Boots & Bridles Equestrian Club’s show year recently came to an end in blistering Lowveld heat.

The last show for 2019 saw the the first annual Bitless Challenge, as well as the first show for the 2020 season (RWPHSA Qualifier 1).

The mercury rose to close to 40°C and riders and horses bore the brunt of it.
“But luckily we have amazing horses that still give us our best. We really do not appreciate these animals enough,” said Anita van Eeden of Boots & Bridles.

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“We started the day with the Western Performance Qualifier. With only five entries we quickly ran through the classes,” she said.

The main results for the day were
• Short stirrup (under 12 years) novice champion: Kris Steynberg with his horse Quizzy
• Adult novice champion: Anita van Eeden with Navarro
• Adult novice reserve champion: Lynda Avery with Klondike Jess
• Adult intermediate champion: Susan Steynberg with Mambo #5.

Each of these riders received a goodie bag sponsored by Midfeeds Nelspruit.

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Even though Tracy de Klerk (riding Samurai) did not stand in line for those titles, due to only entering two classes and needing four to qualify for the title, she obtained excellent results with a first in western trail with an amazing 64,5. Scores are calculated, with 70 being your “average”, and then points being added or deducted for each manoeuvre. She came second in western dressage.

After a much-needed break, organisers set up and started the BBEC Bitless Challenge. The course was a western trail course. Riders were only allowed to ride with a halter on their horse’s head, with only one end attached to the horse.

The winner received prize money and the next four places received a goodie bag sponsored by All Tacked Up
• First: Yolandé de Leeuw with Cody
• Second: Susan Steynberg with Mambo #5
• Third: Lilian Verdoes with Prins
• Fourth: Lynda Avery with Klondike Jess.

The next event is planned for January 25, 2020.

Keep an eye on the club’s calendar page for updates on www.bootsandbridles.co.za.