2022 SASJ AWARDS

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them – Walt Disney

For some of South Africa's young riders, their dreams came true last year, and we heard all about them at the 2022 SASJ Awards held last month.

SASJ ELITE ATHLETE TROPHY

One of the greatest accolades that a rider can achieve in South Africa, the SASJ Elite Athlete Trophy, was awarded to Thomas van Rijckevorsel. After his impressive Championship win at the Aachen Youth Equestrian Games, his name now joins a short list of talented South African international competitors on the trophy. These include Oliver Lazarus, Nicole Horwood, Alexa Stais and Lisa Williams (who has won the award three times).

PONY RIDER AWARDS

These awards were cleaned up by two up and coming riders, Kellen Jade McLaren (riding Scooby Doo), who was awarded the Somersby Trophy for the 2022 PR High-Performance Rankings, as well as the PR Showjumper of the Year and Jade Anderson (riding My Irish Boy) who won the 2022 SASJ Rising Star Pony Rider Youth Series, the PR SA Championships and the PR Derby.

DID YOU KNOW?

Somersby was Angelique Atkins' (nee Lessing) multiple award-winning pony. In 2006, they won the SA Pony Riders Show Jumping Championship as well as the PR Outdoor Grand Prix and in 2007, they won the SA Junior Outdoor Grand Prix!

I acquired Somersby around 2005. Together we won multiple Children's titles and stayed together as a Junior partnership - winning our first 1.30m outing at the Westlake Junior Grand Prix. We competed up to 1.35m, being included in many regional teams in our time together. Somersby went on to teach multiple riders after me; however, he always stayed with me and retired with us at the end of his career. Somersby was a quirky, colourful character - loved by all who came across his path. He passed away at his home in 2021, surrounded by everyone who loved him so dearly. He was the horse of a lifetime - and I owe the majority of who I am as a rider and as a person to him. – Angelique Atkins

JUNIOR AND YR AWARDS

The 2022 Rising Star U25 Youth Series was won by Divan Bosman, who also won the Quinsey Trophy for the Junior High-Performance Rankings. Together with his super competitive Cornerstone's Midgard Zhakiro, they took the prize for the Overall Top Ranked Junior 1.30m Horse and Rider combination.

DID YOU KNOW?

Quinsey was Ashlee Healy's (then Hausberger's) top Junior horse. Together they won the Junior High-Performance Rankings (2006), Junior SA Derby (2006), YR Showjumping Championships (2009), SA Outdoor Grand Prix (2010) and SA Adult Showjumping Championships (2010), amongst many other prizes.

Jade Rosaley Coetzee and Rotoflo Catinio won the 2022 SASJ U25 Championships/Trophy. Jade and Catinio are definitely a partnership to keep your eye on in the future! They have had a super consistent start to the 2023 season with places in every class at President's Cup and, most recently, a podium finish in the 1.40m Outdoor Grand Prix. They are also currently ranked 1st in South Africa in the 1.40m classes. Another very familiar name in the horsey world is that of Paige Lee Goetsch, who was awarded the SASJ Young Rider Trophy for being top placed in the 2022 Young Rider High-Performance Rankings. Keep your eye out for Paige and her gorgeous grey Callaho Lucetto at this week's 334 Sporthorse Stud World Cup, where she will be representing Team Callaho Powered by Biogen as the 1.40m rider in the United League of Champions!

The 2022 SASJ Young Rider Show Jumper of the Year went to Amy Michau and Go to Blue. They won the 'Honey Girl' Trophy, which was presented by Gonda Betrix. Many years ago, Gonda won two SA Derbies and SA Showjumping Championships and the Showjumper of the Year Trophy with the special Thoroughbred mare Honey Girl.

The individual carrying away the most accolades in the Junior category was definitely Alex Ric-Hansen and her trusty steed Callaho Laois. She was awarded the 2022 Junior Showjumper of the Year, the Junior SA Championship title, the SA Junior Outdoor Grand Prix title and the SA Junior Derby title - what a year they had!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Congratulations to all last year's winners and to all our hopeful young riders, remember your horse is not just for sport. Your horse is a best friend, a listener, a partner and a teammate. Your horse does not care how many times you may come off, how covered in dirt you are, or what colour ribbon you get; they will still be there for you, to love you, to talk to you, and to listen to you - so love the horse first and the sport second!

2022 SASJ NATIONAL ONLINE OVERALL RANKINGS

2022 SASJ Pony Rider 60cm Overall Ranked Pony & Rider Mialee van Vollenstee & Riverview Taylor G

2022 SASJ Pony Rider 70cm Overall Ranked Pony & Rider Ellah Coetzee & Howzat

2022 SASJ Pony Rider 80cm Overall Ranked Pony & Rider Filippa van Jaarsveld & Fire Fly 1

2022 SASJ Pony Rider 90cm Overall Ranked Pony & Rider Jaimie Riley & Harlequin Henham Superstar

2022 SASJ Pony Rider 1.00m Overall Ranked Pony & Rider Anro Bosman & Cornerstone Red Square

2022 SASJ Pony Rider 1.10m Overall Ranked Pony & Rider Anro Bosman & Cornerstone's Mighty Warrior

2022 SASJ Pony Rider 1.20m Overall Ranked Pony & Rider Jade Anderson & Lipizza Bannut Ooh-La-La

2022 SASJ Junior 70cm Overall Ranked Horse & Rider Teresa Joubert & Chicago's Alchemy

2022 SASJ Junior 80cm Overall Ranked Horse & Rider Filippa van Jaarsveld & Shy Salvador

2022 SASJ Junior 90cm Overall Ranked Horse & Rider Chanel Pieterse & Silver Flash

2022 SASJ Junior 1.00m Overall Ranked Horse & Rider Filippa van Jaarsveld & Shenara

2022 SASJ Junior 1.10m Overall Ranked Horse & Rider Summer Rahl & First for Horses Mystery March

2022 SASJ Junior 1.20m Overall Ranked Horse & Rider Olivia Scribante & Callaho Qui Casa

2022 SASJ Junior 1.30m Overall Ranked Horse & Rider Divan Bosman & Cornerstone's Midgard Zhakiro

2022 SASJ Junior 1.35m Overall Ranked Horse & Rider Helen Criticos & Callaho Liberia