Who will be the Horse of the Year?
KYALAMI – The 2018 edition of Horse of the Year is currently on in Kyalami. Find out a little bit about what is on offer here
Horsey fans are in for a treat as the 2018 Horse of the Year is currently underway in Kyalami and charging no entrance fees for spectators. The event runs until 25 February.
Horse of the Year was originally started in the United Kingdom after World War II and sees about 21 breeds of horses, from miniatures right up to the large draft horses on show this year. The event is being hosted at the Kyalami Park Club [www.kyalamiparkclub.co.za] and about 500 horses in total will be taking part in the week-long event.
“Showing horses as a discipline might be the smallest discipline in equestrian sports, but it has a long history and we really want to see it grow,” explained Rowan Retzlaff, one of the competitors taking part.
“We especially want to see young people become interested in it, as it’s such a wonderful way to develop.”
Classes for riders of all ages will be taking place throughout the week, as well as classes for carriage horses, working horses, riding horses and ponies. Two judges from the United Kingdom have also come out especially for the week.
“This event will definitely be family friendly,” added Retzlaff. “There will be food stalls, stalls selling tack… and for the boys, one of our sponsors, Land Rover Midrand, will have a Terapod 4×4 on display to test out, where visitors can take a ride in the vehicle with an advanced driver.”
Retzlaff was especially excited about the weekend events on 24 and 25 February and believes the public would find these events most interesting to attend.
“On Sunday we’ll have the Champion Parade Day, where all the winners from throughout the week are going to be on display for the public to admire, from the biggest to the smallest!
Retzlaff is also excited to see Zecks Samu and Viceroy, the horse, who have come all the way from KwaZulu-Natal and who will be doing a special performance of their own from 11.30am on 25 February.
“I’d encourage Fourways residents to come out and see Horse of the Year if they can. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of busy Johannesburg, we’re so lucky to have this oasis where we can just spend some time with these beautiful creatures.
“I think we should all take the chance to celebrate that.”
Details: www.kyalamiparkclub.co.za; the Kyalami Park Club Facebook page; 010 023 0712.
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