Riders make a clean sweep
The third leg of the Mpumalanga Sanesa School League came to a nail-biting end at the Forever Resort in Badplaas last weekend.
Frost sparkled in the early morning sun as the equitation course was opened for competitors on Friday.
Lowveld participants claimed the one rosette after the other, proving this region boasts some of the best riders. Two locals stood out though.
Mieke Slabbert (Hoërskool Nelspruit) riding Bandelier and Ayla Willemse riding Midnight Moon (Laerskool Laeveld) made a clean sweep in all five their classes – winning each class miles ahead of their competition.
On Saturday the showjumping started and the course looked like a championship-crazy golf set-up, all fancy obstacles and flowery flourishes. The picturesque nature of the jumps, however, belied their difficulty. The twists and turns helped riders cut overall time, but reduced the chance to properly set up for a jump.
Hence riders lost points at many a fence.
Not only were riders jumping to win that elusive red rosette, large cash prizes were also up for grabs.
Equestrian sports test both horse and rider, combining poise, elegance and sheer strength.
Other Lowvelders who made their hoof prints known include Anisca Smit from Curro Nelspruit. Anisca was placed in every class she entered on both her horses. Fellow Curro pupil, Jacomie van den Berg managed a respectable third place in her working riding class.
Zane Potgieter riding Al Gamila Kouros (Laerskool Bergland) won her equitation class and had a third place in her jumping class.
Jana Engelbrecht on her stallion Calela Fakkel also scored points for NHS when she placed second in both her dressage classes. She was unbeaten in her three showing classes.
Jenna Murray, another up-and-coming rider, was placed in every class she entered.
