Young equestrian to showcase her talent

If you have a love for horses and enjoy watching competitive riding then don’t miss the Nissan Easter Festival.

Now in its fifth year, the festival delivers a 10-day celebration of equestrian events, entertainment and fun for the whole family.

It runs from April 12 to 21, at Kyalami Park Club, and entry is free.

The first weekend will concentrate on the dressage classes and the rest of the show will mainly feature show jumping and the InterAfrica Cup.

The Nissan Easter Festival includes the SA Pony Rider Grand Prix and The KPC Young Rider Grand Prix, and will conclude on Easter Monday, with the hotly contested Adult SA Jumping Outdoor Grand Prix.

After the success of last year’s festival, which included a spectacular tie for first place in the Nissan Six Bar event, as well as a memorable win by Capital Don Cumarco in the Nissan SA Adult Outdoor Grand Prix, this year’s action is set to be every bit as exciting.

While South Africa’s top riders and horses are without a doubt the main attraction, the festival has far more to offer.

Food stalls, entertainment, child-friendly activities and market stalls will provide plenty of fun throughout the duration of the festival.

With free entrance and secure parking, families, friends and sporting fans can enjoy the live action as it unfolds, with each day offering more excitement, big wins and plenty of family fun.

The GCN caught up with East Rand rider Erin Dos Santos (13), who will be competing at the prestigious event.

Erin lives on the Serengeti Golf Estate and is a Grade Eight pupil at Cornwall Hill College, in Irene.

She has been riding since she was eight years old and trains with Rogan Asken, at Manor D’Or in Kyalami.

The youngster competes in show jumping and loves to ride.

“I enjoy the bond I have with my horses, the outdoor lifestyle and the thrill of jumping,” Erin said.

“I started riding after I attended a birthday party at a riding school when I was eight, and now my next big goal is to compete at the 2018 Youth Olympics.”

Erin has three horses: Whisperer – a grey Welsh/Cobb-cross mare; Two Tone – a skewbald Boerperd-cross gelding and Bob Marley’s Rasta – a bay Saddler-cross gelding.

She has competed at the Nissan Easter Festival in both 2012 and 2013, and achieved good results.

In 2012 she achieved two first places and one fifth place on Two Tone, in the 80cm classes, and in 2013 she took two firsts and a second on Two Tone in the 80cm classes; a fourth place on Bob Marley in the 1.10m class and a first place on Whisperer in the 1.10m championship.

This year Erin is competing only on Whisperer in the 1.20m classes and she will be in action on April 16, 17, 18 and 20.

“The Nissan Easter Festival is one of the biggest shows of the year, with exciting and fiercely contested classes for all ages,” she said.

It takes hard work and dedication to become a good rider and Erin trains four times a week, for two hours at a time.

She also attends shows nearly every weekend.

When she leaves school she wants to do something in the field of science.

Make sure you catch Erin in action at the Nissan Easter Festival.