Riba Stables showjumper, Nhlanhla Vilakazi, is crowned the Gauteng champion

A Riba Stables showjumper was crowned the Gauteng champion for his unmatched performance in the 80cm class at this year’s Western Shoppe Gauteng Championship on August 1.

Nhlanhla Vilakazi, who hails from Soweto, started horse riding at the age of 13 with the legendary Enos Mafokate from the Soweto Riding Centre, doing vaulting at the time. While specialising in vaulting, Vilakazi said he started to develop a deeper love for showjumping.

He joined the Riba Stables in Kyalami in 2019 after taking his initiative one day, walking in at the stable and asking for a job with horses. Barbie Gertenbach, founder for Riba Stables said, “He is very loyal, very dedicated and has a deep love for horses and his hard work is paying off. When he first worked with us, he was very shy but he worked well with horses.”

Vilakazi said he was a bit nervous before his jump with his horse ‘Big Ben’ at the championship, but he told himself that he would try to have a nice and easy round. “However, after jumping I got very excited and very proud of my horse. He’s always lovely to ride.” He applauded Big Ben, “I hardly ever get hard moments with him. If it’s a new environment he’ll get a bit curious but other than that, you just point and he goes wherever you want him to go. He’s a superstar.”

Vilikazi hopes to compete at the South African Championship after his big win and to get some placings. “My long-term goal is to see myself jumping the big classes at the derby. And maybe one day represent South Africa in the Olympics.”

As a certified South African Level 1 lunger, Vilakazi can also compete in 1-star competitions in vaulting. At the moment he is also giving lessons to learners.

Details: Riba Stables ribastables79@gmail.com; 082 453 3522.