TMC’s Rachel is an equestrian star

RACHEL Kerdachi, a Grade 9 pupil at Thomas More College is its high school’s SPAR Star of the Month.

Rachel competed in the FEI Children’s International Classic Gold Tour in Kyalami in Johannesburg after which she was then selected to take part in the final of this series in Belgium last month. There were a total of 28 competitors from 14 countries. The event was at the Sentower Park in Oppglabbeek (Belgium).

Rachel has been competing on ponies but in this final international, riders are expected to ride horses and what makes it more challenging is that it was an unknown horse. The host nation athletes take two horses with a draw, determining which of their two horses they will ride and which one will be in the draw for the international riders.

Rachel was privileged to draw a wonderfully natured chestnut called Talounabab K Z which was loaned by Belgium rider, Thomas Thometschek. The international riders are given a very short time to get know their horse but Rachel coped extremely well. She placed 11th in the first qualifier, 18th in the second qualifier which meant she had enough points to participate in the final. Rachel placed 11th overall in the final, which left South Africa in 6th position.

Rachel thanked Chad Cunningham who coached and assisted her in Belgium.