It’s been a remarkable year for Emma, a talented young equestrian whose passion and perseverance have carried her to impressive heights in the South African National Equestrian Schools Association competitions.

Her hard work paid off in style, earning Gauteng regional colours for Equitation and Prix Caprilli, as well as provincial school colours for Equestrian. Adding to her list of accolades, Emma was also named Victor Ludorum for High School Prix Caprilli Level 5, an incredible achievement in her first year riding the discipline.

“I feel proud of myself and my horse. We’ve both worked hard this year, and achieving good results has made it all worth it.”

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For Emma, Prix Caprilli is a beautiful challenge that blends the elegance of dressage with the excitement of jumping.

“It tests both the horse’s obedience and the rider’s skill. Equitation, on the other hand, focuses on how accurately and smoothly the rider completes the test.”

Her success this season is all the more meaningful because it marks the culmination of years of dedication. Emma began riding in 2020 after a friend introduced her to horses, a spark that quickly became a lifelong passion.

“I fell in love with it instantly. Mostly, I love the connection I have with my horse.”

Her equine partner, Maverick’s Magic, an eight-year-old thoroughbred, has been with her since he was just three. “He’s an honest horse. We’ve grown together, which makes our partnership special.”

Among the many memorable moments this season, competing at Nationals stands out for her. “It was amazing to ride against the best from all over South Africa,” Emma said.

Looking to the future, Emma hopes to continue building on her achievements.

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“Next year I want to strengthen my partnership with Magic and move up to a higher jumping level.”

For her mother, Debbi, seeing Emma’s growth as a rider has been nothing short of inspiring. “I love being part of Emma’s journey. It hasn’t been easy for her to train a young horse from scratch, but she’s shown real perseverance and deserves every bit of success.”

The life of a horse-rider parent, Debbi admitted, is filled with early mornings, long hours at shows, and the occasional disappointment. “But it’s all worth it. The connection between her and Magic is incredible, and no matter what happens, it’s never the horse’s fault.”

More than trophies and titles, Debbi believes the sport has helped shape who Emma is.

“Horse riding has been pivotal in her life. It’s taught her patience, responsibility, and the value of hard work, and it’s given her an amazing friendship with a truly special horse.”

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