Development programme aims to empower students for a sustainable career in the equestrian industry
KYALAMI – The programme began in 2016 and aims to help students improve their riding, learn the fundamentals of caring for horses and managing a stable yard and prepares students for examinations.
Photo: Supplied
The FirstRand Youth Development Programme, in association with the South African Lipizzaners Students Programme, aims to assist in the development of previously-disadvantaged equestrians.
Trainee rider Jhan-Mari van den Berg explained that the programme started in 2016 and enables students to not only improve their riding but also learn the fundamentals of caring for horses and managing a stable yard.Van den Berg said that students are also prepared for examination with a series of mock exams set according to the modules by the Equestrian Qualifications Authority of South Africa.
“The programme has already provided past students with real opportunities to follow their passion to work with horses and find a sustainable career in the equestrian industry,” said Van den Berg.
Students Juandré Strydom, Gregory Mdluli and Kenny Kgoedi are part of the FirstRand Youth Development Programme while Abel Mokgwateng is sponsored by Dykes van Heerden Attorneys to join the rest of the team.”These students have worked exceptionally hard and have turned into incredible horsemen and women,” said Van den Berg.
“As riders, they are empathetic and always improve themselves before blaming the horses. I’ve worked with many riders throughout my life, but very few, if any, have worked as hard as these students to become better riders.”
Strydom said she began riding at age seven and has learned a lot about horses and riders through the programme.Mokgwateng, who began riding in 2012, added, “What I love about the Lipizzaners is that you have the opportunity to learn, go out on rides and ride young stallions, quadrille and more.”
Details: The South African Lipizzanerswww.lipizzaners.co.za
