This scenario sums up Linda Squair, ranked 7th in South Africa in 2010 for eventing, a horse riding discipline that consists of dressage, cross country and show jumping.
Born in George on 18 August 1973, this Outeniqua High School matriculant wants to qualify for London Olympics, and if qualified, to be eligible for team selection.
And with her first three star Olympic level Eventing competition scheduled for September, this modest woman is well on her way to reaching this goal.
She was the surprise laatlammetjie addition to a closeknit Weideman family who have contributed much to the George community. Dad Martin was the contractor for the Blanco DR Church where Miss Weideman and Arthur Squair got married and christened daughters Pippa (3) and Rosslyn (17 months). Linda is following a passion for horses that surfaced at a young age.
She admits: "I used to beg, borrow and steal any riding opportunity as a youngster". She even collected all her 10th birthday money and asking mom Annatjie if it was enough to start official lessons with Kim Rivas, Linda’s horsemanship is reflected in her qualifications, both on paper and in the horses and riders she has trained.
Linda is one of a handful of South Africans with an Equine degree, has a SA National Equestrian Federation (SANEF) level two. In February passed the Fede-ration Equestre Internationale (FEI)) level 1 as a stepping stone to level 2, which would allow her to coach at international level.
When it comes to the horses and people she has worked with, Linda says it is rewarding to see humans and animals go beyond what they thought they could achieve.
This includes many of the young SWD Equestrian team members taking part at Kyalami in August. However, her passion for eventing and competing for her country in London comes at a high price.
To qualify for Olymic eligibility, Linda has to partake in expensive training clinics with the South African team coach. The first was this week in Stellenbosch. Then she has to obtain qualifying results at international one day events in Gauteng (12-14 August), two in KwaZulu Natal (3-4 September; 22-23 October), participate in the Inter-Provincial team competition in Paarl (12-13 November) and finally, take part in the SA Championships.
Good thing Pippa thinks the family’s trips to shows are special holidays!
In the past year Linda has been a member of the Eastern Cape Eventing team at the Adult Inter-Provincials where the team placed second.
They also finished seventh at the Western Province Champs and then finished in the top six at the SA Champs.
This mom of two who thinks her husband is a brilliant cook, schools, produces and competes on Kilshane Irish Sporthorses. They are owned by the Kilshane Irish Sport Horse Stud in Groot Drakenstein. They are stabled at Burnside Equestrian Centre which Linda established for the love of the sport in 2003.
It is this love for the sport and her life attitude of "just do it and keep going" that will stand her in great stead...hopefully right to the Olympics in London.
ARTICLE: LEEANNE PRATT, GEORGE HERALD REPORTER
