Riding club celebrates birthday with community

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GEORGE NEWS - To celebrate its fourth birthday, Pacaltsdorp Riding Club (PRC) held an event in New Dawn Park on 31 October, celebrating its blessings by giving back to the community.

There was entertainment in the form of horse rides for everybody who was interested, fast cricket for the kids, educational talks about caring for the animals and environment, and live entertainers.

More than 100 people each received a plate of food and cold beverages, and there were even three ice-cream cakes that were shared among the kids - perfect for a hot Sunday afternoon. And all this was for free.

The day was dedicated to the founder, the late Paulen Alaart, and club members paid their respects to him. "Our brother isn't here with us today, but in my heart I can feel his joy," said Anvir Michaels, while Calvin "EgoNege" Claassen said, "Paulen left a blueprint that needs to be templatised and perfected to last for generations to come".

The event, which according to Claasen "can only be called a day of #OneLove", was organised by the PRC along with the Rastafarian Community of George in less than 24 hours. "There was so much to give back to the community and the way it was received surely speaks volumes of what communities long for," he said.

PRC chairman Verdi Alaart sincerely thanked everybody who contributed to the day and apologised to those who would have wanted to attend but could not because of the late notice.

The club thanks the following people and businesses that helped make the day possible: Sandra Tromp and the many other matriarchs who prepared the food, Dudley King Dudz Jacobs who gave the ice-cream cakes, Dr Kalma for helping establish the PRC and for being present at the event, Bo-Menslike Produksies (BMP) at the media end; Joheynen Pieterse for taking the photos; The Bar One Shop NO2 for providing electricity, which enabled the club to provide a platform for entertainment; and Zonia Pedro-Ruiters of Gloryland Community Centre who brought presents. Thanks also to the performers on the day: EgoNege, Terrible Dan, Ellie-Starr Music and the other talented youth from surrounding communities, as well as MC Stephen Naftali Smith.

Photo gallery: Pacaltsdorp Riding Club celebrates 4th birthday

Vice-chairman Eduwaan Arries is hopeful that the PRC will be able to do much more for the community in future.

The club is going strong and trying to keep things together with the little it has. Any donations and or experiences that would help grow the PRC and make it even more effective in the community will be greatly appreciated. Please contact PRC management on 061 254 1887 in this regard.

The women provided plenty of food for everyone.