Equestrian tells her tale
Meet equestrian Kate Johns, who has been riding for roughly 40 years, which ultimately amounts to most of her life.
Meet equestrian Kate Johns, who has been riding for roughly 40 years, which ultimately amounts to most of her life.
Somewhere in Muldersdrift, among the streams, trees and glorious spring leaves lies a gem known as Kellow Park Stables, and the story behind it and it’s owner might even be more intriguing than the stables itself.
Kate was born in the United Kingdom and started riding when she was a mere two years of age.
“I remember fondly what my mother always told me. According to her my first word was ‘Gigi’ which, in baby language means ‘horse’.
She also told me that my first ever sentence was something like ‘Can I ride a Gigi?’,” she explained.
Shortly after, her parents enrolled her in a riding school where she attended indoor lessons once a week.
“My parents didn’t think it would stick. They probably thought it’d just be a phase – but little did they know,” she continued.
At the age of seven, Kate and her family moved to South Africa where she joined a riding school, and continued with her dream of riding. Approximately seven years later, she changed schools again, and after that her mother bought her her first horse – Cashmere.
“At this stage I was 14 years old and got into the discipline of dressage with my horse, Cashmere. After two years, I decided to pursue show-jumping, but went back to dressage ten years later,” she said.
At the age of only 17, she opened Kellow Park Stables with the help of her mother and started giving riding lessons. She now describes the stables as her home away form home.
“I’ve always wanted my own yard – since I was seven. Ten years after those words, my dream came true and I finally opened Kellow Park, with only 12 stables. Over the years it has grown tremendously to a total of 123 stables and 93 horses,” Kate explained.
Over the years she has taught over 400 students, and also rode for South Africa during numerous competitions. She now plans to take part in the SA Championships later this year and to keep on riding until she lets out her last breath.
“I’m going to ride until they say I’m too old and drag me off the horse. Dressage is my life and my passion is to educate other riders and inspire them to give their best. I want other people to go away and be just as passionate about it as I am,” she concluded.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister websites:
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
