Local riders shine at tentpegging champs

SEVERAL local equestrian enthusiasts recently excelled at the KwaZulu-Natal Equestrian Tentpegging Championships in Newcastle.

The Okusha Equestrian Centre junior representatives won two gold and two silver medals in the team events. Paige Kelly, a Grade 11 girl from Hillcrest High School, won two gold medals for Skill at Arms and Individual Lance, a silver medal for Rings and Peg and a bronze for Individual Sword. Kelly’s victories secured her the Victor Ludorum trophy as well as the top spot as the U18 KZN team captain.

Joshua McDougall, a Grade 7 boy from Hillcrest Primary School, won a bronze medal for Rings and Peg and the trophy for Overall Best Man. He was selected as the captain of the U14 KZN team. Tayla Steyn, a Grade 6 St Mary’s DSG girl, was chosen to be vice-captain of the U14 KZN team. Benjamin Burton, a Grade 4 Highbury Preparatory School boy, was also selected for the U14 KZN team.

The Okusha Senior team together with Vryheid Landbou were placed second in Indian File Lance and third in Section Sword and Section Lance. Alexandra Pole and Jess Nagel were placed third in Half Section Sword. Beverly Baksa was awarded the Victrix Ludorum for the Year and together with Alexandra Pole, Dalene Baksa and Bianca Zanninello

All senior riders from the Okusha team, will represent the KwaZulu-Natal womens’ team at the Senior South African Championships in October.

Tentpegging is a fast moving equestrian sport that can be enjoyed by riders of all ages. The objective is to gallop down a track within a specified time, picking up or piercing targets on the ground or hanging from gallows with a lance or a sword.