SA’s top showjumpers return to training
BLUE HILLS – Cellehof Stud and Livery hosts some of SA's top showjumpers in an elite training class.
Lessons are back in full swing at Cellehof Stud and Livery, much to the joy of instructor, rider and horse alike.
Elite and professional riders such as Kelly O’Conner, Simon Hendry, Charley Crockart, Anya Möller, Ronnie Healy and James Lowe have their own group lessons where they train their own horses in the art of showjumping.
Dominey Alexander, owner of the Blue Hills yard, calls out instruction and banter alike as the best riders in South Africa train horses that are often young or new to the sport, or perhaps had been owned by someone else previously who did not train the horses correctly.
The age of horses in this class ranges from seven to 18 years old, although most are in their prime, and the horses come from various backgrounds.
“We did no lessons the first few months of lockdown and during this time my staff and I exercised the horses to keep them fit,” Alexander said between arranging jumps.
“We worked the horses until our clients could come and see them. Now people are bringing their horses for lessons again. There have been no shows so while their horses are fit, they are still not used to jumping so much in one day.”
Cellehof opened after the South African Equestrian Federation (SAEF) gave permission for yards to open, and Alexander said the yard was Covid-19 compliant.
“We are aware of all the protocols we needed before we opened and we have registers and temperature checks at the entrance. If people do not feel well then they stay at home. People have been responsible in this and we have found that most riders were desperate to get back to lessons after the long break.”
People must also wear face masks when not riding.
Details: Cellehof Stud and Livery cellehof@mweb.co.za; 082 881 8289; 082 551 2236.
