VIDEOS: Equestrian champs jumping to excellence

The Penbritte Equestrian Centre and Academy students compete nationally and internationally and excels.

WELL DONE: Front: Courtney Sequeira, Mikaela Martin, Jayley Rutenburg and Mila Suniich. Second row: Leigh-Ann Hayes and Kaitlyn Oliver. Third row: Zianey Claasen, Mieshca Hammond, Sebastian Pandelaere and owner Belinda Martin. Back row: Santjie Rensburg, Mikayla Claasen, Almarie Stoltz and Jade Coetzee.

THE Penbritte Equestrian Centre and Academy is based in Allewynspoort, Eikenhof and is managed by two incredibly strong and motivated women of the South.

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Belinda Martin is the owner and head coach of the Centre. She is accompanied by chairperson Rita Gasser and they are both champions and experts in their craft. Now operating the centre for 22 years, Belinda has a science diploma and degree and four coaching qualifications.

WINNER: Belinda Martin won the 135m championship class at the World Cup show held in Shongweni Durban recently.

The academy welcomes about 50 students aged five to 60 and has thus far achieved many accolades this year.

Rita has been riding since the age of 13 and is now in the Gauteng A team for showing. She was born in Switzerland and now lives in Kibler Park.

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Belinda was born and bred in Alberton and now lives in Eikenhof with her husband who is a veterinarian and her daughter Mikaela who is third in the country for jumping. Belinda has been riding since the tender age of five.

Also read: South African National Equestrian Schools Association: Schools best riders in action.

All the Penbritte SANESA school riders received their regional colours for Sedibeng or Ekurhuleni respectively and then also all received their SANESA Gauteng colours. All the young riders (pictured in the photo with all of the awards) are currently in the top 10 SA Showjumping or SA Dressage rankings and Belinda Martin won the 135m championship class at the World Cup show held in Shongweni Durban recently. Mikaela was the SANESA Sedibeng School’s victrix ludorum and competes for Waterstone College.

LESSON: One of the students during the lesson with Belinda Martin.

The academy boasts a great safety record and does not teach in groups bigger than five people. Penbritte students as young as five compete in tournaments against 16-year-old riders.

The trainers all compete nationally and internationally and are one of the few sports where men and women compete on the same level. The tranquil environment next to the Eye of Africa is a great place where parents and families gather as their children train. The Saddle and Spur Country Restaurant and Pizzeria prepares some of the best pizzas.

Also read: SA Mounted Games Nationals held in Gauteng

Belinda runs the facility that homes 80 horses. Belinda and Rita were kind enough to sit with the CHRONICLE and went so far as to give us a tour of the facility. One can only visit the place for themselves to experience the serenity and beauty of horse riding. The stables are well-kept and every horse obviously has a name and is treated like family. There is a play area for children and ample shaded seating for families to watch the sessions.

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Soon Penbritte will be offering a one-year full-time equestrian course. To get in touch with the centre or enquire then visit www.prenbritte.co.za or email info@penbritte.co.za.