Close to 200 entrants participate at Mataffin
At this show, they had to compete in both showing and showjumping to qualify for the trophy.
Mataffin Riding Club hosted the third annual Betty Burgess Show over the weekend. This event has become one of the highlights on the Lowveld’s equestrian calendar, drawing competitors from all over Mpumalanga.
At this show, they had to compete in both showing and showjumping to qualify for the trophy.
The horse-and-rider combination with the top-three scores in both disciplines won the Betty Burgess floating trophy.
The victor is an all-round equestrian and shows the skill of his/her riding and the horse’s ability by achieving optimal results in both showing and showjumping – not an easy task.
This year did not disappoint and was the biggest one so far, with close to 200 classes that entered. It started off with showing classes on Saturday, where riders had to showcase horses’ training, conformation, movement and behaviour. Spectators and judges loved the variety in these classes, with participants as young as six all the way through to the seasoned competitors.
For many, it was their first time doing showing. Judge Sydney Kidson of Gauteng was impressed with the level of riding and the quality of the horses.
Sunday brought the thrill and excitement of showjumping, which once again hosted an array of riders, starting at 50 centimetres and going all the way up to 1,3 metres.
For the first time, this year’s Betty Burgess Trophy was won by two competitors as it was a tie. Carmen Charls on Muthakar, a new horse-and-rider combination are definitely a team to watch in the future as they won all of their classes at the show. Hannelize Kamffer and Africa’s Whizbar are also a winning combination and watching this pair excel was an absolute pleasure.
The Rocky’s Armature Winders runner-up trophy was won by another familiar pair, Natasha Whyte on Brandenburg Special Assignment. They were a force to be reckoned with in the adult classes.
This year organisers introduced a third runner-up prize, a custom-made show jacket by Annestine van der Merwe. While many competitors had their hearts set on winning the gorgeous jacket, it was snatched up by Eldone Jansen van Rensburg riding her huge thoroughbred Lucky For Some.
It truly was a great show and the Mataffin Riding Club Committee was amazed by the support from the sponsors.
Without sponsorships like these, shows would not be possible.
Photos by Anita Vosloo.
