Riders vie for honours
It was difficult not to be slightly distracted by the expansive backdrop of the well-situated dressage arena.
Horse riders generally get to see some of the most beautiful parts of the country and spend a lot of time outdoors. The three-phase event at Pondarosa Ranch this weekend was no different. The first phase, dressage, kicked off on Saturday, with Odette van Oudtshoorn as judge. It was difficult not to be slightly distracted by the expansive backdrop of the well-situated dressage arena. To accommodate riders from out of town, all three phases were held on the same day.
Riders and officials briefings for the cross-country ensured that all welfare and safety issues were correctly noted and concerns discussed before the rigorous cross-country phase commenced. Although the course builder, René Roussouw, had prepared tracks at
80 and 90cm, these classes were not run as scheduled due to insufficient entries at these heights. Currently there are only one or two Mpumalanga riders competing at this level, so without a large number of out-of-province riders, a decision was taken to cancel the classes. Sean Eggersgluzs, the primary driver of eventing in Mpumalanga and owner of Pondarosa Ranch, is passionate about introducing more riders to the discipline, and facilitates regular training days throughout the year.
The 60cm track was run over 1,39km, and the 70cm track over 1,57km. Riders were penalised if they exceeded the time allowed, or if their horses refused obstacles along the way. Two fell off during their cross-country rounds with no injuries. However, eventing rules stipulate that riders who fall are automatically eliminated from the competition.
After the cross-country phase there was a welcome break, and a truly lazy Lowveld lunch hour filled the space.
Paul Bester was the showjumping course designer, and Pierrie Cronje the judge. When the penalties of all phases were totalled, the results were announced. There was a special cash prize donated by Rossak Appaloosa Stud for the two riders with the fewest penalties during the day. Sandra Davids riding Sean Eggersgluzs Syferfontein Delmascus was the winner with Samantha Venn riding Sahara in second place. Sandra also took home Polaroid sunglasses donated by Dave Kenyon Optometrists. The top 70 centimetre junior rider, Reece Terblanche riding his athletic young thoroughbred, Chilly Rose won a photo shoot sponsored by Legup Equestrian Magazine, while the top adult 70-centimetre rider, Amy Sutton riding Stacy Snymans Blueberry Muffin received a set of veterinary X-rays donated by West Acres Equine Clinic.
As the day wound down and the dust settled, the show organisers sat back to reflect on the success of the show well done, although initially disappointed by low entries it was all worth the trouble. The enthusiasm of riders from Gauteng and Limpopo was extremely encouraging to the show organisers, as are the promises of these riders to bring friends next time.
