Silver Tree Stables rider makes waves in equitation
MIDRAND – Nothing can stop the rise of Bella Ballenden and her horse, Charlie.
The equestrian sports world had better watch out for Bella Ballenden and her horse, Charlie.
The 10-year-old has only been riding for two and a half years but has already earned provincial call-ups and national recognition.
Last year, in her first year of competing, Bella came third in equitation at the South African National Equestrian Schools Association (Sanesa) regionals while riding for Gauteng Metro. She then went on to win at the Sanesa nationals.
Bella later represented Gauteng at the South African Equitation Championships where the team finished second and she came fourth.
The Silver Tree Stables rider is still not used to the limelight and was shy to tell the Fourways Review that equitation was not actually her favourite riding discipline.
“Equitation is like a test,” she said. “So I like show jumping more.”
Bella jumps 80cm at shows and her instructor, Michelle Dawson, wants to take her into the 90cm and intermediate category in shows this year.
“Bella is a very talented young rider who has a good brain and feel for horses,” Dawson said.
“She is very committed and will probably ride right to the top of the pony echelons.”
Dawson said Bella loved her warmblood Charlie to death and jokingly asked her if she wanted to move into the stables with him.
“Yay, thanks,” Bella exclaimed.
The youngster described her horse as very kind, obedient and fuzzy.
“He just sometimes bites me when I groom him too much.”
Bella hopes to one day compete in the Olympic Games and win a medal.
Also read: The next big jump
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