GEORGE NEWS - The Pacaltsdorp Riding Club is growing from strength to strength.
The club was formed about 18 months ago to, among others, look after the welfare of horses in the community.
Kalma Hayes, one of the driving forces behind the club, told the George Herald a number of people had become aware of the abuse of horses in Pacaltsdorp and surrounding areas. Some horses were being ridden with inappropriate tack and work horses were being mistreated.
As she had been involved with horses on many different levels in the past, she was asked to get involved. Her first impression of some of the horses was that they were medically unfit and abused.
One of the first things she did was to ask for donations of items such as saddles on Facebook.
The response was overwhelming.
They started riding every Sunday with between 30 and 40 horses, but when the community got word of it, many just arrived with their horses.
One of the positive impacts was that people became more involved with the club and started to look after their horses. The horses blossomed.
Later the club became more formalised and horse sports, such as polocrosse, was introduced.
Kalma Hayes, one of the driving forces behind the Pacaltsdorp Riding Club.
Community project
Hayes said she does it because of her love for horses. The club is to a great extent dependent on donations and is grateful for any help.
She emphasised that this is a community project that aims to show the people of George that the plight of horses doesn't go unaddressed. The club is also a place where people learn more about horses and the fantastic world of horse sport.
She commended Paulen Alaart, the chairman of the club, who has been a driving force in getting kids off the street by getting them involved in the educational lessons held at Lovers Park behind the licence department.
Members of the Pacaltsdorp Riding Club at a recent dressage event of the George Riding Club. Photos: Eugene Gunning
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