Riders rise to the challenge
About 40 riders of White River, Barberton and Mbombela took part in Mataffin Equestrian Centre's Winter Warmer Show which took place over two days.
Against the background of one of the loveliest venues in Mpumalanga, the course builder, Craig Wiehahn of Gauteng staged a very challenging track for the other showjumpers. Riders of the very lowest level right up to 1,3m were accommodated at the show. The highlight of the event was the Unified Class held with disabled riders from Dasha School for the Disabled, where they rode a modified cable-stitch competition paired with other riders.
This is the first of hopefully many such classes in order to prepare them for the qualifiers for the next Special Olympics. Unified classes are part of Project Unify launched by Special Olympics.
The object is to expose youth with and without intellectual disabilities to the opportunity to train and play together as teammates.
Instructor Henny Groenewald from Nottinghill Equestrian Estate organised and oversaw the event.
Dasha riders, Phindile, Simpiwe and Michael paired with Hannelise Kamffer, Robyn Manktelow and Gabby Thomas on horseback, while runners Amy Sutton, Erin Kenyon and Matthew de Canha assisted.
