Riders and their equine companions create magic at Dressage Champs

Various riders recently showcased their dressage prowes during the 2014 Mpumalanga Dressage Championships hosted at Uplands Equestrian Centre.

This is one of Mpumalanga’s most prestigious horse-riding events, and this year, riders from across the province were welcomed by a brand-new event – the breathtaking freestyle dressage, fancy dress to music. This is the equivalent of equine ballet and not something you see every day. This was definitely one of the highlights, especially among the spectators. It again proved that you don’t have to be a horse rider or expert to enjoy the elegance and beauty of these magnificent creatures.

Judges emphasised the fantastic quality of the horses and the riders in the province, and endorsed their readiness to compete against some of the country’s best.

Results

Adult preliminary freestyle:

First – Landé Willemse on Katanga Look Forward

Adult novice freestyle:

First – Sandra Davids on Kuda Insurance Legacy’ Soraya

Adult elementary freestyle:

First – Rensia de Wet on Alzu Cameron

Adult elementary medium freestyle:

First – Landé Willemse on Belton

Pas de deux junior ane:d adult level on

First – Abigail Thrush on Chevignon Lambada and Savannah Combrink on Dunhill

Ponies preliminary leadrein (test one):

First – Ayla Willemse on Midnight Moon

Ponies preliminary leadrein (test two):

First – Nina Grobler on Dunkid Sealord

Adult medium freestyle:

First – Gerti Kusseler on Cabalero

Junior novice championships:

First – Abigail Thrush on Chevignon Lambada

Adult preliminary championship:

First – Gerti Kusseler on Dageraad Ektor

Pony rider preliminary championship:

First – Liza-Mari van der Merwe on Vlek-Vlek

Pony rider novice championship:

First – Stephanie Botha on Karismo

Junior preliminary championship:

First – Claudia Hemus on Forest King

Adult elementary championship:

First – Sean Eggersglusz on Spurwing Nile Bossanova

Adult elementary medium championship:

First – Jandalize Venter on Shinn Fein

Adult novice championship:

First – Sandra Davids on Kuda Insurance Legacy’s Soraya

Junior elementary championship:

First – Heleen Engelbrecht on Calela Fakkel

Junior elementary medium championship:

First – Heleen Engelbrecht on Mossandi Riverdance

Adult medium championship:

First – Gerti Kusseler on Cabalero.

View more photos here