2024 JUNIOR PRELIM CHAMPION OF SOUTH AFRICA (AND MUCH MORE!)

MARNÉ GROBLER

Marné Grobler is a true multi-discipline rider, and her achievements across the board show the value of her approach. Here, we focus on her win in the dressage, where she became the 2024 Junior Prelim Champion of South Africa, but we could equally be discussing her showing, eventing, equitation or showjumping talents!

HQP: Congratulations on your outstanding performance at Youth Champs! Tell us about your performances on your horses, Admiral's Choice and Nordic Park.

MG: At Youth Champs, with my first horse, Admiral’s Choice, I received third place in eventing overall. In showjumping, I did three classes. I received a third in the accumulator, a fifth in the A2 speed, and in the competition class, I received a seventh place.

For my second horse, Nordic Park, I received second place for the Team’s Working Riding and first for the Team’s Working Hunter. I received first place for the individual Working Riding and was crowned Novice Working Riding Champion. Then, I did Prelim Dressage, and for my first test, I came first, and for my second test, I came second. In the Championship, I came first and had to do a Freestyle, which we won. The Freestyle was stressful as we only had twenty-four hours to plan a test to music! I also received the Victor Ludorum for the Junior Prelim Dressage.

HQP: Tell us about your special pony, Nordic Park.

MG: Nordic Park – what a special boy! He is a 17-year-old Thoroughbred sired by Camden Park. He previously competed in the 1.10m and lower level eventing. We bought this horse for my mom as a schoolmaster, but if she doesn’t look, I catch him and go for a ride because he has the kindest soul and is so calm. On every ride, he gives his best. He loves to go to the kitchen door and get some carrots. He is a horse in a million, with a big heart, and he thinks his owner is his everything.

HQP: When did you get into dressage?

MG: I started three years ago with Amy Tolmay. It was a hard discipline to start, but it was worth it, and I love it now. In the beginning, I hated dressage and I didn’t want to do it. I was forced to do it because of the eventing but when I received Nordic Park as my dressage horse, I loved it. He just made everything so lovely and so enjoyable!

HQP: What are your plans for the future with your riding?

MG: My plan is to compete in the SANESA Finals with the three horses: Admiral’s Choice, Nordic Park and Magical Raven, and my goal is to qualify for SANESA Nationals.

Nordic Park and I will also compete this weekend in Gauteng Dressage Champs.

One of my goals for Nordic Park in dressage is to ride in Novice next year and then go to Elementary and Medium dressage.

HQP: Marné – your dedication to the sport, in all its forms, is inspirational! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. We’re sure we’ll see plenty more wins in the near future.