Local vaults to the top
VORNA VALLEY – 11-year-old Charlsy Loni to represent South Africa at the Tri-Nations Vaulting Cup in Mauritius.
Riba Stables vaulter, Charlsy Loni has been selected to represent South Africa at the Tri Nations Vaulting Cup in Mauritius. But the 11-year-old Vorna Valley resident has to pay her own way there.
A total of €1 500 (more than R24 700) is needed for her travel, accommodation and living costs while she competes from 19 to 20 October. A GoFundMe page is open for Charlsy at www.gofundme.com/f/charlsyvaulting
where she is asking the community to help her attend the tournament. This would be the second time Charlsy has represented SA in an international tournament after she competed at the African Vaulting Championships at Penbritte Equestrian Centre in Eikenhof, earlier in the year. It will also be the first time Charlsy has travelled outside South Africa. “I am looking forward to it and how I can improve by what I learn there,” the enthusiastic youngster told the Fourways Review in-between training sessions at the Kyalami stables. “I am very proud of myself for getting to this stage and the hard work I have done.
I have three medals and thousands of rosettes [won at various tournaments].” She is also grateful for the support from her family and friends at Riba Stables and her sensational vaulting horse, Kit Kat, a nine-year-old mare. “Kit Kat is the sweetest thing who always performs well. She does not buck, bite or kick.” Charlsy has been training at Riba Stables since she was four years old and has always been known for her positive attitude and encouragement towards other vaulters.
Stables owner, Barbie Gertenbach said, “Charlsy is always happy and available to help other riders at lessons. She has a wonderful attitude.” Charlsy’s long-time trainer, Jasyn Gertenbach described the vaulter as a dedicated, hard-working and positive rider. “She does not miss lessons unless she has to and works well with her teammates,” he said. Charlsy sometimes performs routines in pairs with Lillian le Roux and Shannon Roberts.
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/210632/horse-riding-champs/
