Dylan’s horses deftly put through their paces
A young Lowveld rider made waves at the South African National Equestrian Schools Association's National Championship for Western Riding (Western Performance) held at Fourways in Gauteng earlier this month.
Dylan Busschau, the only Mpumalanga rider who competed, represented Curro Nelspruit in the primary school competition and flew the flag high on his two horses, My Tonto and Choc-Boy, against the riders from other provinces.
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Western performance consists of a total of eight different classes, each consisting of specific patterns that need to be done as accurately as possible. Dylan competed in five of these classes, in which he did not only excel, but achieved some of the highest scores ever recorded for a Mpumalanga rider.
Results:
Level 1: (novice) Western Trail
Dylan and Choc-Boy placed second with 60.
Level 1: (novice) Western Horsemanship
Dylan and Choc-Boy placed first with a provincial high score of 70.
Level 4: (intermediate) Western Trail
Winner: Dylan and My Tonto – 64.5.
Level 4: (intermediate) Western Horsemanship
Dylan and My Tonto placed first with a provincial high score of 71.5.
Level 2: (intermediate)
In-Hand Trail
Winner: Dylan and My Tonto.
Level 2: (intermediate) Showmanship at Halter
Dylan and My Tonto placed first with a provincial high score of 70.5.
Level 4: (intermediate) Ranch Riding
Dylan and My Tonto placed first with a provincial high score of 75.5.
Provincial results for western performance
Riders earned points according to their placings, keeping in mind Dylan was the only rider representing Mpumalanga against three Gauteng riders and two from the Free State.
Level 1 (novice) provincial standings
Second: Dylan and
Choc-Boy: 199.
Level 2 and 4 (Intermediate) provincial standings
First: Dylan and My Tonto: 500.
Total standings per province for Western Performance, all classes over all levels calculated
First: Mpumalanga (Dylan): 699.
Second: Gauteng: 595.
Third: Free State: 297.
If anyone is interested in joining this wonderful sport, either as a Sanesa rider or adult, feel free to contact Boots & Bridles Equestrian Club for assistance: Anita on 081 368 0784 or admin@bootsandbridles.co.za.
