Ballito endurance horse rider off to Namibia
Burnard has been chosen to represent SA.
Sugar Hills Stables horse riding instructor Stephanie Burnard, has been chosen to represent South Africa in Endurance horse racing at the Waalvis Baai ride at the end of August in Nambia.
Burnard (38) is the only Durban rider and one of two women in a team of seven in the lightweight South African team. Endurance riding is a form of competitive trail riding over long distances of between 80 to 200km consisting of up and down hills, river crossings, mountainous areas with rocks and even dessert. The distance is separated into laps or legs and completed all in one day – the rider who completes the distance in the shortest amount of time wins. Between each leg the riders’ horses must pass an evaluation by the vet who will make sure each horse is sound, healthy and hydrated in order to continue.
“It is the toughest horse riding sport there is. Both you and your horse have to be tough. It is definitely not for sissies,” said Burnard.
Both horse and rider have a training programme and special diets.
“You have to look at your horse like an athlete and train him like one. I make sure I lose about seven kilograms before a ride so that I am light in the saddle for my horse so as not to cause strain on him. I train with weights on the horse so that when it comes to the race everything feels lighter and effortless.”
Burnard moved from Limpopo to Ballito a year ago and managed to get her KZN colours in only four months. She trained for a few years to get herself and her horse to the level they are at now. Burnard won the biggest championship in South Africa, SA Championship Tri Nations (120km), in May cementing her place in the SA team.
“You have to know your horse, understand him or her and know what they are capable of. You need to know where you can push. The rider must have a passion and the spirit to complete the ride.
” Burnard grew up on a farm, riding horses all her life. Her dad took her for her first long distance ride, 60km, at eight years old.
“This sport is very addictive and my family inspire me, from my grandpa who taught me about horses to my husband and children.”
The Waalvis Baai ride in Nambia will be 122km, five laps, in harsh dessert terrain with the weather changing up to four times each day. To finish in the top 10, Burnard will need to complete the ride within six hours.
