Sunny Park riders are shining
It’s hard to think that, not so long ago, East Randers were still considered the underdogs in the showjumping arena.
Sunny Park Stables’ showjumpers have, however, been working hard behind the scenes this year and all the hard work is starting to show results.
Head coach Nicola Sime’s pupils stood out at the recent Maple Ridge Spring Fair National Show, that was held from September 10 to 13.
Hannah van Niekerk, Hailey Strydom and Sasha Reyneke all competed in the pony riders’ 1.10m open category.
Over the four days, van Niekerk clinched a first place, two second places, two third places and a fifth place, competing on her two ponies, Scooby Doo and Tiara.
Van Niekerk was recently still ranked first in this category in Gauteng, and has now moved up to the 1.20m classes with her rider ranking points.
Strydom achieved a second place, a sixth place and ended seventh on the last day, on her pony, Magic Merlin.
She is currently ranked first in Gauteng in 1.10m.
Strydom also competed in her first national 1m show with her brand new pony, Gandalf the Great, and achieved a seventh place.
Reyneke excelled at her first 1.10m show, on her ponies, Legacy King Arthur’s Gold and Africa’s Waps’ Dream.
She managed a fourth place, a sixth place and a seventh place and is already ranked 13th in Gauteng.
Tayla Terblanche did not compete in this show, but is another rider from Sunny Park climbing the 1.10m rankings.
Her ranking is currently seventh in Gauteng.
The yards’ juniors are also showing a lot of promise on their horses.
Brittany Dennison competed in the 1.20m classes and achieved a second place on Lucarno Cruise Control and a fourth place on Come Spring.
She is ranked 17th in Gauteng in this big pool of riders.
Brigitte Snyman and Kyla Taylor competed in the 1.30m class, which is new to both of them.
Snyman had good rounds and is currently ranked ninth in the 1.20m and 19th in 1.30m classes on her horse, Silent Warrior, in Gauteng.
Taylor achieved a sixth and a seventh place on her horse, Stara Menica, in the 1.30m, and seventh and eighth places on her other horse, Fair Cris, in the 1.10m. She is also currently ranked eighth in the 1.20m and 13th in the 1.30m classes.
