such professional, and today we shine the spotlight on him and his journey thus far.

Thomas, a Johannesburg native, was on the back of a horse by age three and already in lessons at Kellow Park at age five. It's fair to say that the bug bit him early, and he's been hooked ever since. At an astonishingly young age, Thomas has already opened his own stableyard; has a string of competitive horses in both showjumping and dressage; and is dreaming some big dreams for the future. We caught up with Thomas so that he could give us some of the inside information on his plans.

THOMAS REYNECKE SHARES HIS DREAMS AND GOALS FOR HIMSELF AND HIS NEW STABLEYARD, BILAVADU STABLES

HORSE AND YARD

HQ: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Thomas: From the first time I rode, I knew I was hooked. I was adopted as a baby, and my parents owned horses, though they sold them when they had kids. I never came from a wealthy background and just rode any horse I was given. The difficult school ponies taught me a great deal, and I learned quickly to stay in the saddle. I didn't compete as a pony rider and started my competitive career at SANESA with a wonderful horse called Quick Step. It was there that I found my love for competition. I wrote up a budget, met with yard owners, and did lots of research. Eventually, I managed to convince my parents to buy me a horse. I started coaching shortly after that, and I've been expanding ever since.

HQ: What motivated you to open your own stableyard?

Thomas: I've always wanted my own yard. When I was a child, I created a 'home stableyard' in my garden (my poor parents) and spent hours jumping over buckets in my garden and caring for my 'string' of hobby horses. I started my studies, got my qualifications, shadowed yard owners, and attended countless clinics and seminars. When I got a gut feeling that the time was right, I opened

HQ: Tell us about your yard. What is the atmosphere like, and what is your focus as the owner?

Thomas: It's important to me that Bilavadu is a place where horses are heard and always come first. We never take the 'horse' out of our horses. I treat each horse as an individual and pay close attention to their personality and characteristics (left brain extrovert, right brain introvert, etc.). It just makes it so much easier to work with a horse's mind so we can really establish a rapport and be on the same team. Partnerships between horses and riders should not be autocratic but rather harmonious and symbiotic. Each horse in the yard receives regular physio, chiro, and shockwave therapy, as keeping them comfortable and pain-free is vital.

Bilavadu must feel like a home away from home, and a safe space for horses, clients, and staff alike. I don't tolerate bullying or negative, demoralising behaviour. We are a team, and we support each other through all the

Keep an eye out for Thomas and his string of horses, including Serengeti Rain, a four-yearold owned by Robyn Chislett, and Solar Signal, a 13-year-old gelding owned by Natalie Shuttleworth and currently competing in the 1m classes.

HORSE

HORSE AND YARD

Thomas: Being a young, black male, especially growing up in the industry, has been challenging. Sadly, sometimes I'm immediately looked down upon or assumed to be a 'charity case' simply because of the colour of my skin. This motivated me to work harder and be consistent in my approach to my goals. The truth is, not everybody is going to believe in you, but if you believe in yourself, you've already won half the battle. Don't underestimate the power of the mind.

HQ: Tell us about your coaching style.

Thomas: I absolutely love coaching, particularly riders who have heart, feel, and are willing to learn. I strongly believe in being positive and encouraging in my approach, and I will not tolerate cruelty to the horse. The lesson experience must be positive for both horses and riders.

HQ: Give us some insight into some of your current team.

Thomas: We have a real mixed bag at Bilavadu at the moment, with some up-and-coming junior riders at the helm. We have young, talented horses coming up the ranks, as well as some schoolmasters I produced myself, ready and willing to pass on their knowledge to their riders. We have dressage riders, showjumpers, and showing riders, and I've even evented a little myself. Our grooms, Amos Wilikani, Phiri Josephy, and Brave Moyo, are incredibly knowledgable, passionate about horses,

Brave jumps every jump and rides every movement with you at shows.

HQ: What are your goals for your yard moving forward?

Thomas: My goals are to keep on growing, expanding, and, most importantly, learning. Nothing is more rewarding than putting smiles on faces and instilling a genuine love of horses. Regardless of where this journey takes me, I will keep riding for the love of the horse. Hopefully, we'll have riders of all disciplines with us in the future, all riding for the love of it and kicking butt in the process.

HQ: And your goals for yourself, as a rider in your own right?

Thomas: My goal for myself is to keep doing whatever is in my power to ensure and maintain my horses' maximum comfort, joy, and relaxation. Competitively, it would be a dream to jump in the 1.50m classes one day.

HQ: Do you have any tips for people who are looking at working with horses in the future?

Thomas: Knowledge is power. The more you know about how a horse thinks, sees, and even perceives things, the more effective your training will be. Even knowing about what colours horses can see can make a big difference to your training, so don't neglect the small things. Keep the horse's well-being at the forefront of your training, and be patient. You'll see the results.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY:

TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

YOUR EQUESTRIAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What is the difference between showerproof, waterproof and waterresistant?

Whether you are looking to protect your horse or yourself from wet weather, here is the breakdown of what these three terms mean:

Showerproof can keep your horse dry in light rain. The outer material of the item will repel water and feel similar to waterproof, but the seams won’t be taped, and water will eventually get through.

Water-resistant will keep your horse dry in light rain and usually won’t have taped seams – much like a showerproof option. However, water-resistant clothing won’t necessarily look like a traditional waterproof. For example, a fleece can be treated to make it water resistant.

Waterproof means the outer layer is fully protective against rain, and the seams are likely to be taped. This is the gold standard if you want your horse to stay completely dry.

TOP TIP

Keep the fences small while you walk on slowing your horse down. You need him to relax and focus on you before you start raising the jumps.

My horse rushes at fences but does clear them. Is this something I really need to fix?

It can be tempting not to tackle issues, especially if our horse is still clearing the fences and performing well. However, it is vital that your horse is listening to you because rushing fences can ultimately lead to problems, especially when the fences get bigger and you are tackling more combinations.

The first thing to consider is whether you might be able to adjust your riding to slow down your horse. Ask your instructor or get a friend to video you jumping, so you can have a look at your position as you approach the fence and make adjustments to your position and ride in if needed.

If the issue isn’t with your position or ride into a fence, then you need to start working with your horse to improve his balance and help him to stop rushing. Balance is fundamental for jumping and it can’t be achieved while your horse is rushing, so try these exercises to help him with his rhythm:

1. Approach in trot.  Set up a cross and keep your horse in trot coming into the fence.

2. Canter poles.  Use four or five poles on the approach to a jump to help your horse to maintain a consistent canter.

3. Ground poles.  Use poles before and after the fence, and you should find your horse lowers his head and neck to look at what he’s being asked to do, rather than hollowing and rushing into the fence.

Products we love

Shopping fun

Capitol Comfort Girths

The Capitol range is purposed to offer the highest quality leather products with ultimate functionality and comfort for the horse. The comfort range takes anatomical detailing to the next level, considering the horses shoulder and conformation. It creates less pressure and gives a greater, natural range of motion!

Key features:

• Strong, supple Buffalo leather

• Anatomical designs to relieve pressure in the shoulder and elbow region

• Padded chest point

• Fitted with strong, double elastic and roller buckles

• Buckled leather loop for a martingale or breastplate attachment

Jumping and dressage styles available at Western Shoppe. Visit a branch to view the range, or learn more online at www.westernshoppe.com.

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