GEORGE NEWS - Thirteen young riders from the South Western Districts headed to Gauteng recently to prove their metal and returned home jubilant with their performances at the 2011 SA Nationals Equestrian Schools Assocation competition. They are also now fully fledged Western Province SANESA team members.

Not only did many of our local riders get placed in the individual classes - that ranged between 55 to 62 riders per class - but as part of the Western Cape team they also won the Spirit trophy for the team with the best gees.

Annelise Naude, SWD Chair for SANESA, said this week, "This is a very good stepping stone for what is to come once they are out of school and competing at adult level. Everything went well...the kids managed well under the pressure..and the whole team managed to stick together and were very focused" during the competition.

This focus ensured that the riders competing in the high school section were placed in 8th out of 17 other teams. The primary school riders did just as well and were placed 9th out of 17 competing teams.

George rider Paula Mare said it was "stressed but fun" and she was very happy that her and her horse Burnside Lily’s leaf "flew over the jumps."

Outeniqua High School learner, Candice Ludick, said she had a sore throat from all the shouting but it was worth it when their team won the Spirit Trophy.

Dané du Preez was disappointed that she arrived too late to walk her showjumping course but along with Western Cape team members Candice, Anthony Kennekamp and a Boland rider, they placed se-cond in the 70cm showjumping event. Another team of riders consisting of Lariska Naude, Alexia Gouws, Nicole van der Merwe and Bianca van Huyssteen also obtained success in the 80cm jumping class by placing second.
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.


Western Cape SANESA team riders (front right) Lariska Naudé, Caroline de Villiers, (middle from right) Isabella Fulford (Knysna), Alexia Gouws, Paula Mare, Bianca van Huyssteen, Gaby Berman, Nicole van der Merwe (Mossel Bay), (back right) Mia Rebula, Candice Ludick, Simone Odendaal, Anthony Kennekamp and Dané du Preez (unless indicated otherwise, riders hail from George).

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LEEANNE PRATT, GEORGE HERALD REPORTER