Kempies rider eyes Olympics

Equestrian athlete Megan van Heerden (15) represented Hoërskool Kempton Park at the South African National Equestrian School Association (Sanesa) competition on March 2 and 3.

It was Van Heerden’s first year participating at Sanesa, and she is already making a mark in the equestrian world.

She came first in the 70cm jump out of 28 participants and passed the first and second rounds with the best time in the 70cm jumping show.

Van Heerden also achieved third place with a jump of 70cm at the Sanesa competition.

“I attended the second qualifier at Eaton Farm, and with each qualifier, I aim to do better.

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“I train hard every week to reach my goal to go to the nationals.

“With the 70cm round where I came first, I kept calm and I was confident in myself and my horse Belle.

“I always compete with a positive mindset. I am confident and more motivated to get another first place in the next qualifier. I am happy and proud of what I and my horse achieved,” said Van Heerden.

With only two qualifiers remaining, Van Heerden has set her eyes on the championships.

“Once I complete the four qualifiers this year, Sanesa calculates the points of each entry. Based on that they choose the teams to go to the championship, where you ride to get colours.”

She stated she could not be more proud to represent her school, Hoërskool Kempton Park.

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“I am honoured and proud to represent Kempies. I have worked hard over the years to be where I am today.

“For the schools to recognise horse riding as a sport is a priority for me, I am thankful for my school to acknowledge our sport,” she added.

Van Heerden’s love for horse riding started when she was young.

“When I was seven, we went on holidays, and I always looked for horse riding trails and horses nearby the area and made sure we visited them.

“My mother introduced me to the sport when she suggested that I and my brother ride horses once a week. My mom had heard from another woman that horse riding was therapeutic and a stress reliever,” she said.

In 2019, she was enrolled at the Fifth Avenue Equestrian School, where she took lessons twice.

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During her first two years of riding, she learned the basics of the sport including how to tack up a horse, to steer a horse and to be patient.

“I quickly learned that my heart was in riding. I asked my parents if they could consider buying me a horse and I understood the big responsibility of owning a horse. I promised to look after her and be responsible.

“My parents bought Belle and since then we just grew together,” said Van Heerden.

“Horse riding and horses are not just my hobby; they are my passion.”

Van Heerden said her secret to excelling at the competitions was training multiple times a week.

She said there are many career opportunities in the horse industry.

She also shared some of the benefits of horse riding which for her, include learning to have patience, the art of silent communication, discipline and responsibility.

“Over the years, I did home competitions, jumping shows and dressage, which helped me develop my horse riding skills.

“I have won numerous rosettes by getting first to third place at our home shows.

“From a novice rider, I have become an experienced rider, learning the horse’s body language and connecting with my horse through love and care. We are a team.”

Van Heerden’s plans for the future include going to the nationals and being graded by FEI to get ranked for the Olympics in 2027.

“When I graduate from high school, I want to study Equine Science,” she said.