Put your best hoof forward
KYALAMI - Non-stop equestrian action was experienced at the Polo International Horse Trials 2014 by sports fanatics, fashionistas and philanthropists.
The Polo International Horse Trials was without a doubt the highlight of the sporting calendar.
Kyalami was transformed in order to host a three-day triathlon event in which horsemanship was pitted against endurance, strength, speed and discipline. Throughout the course of the weekend, each of the participating jockeys and their trusty steeds aimed to please in three categories including dressage, cross country and showjumping.
This proved to be a worthy challenge for which all were willing to put their best hoof forward. In the end, it was previous SA eventing champion Martyn Swanepoel on his horse Voigtskirch Kardinal who claimed first place in the FEI2 class winner.
Swanepoel was also fortunate enough to compete in the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky USA, and with this recent International Horse Trials victory, he is definitely one to watch. Other notable victories included Murray Pote on Callaho Carlos Santana who placed second, Graham Winn on Voigtskirch Senator in third and Errin Dempsey on Equal Image in fourth.
Many other nail-biting victories and close conquests were the order of the day, ensuring plenty of action for spectators throughout the event. The trials this year saw a turn-out which had doubled from the first event held in 2013, as the equestrian horizons are becoming broader and more diverse in South African markets and interest is growing exponentially.
