The George Herald met up with four of the SWD Equestrian team members last week to talk about their participation in the Nationals from 6 to 9 August in Gauteng.
Only two of this year’s team, Lariska Naudé and Caroline de Villiers, have taken part at this level before. They can share valuable advice with their teammates on what to expect when competition commences against other provinces’ riders.
Lariska and her horse Burnside Regal Land, (who she lovingly calls Reggie as he is very forward going and lovable,) will participate in showjumping and equitation (a combination of jumping and flatwork) classes.
This Grade 10 Outeniqua High School pupil started riding about four years ago for fun, she says.
High School entrants must jump at least 70cm to qualify for the Nationals, whereas primary school learners must jump at least 60cm.
Fellow Grade 10 Outeniqua High School learners Candice Ludick and Dané du Preez are also nervously excited about their departure on 3 August.
Dané, who started riding in Grade 4, is raising funds by selling Boerewors rolls in front of Pollocks Pub in Blanco between 08:00 and 14:00 everyday to get her horse and herself to Kyalami.
Although riding on and off for the last six years, it was only in April last year that Dané was introduced to Burnside Eccentric Dancer, an ex-race horse. Within seven months the two of them have qualified for Nationals.
They will do two showjumping classes, equitation and dressage.
Due to the encouragement of a friend she left behind when she moved to George, Candice learnt to ride. "She actually convinced me to start riding, so that we could see each other again at Nationals," says Candice. which is exactly what will happen in August.
Candice and ex-race horse, Burnside Ma-gic Ballad will participate in dressage and two show jumping classes.
Anthony Kennekamp, a grade 10 PW Botha College learner, started riding at the beginning of 2010.
A friend, Ina Wilson, introduced him to Linda Squair at Burnside Equestrian Centre. "I just loved horses and riding and my goal is to go to the Olympics," he says.
When asked what his friends say about his choice of sport, he replies: "Some of them are not horse people but a few friends have come to shows and are proud of me." Anthony and Burnside Savannah will ride in equitation and show jumping classes.
Their riding instructor, Linda Squair from Burnside Equestrian Centre, is very proud of them and says, "they are good riders - hardworking and dedicated".
However, with the average cost of their participation at R5 563-33 per person the team could really do with support.
Entrance for each class is R120, stabling ranges between R700 and R900, the cost of transport per horse is R3333,33 and clothing extras amount to R950. None of this includes the travelling and accommodation costs for the riders.
SWD Chair for SANESA, Annelise Naude, says that until the regional competition recently held in Swellendam, riders represented their schools. At Nationals, they represent their province, on condition that they definitely ride at Kyalami.
The rest of the SWD team is Mia Rebula and Paula Mare (George South Primary), Caroline de Villiers (Holy Cross Primary), Isabella Fulford (Oakhill Primary), Simone Odendaal and Bianca van Huyssteen (Outeniqua High School), Gaby Berman and Alexia Gouws, (Glenwood), and Nicole van der Merwe (Point High School, Mossel Bay).
The opening ceremony for the Nationals is on 6 August at 12:00 and will be televised.
School riders - take note
Any school riders interested in qualifying for the SWD team should look out for the four qualifiers scheduled for 2012, starting at the end of January. Contact Annelise Naude at 082 358 0743 for more information.
SWD Equestrian team members Candice Ludick and Burnside Magic Ballad, Dané du Preez and Burnside Eccentric Dancer, Anthony Kennekamp and Burnside Savannah, and Lariska Naude and Burnside Regal Land.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LEEANNE PRATT
