Equestrians show there stuff at the SA Youth Championships
Two equestrians from St Mary’s School, Waverley, Astrid Eva-Lilian Blair and Julia De Villiers, walked away with impressive results from recent SA Youth Championships.
St Mary’s School, Waverly equestrians Astrid Eva-Lilian Blair and Julia De Villiers impressed the judges with their skills at the South African Youth Eventing Championships at the Ranch in Limpopo on July 8 and 9.
They also took part in the South African Youth Championships, which took place at Kyalami Equestrian Park from July 2–6 along with fifteen other St Mary’s School, Waverley senior and junior school equestrians, taking part in showing, equitation, and showjumping over the five days.
Read more: St Mary’s School, Waverley, is proud of its two equestrians
Julia noted that it was her first time participating in the eventing youth championships. “I started six months ago, however, I have competed at several SA Showjumping Championships, and I have mainly competed in showjumping.”
Astrid explained that she competed in eventing throughout the beginning of the year. “I did well, and was chosen to ride at the youth championships for the Gauteng team, with the 75cm junior team, on my horse Capital Robyn, and with the 85cm pony rider team, on my pony Supernova.”
She placed 3rd on Robyn and 6th on Supernova, with the Gauteng team coming in third in the 75cm class, and 1st in the 85cm class.
Julia added that she was chosen to compete with the Gauteng novice (95cm) team on her horse, Odaiba, and it was an amazing experience riding at the Ranch. “My individual result was not as good as I had hoped, but luckily my team pulled through and Gauteng managed to secure 2nd place.
“I plan on jumping in the 1.20cm and 1.30cm at a few upcoming shows, and will be preparing for the Adult SA Eventing Championships as well. I’m looking forward to making the most out of the last few months of my junior U18 riding career.”
Astrid concluded that South African Equestrian Federation (Sanesa) Nationals will be taking place in October, and she would also be participating in the Young Horse Performance Series Final on Capital Robyn, because she was a young, six-year-old horse.
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