HOYS HEROS

TRUE HEROES OF HOYS – THE GROOMS!

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

One thing we love about HOYS is the people who do the most and are generally behind the scenes get to take centre stage for at least some of the classes on offer.

We chatted with a few of the grooms who participated in the Groom Handler Classes to hear what they had to say about the show this year.

LIBERTY MUBUYAYI (KEY EQUESTRIAN STABLES)

I had a great experience and can’t wait for another challenge. I appreciate everyone who supported me in this competition even though I was a little bit nervous!”

Results: Liberty entered the General Breed Handler Class on Saturday, which featured over 30 horses!

GIBSON DUBE (FARNHAM RIDING SCHOOL AND LIVERY YARD)

Everything was fantastic, but I do think we have to improve and get more support. We also must motivate other grooms to participate because this way, we can enjoy ourselves and take time to make ourselves and our horses pretty."

GIVEN MUDAU (FARNHAM RIDING SCHOOL AND LIVERY YARD)

First of all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Thinandavha Given Mudau and I did the in-hand showing and turnout. What I enjoyed is that it was a challenge to do the classes with a young horse.

Showing is a good and interesting sport, and once you start, it keeps on pushing you to do it again. It makes you shine and feel free and relaxed, but you have to concentrate.

I wish other grooms would do showing because it makes you learn tricks of turnout, and you can gain experience from others. You learn to stand with a horse in front of the judge, and you learn how to turn out properly because you are competing against others.

My main showing tip is to practice. A month or two before you go to a showing show with your horse, you must start working with your horse so you understand each other. Oh, and I would also add that you should make your horse stretch their legs by also stretching yours when running because the horse follows your running, and it looks good. Finally, learn how to stand your horse well in front of the judge!”

SYD MATSIYA (KEY EQUESTRIAN STABLES)

I enjoyed everything about what I did with Duke!”

Results: Syd entered the Boerperd Handler Class on Saturday with Chaje Duke, winning the Class and proceeding to the Supreme Championship!

NORMAN MLAMBO (FARNHAM RIDING SCHOOL AND LIVERY YARD)

I’ve enjoyed a lot of things about showing; it helps grow your horsemanship and you learn to present and turn your horses out well. I think other grooms should do showing because it motivates them to be responsible and train their horses.”

GREATMAN NLEYA  (FARNHAM RIDING SCHOOL AND LIVERY YARD)

I enjoyed competing against the other grooms, and showing is great for grooms to practice their skills. You learn to know your horse and for you and your horses to listen to each other. My showing tip would be to make your horse shiny and healthy before the competition.”

ISAAC PHIRI (FARNHAM RIDING SCHOOL AND LIVERY YARD)

I really enjoyed showing and I was very happy to do showing because it was my first time doing showing and I think I will continue to do showing to present our Farnham team and to make Farnham famous. Showing shows you how to make horses look smart and it will attract more clients to Farnham. Also, when we win it shows us off as grooms and we even get cash prizes!”

Results: Isaac and Tishalia Pillay’s Rockstar won the General Breed Grooms Handler Class and proceeded to Supreme Championships as well!

SOMANI MOYO (FARNHAM RIDING SCHOOL AND LIVERY YARD)

I enjoyed competing against the other grooms, and showing is great for grooms to practice their skills. You learn to know your horse and for you and your horses to listen to each other. My showing tip would be to make your horse shiny and healthy before the competition.”