Grade 9 learner’s journey to the South African National Equestrian School Association nationals
From Working Hunter to Stadium Eventing, Aqua Indiana Douglas Pedersen’s journey has been one of passion, discipline, and memorable victories.
Aqua Indiana Douglas Pedersen, a bright and dedicated Grade 9 learner from Crawford International Sandton, has had a remarkable year on horseback.
Riding her beloved horse, Beautiful Day, she competed in the South African National Equestrian School Association events, where her hard work and passion culminated in an invitation to nationals.
Read more: Equestrian star shines at Sanesa Regionals
With a disciplined training routine that includes riding six days a week, Aqua has poured her heart into equestrian sports.
Her bond with Beautiful Day is evident, as they tackled every challenge together with grace and determination.
Riding in a variety of disciplines such as Working Hunter, Eventing, and Stadium Eventing, Aqua’s year was a whirlwind of competitions and victories.
Each competition was a step towards her ultimate goal, the nationals.
At nationals, Aqua’s skills were put to the test against some of the best young riders in the country, many of whom were older and more experienced.
Yet, she held her own, guiding Beautiful Day with confidence and earning remarkable results.
In the Stadium Eventing competition, Aqua and Beautiful Day delivered a flawless performance, securing second place.
“It was both nerve-wracking and rewarding to ride against students who have had more experience and time to train, yet I still accomplished a second,” Aqua said with pride.
One of Aqua’s most memorable moments was during the jump-off.
Also read: Sandton learner Alannis Waite qualifies for equestrian nationals
While some riders opted for speed, Aqua and her coach decided on a more careful approach to ensure Beautiful Day’s safety.
The strategy paid off, leading them to a smooth and clear round that earned them their well-deserved second place.
“I didn’t want to put my horse’s safety in jeopardy. Keeping our training intact was more important than going for speed.”
Despite some setbacks in the dressage segment of the Eventing competition, Aqua’s positive attitude never wavered.
She knew that focusing on the next phase, rather than dwelling on what went wrong, was key to keeping Beautiful Day happy and performing well.
Her perseverance paid off, and her team took first place overall in the Eventing competition.
As she looks forward to 2025, Aqua is setting her sights even higher.
Her goals include advancing in all disciplines and moving up to more challenging levels, all while keeping Beautiful Day healthy and happy.
Inspired by her two older sisters, Zindzi Khaya and Indigo Karma, who have overcome their equestrian obstacles, Aqua embraces every challenge with courage and optimism.
When asked for advice for other aspiring young riders, Aqua’s message is clear.
“Never compare yourself to others, as everyone has a different path and different challenges. In this sport, your setbacks make your victories sweeter. And always remember, the love for your horse comes first.”
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