Give us some skill and a touch of flair
The atmosphere was festive during the past weekend's championships warm-up show at Nottinghill Equestrian Centre, where riders had their last chance to prepare for the children and junior championships to be held this July in Gauteng.
A great spirit of camaraderie prevailed as team members and other riders fine-tuned their showjumping skills.
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On Sunday the challenge 4 bar had the crowd in stitches, and awe, as riders accepted the challenges set by their supporters.
There were riders attempting the huge jumps bareback, some rode in pyjamas, tutus, and the crowd adored Wilko Kamffer in a tight-fitting dress.
The 4 bar track is put up after each round as riders who cleared the previous heights go forward to the next round. The baby 4 bar – for riders registered up to 90 centimetres, was won by Danielle Groenewald on Sunset, clearing a final height of 1,5 metres.
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In the open 4 bar, it was once again the unbeatable pair Hanelize Kamffer on Katanga Ixchell, riding in pyjamas and no bridle, who astounded the crowd by winning the event at 1,75 metres – a mere 15 centimetres lower than the past record set up in KwaZulu-Natal.
National panel-course builder, Arnold Botha was impressed by the standard of riding in the Lowveld, remarking that the local riders were generally on the same standard as those from Gauteng.
