Shumbashaba horse riding development programme teaches youngsters discipline

The Shumbashaba horse-riding development programme which started a few years ago has helped youngsters from Diepsloot not only to learn how to ride horses but it has also helped teach them discipline.

This was according to some of the programme’s participants, Thandile Tingana, Kamogelo Makhura and Thomas Gama who have spent their Tuesday and Friday afternoons for the past six years learning how to ride horses.

“The horse-riding programme has not only taught us to ride horses, it has helped us with time management and understanding the need to respect nature and the environment.

“It has also kept us away from bad company because we always have something to do away from the crowd of our peers,” Kamogelo said.

Thomas is looking forward to becoming a champion in horse riding one day.

“I always wanted to become a soccer star one day but this programme has changed my mind and made me reconsider my dreams. Coming here has taught me a number of good things that I didn’t know about the horse-riding fraternity,” Thomas said.

Equestrian coach at Shumbashaba non-profit organisation, Karen Zuur said the young horse riders who were part of the programme have shown commitment and determination to learn about horses.

“We have more than 10 youngsters from Diepsloot participating in this horse-riding development programme.

“They’ve all shown commitment and hunger to learn horse riding.

“We don’t only teach them how to ride horses, we also teach them how to take care of and respect horses.

“Our main focus is to teach them to have a life skill that they can take from riding and apply it in daily life challenges,” Zuur concluded.