Riders from all over the province attended the Mpumalanga leg of the National Dressage South Africa Challenge, hosted by Mataffin Riding Club over the weekend.

According to organiser Tracy South, the local dressage riders did exceptionally well.

We are all still waiting in anticipation to see where their riders’ scores have ranked them on the national results. It should be announced soon. The provincial riders are getting ready to be selected for the Mpumalanga Dressage teams, as they are set to compete at SA Championships later on in the year,” she said. “It is a national challenge where two top dressage judges travel to each province and judge the same set-out test for all riders in the different levels.

“Dressage is a discipline in the equestrian sport that requires attention to detail, accuracy, and harmony between horse and rider. Some describe it as a dance. It takes a lot of dedication to master the varied requirements of a dressage test. Each rider rides to a set-out test of movements and the judge scores each movement. So it is vital for movements to be executed accurately and effortlessly,” South explained.

“The scores are collected and ranked on a national ranking. The riders are competing with those around the country with the convenience of doing so in their own province. The DSA challenge is a highlight on the dressage national calendar. Riders compete for their provincial rankings, get placed and recognised on a national stage which is a unique and prestigious achievement,” she said.

South added that the riders have held fund-raising initiatives during the year. “This was done to help with expenses. We would like to thank our amazing community of sponsors that invest in our riders.”

The next event at Mataffin Riding Club is the Betty Burgess Annual Trophy Show from August 23 to 25.
Here are some of the results (These riders and horses took first place in their category)

Adult preliminary
Kim Husband on Waterford Sylvester – 64,58 per cent
Adult elementary
Rebecca Merensky on Nauprins Pantomine – 60,58 per cent
Adult elementary medium
Sandra Kruger on Pinecreek Bolshoi – 62,84 per cent
Adult small tour prix St George
Alexandra Butcher on Brandenburg Lancelot – 63,31 per cent
Junior novice
Taylor Leigh Dedekind on Lord of the Rings – 66,00 per cent
Junior preliminary
Petro van Rooyen on Avalon’s Contour – 65,73 per cent
Junior elementary medium
Anisca Smit on Rocky’s Lady Luck – 59,84 per cent
Adult novice
Natalie Inggs on Justine db – 68,40 per cent
Children’s elementary
Abigail Coetzee on Carel Hancke Jeripico – 58,45 per cent
Children’s elementary medium
Danel van Heerden on Karismo – 64,46 per cent
Pony rider/children’s novice
Ellen Holland on Biscuit – 63,68 per cent
Karlien Olivier on Sunshine Sandy – 60,13 per cent
Children’s preliminary
Mia Tinkhof on Prince Valiant – 57,50 per cent.