THE Gauteng Young Riders A Team won the Young Riders National Mounted Games Team event that took place at Penbritte Equestrian Centre over the Easter weekend.
Team members Gabi Gomes, Skyler Mac Farlane, TK Ndlovu and Tyla Nepgen all reside in Gauteng South. Coach Megan Marr who also rides for Gauteng, was all smiles watching her team go through their paces.
The Gauteng Young Riders B Team comprising new and mostly primary school riders placed fourth in the junior competition. They are Justin Smit, Leigh-Ann Hayes,Miescha Hammond and Nakita Esson. Their coach Daniel Ferreira said after the competition, “I can’t wait to take my dream team to the next level of competition.”
The KZN Open A team was crowned overall champions with the Gauteng Open A team made up of Courtney Mc Kenzie, Daniel Ferreira (rider and coach), Donnelly Mc Kenzie, Meggan Ireland and Megan Marr finishing a close second.
Although a relatively new and small equestrian discipline, the number of riders has doubled in Gauteng this past year. South Africa is hosting the Nations Championship in December and teams from Mauritius, Burkina Faso, Iran, Australia, New Zealand and Canada to name a few, have shown interest in competing here.
An adult and an u.17 team will be competing in the World Team Championships taking place in Ireland in July this year and South Africa will, for the first time, host the 2017 World Team Championships in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Four to five competitions are held in Gauteng each year with a day clinic held the day prior to the competitions in order to introduce new riders to the sport. Riders can choose to ride at club level, in training, in Sanesa or in open classes. There are seven levels of competition, catering for lead rein riders, new adult riders and mounted games.
Should any other riding schools be interested in hosting a games clinic, contact Daniel Ferreira on 072 425 3444 to make arrangements.
The next individual competition takes place on May 8 at Penbritte Equestrian Centre. Call Felicia Rowan on 082 339 9268 for more details.
