Conquering the Namibian dessert

Sugar Hills stables trainer Stephane Burnard raced through the grueling 122 km Walvis Bay African Endurance Challenge in Namibia on August 26 to take 12th place in this one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world.

Despite the incredibly challenging conditions, tough terrain of dessert sand, some of the world’s highest dunes and it being her first dessert ride, Burnard placed second in the Namibian Endurance Riding Association (NERA) and 12th out of 48 lightweight riders overall.

The race takes you through the outskirts of Walvis Bay to the salt pans, the famous ‘Dune Seven’, the highest dune in the world, and along the beach.

“I did not know what to expect. I was scared as it was our first Walvis ride and anything could happen. I went to complete the race, because to finish is to win,” said Burnard.

Burnard explained how extremely technical and intensive the ride was, as each of the legs/laps have to be planned meticulously.

“Your head must be in the right place. You have to know your horse so as not to tire him out, keep him in good condition and to keep power and energy sustained throughout.”

She overcame numerous obstacles over the five legs, testing her spirit and pushing her to near breaking point.

“It was the toughest race I have ever done. Thick sand from start to finish and hot, very hot. By the end I was crying like a child.”

In the first leg her horse’s bridal snapped making it difficult for her to control him for the rest of the leg without it.

Burnard confronted ‘Dune 7’ in leg three. Her plan was to save her horse’s energy by climbing off him and running along side him, but when she climbed off other riders raced past her and Arick took off, dragging her behind him.

“He did not want to be left behind and I had to hold on with all my might while he went out of control. At that point I was ready to pull out but I had come so far and practiced so hard that I could not not finish.”

Her daughter Justine Burnard competed in the 90km ride, which included ‘Dune 7’, and placed third overall.

Stephane also won the Best Horsemanship trophy for keeping her horse in excellent condition with a good heart rate throughout the race.

“I know what to practice for next time. It was a marvelous ride and I am so proud of what Arick and I accomplished. He has a heart of gold and never lets me down.”

Burnard lives in Morningside and works at the Sugar Hills stables, just outside Ballito.