Broadacres’ Kirsten Lloyd and her horse Clarinet will make music at Sanesa

Broadacres resident, Kirsten Lloyd will represent Gauteng at the South African National Equestrian Schools Association Nationals.

This 15-year-old rider proved better than everyone else in the province, in 70cm equitation, across four qualifiers and a round of finals that happened throughout the year.

Now she will pit her skills against the country’s best at Kyalami Equestrian Park on 5 October.

Kirsten regularly rides her mare, Clarinet (11), at Chartwell Stables in preparation for this.

While Clarinet seems a shy horse, reluctant to follow orders from others, in Kirsten’s hands she listens intently and as she warms up she settles into a good technique for equitation.

“We understand each other,” she said.

“I loved her since I first rode her. She would do anything for me, never misbehaves and always shows love.”

Kirsten wants the pair to perform their best at nationals and hopefully place. But gaining experience from her first nationals is her top priority.

“Kirsten has a natural ability and good demeanour with horses,” said her instructor, Kelly Pretorius.

“She plans well and is a neat rider [in terms of technique].

“She will become one of our best junior riders at the yard.”

Kirsten said she loved jumping over obstacles with Clarinet because she felt like they ‘fly without wings’.

The young rider’s secret to doing well in equitation is relying on her horse, and earning her horse’s trust through understanding and not pushing her too hard.

“Sometimes we have bad lessons where things do not go well, but even then if you learn something from them, then they are not bad lessons,” Kirsten concluded.

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