LIMPOPO – Excitement is in the air as Ivanté Grosel, a talented barrel racer from South Africa, gears up to showcase her skills on an international stage.

The young athlete has been selected to represent Barrel Racing South Africa (BRSA) at a prestigious competition in the United States, marking a significant milestone in her career.

“She earned the opportunity by learning to race barrels based on the “American Style” and practised for a year. BRSA had 2024 national champs in Ermelo at the end of November this year and 10 riders across South Africa were selected to participate in a series of riding techniques,” said Ivan Grosel, Ivanté’s father.

This was done on video and sent to the USA instructor for evaluation. Ivanté was selected with another rider from Limpopo and three from the Eastern Cape.

Dalienke Grobbelaar, a Gr 10 learner at Merensky Agricultural Academy, will join Ivanté in the US.

Ivanté has been riding horses for less than four years. “She started jumping and after a crazy fall and injury, didn’t ride for six months. She tried her hand at barrels and never looked back.
She has been training under Melissa Swan for a year and a half now, training as much as six days a week on different horses. She ended this year on the second-highest points for youth in the country. There have been countless ‘bad’ days while training but far more good ones. It’s not always easy to deal with horse ‘mare moods’ so often with about 500kg under you that basically has a mind of its own. That’s why it’s imperative that horse and rider have a solid bond,” said Ivan.

He said that Ivanté will be at Webb Ranches for a month starting from the end of June next year riding and training under world renowned Bogie Webb.

“She will have the opportunity to ride of the best quarter horses in the world. She will also be competing in a minimum of four rodeos. The experience that she will gain through this process will be incredible.”

He said BRSA’s, an NPO, input has been incredible. She will have to raise the funds to travel by herself and sponsors.

“The more SA riders have the opportunity to ride and learn in the USA, the more experience comes back to SA and if these riders pass on their knowledge and expertise the more exposure the sport can get by hosting more clinics and qualifiers the quicker the sport will grow.”

He said one of her biggest challenges is going to be riding horses that are the strongest and fastest in world at this sport.

“Her core and thigh muscles are going to take a serious hammering. The five riders are also going to get down and basic stable work at early hours and ride up to five different horses on a daily basis. It’s going to be very tuff,” he told the Herald.

He told Herald that her experience in the USA will contribute hugely to the development of the riding style in SA.

According to him, what makes the achievement so much more incredible, is that it was done on one horse that technically is not built perfectly for barrel racing.

“Tiger Lilly is a fierce horse with the softest of hearts. They have helped each other along this path and their bond is immensely strong.”

Anyone who wants to help Ivanté raise money to USA can contact her father at 076 286 3494.