Kintsugi Horsemanship held a fundraiser at Karibu on Heritage Day to support four of its riders competing at the South African Western Mounted Games Nationals in Parys, Free State.

The competition runs from September 26 to October 2, with Nicole Long (14), Isla Ravat (16), Denilia Stanford (33) and Bianca Jones (31) qualifying to represent KwaZulu-Natal.

The riders competed in three qualifying events, completing 33 games including barrel racing, keyhole and pole bending, to earn their places in the provincial team.

Western mounted games is a fast-paced equestrian sport in which riders race against the clock, requiring agility, precision and a strong partnership between horse and rider.

The name Kintsugi comes from the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, celebrating rather than hiding its imperfections. It is a philosophy that founder Bianca Jones has carried into her approach to horsemanship.

Kintsugi Horsemanship is a horse-riding and rehabilitation centre in Umhlali founded by Jones, a lifelong rider who discovered Western riding in 2019 and quickly fell in love with the discipline.

She offers both traditional English and Western riding lessons, with a particular focus on the latter.

The horses at Kintsugi also have stories of their own. Some arrived after being labelled aggressive or skittish, while others had suffered neglect and were underweight. Through rehabilitation and care, Jones said the horses have been given a new lease on life.

At Kintsugi, the partnership between rider and horse takes priority.

“You have to put the horse first,” said Jones.

She said one of the attractions of Western riding is its strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere, particularly for beginners.

“We cheer for each other. Even when you mess up, they cheer for you even louder,” she said.

Jones thanked community members and local businesses for the support.